49 results
Search Results
2. A feasibility study of composites produced from telephone directory paper, plastics, and other adhesives
- Author
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Steiner, P [Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)]
- Published
- 2020
3. Effect of moisture content on the accuracy and economic feasibility of oil–paper insulation prediction model.
- Author
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Li, Chong, Wu, Kai, and Cheng, Chuanhui
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PREDICTION models , *LIFE cycle costing , *MOISTURE , *FORECASTING , *FEASIBILITY studies , *HEAVY oil - Abstract
The condition assessment of oil–paper insulation is a vital issue in transformer management. To investigate the effect of moisture content on the accuracy of the prediction model, accelerated ageing experiments were performed with different initial moisture content (IMC) in laboratory condition. Two types of multi-parameter lifetime prediction models, e.g. with and without consideration of IMC, were presented for comparison purpose. The authors found that a better accuracy for its prediction results could be achieved by establishing the prediction models with the consideration of IMC. Besides, models considering IMC have better economic feasibility than that without considering IMC(non-IMC) as its total cost is cheaper according to life cycle cost (LCC) calculations. In addition, failure probability based on the proposed prediction models was also calculated as a direct indicator for evaluating the oil–paper insulation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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4. Multivariate image analysis for the rapid detection of residues from packaging remnants in former foodstuff products (FFPs) – a feasibility study
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Alessandro Ulrici, Luciano Pinotti, Matteo Ottoboni, Marco Tretola, Rosalba Calvini, and A. Luciano
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Paper ,Multivariate statistics ,Natural resource economics ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Food Contamination ,Toxicology ,01 natural sciences ,Rapid detection ,colourgrams ,feed ,food safety ,Former foodstuffs ,multivariate image analysis (MIA) ,packaging remnants ,business.industry ,Circular economy ,010401 analytical chemistry ,Food Packaging ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Chemistry ,General Medicine ,Food safety ,040201 dairy & animal science ,0104 chemical sciences ,Multivariate Analysis ,Feasibility Studies ,Livestock ,business ,Nutritive Value ,Plastics ,Food Analysis ,Food Science - Abstract
From a circular economy perspective, feeding livestock with food leftovers or former foodstuff products (FFPs) could be an effective option aimed at exploiting food leftover resources and reducing food losses. FFPs are valuable energy sources, characterised by a beneficial starch/sugar content, and also fats. However, besides these nutritional aspects, safety is a key concern given that FFPs are generally derived from packaged food. Packaging materials, such as plastics and paper, are not accepted as a feed ingredient which means that residues should be rigorously avoided. A sensitive and objective detection method is thus essential for an accurate risk evaluation throughout the former food production chain. To this end, former food samples were collected in processing plants of two different European countries and subjected to multivariate analysis of red, green, and blue (RGB) microscopic images, in order to evaluate the possible application of this non-destructive technique for the rapid detection of residual particles from packaging materials. Multivariate Image Analysis (MIA) was performed on single images at the pixel level, which essentially consisted in an exploratory analysis of the image data by means of Principal Component Analysis, which highlighted the differences between packaging and foodstuff particles, based on their colour. The whole dataset of images was then analysed by means of a multivariate data dimensionality reduction method known as the colourgrams approach, which identified clusters of images sharing similar features and also highlighted outlier images due to the presence of packaging particles. The results obtained in this feasibility study demonstrated that MIA is a promising tool for a rapid automated method for detecting particles of packaging materials in FFPs.
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- 2020
5. Spatial frequency domain imager based on a compact multiaperture camera: testing and feasibility for noninvasive burn severity assessment
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Anthony J. Durkin, Jun Tanida, Adrien Ponticorvo, Rebecca A. Rowland, Keiichiro Kagawa, and Gordon T. Kennedy
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Paper ,Materials science ,genetic structures ,compound eye ,Multispectral image ,Biomedical Engineering ,Bioengineering ,Optical Physics ,Imaging phantom ,Phantoms ,law.invention ,Imaging ,Biomaterials ,Mice ,Optics ,Band-pass filter ,law ,Opthalmology and Optometry ,multispectral imaging ,Animals ,diffuse optics ,Skin ,CMOS sensor ,thin observational module by bound optics ,business.industry ,Phantoms, Imaging ,Optical Imaging ,Compound eye ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Rats ,Lens (optics) ,Wavelength ,burn wounds ,spatial frequency domain imaging ,Feasibility Studies ,Spatial frequency ,sense organs ,business ,Burns - Abstract
Significance: Spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) is a wide-field imaging technique that provides quantitative maps of tissue optical properties. We describe a compact SFDI imager that employs a multispectral compound-eye camera. This design enables simultaneous image acquisition at multiple wavelengths. Such a device has potential for application for quantitative evaluation of superficial tissues by nonspecialists in low-resource settings. Aim: The aim of this work was to develop a compact SFDI imager for widefield imaging of in-vivo tissue optical properties and verify its ability to measure optical properties of tissue-simulating phantoms and in a preclinical model of burn wounds. Approach: This compound-eye imager was constructed using a CMOS sensor subdivided into multiple regions, each having a bandpass filter and objective lens. The ability of the instrument to image optical properties was compared with (1) a commercial SFDI imager and (2) a laboratory-based system. Initial validation of ability to accurately characterize optical properties was performed using a tissue-simulating optical phantom. It was then applied to an established murine model of thermal contact burn severity. In-vivo measurements of the optical properties of rat skin were performed before and after the application of burns. Histology was used to verify burn severity. Results: Measurements of the tissue-simulating phantom optical properties made using the compound-eye imager agree with measurements made using the two comparison SFDI devices. For the murine burn model, the burns showed a decrease in the reduced scattering coefficient at all measurement wavelengths compared with preburn measurements at the same locations. This is consistent with previously reported changes in scattering that occur in full-thickness burns. Conclusion: We demonstrate the potential for SFDI to be translated into compact form factor using a compound-eye camera that is capable of obtaining multiple wavelengths channels simultaneously.
- Published
- 2021
6. Development and validation of a 3D printed antiviral ventilator filter - a comparative study
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Mathew Francis, Barak Cohen, Esther Shaylor, Ruth Shaylor, and Solomon Dadia
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Paper ,Surgical Sponges ,Ventilator circuit ,3d printed ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Supply chain ,Polyurethanes ,Ultrafiltration ,Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ,Global Health ,Automotive engineering ,03 medical and health sciences ,Cartridge ,0302 clinical medicine ,Anesthesiology ,Humans ,Medicine ,RD78.3-87.3 ,Anesthesia ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Coloring Agents ,030223 otorhinolaryngology ,Pandemics ,Ventilator ,Ventilators, Mechanical ,Filter paper ,business.industry ,COVID-19 ,Reproducibility of Results ,Equipment Design ,3D printing ,Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine ,Filter (video) ,Printing, Three-Dimensional ,Viruses ,Feasibility Studies ,business ,Casing ,Research Article - Abstract
Background The current coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unexpected pressure on medical supplies, interrupting supply chains and increasing prices. The supply of antiviral filters which form an essential part of the ventilator circuit have been affected by these issues. Three-dimensional (3D) printing may provide a solution to some of these issues. Methods We designed and tested 3D printed heat and moisture exchange (HME) and antiviral casing. For each casing we tested two different filter materials derived from a sediment water filter cartridge or 1.5-μm glass fiber filter paper. A polyurethane sponge was used for the HME. Each design was tested for circuit leak, circuit compliance, peak inspiratory pressure and casing integrity using methylene blue dye. Results We designed, produced, and tested two different types of antiviral filters with six different internal configurations. Overall, we tested 10 modified filter designs and compared them with the original commercial filter. Except for the combination of 1.5-μm filter paper and 5 mm sponge peak inspiratory pressure and circuit compliance of the filters produced were within the operating limits of the ventilator. All In addition, all filters passed the dye test. Conclusions Our filter may be of particular importance to those working in low middle-income countries unable to compete with stronger economies. Our design relies on products available outside the healthcare supply chain, much of which can be purchased in grocery stores, hardware stores, or industrial and academic institutions. We hope that these HMEs and viral filters may be beneficial to clinicians who face critical supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Published
- 2021
7. In situ terahertz monitoring of an ice ball formation during tissue cryosurgery: a feasibility test
- Author
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Larisa P. Safonova, Gleb M. Katyba, Arsenii A. Gavdush, Irina N. Dolganova, Arsen K. Zotov, and Nikita V. Chernomyrdin
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Paper ,Materials science ,Terahertz radiation ,tetrahertz pulsed spectroscopy ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Biomedical Engineering ,01 natural sciences ,Signal ,Cryosurgery ,010309 optics ,Biomaterials ,ice ball formation ,0103 physical sciences ,Freezing ,medicine ,Animals ,Special Series on Advances in Terahertz Biomedical Science and Applications ,Image resolution ,Spectrometer ,Ice ,terahertz biophotonics ,Cryoablation ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Terahertz spectroscopy and technology ,Biophotonics ,Cryotherapy ,cryoablation ,Feasibility Studies ,Cattle ,Biomedical engineering - Abstract
Significance: Uncontrolled cryoablation of tissues is a strong reason limiting the wide application of cryosurgery and cryotherapy due to the certain risks of unpredicted damaging of healthy tissues. The existing guiding techniques are unable to be applied in situ or provide insufficient spatial resolution. Terahertz (THz) pulsed spectroscopy (TPS) based on sensitivity of THz time-domain signal to changes of tissue properties caused by freezing could form the basis of an instrument for observation of the ice ball formation. Aim: The ability of TPS for in situ monitoring of tissue freezing depth is studied experimentally. Approach: A THz pulsed spectrometer operated in reflection mode and equipped with a cooled sample holder and ex vivo samples of bovine visceral adipose tissue is applied. Signal spectrograms are used to analyze the changes of THz time-domain signals caused by the interface between frozen and unfrozen tissue parts. Results: Experimental observation of TPS signals reflected from freezing tissue demonstrates the feasibility of TPS to detect ice ball formation up to 657-μm depth. Conclusions: TPS could become the promising instrument for in situ control of cryoablation, enabling observation of the freezing front propagation, which could find applications in various fields of oncology, regenerative medicine, and THz biophotonics.
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- 2020
8. Feasibility of combined optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence imaging for visualization of needle biopsy placement
- Author
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Anthony M. D. Lee, Geoffrey Hohert, Sylvia Lam, Renelle Myers, Stephen Lam, Pierre M. Lane, and Andrei Vertikov
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Paper ,Image-Guided Biopsy ,Swine ,Biomedical Engineering ,Lung biopsy ,autofluorescence ,01 natural sciences ,Imaging ,010309 optics ,Biomaterials ,Optical coherence tomography ,In vivo ,0103 physical sciences ,Biopsy ,medicine ,Animals ,biopsy ,optical coherence tomography ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Biopsy, Needle ,Optical Imaging ,animal study ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Stylet ,Autofluorescence ,Feasibility Studies ,business ,Nuclear medicine ,Tomography, Optical Coherence ,Preclinical imaging ,Ex vivo ,lung imaging - Abstract
Significance: Diagnosis of suspicious lung nodules requires precise collection of relevant biopsies for histopathological analysis. Using optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence imaging (OCT-AFI) to improve diagnostic yield in parts of the lung inaccessible to larger imaging methods may allow for reducing complications related to the alternative of computed tomography-guided biopsy. Aim: Feasibility of OCT-AFI combined with a commercially available lung biopsy needle was demonstrated for visualization of needle puncture sites in airways with diameters as small as 1.9 mm. Approach: A miniaturized OCT-AFI imaging stylet was developed to be inserted through an 18G biopsy needle. We present design considerations and procedure development for image-guided biopsy. Ex vivo and in vivo porcine studies were performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the procedure and the device. Results: OCT-AFI scans were obtained ex vivo and in vivo. Discrimination of pullback site is clear. Conclusions: Use of the device is shown to be feasible in vivo. Images obtained show the stylet is effective at providing structural information at the puncture site that can be used to assess the diagnostic potential of the sample prior to collection.
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- 2020
9. Feasibility and effectiveness of electronic vs. paper partograph on improving birth outcomes
- Author
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Sumon Kumar Das, Tahmina Begum, Jelle Stekelenburg, Monjur Rahman, Sadika Akhter, Tarun Kanti Ghosh, Dewan Md Emdadul Hoque, Aminur Rahman, Iqbal Anwar, Parveen Fatima, Fatema Ashraf, and Public Health Research (PHR)
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Maternal Health ,Social Sciences ,Logistic regression ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,Prolonged labour ,Cultural Anthropology ,Geographical Locations ,Labor and Delivery ,0302 clinical medicine ,Obstetrics and gynaecology ,Sociology ,Pregnancy ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Bangladesh ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Multidisciplinary ,Cross-Over Studies ,Labor, Obstetric ,Obstetrics ,Pregnancy Outcome ,Gestational age ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,Institutional review board ,Hospitals ,Religion ,Obstetric Procedures ,Regression Analysis ,Female ,Research Article ,Adult ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Asia ,Referral ,Science ,Surgical and Invasive Medical Procedures ,03 medical and health sciences ,Asphyxia ,Young Adult ,Signs and Symptoms ,Fetus ,Diagnostic Medicine ,Chi-square test ,Humans ,business.industry ,Cesarean Section ,medicine.disease ,Delivery, Obstetric ,Electronics, Medical ,Health Care ,Health Care Facilities ,Anthropology ,People and Places ,Birth ,Women's Health ,Feasibility Studies ,business - Abstract
BACKGROUND: The partograph has been endorsed by World Health Organization (WHO) since 1994 which presents an algorithm for assessing maternal and foetal conditions and labor progression. Monitoring labour with a partograph can reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes such as prolonged labor, emergency C-sections, birth asphyxia and stillbirths. However, partograph use is still very low, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs). In Bangladesh the reported partograph user rate varies from 1.4% to 33.0%. Recently, an electronic version of the partograph, with the provision of online data entry and user aid for emergency clinical support, has been tested successfully in different settings. With this proven evidence, we conducted and operations research to test the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing an e-partograph, for the first time, in 2 public hospitals in Bangladesh.METHODS: We followed a prospective crossover design. Two secondary level referral hospitals, Jessore and Kushtia District Hospital (DH) were the study sites. All pregnant women who delivered in the study hospitals were the study participants. All nurse-midwives working in the labor ward of study hospitals were trained on appropriate use of both types of partograph along with standard labour management guidelines. Collected quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 23 statistical software. Discrete variables were expressed as percentages and presented as frequency distribution and cross tabulations. Chi square tests were employed to test the association between exposure and outcome variables. Potential confounding factors were adjusted using multivariate binary logistic regression methods. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b).FINDINGS: In total 2918 deliveries were conducted at Jessore DH and 2312 at Kushtia DH during one-year study period. Of them, 1012 (506 in each facility) deliveries were monitored using partograph (paper or electronic). The trends of facility based C-section rates was downwards in both the hospitals; 43% to 37% in Jessore and from 36% to 25% in Kushtia Hospital. There was a significant reduction of prolonged labour with e-partograph use. In Kushtia DH, the prolonged labour rate was 42% during phase 1 with the paper version which came down to 29% during phase-2 with the e-partograph use. The similar result was observed in Jessore DH where the prolonged labour rate reduced to 7% with paper partograph from the reported 30% prolonged labour with e-partograph. The e-partograph user rate was higher than the paper partograph during both phases (phase 1: 3.31, CI: 2.04-5.38, p < .001 and in phase 2: 15.20 CI: 6.36-36.33, p < .001) after adjusting for maternal age, parity, gestational age, religion, mother's education, husband's education, and fetal sex.CONCLUSION: The partograph user rate has significantly improved with the e- partograph and was associated with an overall reduction in cesarean births. Use of the e-partograph was also associated with reduced rates of prolonged labour. This study has added to the growing body of evidence on the positive impact of e-partograph use. We recommend implementing e-partograph intervention at scale in both public and private hospitals in Bangladesh.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03509103.
- Published
- 2019
10. Acceptability and satisfaction of project MOVE: A pragmatic feasibility trial aimed at increasing physical activity in female breast cancer survivors
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Kristin L. Campbell, Tanya Pullen, Joan L. Bottorff, Susan Ellard, Cristina M. Caperchione, Catherine M. Sabiston, Paul Sharp, Kayla Fitzpatrick, and Carolyn C. Gotay
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Gerontology ,Program evaluation ,Paper ,financial incentives ,health promotion ,Physical activity ,physical activity ,Experimental and Cognitive Psychology ,Breast Neoplasms ,microgrants ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Breast cancer ,Financial incentives ,Cancer Survivors ,Survivorship curve ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,cancer ,Humans ,Oncology & Carcinogenesis ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Program Development ,Exercise ,Aged ,Motivation ,Focus Groups ,Middle Aged ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,medicine.disease ,Focus group ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Health promotion ,Incentive ,Patient Satisfaction ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Papers ,oncology ,community‐based intervention ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,women ,Psychology ,survivorship - Abstract
© 2018 The Authors. Psycho-Oncology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Objective: Despite the physical and psychological health benefits associated with physical activity (PA) for breast cancer (BC) survivors, up to 70% of female BC survivors are not meeting minimum recommended PA guidelines. The objective of this study was to evaluate acceptability and satisfaction with Project MOVE, an innovative approach to increase PA among BC survivors through the combination of microgrants and financial incentives. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used. Participants were BC survivors and support individuals with a mean age of 58.5 years. At 6-month follow-up, participants completed a program evaluation questionnaire (n = 72) and participated in focus groups (n = 52) to explore their experience with Project MOVE. Results: Participants reported that they were satisfied with Project MOVE (86.6%) and that the program was appropriate for BC survivors (96.3%). Four main themes emerged from focus groups: (1) acceptability and satisfaction of Project MOVE, detailing the value of the model in developing tailored group-base PA programs; (2) the importance of Project MOVE leaders, highlighting the value of a leader that was organized and a good communicator; (3) breaking down barriers with Project MOVE, describing how the program helped to address common BC related barriers; and (4) motivation to MOVE, outlining how the microgrants enabled survivors to be active, while the financial incentive motivated them to increase and maintain their PA. Conclusion: The findings provide support for the acceptability of Project MOVE as a strategy for increasing PA among BC survivors.
- Published
- 2018
11. Electricity generation from digitally printed cyanobacteria
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Marin Sawa, Andrea Fantuzzi, Paolo Bombelli, Christopher J. Howe, Klaus Hellgardt, Peter J. Nixon, Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), Howe, Christopher [0000-0002-6975-8640], and Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository
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DEVICES ,Bioelectric Energy Sources ,Science ,Cyanobacteria ,Article ,ENERGY ,ALGAE ,Electricity ,BIOSENSOR ,Photosynthesis ,lcsh:Science ,Science & Technology ,Nanotubes, Carbon ,Synechocystis ,Equipment Design ,BIOELECTRICITY ,ARRAYS ,Multidisciplinary Sciences ,PAPER ,PATTERNS ,Science & Technology - Other Topics ,MICROBIAL FUEL-CELLS ,Feasibility Studies ,Printing ,lcsh:Q ,Biotechnology - Abstract
Microbial biophotovoltaic cells exploit the ability of cyanobacteria and microalgae to convert light energy into electrical current using water as the source of electrons. Such bioelectrochemical systems have a clear advantage over more conventional microbial fuel cells which require the input of organic carbon for microbial growth. However, innovative approaches are needed to address scale-up issues associated with the fabrication of the inorganic (electrodes) and biological (microbe) parts of the biophotovoltaic device. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using a simple commercial inkjet printer to fabricate a thin-film paper-based biophotovoltaic cell consisting of a layer of cyanobacterial cells on top of a carbon nanotube conducting surface. We show that these printed cyanobacteria are capable of generating a sustained electrical current both in the dark (as a ‘solar bio-battery’) and in response to light (as a ‘bio-solar-panel’) with potential applications in low-power devices., Cyanobacteria can be exploited to convert light energy into electrical current, however utilising them efficiently for power generation is a challenge. Here, the authors use a simple commercial inkjet printer to fabricate a thin-film paper-based biophotovoltaic cell capable of driving low-power devices.
- Published
- 2017
12. Wave intensity analysis in the internal carotid artery of hypertensive subjects using phase-contrast MR angiography and preliminary assessment of the effect of vessel morphology on wave dynamics
- Author
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Neumann, S, Sophocleous, F, Kobetic, M D, Hart, E C, Nightingale, A K, Parker, K H, Hamilton, M K, and Biglino, G
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Paper ,Male ,Focus on Analysis and Measurement of the Arterial Pulse Wave Waveform ,hypertension ,reservoir pressure ,statistical shape modelling ,blood pressure ,internal carotid artery ,Blood Pressure Determination ,Middle Aged ,Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ,cardiovascular system ,Feasibility Studies ,Humans ,Female ,wave intensity analysis ,Aorta ,Carotid Artery, Internal ,Magnetic Resonance Angiography - Abstract
Objective: Hypertension is associated with reduced cerebral blood flow, but it is not known how this impacts on wave dynamics or potentially relates to arterial morphology. Given the location of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and risks associated with invasive measurements, wave dynamics in this artery have not been extensively assessed in vivo. This study explores the feasibility of studying wave dynamics in the internal carotid artery non-invasively. Approach: Normotensive, uncontrolled and controlled hypertensive participants were recruited (daytime ambulatory blood pressure 135/85 mmHg, respectively; n = 38). Wave intensity, reservoir pressure and statistical shape analyses were performed on the right ICA and ascending aorta high-resolution phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography data. Main results: Wave speed in the aorta was significantly lower in normotensive compared to hypertensive participants (6.7 ± 1.8 versus 11.2 ± 6.2 m s−1 for uncontrolled and 11.8 ± 4.6 m s−1 for controlled hypertensives, p = 0.02), whilst there were no differences in wave speed in the ICA. There were no significant differences between the groups for the wave intensity or reservoir pressure. Interestingly, a significant association between the anatomy of the ICA and wave energy (FCW and size, r2 = 0.12, p = 0.04) was found. Significance: This study shows it is feasible to study wave dynamics in the ICA non-invasively. Whilst changes in aortic wave speed confirmed an expected increase in arterial stiffness, this was not observed in the ICA. This might suggest a protective mechanism in the cerebral circulation, in conjunction with the effect of vessel tortuosity. Furthermore, it was observed that ICA shape correlated with wave energy but not wave speed.
- Published
- 2018
13. Design, fabrication, and feasibility analysis of a colorimetric detection system with a smartphone for self-monitoring blood glucose
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Yen-Yu Chen, Hung-Chih Wang, Tung-Meng Tsai, Chieh-Hsiao Chen, and Fuh-Yu Chang
- Subjects
Blood Glucose ,Paper ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Biomedical Engineering ,smartphone ,01 natural sciences ,010309 optics ,Biomaterials ,Optical sensing ,Diabetes mellitus ,0103 physical sciences ,medicine ,Diabetes Mellitus ,Humans ,Statistical analysis ,Computer Simulation ,Blood Glucose Measurement ,diabetes ,business.industry ,Insulin ,Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring ,Glucose detection ,Reproducibility of Results ,Equipment Design ,medicine.disease ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,colorimetric blood strip ,Sensing ,Self-monitoring ,Feasibility Studies ,Regression Analysis ,Colorimetry ,business ,Biomedical engineering - Abstract
Maintaining appropriate insulin levels is very important for diabetes patients. Effective monitoring of blood glucose can aid in maintaining the body’s insulin level, and thus reduce disease severities, secondary complications, and related mortalities. However, existing blood glucose measurement devices are inconvenient to carry and involve complex procedures, reducing the willingness of diabetes patients to regularly measure blood glucose. We aim to provide a rapid, convenient, and portable meter for diabetes patients. We introduce an integrated blood glucose detection device (IBGDD) that has no electronic component and uses the optical sensing module of a smartphone to inspect colorimetric blood strips. To demonstrate accuracy conformance of the developed device to the ISO 15197:2013 standard for blood glucose measurement, 20 diabetes mellitus patients used the IBGDD with smartphones to measure their blood glucose level. The measurement results revealed an accuracy of 100%, completely satisfying the requirements of the ISO 15197:2013 standard. Overall, our specially designed IBGDD with a smartphone could achieve high accuracy and convenient usage for the measurement of blood glucose concentration. Furthermore, the device is highly portable and simple to operate. This contributes toward achieving self-monitoring of blood glucose by diabetes patients and improved mobile health in the future.
- Published
- 2018
14. Toward adaptive radiotherapy for lung patients: feasibility study on deforming planning CT to CBCT to assess the impact of anatomical changes on dosimetry
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Cole, A J, Veiga, C, Johnson, U, D’Souza, D, Lalli, N K, and McClelland, J R
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Paper ,Male ,Lung Neoplasms ,Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ,cone beam CT ,Radiotherapy Dosage ,Spiral Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ,Middle Aged ,lung cancer ,adaptive radiotherapy ,Feasibility Studies ,Humans ,Female ,Radiotherapy, Conformal ,deformable image registration ,Algorithms - Abstract
Changes in lung architecture during a course of radiotherapy can alter the planned dose distribution to the extent that it becomes clinically unacceptable. This study aims to validate a quantitative method of determining whether a replan is required during the course of conformal radiotherapy. The proposed method uses deformable image registration (DIR) to flexibly map planning CT (pCT) data to the anatomy of online CBCT images. The resulting deformed CT (dCT) images are used as a basis for assessing the effect of anatomical change on dose distributions. The study used retrospective data from a sample of seven replanned lung patients. The settings of an in-house, open-source DIR algorithm were first optimised for CT-to-CBCT registrations of the anatomy of the thorax. Using these optimised parameters, each patient’s pCT was deformed to the CBCT acquired immediately before the replan. Registration accuracy was rigorously validated both geometrically and dosimetrically to confirm that the dCTs could reliably be used to inform replan decisions. A retrospective evaluation of the changes in dose delivered over time was then carried out for a single patient to demonstrate the clinical application of the proposed method. The geometric analysis showed good agreement between deformed structures and those same structures manually outlined on the CBCT images. Results were consistently better than those achieved with rigid-only registration. In the dosimetric analysis, dose distributions derived from the dCTs were found to match closely to the ‘gold standard’ replan CT (rCT) distributions across dose volume histogram and absolute dose difference measures. The retrospective analysis of serial CBCTs of a single patient produced reliable quantitative assessment of the dose delivery. Had the proposed method been available at the time of treatment, it would have enabled a more objective replan decision. DIR is a valuable clinical tool for dose recalculation in adaptive radiotherapy protocols for lung cancer patients.
- Published
- 2018
15. A comparison of smartphone and paper data-collection tools in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study in Gezira state, Sudan
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Peter Burney, R Robinson, Kevin Mortimer, S. Bertel Squire, Asma Elsony, Rachael Thomson, Rana Ahmed, Rasmus Malmborg, Kodgule, Rahul, and Wellcome Trust
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Male ,Rural Population ,Questionnaires ,Pulmonology ,020205 medical informatics ,Electronic data capture ,Physiology ,lcsh:Medicine ,Social Sciences ,Pilot Projects ,02 engineering and technology ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,ELECTRONIC DATA CAPTURE ,Medical Records ,Sudan ,Geographical Locations ,Random Allocation ,Habits ,0302 clinical medicine ,Cohen's kappa ,Sociology ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Smoking Habits ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Coughing ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Electronic Health Records ,Public and Occupational Health ,030212 general & internal medicine ,lcsh:Science ,Medical History Taking ,Observer Variation ,education.field_of_study ,wa_30 ,Schools ,Multidisciplinary ,Data Collection ,Smoking ,wa_900 ,Information quality ,Middle Aged ,Socioeconomic Aspects of Health ,Obstructive lung disease ,Multidisciplinary Sciences ,Open data ,Research Design ,Science & Technology - Other Topics ,Engineering and Technology ,Female ,Smartphone ,Symptom Assessment ,wf_600 ,Research Article ,Adult ,Paper ,wa_950 ,Adolescent ,General Science & Technology ,Population ,Equipment ,Research and Analysis Methods ,Sampling Studies ,Education ,Young Adult ,03 medical and health sciences ,Signs and Symptoms ,Diagnostic Medicine ,Environmental health ,MD Multidisciplinary ,medicine ,Humans ,Lung Diseases, Obstructive ,education ,c941fbbd ,Aged ,Communication Equipment ,Behavior ,Science & Technology ,Survey Research ,Data collection ,business.industry ,lcsh:R ,Biology and Life Sciences ,medicine.disease ,Health Care ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Dyspnea ,Data quality ,People and Places ,Africa ,Feasibility Studies ,lcsh:Q ,Forms and Records Control ,Cell Phones ,Physiological Processes ,business - Abstract
Introduction \ud Data collection using paper-based questionnaires can be time consuming and return errors affect data accuracy, completeness, and information quality in health surveys. We compared smartphone and paper-based data collection systems in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study in rural Sudan. \ud Methods \ud This exploratory pilot study was designed to run in parallel with the cross-sectional household survey. The Open Data Kit was used to programme questionnaires in Arabic into smartphones. We included 100 study participants (83% women; median age = 41.5 ± 16.4 years) from the BOLD study from 3 rural villages in East-Gezira and Kamleen localities of Gezira state, Sudan. Questionnaire data were collected using smartphone and paper-based technologies simultaneously. We used Kappa statistics and inter-rater class coefficient to test agreement between the two methods. Results Symptoms reported included cough (24%), phlegm (15%), wheezing (17%), and shortness of breath (18%). One in five were or had been cigarette smokers. The two data collection methods varied between perfect to slight agreement across the 204 variables evaluated (Kappa varied between 1.00 and 0.02 and inter-rater coefficient between 1.00 and -0.12). Errors were most commonly seen with paper questionnaires (83% of errors seen) vs smartphones (17% of errors seen) administered questionnaires with questions with complex skip-patterns being a major source of errors in paper questionnaires. Automated checks and validations in smartphone-administered questionnaires avoided skip-pattern related errors. Incomplete and inconsistent records were more likely seen on paper questionnaires. \ud Conclusion \ud Compared to paper-based data collection, smartphone technology worked well for data collection in the study, which was conducted in a challenging rural environment in Sudan. This approach provided timely, quality data with fewer errors and inconsistencies compared to paper-based data collection. We recommend this method for future BOLD studies and other population-based studies in similar settings.
- Published
- 2018
16. Bioconversion of paper mill sludge to bioethanol in the presence of accelerants or hydrogen peroxide pretreatment
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Eric L. Singsaas, Raghu N. Gurram, Shona M. Duncan, Malek Alkasrawi, Nicholas Joshua Lecher, and Mohammad Al-Shannag
- Subjects
Paper ,Environmental Engineering ,Accelerant ,Bioconversion ,Industrial Waste ,Bioengineering ,Cellulase ,Calcium Carbonate ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Hydrolysis ,Yeasts ,Enzymatic hydrolysis ,Cellulose ,Hydrogen peroxide ,Waste Management and Disposal ,Ethanol ,Sewage ,biology ,Waste management ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,food and beverages ,Hydrogen Peroxide ,General Medicine ,Pulp and paper industry ,chemistry ,Biofuels ,biology.protein ,Feasibility Studies ,Fermentation - Abstract
In this study we investigated the technical feasibility of convert paper mill sludge into fuel ethanol. This involved the removal of mineral fillers by using either chemical pretreatment or mechanical fractionation to determine their effects on cellulose hydrolysis and fermentation to ethanol. In addition, we studied the effect of cationic polyelectrolyte (as accelerant) addition and hydrogen peroxide pretreatment on enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. We present results showing that removing the fillers content (ash and calcium carbonate) from the paper mill sludge increases the enzymatic hydrolysis performance dramatically with higher cellulose conversion at faster rates. The addition of accelerant and hydrogen peroxide pretreatment further improved the hydrolysis yields by 16% and 25% (g glucose / g cellulose), respectively with the de-ashed sludge. The fermentation process of produced sugars achieved up to 95% of the maximum theoretical ethanol yield and higher ethanol productivities within 9h of fermentation.
- Published
- 2015
17. Characterization and Feasibility Assessment of Recycled Paper Mill Sludges for Land Application in Relation to the Environment
- Author
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Rosazlin Abdullah, Che Fauziah Ishak, Rosenani Abu Bakar, and Wan Rasidah Kadir
- Subjects
Paper ,concentration ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,Amendment ,lcsh:Medicine ,Industrial Waste ,chemistry.chemical_element ,engineering.material ,Article ,Industrial waste ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,13C-NMR spectrum ,nutrients ,Cation-exchange capacity ,Recycling ,Cellulose ,Fertilizers ,heavy metals ,Moisture ,business.industry ,lcsh:R ,Malaysia ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Paper mill ,land application ,chemistry ,soil properties ,Environmental chemistry ,engineering ,Feasibility Studies ,Environmental science ,Environmental Pollutants ,FTIR spectrum ,Fertilizer ,business ,Carbon - Abstract
The disposal of industrial paper mill sludge waste is a big issue and has a great importance all over the world. A study was conducted to determine the chemical properties of recycled paper mill sludge (RPMS) and assess its possibilities for land application. RPMS samples were collected from six different paper mills in Malaysia and analyzed for physical and chemical properties, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, (13)C-NMR spectra and for the presence of dioxins/furans. The RPMS was dewatered, sticky with a strong odour, an average moisture of 65.08%, pH 7.09, cation exchange capacity (CEC) 14.43 cmol (+) kg(-1), N 1.45, P 0.18, K 0.12, Ca 0.82, Mg 0.73, Na 0.76 and Al, 1.38%. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals levels were below the standard Class 2 limits. The dioxin and furan were in below the standard concentration of Class 1. The most prominent peak in the (13)C-NMR spectra of RPMS was centered at 31 ppm, proving the presence of methylene (-CH2) groups in long aliphatic chains, with lipids and proteins. The signal at 89 ppm and highly shielded shoulder at 83 ppm were due to presence of cellulose carbon C-4, and the peak at 63 and 65 ppm was due to the cellulose carbon spectrum. The RPMS therefore contains significant amount of nutrients with safe levels of heavy metals and PAHs for environment and can be used as a fertilizer and soil amendment for land application.
- Published
- 2015
18. Association score testing for rare variants and binary traits in family data with shared controls
- Author
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Ellen M. Wijsman and Mohamad Saad
- Subjects
Paper ,Male ,Linkage disequilibrium ,0206 medical engineering ,Quantitative Trait Loci ,Context (language use) ,02 engineering and technology ,Computational biology ,Biology ,Bioinformatics ,Generalized linear mixed model ,Linkage Disequilibrium ,03 medical and health sciences ,Gene Frequency ,Missing heritability problem ,Humans ,Computer Simulation ,Association (psychology) ,Molecular Biology ,Allele frequency ,030304 developmental biology ,Genetic association ,0303 health sciences ,Models, Genetic ,Computational Biology ,Genetic Variation ,High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,Pedigree ,Case-Control Studies ,Trait ,Linear Models ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,020602 bioinformatics ,Information Systems ,Genome-Wide Association Study - Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have been an important approach used to localize trait loci, with primary focus on common variants. The multiple rare variant-common disease hypothesis may explain the missing heritability remaining after accounting for identified common variants. Advances of sequencing technologies with their decreasing costs, coupled with methodological advances in the context of association studies in large samples, now make the study of rare variants at a genome-wide scale feasible. The resurgence of family-based association designs because of their advantage in studying rare variants has also stimulated more methods development, mainly based on linear mixed models (LMMs). Other tests such as score tests can have advantages over the LMMs, but to date have mainly been proposed for single-marker association tests. In this article, we extend several score tests (χcorrected2, WQLS, and SKAT) to the multiple variant association framework. We evaluate and compare their statistical performances relative with the LMM. Moreover, we show that three tests can be cast as the difference between marker allele frequencies (AFs) estimated in each of the group of affected and unaffected subjects. We show that these tests are flexible, as they can be based on related, unrelated or both related and unrelated subjects. They also make feasible an increasingly common design that only sequences a subset of affected subjects (related or unrelated) and uses for comparison publicly available AFs estimated in a group of healthy subjects. Finally, we show the great impact of linkage disequilibrium on the performance of all these tests.
- Published
- 2017
19. A new pan-European Train-the-Trainer programme for bioinformatics: pilot results on feasibility, utility and sustainability of learning
- Author
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Sarah L. Morgan, Allegra Via, Teresa K. Attwood, Pedro Fernandes, Gabriella Rustici, Maria Victoria Schneider, Rochelle E Tractenberg, and Patricia M. Palagi
- Subjects
Paper ,Train-the-Trainer ,Train-the-Trainers ,Biomedical Research ,Education, Continuing ,Computer science ,Process (engineering) ,0206 medical engineering ,Pilot Projects ,02 engineering and technology ,Certification ,Bioinformatics ,Biological Science Disciplines ,Train the trainer ,03 medical and health sciences ,Pan european ,ComputingMilieux_COMPUTERSANDEDUCATION ,Humans ,Molecular Biology ,Data Curation ,Pilot study ,030304 developmental biology ,Life Scientists ,ELIXIR-GOBLET training ,0303 health sciences ,4. Education ,pilot study ,Computational Biology ,decision-making ,degrees of freedom analysis ,Incentive ,Sustainability ,Feasibility Studies ,Curriculum ,Effective teaching ,020602 bioinformatics ,Decision-making ,Information Systems - Abstract
Demand for training life scientists in bioinformatics methods, tools and resources and computational approaches is urgent and growing. To meet this demand, new trainers must be prepared with effective teaching practices for delivering short hands-on training sessions—a specific type of education that is not typically part of professional preparation of life scientists in many countries. A new Train-the-Trainer (TtT) programme was created by adapting existing models, using input from experienced trainers and experts in bioinformatics, and from educational and cognitive sciences. This programme was piloted across Europe from May 2016 to January 2017. Preparation included drafting the training materials, organizing sessions to pilot them and studying this paradigm for its potential to support the development and delivery of future bioinformatics training by participants. Seven pilot TtT sessions were carried out, and this manuscript describes the results of the pilot year. Lessons learned include (i) support is required for logistics, so that new instructors can focus on their teaching; (ii) institutions must provide incentives to include training opportunities for those who want/need to become new or better instructors; (iii) formal evaluation of the TtT materials is now a priority; (iv) a strategy is needed to recruit, train and certify new instructor trainers (faculty); and (v) future evaluations must assess utility. Additionally, defining a flexible but rigorous and reliable process of TtT ‘certification’ may incentivize participants and will be considered in future.
- Published
- 2017
20. Theoretical and experimental characterization of emission and transmission spectra of Cerenkov radiation generated by 177Lu in tissue
- Author
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Eugenio Torres-García, Miguel A. Camacho-López, Gerardo J. Ramírez-Nava, Keila Isaac-Olivé, N. Jiménez-Mancilla, and Héctor Mendoza-Nava
- Subjects
Paper ,Biomedical Engineering ,Mice, Nude ,Lutetium ,01 natural sciences ,Imaging ,010309 optics ,Biomaterials ,Nuclear physics ,Mice ,Optical imaging ,Cerenkov radiation ,Cell Line, Tumor ,0103 physical sciences ,emission and light transmission in tissue ,Animals ,Humans ,preclinical studies ,177Lu-radiopharmaceuticals ,Radioisotopes ,Physics ,Electromagnetic Radiation ,Optical Imaging ,Neoplasms, Experimental ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Beta Particles ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Tissue optics ,Feasibility Studies ,Radiopharmaceuticals - Abstract
Cerenkov radiation (CR) is the emission of UV-vis light generated by the de-excitation of the molecules in the medium, after being polarized by an excited particle traveling faster than the speed of light. When β particles travel through tissue with energies greater than 219 keV, CR occurs. Tissues possess a spectral optical window of 600 to 1100 nm. The CR within this range can be useful for quantitative preclinical studies using optical imaging and for the in-vivo evaluation of Lu177-radiopharmaceuticals (β-particle emitters). The objective of our research was to determine the experimental emission light spectrum of Lu177-CR and evaluate its transmission properties in tissue as well as the feasibility to applying CR imaging in the preclinical studies of Lu177-radiopharmaceuticals. The theoretical and experimental characterizations of the emission and transmission spectra of Lu177-CR in tissue, in the vis-NIR region (350 to 900 nm), were performed using Monte Carlo simulation and UV-vis spectroscopy. Mice Lu177-CR images were acquired using a charge-coupled detector camera and were quantitatively analyzed. The results demonstrated good agreement between the theoretical and the experimental Lu177-CR emission spectra. Preclinical CR imaging demonstrated that the biokinetics of Lu177-radiopharmaceuticals in the main organs of mice can be acquired.
- Published
- 2019
21. Multi-spectral laser speckle contrast images using a wavelength-swept laser
- Author
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Seung Won Jun, Gyeong Hun Kim, Hansol Jang, Jeong-Won Kim, and Chang-Seok Kim
- Subjects
Paper ,Materials science ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Multispectral image ,Biomedical Engineering ,multi-spectral imaging ,Field of view ,01 natural sciences ,Imaging ,law.invention ,Fingers ,010309 optics ,Biomaterials ,Speckle pattern ,Optics ,Signal-to-noise ratio ,Ischemia ,law ,0103 physical sciences ,Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ,Humans ,Contrast (vision) ,media_common ,laser speckle imaging ,Phantoms, Imaging ,business.industry ,Lasers ,Optical Imaging ,Hemodynamics ,Laser Speckle Imaging ,Laser ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Oxygen ,Wavelength ,Oxyhemoglobins ,Feasibility Studies ,wavelength-swept laser ,business - Abstract
A multi-spectral laser speckle contrast imaging (MS-LSCI) system is proposed using only a single wavelength-swept laser, which provides both highly coherent and multi-spectral outputs to simultaneously generate laser speckle contrast images and multi-spectral images, respectively. Using a laser light swept from 770 to 821 nm at a repetition rate of 5 Hz and a CCD camera of 335 fps, 67 multi-spectral frame images are acquired in 0.76 nm wavebands over 51 nm spectral range. The spectral sub-windowing method of single wavelength-swept laser source is used to solve the lack of spectral information from a few individual light sources, which is a limitation of conventional MS-LSCI systems. In addition to the speckle flow index from the LSCI frames, the multi-spectrally encoded images can generate additional images of spectral absorbance. To further examine the performance of the MS-LSCI system, an in vivo cuff-induced ischemia experiment was conducted to show the real-time imaging of hemodynamic and blood oxygen saturation changes simultaneously over the entire 2.5 cm×4.5 cm field of view.
- Published
- 2019
22. Thulium fiber laser ablation of kidney stones using an automated, vibrating fiber
- Author
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David A. Gonzalez, Nathaniel M. Fried, and Layton A. Hall
- Subjects
Paper ,Materials science ,Optical fiber ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Biomedical Engineering ,lithotripsy ,Models, Biological ,Vibration ,ablation ,01 natural sciences ,law.invention ,010309 optics ,Biomaterials ,Kidney Calculi ,Optical coherence tomography ,law ,Fiber laser ,0103 physical sciences ,medicine ,Miniaturization ,Humans ,Composite material ,vibrating fiber tip ,Laser ablation ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Equipment Design ,Lithotripsy, Laser ,Ablation ,Laser ,thulium ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,laser ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,urinary stones ,dusting ,Feasibility Studies ,Therapeutic - Abstract
Our preliminary study investigates an automated, vibrating fiber optic tip for dusting of kidney stones during thulium fiber laser (TFL) lithotripsy. A (0.75-mm diameter and 5-mm length) magnetic bead was attached to the fiber jacket, centered 2 cm from distal fiber tip. A solenoid was placed parallel to the fiber with a 0.5-mm gap between solenoid and magnetic bead on fiber. The solenoid was used to create a magnetic force on the bead, inducing fiber vibration. Calibration tests for fiber motion in both air and water were performed. The ablation crater characteristics (surface area, volume, depth, and major/minor axis) of uric acid stones were measured using optical coherence tomography, after delivery of 1500 TFL pulses at 1908 nm, 33 mJ, 500 μs, and up to 300 Hz, through 50-, 100-, and 150-μm-core fibers. The resonant frequency was dependent on fiber diameter and rigidity, with a cutoff pivot point for optimum vibration amplitude at 4 cm. Maximum fiber displacement is about 1 mm in water and 4 mm in air. For 50-, 100-, and 150-μm-core fibers, ablated surface area averaged 1.7, 1.7, and 2.8 times greater with vibrating fiber than fixed fiber, respectively. For these fibers, ablation volume averaged 1.1, 1.5, and 1.1 times greater with vibrating fiber than fixed fiber, given a fixed energy per pulse, respectively. Our preliminary study demonstrates the functionality of an automated, vibrating fiber system for stone “dusting,” with significantly larger surface area but similar ablation volumes as a fixed fiber. Future studies will focus on optimization of fiber parameters (especially displacement) and miniaturization of system components to facilitate integration into ureteroscopes.
- Published
- 2019
23. Interactive dose shaping part 2: proof of concept study for six prostate patients
- Author
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Cornelis, Ph Kamerling, Peter, Ziegenhein, Florian, Sterzing, and Uwe, Oelfke
- Subjects
Male ,Paper ,Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ,interactive treatment planning ,treatment planning software ,graphical user interface ,Feasibility Studies ,Humans ,Prostatic Neoplasms ,Radiotherapy Dosage ,Middle Aged ,radiation therapy ,Software - Abstract
Recently we introduced interactive dose shaping (IDS) as a new IMRT planning strategy. This planning concept is based on a hierarchical sequence of local dose modification and recovery operations. The purpose of this work is to provide a feasibility study for the IDS planning strategy based on a small set of six prostate patients. The IDS planning paradigm aims to perform interactive local dose adaptations of an IMRT plan without compromising already established valuable dose features in real-time. Various IDS tools were developed in our in-house treatment planning software Dynaplan and were utilized to create IMRT treatment plans for six patients with an adeno-carcinoma of the prostate. The sequenced IDS treatment plans were compared to conventionally optimized clinically approved plans (9 beams, co-planar). For each patient, several IDS plans were created, with different trade-offs between organ sparing and target coverage. The reference dose distributions were imported into Dynaplan. For each patient, the IDS treatment plan with a similar or better trade-off between target coverage and OAR sparing was selected for plan evaluation, guided by a physician. For this initial study we were able to generate treatment plans for prostate geometries in 15–45 min. Individual local dose adaptations could be performed in less than one second. The average differences compared to the reference plans were for the mean dose: 0.0 Gy (boost) and 1.2 Gy (PTV), for \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{upgreek} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} }{}${{D}_{98\%}}:-1.1$ \end{document}D98%:−1.1 Gy and for \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{upgreek} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} }{}${{D}_{2\%}}:1.1$ \end{document}D2%:1.1 Gy (both target volumes). The dose-volume quality indicators were well below the Quantec constraints. However, we also observed limitations of our currently implemented approach. Most prominent was an increase of the non-tumor integral dose by 16.4% on average, demonstrating that further developments of our planning strategy are required.
- Published
- 2016
24. Dosimetric feasibility of using tungsten-based functional paper for flexible chest wall protectors in intraoperative electron radiotherapy for breast cancer
- Author
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Shinji Naganawa, Yoshikazu Miyake, Y. Ishihara, Takayoshi Nakaya, Takashi Mukoyama, Kuniyasu Okudaira, Takeshi Kamomae, Mariko Kawamura, Yoshiyuki Itoh, and Hajime Monzen
- Subjects
Organs at Risk ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Monte Carlo method ,Normal tissue ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Breast Neoplasms ,Electrons ,Electron ,Radiation ,Tungsten ,030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging ,03 medical and health sciences ,Radiation Protection ,0302 clinical medicine ,Breast cancer ,medicine ,Humans ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,Radiometry ,Thoracic Wall ,Intraoperative Care ,Radiological and Ultrasound Technology ,Phantoms, Imaging ,business.industry ,Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ,Partial Breast Irradiation ,Radiotherapy Dosage ,medicine.disease ,Radiation therapy ,chemistry ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Radiology ,Nuclear medicine ,business ,Monte Carlo Method - Abstract
Intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT), which is an accelerated partial breast irradiation method, has been used for early-stage breast cancer treatment. In IOERT, a protective disk is inserted behind the target volume to minimize the dose received by normal tissues. However, to use such a disk, the surgical incision must be larger than the field size because the disk is manufactured from stiff and unyielding materials. In this study, the applicability of newly developed tungsten-based functional paper (TFP) was assessed as an alternative to the existing protective disk. The radiation-shielding performance of the TFP was verified through experimental measurements and Monte Carlo simulations. Percentage depth dose curves and lateral dose profiles with and without TFPs were measured and simulated on a dedicated IOERT accelerator. The number of piled-up TFPs was changed from 1 to 40. In the experimental measurements, the relative doses at the exit plane of the TFPs for 9 MeV were 42.7%, 9.2%, 0.2%, and 0.1% with 10, 20, 30, and 40 TFPs, respectively, whereas those for 12 MeV were 63.6%, 27.1%, 8.6%, and 0.2% with 10, 20, 30, and 40 TFPs, respectively. Slight dose enhancements caused by backscatter radiation from the TFPs were observed at the entrance plane of the TFPs at both beam energies. The results of the Monte Carlo simulation indicated the same tendency as the experimental measurements. Based on the experimental and simulated results, the radiation-shielding performances of 30 TFPs for 9 MeV and 40 TFPs for 12 MeV were confirmed to be acceptable and close to those of the existing protective disk. The findings of this study suggest the feasibility of using TFPs as flexible chest wall protectors in IOERT for breast cancer treatment., ファイル公開日: 2019/01/01
- Published
- 2017
25. Voxel based analyses of diffusion tensor imaging in Fabry disease
- Author
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Peter Stoeter, Ingrid Schermuly, J. Albrecht, Alexander Gerhard, Michael Beck, Andreas Fellgiebel, Matthias J. Müller, and Paulo R. Dellani
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Paper ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Thalamus ,Periventricular white matter ,computer.software_genre ,Diffusion ,Voxel ,medicine.artery ,Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ,medicine ,Humans ,Vascular disease ,business.industry ,Brain ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Fabry disease ,Hyperintensity ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ,Perforating arteries ,Case-Control Studies ,Anisotropy ,Fabry Disease ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Surgery ,Neurology (clinical) ,business ,Nuclear medicine ,computer ,Diffusion MRI - Abstract
Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder that is associated with marked cerebrovascular disease. Conventional MRI shows an extensive load of white matter lesions (WMLs) already at an early stage in FD. Objective: Investigator independent and sensitive quantification of brain structural changes in clinically affected men and women with FD. Methods: The authors performed a voxel-based analysis of diffusion tensor images (DTI) in 25 FD patients and 20 age-matched normal controls. Results: DTI revealed significant increases of cerebral white matter diffusivity (MD) in FD patients that were pronounced in the periventricular white matter. Even the subgroup of patients without significant WMLs-load (n = 18) showed increased diffusivity in the cerebral white matter. In gray matter areas MD elevation could only be detected in the posterior part of the thalamus, independently from visible pulvinar alterations on the T1-weighted images. Voxel-based anisotropy (FA) measurements did not differ significantly between patients and controls. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the clinical feasibility of voxel-based analysis of DTI as a sensitive tool to quantify brain tissue alterations in FD. The pattern of increased brain tissue diffusivity is probably due to microangiopathic alterations mainly affecting the long perforating arteries.
- Published
- 2007
26. Application of ultrafiltration in the pulp and paper industry: metals removal and whitewater reuse
- Author
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Cláudio Mudado Silva, A.F. Milanez, and C.R. Oliveira
- Subjects
Paper ,Conservation of Natural Resources ,Engineering ,Environmental Engineering ,business.product_category ,Bleach ,Industrial Waste ,Ultrafiltration ,Reuse ,engineering.material ,Waste Disposal, Fluid ,Water Purification ,Effluent ,Water Science and Technology ,Waste management ,business.industry ,Pulp (paper) ,Temperature ,Membranes, Artificial ,Paper mill ,Pulp and paper industry ,Dewatering ,Paper machine ,Metals ,Feasibility Studies ,business ,Water use - Abstract
In the pulp and paper industry, the water use minimization is a constant target. One way to reduce water use is to recycle the effluent in a closed-cycle concept. In paper mills, the main source of liquid effluent is the so-called whitewater, which is the excess water, originated from pulp stock dewatering and other fibre contaminated water. This research studied the reuse of paper mill whitewater after membrane ultrafiltration (UF) in the paper machine and in the pulp bleach plant of an integrated mill. Contaminant removal and flux behaviour of the UF system were evaluated. The treatment by ultrafiltration was technically feasible and the treated whitewater had good potential to be reused in some processes in the paper machine. The reuse of ultrafiltered whitewater in the bleaching plant was not recommended because of the high level of soluble calcium present in this stream. Therefore, a combined treatment of the whitewater using the principle of precipitation and ultrafiltration was proposed showing good results and enabling the use of the treated whitewater in the bleach plant.
- Published
- 2007
27. Evaluation of white water reuse in the bleaching process for reducing fresh water consumption
- Author
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D.O. Perissotto, A.A. Andrade, R.A. Lima, P.M. Glória, and José Vicente Hallak d'Angelo
- Subjects
Paper ,Conservation of Natural Resources ,Silicon ,Engineering ,Environmental Engineering ,Chemical Phenomena ,Iron ,Industrial Waste ,Portable water purification ,Reuse ,Waste Disposal, Fluid ,Industrial waste ,Water Purification ,Clogging ,Rivers ,Effluent ,Water Science and Technology ,Manganese ,Fouling ,Chemistry, Physical ,business.industry ,Environmental engineering ,Volume (thermodynamics) ,Feasibility Studies ,Calcium ,Stage (hydrology) ,business - Abstract
The main objective of this work is to study the technical viability of using the effluent generated in paper machines (white water) in the wash presses of the bleaching stage, reducing fresh water consumption. As a case study, the industrial process of Ripasa S.A. Celulose e Papel was evaluated. White water rate is about 700 m3/h and it is not possible to reuse all this volume in the bleaching stage without causing operational problems (fouling in tubes and clogging in the screens). A mass balance of the bleaching unit was developed in an electronic spreadsheet in order to evaluate the possibility of reducing fresh water consumption, using only a fraction of the available white water in the wash presses. To achieve this objective some physical-chemistry properties of the white water stream and of other streams of the process were determined. The maximum concentration of some non-process elements (Si, Ca, Mn and Fe), which could accumulate in the process, were determined in order to establish some parameters to allow process integration of the streams involved, considering operational constraints. The results obtained have shown that it is possible to reduce approximately by 13% the consumption of fresh water and this methodology has been satisfactory.
- Published
- 2007
28. Separation of opiate isomers using electrospray ionization and paper spray coupled to high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry
- Author
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Michael W. Belford and Nicholas E. Manicke
- Subjects
Paper ,Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ,Ion-mobility spectrometry ,Electrospray ionization ,Analytical chemistry ,Atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization ,Mass spectrometry ,Forensic Toxicology ,Structural Biology ,Tandem Mass Spectrometry ,Hydromorphone ,Direct electron ionization liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry interface ,Spectroscopy ,Ambient ionization ,Aerosols ,Desorption electrospray ionization ,Chromatography ,Morphine ,Chemistry ,Codeine ,Extractive electrospray ionization ,Electrochemical Techniques ,Analgesics, Opioid ,Substance Abuse Detection ,Chemistry, Clinical ,Solvents ,Feasibility Studies - Abstract
One limitation in the growing field of ambient or direct analysis methods is reduced selectivity caused by the elimination of chromatographic separations prior to mass spectrometric analysis. We explored the use of high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS), an ambient pressure ion mobility technique, to separate the closely related opiate isomers of morphine, hydromorphone, and norcodeine. These isomers cannot be distinguished by tandem mass spectrometry. Separation prior to MS analysis is, therefore, required to distinguish these compounds, which are important in clinical chemistry and toxicology. FAIMS was coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, and ionization was performed using either a pneumatically assisted heated electrospray ionization source (H-ESI) or paper spray, a direct analysis method that has been applied to the direct analysis of dried blood spots and other complex samples. We found that FAIMS was capable of separating the three opiate structural isomers using both H-ESI and paper spray as the ionization source.
- Published
- 2015
29. Internet-based guided self-help for parents of children on cancer treatment : A randomized controlled trial
- Author
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Martin Cernvall, Gustaf Ljungman, Per Carlbring, Lisa Ljungman, and Louise von Essen
- Subjects
Paper ,Adult ,Male ,Parents ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Experimental and Cognitive Psychology ,Pediatrics ,law.invention ,Self-help ,Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ,Randomized controlled trial ,Internet based ,law ,Intervention (counseling) ,Neoplasms ,medicine ,cancer ,Humans ,Self report ,Child ,Internet ,business.industry ,Pediatrik ,Middle Aged ,posttraumatic stress ,Cancer treatment ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Posttraumatic stress ,Child, Preschool ,Therapy, Computer-Assisted ,Papers ,oncology ,randomized controlled trial ,Physical therapy ,Feasibility Studies ,The Internet ,Female ,Self Report ,business ,internet‐based intervention ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an Internet‐based guided self‐help intervention for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and related symptoms in parents of children on cancer treatment. Methods Parents of children on cancer treatment, who fulfilled the modified symptom criteria on the PTSD Checklist, were randomly allocated to the intervention or to a wait‐list control condition. The intervention group accessed a 10‐week guided self‐help program via the Internet based on principles from cognitve behavior therapy. The primary outcome PTSS and the secondary outcomes depression and anxiety were assessed by self‐report preintervention and postintervention. Results Seven hundred forty‐seven parents were approached and informed about the study, 92 were assessed for eligibility, and 58 were included and randomized to the intervention (n = 31) or wait list (n = 27). Eightteen participants completed the intervention. Intention‐to‐treat analyses indicated a significant effect of the intervention on PTSS with a large between‐group effect size at postassessment (Cohen's d = 0.88). The intervention group reported reductions in PTSS with a large within‐group effect size (d = 1.62) compared with a minimal reduction in the wait‐list group (d = 0.09). There was a significant intervention effect on depression and anxiety and reductions in the intervention group with large within‐group effect sizes (d = 0.85–1.09). Conclusions Findings indicate a low enrollment rate and considerable attrition but also that Internet‐based guided self‐help shows promise for parents of children on cancer treatment who report a high level of PTSS and would like to take part in an Internet‐based intervention. © 2015 The Authors. Psycho‐Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Published
- 2015
30. The generic 15D instrument is valid and feasible for measuring health related quality of life in Parkinson's disease
- Author
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E Taimela, H Sintonen, Kyösti A. Sotaniemi, and Tarja H. Haapaniemi
- Subjects
Male ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Activities of daily living ,Parkinson's disease ,Health Status ,Population ,Severity of Illness Index ,Quality of life ,Rating scale ,Sickness Impact Profile ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Severity of illness ,Prevalence ,Humans ,Medicine ,education ,Aged ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Reproducibility of Results ,Parkinson Disease ,medicine.disease ,humanities ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Convergent validity ,Quality of Life ,Physical therapy ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Surgery ,Neurology (clinical) ,business ,Sexual function - Abstract
Objectives: To test the validity and feasibility of the generic 15D health related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument in Parkinson's disease (PD) and compare parkinsonian patients with the general population. Much effort has gone into developing disease specific HRQoL measures for PD, but only generic measures allow comparisons with the general population. New HRQoL tools are needed for PD because earlier ones have low feasibility in elderly patients. Methods: The study comprised 260 patients with idiopathic PD and age and sex matched controls. HRQoL was evaluated using the disease specific questionnaire PDQ-39 and the 15D generic instrument. PD severity was assessed by Hoehn and Yahr staging, and the activities of daily living (ADL) and motor section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Results: The mean 15D score (scale 0–1; overall HRQoL) was lower in PD (0.77) than in controls (0.86). Patients with PD had significantly lower scores than controls in 13 of the 15 dimensions of 15D. Scores of the corresponding dimensions of PDQ-39 and 15D correlated significantly, confirming the convergent validity of 15D. In multiple stepwise regression analysis, the UPDRS ADL score explained 55% of the variation in the 15D score. Conclusions: 15D is a valid, feasible, and sensitive tool to assess quality of life in PD. PD has a major impact on HRQoL, which is related to disease progression. Mobility, eating, speech, and sexual functions are most affected. The ADL measure of the UPDRS and the 15D provide an easily assessable view of HRQoL in PD.
- Published
- 2004
31. Email triage of new neurological outpatient referrals from general practice
- Author
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J Humphreys, V Patterson, and R Chua
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,education ,Hospital Departments ,Electronic mail ,Ambulatory care ,mental disorders ,Ambulatory Care ,Humans ,Medicine ,General hospital ,Referral and Consultation ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,Neurologic Examination ,Electronic Mail ,business.industry ,Attendance ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Triage ,nervous system diseases ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Data Interpretation, Statistical ,Time and Motion Studies ,Emergency medicine ,Ambulatory ,General practice ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Surgery ,Neurology (clinical) ,Medical emergency ,Nervous System Diseases ,Family Practice ,business ,Ireland ,Software ,Cohort study - Abstract
Objectives: To determine whether an email triage system between general practitioners and a neurologist for new outpatient referrals is feasible, acceptable, efficient, safe, and effective. Methods: This was a prospective single cohort study on the interface between primary care practitioners and the neurology clinic of a district general hospital. Seventy six consecutive patients with neurological symptoms from nine GPs, for whom a specialist opinion was deemed necessary, were entered in the study. The number of participants managed without clinic attendance and the reduction in neurologist’s time compared with conventional consultation was measured, as was death, other specialist referral, and change in diagnosis in the 6 months after episode completion. The acceptability for GPs was ascertained by questionnaire. Results: Forty three per cent of participants required a clinic appointment, 45% were managed by email advice alone, and 12% by email plus investigations. GP satisfaction was high. Forty four per cent of the neurologist’s time was saved compared with conventional consultation. No deaths or significant changes in diagnosis were recorded during the 6 month follow up period. Conclusions: Email triage is feasible, acceptable to GPs, and safe. It has the potential for making the practice of neurologists more efficient, and this needs to be tested in a larger randomised study.
- Published
- 2004
32. Hand rolling cigarette papers as the reference point for regulating cigarette fire safety
- Author
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R Shirley, M Laugesen, V McClellan, Mavis Duncanson, T Fraser, and B Linehan
- Subjects
Adult ,Paper ,Health (social science) ,Adolescent ,Smoking ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Rolling paper ,Advertising ,Fire safety ,Reference Standards ,Health Surveys ,Fires ,Fire risk ,Toxicology ,Consumer Product Safety ,Feasibility Studies ,Humans ,Burns ,Reference standards ,Research Paper ,Mathematics - Abstract
To compare the burning characteristics of the tobacco and paper of manufactured and hand rolled cigarettes, and set a fire safety standard of manufacture to largely reduce the fire risk from discarded cigarettes.(1) Cigarette extinction test of ignition strength: 40 cigarettes per brand, lit and placed on 15 layers of filter paper, in accordance with ASTM test standard E2187-02. (2) Citrate extracted by 0.1N hydrochloric acid from cigarette papers and from tobacco in manufactured cigarettes, the supernatant analysed by high performance liquid chromatography using ultraviolet visual light spectrophotometer. (3) Survey of 750 nationally representative adults age 18 years and over, by telephone, including 184 smokers.(a) New Zealand made Holiday, and Horizon, and US made Marlboro manufactured cigarettes; (b) US manufactured Merit with banded paper; (c) Holiday, Horizon and Marlboro hand rolling tobaccos, hand rolled in Rizla cigarette papers; (d) manufactured cigarettes as in (a), reconstructed using Rizla hand rolling cigarette papers.1. (a) For each brand of manufactured cigarettes, 40/40 burnt full length; (b) for Merit banded paper cigarettes 29/40 (73%) burnt full length; (c) for each brand of hand rolled cigarettes 0/40 burnt full length; (d) 0/40 manufactured cigarettes reconstructed with Rizla hand rolling paper burnt full length. 2. Citrate content: (a) In manufactured cigarette papers: 0.3-0.8 mg; in tobacco of manufactured cigarettes: Holiday 0, Horizon 0, Marlboro 8.8 mg; (b) Merit: in banded paper 0.418 mg; in tobacco 10.23 mg; (c) In hand rolled cigarettes: in the papers0.08 mg; in hand rolled tobacco 13.3-15.0 mg; (d) In hand rolling papers of reconstructed cigarettes:0.018 mg. 3. Requiring manufactured cigarettes to compulsorily self-extinguish when left unattended was supported by 67% of smokers, 61% of manufactured cigarette smokers, 82% of hand rolled smokers, and by 68% of non-smokers.The wrapping paper is a key determinant of whether or not unpuffed cigarettes burn their full length. Using international test methods, popular brands of manufactured cigarettes all burnt full length, but none did so when re-wrapped in hand rolling cigarette paper. This provides a ready-to-hand smoker acceptable standard for reducing ignition potential from manufactured cigarettes, as a basis for regulation or litigation.
- Published
- 2003
33. Preoperative motor system brain mapping using positron emission tomography and statistical parametric mapping: hints on cortical reorganisation
- Author
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Udalrich Buell, Kaiser Hj, M. Schreckenberger, Philipp T. Meyer, Uwe Spetzger, K. Setani, Osama Sabri, and Sturz L
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Paper ,Cerebellum ,education ,Statistical parametric mapping ,Brain mapping ,Neurosurgical Procedures ,Preoperative Care ,Motor system ,medicine ,Humans ,Aged ,Motor Neurons ,Brain Diseases ,Brain Mapping ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,fungi ,Motor Cortex ,Magnetic resonance imaging ,Middle Aged ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Cerebral blood flow ,Positron emission tomography ,Cerebrovascular Circulation ,Data Interpretation, Statistical ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Surgery ,Neurology (clinical) ,Psychology ,Neuroscience ,Tomography, Emission-Computed ,Motor cortex - Abstract
This study investigated the applicability of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) for analysing individual preoperative brain mapping studies in patients with cerebral mass lesions for neurosurgical planning. The study further investigated if hints on functional reorganisation processes can be found.Nine adult patients with cerebral mass lesions underwent activation [(15)O]water-PET under stimulation by finger (n=9) and foot (n=4) movement. Individual SPM-t-maps were computed without anatomical normalisation and coregistered to the individual magnetic resonance imaging. Relative cerebral blood flow change maps were calculated for comparison.The spatial relation between the sensorimotor cortex and the lesion could be determined in all cases. Additional activations covered the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex and the bilateral cerebellum, premotor cortices and supplementary motor areas. Patients with motor symptoms of the stimulated hand (paresis, focal seizures) activated the ipsilateral premotor cortices and contralateral cerebellum more often than patients without motor symptoms. The SPM results for p0.005 and cerebral blood flow change maps showed considerably overlapping motor area activations. For p0.001, SPM missed three sensorimotor cortex activations depicted by cerebral blood flow change maps and by SPM for p0.005 in typical localisation. SPM analyses showed less activations probably unrelated to task performance.It is concluded that SPM provides an efficient method for analysing individual preoperative PET activation studies. Activations of the ipsilateral premotor cortices and contralateral cerebellum may indicate an enhanced recruitment of ipsilateral motor pathways evoked by functional reorganisation processes. However, this changed activation pattern was not necessarily associated with a better neurological status.
- Published
- 2003
34. Localisation of the sensorimotor cortex during surgery for brain tumours: feasibility and waveform patterns of somatosensory evoked potentials
- Author
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Christopher Nimsky, C. Strauss, Rudolf Fahlbusch, Johann Romstöck, and Oliver Ganslandt
- Subjects
Paper ,Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Cost effectiveness ,Sensory system ,Somatosensory system ,behavioral disciplines and activities ,Brain mapping ,Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ,Monitoring, Intraoperative ,Cortex (anatomy) ,Meningeal Neoplasms ,medicine ,Humans ,Child ,Aged ,Brain Mapping ,Brain Neoplasms ,Postcentral gyrus ,musculoskeletal, neural, and ocular physiology ,Motor Cortex ,Glioma ,Somatosensory Cortex ,Middle Aged ,Evoked Potentials, Motor ,Electric Stimulation ,Surgery ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Surgery, Computer-Assisted ,Somatosensory evoked potential ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Neurology (clinical) ,Meningioma ,Psychology ,Motor cortex - Abstract
Objective: Intraoperative localisation of the sensorimotor cortex using the phase reversal of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) is an essential tool for surgery in and around the perirolandic gyri, but unsuccessful and perplexing results have been reported. This study examines the effect of tumour masses on the waveform characteristics and feasibility of SEP compared with functional neuronavigation and electrical motor cortex mapping. Methods: In 230 patients with tumours of the sensorimotor region the SEP phase reversal of N20-P20 was recorded from the exposed cortex using a subdural grid or strip electrode. In one subgroup of 80 patients functional neuronavigation was performed with motor and sensory magnetic source imaging and in one subgroup of 40 patients the motor cortex hand area was localised by electrical stimulation mapping. Results: The intraoperative SEP method was successful in 92% of all patients, it could be shown that the success rate rather depended on the location of the lesion than on preoperative neurological deficits. In 13% of the patients with postcentral tumours no N20-P20 phase reversal was recorded but characteristic polyphasic and high amplitude waves at 25 ms and later made the identification of the postcentral gyrus possible nevertheless. Electrical mapping of the motor cortex took up to 30 minutes until a clear result was obtained. It was successful in 37 patients, but failed in three patients with precentral and central lesions. Functional neuronavigation indicating the tumour margins and the motor and sensory evoked fields was possible in all patients. Conclusion: The SEP phase reversal of N20-P20 is a simple and reliable technique, but the success rate is much lower in large central and postcentral tumours. With the use of polyphasic late waveforms the sensorimotor cortex may be localised. By contrast with motor electrical mapping it is less time consuming. Functional neuronavigation is a desirable tool for both preoperative surgical planning and intraoperative use during surgery on perirolandic tumours, but compensation for brain shift, accuracy, and cost effectiveness are still a matter for discussion.
- Published
- 2002
35. Pregnant Women’s Views on the Feasibility and Acceptability of Web-Based Mental Health E-Screening Versus Paper-Based Screening: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Author
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Kingston, Dawn, Austin, Marie-Paule, Veldhuyzen van Zanten, Sander, Harvalik, Paula, Giallo, Rebecca, McDonald, Sarah D, MacQueen, Glenda, Vermeyden, Lydia, Lasiuk, Gerri, Sword, Wendy, and Biringer, Anne
- Subjects
Adult ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Health Informatics ,Prenatal care ,Anxiety ,law.invention ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Randomized controlled trial ,Pregnancy ,law ,computers ,medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Mass screening ,Mini-international neuropsychiatric interview ,Original Paper ,Internet ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Depression ,business.industry ,screening ,Odds ratio ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,Mental health ,Telemedicine ,3. Good health ,Pregnancy Complications ,Mental Health ,Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ,Physical therapy ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,prenatal care ,business ,Psychosocial - Abstract
Background: Major international guidelines recommend mental health screening during the perinatal period. However, substantial barriers to screening have been reported by pregnant and postpartum women and perinatal care providers. E-screening offers benefits that may address implementation challenges. Objective: The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Web-based mental health e-screening compared with paper-based screening among pregnant women. A secondary objective was to identify factors associated with women’s preferences for e-screening and disclosure of mental health concerns. Methods: Pregnant women recruited from community and hospital-based antenatal clinics and hospital-based prenatal classes were computer-randomized to a fully automated Web-based e-screening intervention group or a paper-based control group. Women were eligible if they spoke or read English, were willing to be randomized to e-screening, and were willing to participate in a follow-up diagnostic interview. The intervention group completed the Antenatal Psychosocial Health Assessment and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale on a tablet computer, while controls completed them on paper. All women completed self-report baseline questions and were telephoned 1 week after randomization by a blinded research assistant for a MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Renker and Tonkin’s tool of feasibility and acceptability of computerized screening was used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of e-screening compared with paper-based screening. Intention-to-treat analysis was used. To identify factors associated with preference for e-screening and disclosure, variables associated with each outcome at P
- Published
- 2017
36. Measurement equivalence and feasibility of the EORTC QLQ-PR25: paper-and-pencil versus touch-screen administration
- Author
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Jong Yi Wang, Chiao Ling Peng, Wen Miin Liang, Yi Chun Yeh, Hsi Chin Wu, Hsueh-Chun Lin, Yu-Jun Chang, Chih Hung Chang, and Tsai-Chung Li
- Subjects
Male ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Intraclass correlation ,Health Status ,Writing ,Health-related quality of life ,Touch-screen ,Taiwan ,Equivalence ,User-Computer Interface ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Outcome Assessment, Health Care ,medicine ,Humans ,Outpatient clinic ,Cross-over design ,Equivalence (measure theory) ,Aged ,Cross-Over Studies ,Prostate cancer ,Rasch model ,business.industry ,Research ,Minimal clinically important difference ,Significant difference ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Prostatic Neoplasms ,Reproducibility of Results ,Patient Preference ,Feasibility ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,Differential item functioning ,Crossover study ,humanities ,Paper-and-pencil ,Case-Control Studies ,Quality of Life ,Physical therapy ,Feasibility Studies ,business ,EORTC QLQ-PR25 - Abstract
Objective We assessed the measurement equivalence and feasibility of the paper-and-pencil and touch-screen modes of administration of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-PR25, a commonly used questionnaire to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with prostate cancer in Taiwan. Methods A cross-over design study was conducted in 99 prostate cancer patients at an urology outpatient clinic. Descriptive exact and global agreement percentages, intraclass correlation, and equivalence test based on minimal clinically important difference (MCID) approach were used to examine the equity of HRQOL scores between these two modes of administration. We also evaluated the feasibility of computerized assessment based on patients’ acceptability and preference. Additionally, we used Rasch rating scale model to assess differential item functioning (DIF) between the two modes of administration. Results The percentages of global agreement in all domains were greater than 85% in the EORTC QLQ-PR25. All results from equivalence tests were significant, except for Sexual functioning, indicating good equivalence. Only one item exhibited DIF between the two modes. Although nearly 80% of the study patients had no prior computer-use experience, the overall proportion of acceptance and preference for the touch-screen mode were quite high and there was no significant difference across age groups or between computer-use experience groups. Conclusions The study results showed that the data obtained from the modes of administration were equivalent. The touch-screen mode of administration can be a feasible and suitable alternative to the paper-and-pencil mode for assessment of patient-reported outcomes in patients with prostate cancer.
- Published
- 2014
37. Cohort Mortality Study of Pulp and Paper Mill Workers in British Columbia, Canada
- Author
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Judith T. L. Anderson, Anya Keefe, William J. Threlfall, Raymond Fang, Pierre R. Band, Nhu D. Le, Daniel Krewski, and George Astrakianakis
- Subjects
Male ,Paper ,Gerontology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,Epidemiology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Asbestos ,Cohort Studies ,Occupational medicine ,Neoplasms ,Occupational Exposure ,medicine ,Humans ,Industry ,Sulfites ,British Columbia ,business.industry ,Mortality rate ,technology, industry, and agriculture ,Confidence interval ,respiratory tract diseases ,Occupational Diseases ,Standardized mortality ratio ,Cohort ,Feasibility Studies ,business ,Cohort study ,Demography - Abstract
The authors studied a cohort of 30,157 male pulp and paper workers in British Columbia, Canada. Of these, 20,373 worked in kraft mills only, 5,249 in sulfite mills only, and 4,535 in both kraft and sulfite mills. All workers with at least 1 year of employment on January 1, 1950, or thereafter until December 31, 1992, were studied. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were used to compare the mortality rates of the cohort with those of the Canadian male population. Ninety percent confidence intervals (CIs) for the SMRs were obtained. Cancer risks significantly associated with work duration and time from first employment of 15 years or more were observed: 1) total cohort: pleura (SMR = 3.61, 90% CI 1.42-7.58); kidney (SMR = 1.69, 90% CI 1.13-2.43); brain (SMR = 1.51, 90% CI 1.03-2.16); 2) workers in kraft mills only: kidney (SMR = 1.92, 90% CI 1.04-3.26); 3) workers in sulfite mills only: Hodgkin's disease (SMR = 4.79, 90% CI 1.29-12.37); 4) workers ever employed in both kraft and sulfite mills: esophagus (SMR = 1.91, 90% CI 1.00-3.33). These malignancies have been associated with the following known or suspected carcinogens to which pulp and paper workers may have been exposed: asbestos (pleura), biocides (kidney), formaldehyde (kidney, brain, Hodgkin's disease), hypochlorite (esophagus). A nested case-control study with detailed exposure assessment is under way to help determine whether excess risks for specific cancers reflect exposure among subsets of workers.
- Published
- 1997
38. Magnetic resonance brain imaging in patients with acute stroke: feasibility and patient related difficulties
- Author
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Peter J. Hand, Martin Dennis, Joanna M. Wardlaw, Richard I. Lindley, Anne M Rowat, J A Haisma, and Rehabilitation Medicine
- Subjects
Male ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Central nervous system disease ,Neuroimaging ,medicine ,Humans ,In patient ,Hypoxia ,Stroke ,Acute stroke ,Oxygen saturation (medicine) ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Vascular disease ,business.industry ,Contraindications ,Patient Selection ,Stroke Rehabilitation ,Magnetic resonance imaging ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,equipment and supplies ,Magnetic Resonance Imaging ,Surgery ,Hospitalization ,Oxygen ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Acute Disease ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Neurology (clinical) ,Radiology ,business ,human activities - Abstract
Objectives: To assess organisational and patient specific limitations and safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the first line investigation for hospital admitted stroke patients. Methods: Consecutive patients admitted with acute stroke were assessed and an attempt was made to perform MRI in all patients. Oxygen saturation and interventions required during scanning were recorded. Results: Among 136 patients recruited over 34 weeks, 85 (62%) underwent MRI. The patients' medical instability (15 of the 53 not scanned), contraindications to MRI (six of the 53 not scanned), and rapid symptom resolution (10 of the 53 not scanned) were the main reasons for not performing MRI. Of the 85 patients who underwent MRI, 26 required physical intervention, 17 did not complete scanning, and 11 of the 61 who had successful oxygen saturation monitoring were hypoxic during MRI. Organisational limitations accounted for only 13% of failures to scan. Conclusions: Up to 85% of hospital admitted acute stroke patients could have MRI as first line imaging investigation, but medical instability is the major limitation. Hypoxia is frequent in MRI. Patients should be monitored carefully, possibly by an experienced clinician, during scanning.
- Published
- 2005
39. Determining the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink using chemical mapping with secondary ion mass spectrometry
- Author
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Benjamin Jones, Nicola Attard Montalto, and Jesus J. Ojeda
- Subjects
Chemical imaging ,Paper ,Laser printing ,Chemistry ,Analytical chemistry ,Q1 ,Mass spectrometry ,Mass Spectrometry ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,body regions ,Secondary ion mass spectrometry ,Sebum ,Fingerprint ,RA1001 ,Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ,Deposition (phase transition) ,Feasibility Studies ,Humans ,QD ,Ink ,Time-of-flight mass spectrometry ,Dermatoglyphics ,Layer (electronics) ,QC ,circulatory and respiratory physiology - Abstract
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) chemical mapping was used to investigate the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink on paper. This feasibility study shows that sodium, potassium and C(3)H(5) positive ions were particularly abundant endogenous components of the natural fingerprints and also present in the paper examined, but were mostly absent in the laser printed ink. Mapping of these ions enables the observation of friction ridges from latent prints on the ink surface, only when a fingerprint was deposited above the layer of ink. As a demonstration of proof of concept, blind testing of 21 samples from three donors resulted in a 100% success rate. The sensitivity of this technique was investigated within this trial through the examination of up to fifth depletion fingerprints and ageing of up to 28 days. Migration of fingerprint and paper components to the ink surface, although observed with increased ageing time, was not found to compromise determination of the deposition sequence.
- Published
- 2013
40. Using web-based and paper-based questionnaires for collecting data on fertility issues among female childhood cancer survivors: differences in response characteristics
- Author
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Cornelis B. Lambalk, A. Birgitta Versluys, Dorine Bresters, Eline van Dulmen-den Broeder, Gertjan J.L. Kaspers, A. Overbeek, Flora E. van Leeuwen, Marleen H. van den Berg, Helena J H van der Pal, Pediatric surgery, VU University medical center, Obstetrics and gynaecology, NCA - Hormones and the Brain, EMGO - Quality of care, CCA - Quality of life, ICaR - Ischemia and repair, CCA -Cancer Center Amsterdam, APH - Amsterdam Public Health, and Paediatric Oncology
- Subjects
Adult ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Psychometrics ,media_common.quotation_subject ,MEDLINE ,Health Informatics ,Fertility ,lcsh:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,law.invention ,Young Adult ,Randomized controlled trial ,law ,Neoplasms ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Adaptation, Psychological ,Confidence Intervals ,Odds Ratio ,medicine ,Humans ,cancer survivors ,Survivors ,Young adult ,Netherlands ,media_common ,fertility ,Original Paper ,Internet ,response ,business.industry ,questionnaire ,lcsh:Public aspects of medicine ,Patient Preference ,lcsh:RA1-1270 ,Odds ratio ,Response bias ,Confidence interval ,Family medicine ,Feasibility Studies ,lcsh:R858-859.7 ,Female ,business ,Infertility, Female ,Social psychology - Abstract
BackgroundWeb-based questionnaires have become increasingly popular in health research. However, reported response rates vary and response bias may be introduced. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether sending a mixed invitation (paper-based together with Web-based questionnaire) rather than a Web-only invitation (Web-based questionnaire only) results in higher response and participation rates for female childhood cancer survivors filling out a questionnaire on fertility issues. In addition, differences in type of response and characteristics of the responders and nonresponders were investigated. Moreover, factors influencing preferences for either the Web- or paper-based version of the questionnaire were examined. MethodsThis study is part of a nationwide study on reproductive function, ovarian reserve, and risk of premature menopause in female childhood cancer survivors. The Web-based version of the questionnaire was available for participants through the Internet by means of a personalized user name and password. Participants were randomly selected to receive either a mixed invitation (paper-based questionnaire together with log-in details for Web-based questionnaire, n = 137) or a Web-only invitation (log-in details only, n = 140). Furthermore, the latter group could request a paper-based version of the questionnaire by filling out a form. ResultsOverall response rates were comparable in both randomization groups (83% mixed invitation group vs 89% in Web-only invitation group, P = .20). In addition, participation rates appeared not to differ (66% or 90/137, mixed invitation group vs 59% or 83/140, Web-only invitation group, P =.27). However, in the mixed invitation group, significantly more respondents filled out the paper-based questionnaire compared with the Web-only invitation group (83% or 75/90 and 65% or 54/83, respectively, P = .01). The 44 women who filled out the Web-based version of the questionnaire had a higher educational level than the 129 women who filled out the paper-based version (P = .01). Furthermore, the probability of filling out the Web-based questionnaire appeared to be greater for women who were allocated to the Web-only invitation group (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 1.31 - 6.21), were older (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.15), had a higher educational level (OR high vs low = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 - 0.52), or were students (OR employed vs student = 3.25, 95% CI 1.00 - 10.56). ConclusionsAlthough overall response as well as participation rates to both types of invitations were similar, adding a paper version of a questionnaire to a Web-only invitation resulted in more respondents filling out the paper-based version. In addition, women who were older, had a higher level of education, or were students, were more likely to have filled out the Web-based version of the questionnaire. Given the many advantages of Web-based over paper-based questionnaires, researchers should strongly consider using Web-based questionnaires, although possible response bias when using these types of questionnaires should be taken into account. Trial RegistrationNederlands Trial Register NTR2922; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2922 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5zRRdMrDv)
- Published
- 2011
41. Detection of ethyl glucuronide in blood spotted on different surfaces
- Author
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Wolfgang Weinmann, Annette Thierauf, Eckhard Kaufmann, M. Winkler, Gisela Skopp, D. Thoma, and Andreas Alt
- Subjects
Male ,Paper ,Time Factors ,Alcohol Drinking ,Surface Properties ,Polyesters ,Alcohol ,Glucuronates ,Mass Spectrometry ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,Specimen Handling ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Forensic Toxicology ,Ethyl glucuronide ,Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry ,Floors and Floorcoverings ,Humans ,Dried blood ,Whole blood ,Ethanol ,Chromatography ,Elution ,Textiles ,Forensic toxicology ,Temperature ,Hydrocarbons ,chemistry ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Glass ,Law ,Chromatography, Liquid - Abstract
This study aims to show that sensitive detection of ethyl glucuronide in dried blood spotted onto various surfaces after a period of 24h is feasible. At present, there is insufficient information how tightly ethyl glucuronide (EtG) binds to various materials and how easily it can be eluted. 4ml aliquots of blood samples obtained from seven volunteers after consumption of alcoholic beverages were applied to six different surfaces. After drying and a 24h-storage at 20±2°C the samples were re-dissolved in water, and EtG was subsequently analyzed by a LC-MS Paul-type ion trap. A comparison was made between dried and corresponding fluid samples. EtG was detectable in all subjects' samples following consumption of alcohol. EtG was also detectable after a storage time of four weeks at 4°C in whole blood that had been preserved with EDTA. EtG was detectable in all samples dried on different surfaces and its concentration remained relatively constant irrespective of the particular condition of the material. Detection of EtG in blood spots from the scene may indicate recent alcohol consumption in cases where collection of blood remained undone or could not be performed.
- Published
- 2010
42. The feasibility of digital pen and paper technology for vital sign data capture in acute care settings
- Author
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Patricia C, Dykes, Angela, Benoit, Frank, Chang, Joan, Gallagher, Qi, Li, Cindy, Spurr, E Jan, McGrath, Susan M, Kilroy, and Marita, Prater
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Paper ,Technology Assessment, Biomedical ,Medical Records Systems, Computerized ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,Attitude to Computers ,Data Collection ,Nursing Staff, Hospital ,Hospitals, General ,Article ,User-Computer Interface ,Hospital Information Systems ,Feasibility Studies ,Humans ,Female ,Prospective Studies ,Monitoring, Physiologic - Abstract
The transition from paper to electronic documentation systems in acute care settings is often gradual and characterized by a period in which paper and electronic processes coexist. Intermediate technologies are needed to “bridge” the gap between paper and electronic systems as a means to improve work flow efficiency through data acquisition at the point of care in structured formats to inform decision support and facilitate reuse. The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of a study conducted on three acute care units at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA to evaluate the feasibility of digital pen and paper technology as a means to capture vital sign data in the context of acute care workflows and to make data available in a flow sheet in the electronic medical record.
- Published
- 2007
43. The feasibility study of using non-woven MBR for reduction of hydrolysed biosolids
- Author
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M.-C. Chang, Ren-Yang Horng, H. Shao, and W.-K. Chang
- Subjects
Paper ,Environmental Engineering ,Biosolids ,Sewage ,Chemistry ,business.industry ,Environmental engineering ,Industrial Waste ,Pulp and paper industry ,Waste Disposal, Fluid ,Industrial waste ,Hydrolysis ,Bioreactors ,Bioreactor ,Feasibility Studies ,Sewage treatment ,business ,Effluent ,Inorganic particles ,Water Science and Technology - Abstract
In this study, non-woven MBR was used to treat hydrolysed biosolids wasted from a biological treatment plant. The concentration of SS of hydrolysed biosolids in influent was 10,000 mg/L and the concentration of SS in effluent was less than 200 mg/L with/without discharging wasted sludge depending on different HRTs, i.e. 20, 15 and 10 d. The results indicated that the percentage of biosolids reduction in terms of SS removal efficiency in non-woven MBR was around 65, 60 and 35%, respectively, depending on different HRTs. Meanwhile, the ratio of VSS/SS was decreased from 0.78 to 0.50 and the number of smaller inorganic particle sizes increased due to extended SRT. The initial flux in the non-woven MBR was set at 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 m3/m2/day and trans-membrane pressure (TMP) was less than 10 kPa. The permeate flux could be maintained quite stably due to lower TMP. The proposed non-woven MBR could be used to achieve the reduction of biosolids in the wastewater treatment plant.
- Published
- 2006
44. Clozapine in drug induced psychosis in Parkinson's disease: a randomised, placebo controlled study with open follow up
- Author
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I Bourdeix, O. Rascol, Jean-Michel Senard, François Tison, Alain Destée, J.-J. Pere, Franck Durif, and Pierre Pollak
- Subjects
Male ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Psychosis ,genetic structures ,Placebo-controlled study ,Pimavanserin ,Placebo ,Psychoses, Substance-Induced ,law.invention ,GABA Antagonists ,Levodopa ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Randomized controlled trial ,Double-Blind Method ,law ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Prospective Studies ,Psychiatry ,Clozapine ,Aged ,Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale ,Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ,Parkinson Disease ,medicine.disease ,nervous system diseases ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,chemistry ,Clinical Global Impression ,Feasibility Studies ,Surgery ,Female ,Neurology (clinical) ,Psychology ,medicine.drug ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
To compare the efficacy and safety of clozapine in drug induced psychosis in Parkinson's disease (PD).A four week, randomised, double blind, parallel comparison of clozapine and placebo, followed by a 12 week clozapine open period, plus a one month period after drug discontinuation, in 60 patients with PD. The primary efficacy outcome was the "clinical global impression scale" (CGI); the positive subscore of the "positive and negative syndrome scale" (PANSS) was used as the secondary efficacy parameter and the "unified Parkinson's disease rating scale" (UPDRS) and the "mini mental test examination" (MMSE) as safety outcomes.The mean (SD) dosage of clozapine was 35.8 (12.5-50) mg at the end of the double blind period. The mean (SD) scores on the CGI improved by 1.8 (1.5) for the clozapine group compared with 0.6 (1.1) for the placebo group (p = 0.001). The mean (SD) positive subscore of PANSS improved by 5.6 (3.9) for the clozapine group (0.8 (2.8) for the placebo group; p0.0001). At the end of the open period, 25 patients had completely recovered from delusions and hallucinations, and 19 experienced a relapse within one month after the clozapine washout period. The UPDRS motor and MMSE mean scores did not change significantly in either group. Somnolence was more frequent with clozapine than with placebo.Clozapine at a mean dose lower than 50 mg/day improves drug induced psychosis in PD without significant worsening of motor function, and the effect wears off once the treatment stops.
- Published
- 2004
45. Feasibility of using paper impregnated with urine instead of liquid urine for assessing ovarian activity
- Author
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Sudharshani Wasalathanthri, Kamani H Tennekoon, and S Sufi
- Subjects
Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Urinalysis ,Estrone ,Urinary system ,Cold storage ,Urine ,Sensitivity and Specificity ,Sampling Studies ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Correlation test ,Menstrual Cycle ,Ovarian Function Tests ,Reagent Strips ,Ovulation Detection ,Chromatography ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,Endocrinology ,chemistry ,Immunoassay ,Pregnanediol ,Feasibility Studies ,Female ,Sample collection ,business - Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ovarian activity should ideally be assessed by serial non-invasive methods that require simple procedures for sample collection and storage. Measurement of urinary oestrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide is a non-invasive method available for assessment of ovarian activity, but transport of large numbers of urine samples is cumbersome and samples need to be stored frozen. An alternative sample collection, transport and storage procedure that is easier to handle and requires no or minimal cold storage facilities will particularly benefit studies in which ovulatory activity needs to be assessed in field settings. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using paper impregnated with urine as an alternative to liquid urine for the measurement of oestrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide concentrations in the assessment of ovarian activity. METHODS: Urine samples collected daily throughout regular menstrual cycles were stored as liquid urine at -20 degrees C, and as paper impregnated with urine, in the refrigerator for 3 to 12 months or at room temperature for 1 to 6 months. Oestrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide concentrations were measured in these urine samples by enzyme immunoassay. Values obtained were correlated using Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: The pattern of oestrone-3 glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide concentrations estimated using paper impregnated with urine followed that of liquid urine in all storage conditions used. Values obtained by two methods correlated significantly (p < 0.001 to 0.0001) though the paper impregnated with urine gave slightly higher values. CONCLUSIONS: Paper impregnated with urine can be used to facilitate sample collection, transport and storage of urine when oestrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide measurements are required in a large number of serial samples to assess ovarian activity.
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- 2003
46. Feasibility of keying data from screen-displayed facsimile images in an ongoing trial: the collaborative ocular melanoma study
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M.Marvin Newhouse, Marie Diener-West, Barbara S. Hawkins, and Paul B. Connor
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Paper ,Computer science ,Personal Satisfaction ,Medical Records ,Digital image ,Consistency (database systems) ,Computer Communication Networks ,Data acquisition ,Confidence Intervals ,Humans ,Multicenter Studies as Topic ,Poisson Distribution ,Melanoma ,Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ,Telefacsimile ,Pharmacology ,Electronic Data Processing ,Information retrieval ,Data collection ,Choroid Neoplasms ,Data Collection ,Facsimile ,Reproducibility of Results ,Keying ,Computer terminal ,Survival Rate ,Computer Terminals ,Costs and Cost Analysis ,Data Display ,Feasibility Studies ,Forms and Records Control ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
As part of an ongoing clinical trial, we conducted an experiment to assess the feasibility and to determine the reliability of data entry from a computer screen display of images of data collection forms transmitted by facsimile (fax) machines directly into a computer for paper forms designed without consideration of fax or image display requirements. Feasibility was assessed on the basis of accuracy and reliability of data entry and on operator satisfaction. During a 2-week period, half of the forms received at the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) coordinating center were key-entered twice, using the paper forms as the source (paper source entry). The remaining forms were entered once using paper source and were later reentered using the screen display of images of the faxed forms as the source (image source entry). The latter group of forms, or 50% of all forms received, were entered a third time, using the image source entry. Two data entry operators participated in the experiment. Discrepancy rates between and within data entry operators were calculated for both modes of entry. A total of 50,861 keystrokes (28,095 items) across 1122 records were checked for consistency. The overall discrepancy rate associated with double paper source entry was approximately 21 per 10,000 keystrokes (20 per 10,000 items). Discrepancy rates associated with paper source versus image source entry (53 per 10,000 keystrokes [57 per 10,000 items]) and double image source entry (57 per 10,000 keystrokes [47 per 10,000 items]) were similar in magnitude. Image source entry of forms received by facsimile may provide an acceptable alternative to paper entry in ongoing multicenter clinical trials where the costs of converting existing forms and systems to automated data capture may be unacceptable. This experiment confirmed the feasibility of such an alternative and suggested that improved screen displays and changes in equipment to facilitate entry of data from the screen display may enhance accuracy of entries.
- Published
- 1998
47. Blood Spot Homocysteine: A Feasibility and Stability Study
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Ann Bowron, Jeff Scott, Anna Barton, and David Stansbie
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Adult ,Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,Homocysteine ,Clinical Biochemistry ,Homocystinuria ,Urine ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Neonatal Screening ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Whole blood ,Blood Specimen Collection ,Methionine ,biology ,Chemistry ,Biochemistry (medical) ,Infant, Newborn ,medicine.disease ,Cystathionine beta synthase ,Endocrinology ,Biochemistry ,biology.protein ,Feasibility Studies ,Hypermethioninemia ,Transmethylation - Abstract
Homocystinuria is an autosomal recessive disorder usually caused by deficiency of cystathionine β-synthase, leading to grossly increased plasma and urine concentrations of homocysteine. There is considerable evidence that early detection and treatment can prevent the clinical consequences of the enzyme deficiency (1)(2); therefore, screening for the disorder has been advocated (1). Many cases of homocystinuria have secondary hypermethioninemia. Neonatal screening for homocystinuria by measurement of increased methionine concentrations in dried blood spots (DBS) has been performed in some centers but has poor sensitivity. Approximately 20% of cases are missed, partly because of low methionine concentrations in breast milk and some infant formulas (3). The measurement of homocysteine in DBS has not been used as a screen for homocystinuria, partly because of uncertainty about the suitability of DBS samples. Homocysteine concentrations are unstable in whole blood stored at room temperature and increase by ∼1.0 μmol/L per hour (4). This is attributable to in vitro erythrocyte transmethylation reactions that lead to continuous production and release of homocysteine (5). It is not known whether homocysteine is released from erythrocytes in blood that has been spotted on filter paper and dried, either during the spotting and drying process or during storage at room temperature. A recent report assessed stability in screening cards that were stored at 4 °C, which does not reflect routine practice (6). Another investigated the stability of DBS samples, using whole blood to which large concentrations of aqueous homocysteine calibrator had been added, thus potentially masking any increase in homocysteine attributable to release from erythrocytes (7). The lack of information on the stability …
- Published
- 2005
48. Decision support in psychiatry – a comparison between the diagnostic outcomes using a computerized decision support system versus manual diagnosis
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Uno Fors and Lars G Bergman
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Paper ,Decision support system ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Diagnostic methods ,Time Factors ,Writing ,education ,Computer support ,Expert Systems ,Health Informatics ,computer.software_genre ,lcsh:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,Clinical decision support system ,Health informatics ,medicine ,Humans ,Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ,Medical diagnosis ,Diagnostic Errors ,Psychiatry ,Pencil (mathematics) ,business.industry ,Mental Disorders ,Health Policy ,Decision Support Systems, Clinical ,Expert system ,Computer Science Applications ,Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ,lcsh:R858-859.7 ,Feasibility Studies ,Clinical Competence ,business ,computer ,Research Article - Abstract
Background Correct diagnosis in psychiatry may be improved by novel diagnostic procedures. Computerized Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are suggested to be able to improve diagnostic procedures, but some studies indicate possible problems. Therefore, it could be important to investigate CDSS systems with regard to their feasibility to improve diagnostic procedures as well as to save time. Methods This study was undertaken to compare the traditional 'paper and pencil' diagnostic method SCID1 with the computer-aided diagnostic system CB-SCID1 to ascertain processing time and accuracy of diagnoses suggested. 63 clinicians volunteered to participate in the study and to solve two paper-based cases using either a CDSS or manually. Results No major difference between paper and pencil and computer-supported diagnosis was found. Where a difference was found it was in favour of paper and pencil. For example, a significantly shorter time was found for paper and pencil for the difficult case, as compared to computer support. A significantly higher number of correct diagnoses were found in the diffilt case for the diagnosis 'Depression' using the paper and pencil method. Although a majority of the clinicians found the computer method supportive and easy to use, it took a longer time and yielded fewer correct diagnoses than with paper and pencil. Conclusion This study could not detect any major difference in diagnostic outcome between traditional paper and pencil methods and computer support for psychiatric diagnosis. Where there were significant differences, traditional paper and pencil methods were better than the tested CDSS and thus we conclude that CDSS for diagnostic procedures may interfere with diagnosis accuracy. A limitation was that most clinicians had not previously used the CDSS system under study. The results of this study, however, confirm that CDSS development for diagnostic purposes in psychiatry has much to deal with before it can be used for routine clinical purposes.
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49. A Feasibility Study in Assessing Practical Maths
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Marsh, June
- Published
- 1975
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