Dissemination Of Systems Research Articles

Medical Image Retrieval: Past and Present

With the widespread dissemination of picture archiving and communication systems (PACSs) in hospitals, the amount of imaging data is rapidly increasing. Effective image retrieval systems are required to manage these complex and large image databases. The authors reviewed the past development and the present state of medical image retrieval systems including text-based and content-based systems. In order to provide a more effective image retrieval service, the intelligent content-based retrieval systems combined with semantic systems are required.

Design principles for renewable energy programs in developing countries

The United Nations has announced 2012 as the ‘‘International Year for Sustainable Energy for All.’’ This proposal attempts to persuade countries, corporations, and other groups to realize three goals by 2030: ‘‘universal access to modern energy services, reducing global energy intensity by 40 percent, and increasing renewable energy use globally to 30 percent of total primary energy supply’’. Two of these targets—universal access and the dissemination of renewable energy systems— occupy bilateral and multilateral development institutions, and are orientated towards eradicating ‘‘energy poverty.’’ ‘‘Energy poverty’’—traditionally defined as lack of access to electricity and dependence on solid biomass fuels for cooking and heating—remains a persistent global challenge. In 2009 approximately 1.4 billion people lived without access to electricity grids, and 2.7 billion people depended entirely on solid fuels

Analysis of Dissemination of Residential PV Systems in Japan

SUMMARY This paper focuses on residential photovoltaic systems in Japan. It projects the installation and installed capacity of residential photovoltaic systems by analyzing the correlation between their payback period and annual installation in new and existing homes. Exponential and hyperbolic curves are used for correlation analysis. However, the exponential curve gives a better fit than the hyperbolic one. PV installation in new houses shows a stronger correlation with the payback period than with existing houses. For the installation projections, target and delayed scenarios are assumed. In the target scenario, the target price is achieved as planned. However, it is achieved later in the delayed scenario. Ongoing subsidies and feed-in tariffs are also assumed. Based on the results of the analysis, the target cumulative installation and installed capacity are achieved in the target scenario. They are not significantly affected even without subsidies and feed-in tariffs. But they are reduced by almost half in the delayed scenario compared with the target scenario. This means that systemic price reductions resulting from research and development as well as mass production are more effective than ongoing dissemination promotion programs. To achieve the target capacity, not only cost reductions but also conversion efficiency improvements through research and development are indispensable.

Use of support vector regression and numerically predicted cloudiness to forecast power output of a photovoltaic power plant in Kitakyushu, Japan

ABSTRACTThe development of a methodology to forecast accurately the power produced by photovoltaic systems can be an important tool for the dissemination and integration of such systems on the public electricity grids. Thus, the objective of this study was to forecast the power production of a 1‐MW photovoltaic power plant in Kitakyushu, Japan, using a new methodology based on support vector machines and on the use of several numerically predicted weather variables, including cloudiness. Hourly forecasts of the power produced for 1 year were carried out. Moreover, the effect of the use of numerically predicted cloudiness on the quality of the forecasts was also investigated. The forecasts of power production obtained with the proposed methodology had a root mean square error of 0.0948 MW h and a mean absolute error of 0.058 MW h. It was also found that the forecast and measured values of power production had a good level of correlation varying from 0.8 to 0.88 according to the season of the year. Finally, the use of numerically predicted cloudiness had an important role in the accuracy of the forecasts, and when cloudiness was not used, the root mean square error of the forecasts increased more than 32%, and the mean absolute error increased more than 42%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Biomedical informatics as support to individual healthcare in hereditary colon cancer: the Danish HNPCC system

The Danish HNPCC register is a publically financed national database. The register gathers epidemiological and genomic data in HNPCC families to improve prognosis by screening and identifying family members at risk. Diagnostic data are generated throughout the country and collected over several decades. Until recently, paper-based reports were sent to the register and typed into the database. In the EC cofunded-INFOBIOMED network of excellence, the register was a model for electronic exchange of epidemiological and genomic data between diagnosing/treating departments and the central database. The aim of digitization was to optimize the organization of screening by facilitating combination of genotype-phenotype information, and to generate IT-tools sufficiently usable and generic to be implemented in other countries and for other oncogenetic diseases. The focus was on integration of heterogeneous data, elaboration, and dissemination of classification systems and development of communication standards. At the conclusion of the EU project in 2007 the system was implemented in 12 pilot departments. In the surgical departments this resulted in a 192% increase of reports to the database. Several gaps were identified: lack of standards for data to be exchanged, lack of local databases suitable for direct communication, reporting being time-consuming and dependent on interest and feedback.

A Low Cost Concept for Data Acquisition Systems Applied to Decentralized Renewable Energy Plants

The present paper describes experiences of the use of monitoring and data acquisition systems (DAS) and proposes a new concept of a low cost DAS applied to decentralized renewable energy (RE) plants with an USB interface. The use of such systems contributes to disseminate these plants, recognizing in real time local energy resources, monitoring energy conversion efficiency and sending information concerning failures. These aspects are important, mainly for developing countries, where decentralized power plants based on renewable sources are in some cases the best option for supplying electricity to rural areas. Nevertheless, the cost of commercial DAS is still a barrier for a greater dissemination of such systems in developing countries. The proposed USB based DAS presents a new dual clock operation philosophy, in which the acquisition system contains two clock sources for parallel information processing from different communication protocols. To ensure the low cost of the DAS and to promote the dissemination of this technology in developing countries, the proposed data acquisition firmware and the software for USB microcontrollers programming is a free and open source software, executable in the Linux and Windows® operating systems.

Performance evaluation of reliability assessment method based on stochastic differential equation model for a large-scale open source solution

At present, many open source softwares are developed in all parts of the world, i.e, Firefox, Apache HTTP server, Linux, Android, etc. Network technologies have made rapid progress with the dissemination of computer systems in all areas. These network technologies become increasingly more complex in a wide sphere. Especially, open source software systems which serve as key components of critical infrastructures in the society are still ever-expanding now. At present, a large scale open source solution by using several open source softwares is now attracting attention as the next-generation software development paradigm. In this paper, we propose a new approach to software reliability assessment by using the stochastic differential equations. Also, we analyze actual software fault-count data to show numerical examples of software reliability assessment considering component collision for several open source softwares. Especially, we show several results of performance evaluation for sensitivity analysis in terms of our model parameters. Moreover, we compare our model with the conventional model based on stochastic differential equations in terms of goodness-of-fit for actual data. We show that the proposed model can assist improvement of quality for the large scale open source solution.

The UBIRIS.v2: A Database of Visible Wavelength Iris Images Captured On-the-Move and At-a-Distance

The iris is regarded as one of the most useful traits for biometric recognition and the dissemination of nationwide iris-based recognition systems is imminent. However, currently deployed systems rely on heavy imaging constraints to capture near infrared images with enough quality. Also, all of the publicly available iris image databases contain data correspondent to such imaging constraints and therefore are exclusively suitable to evaluate methods thought to operate on these type of environments. The main purpose of this paper is to announce the availability of the UBIRIS.v2 database, a multisession iris images database which singularly contains data captured in the visible wavelength, at-a-distance (between four and eight meters) and on on-the-move. This database is freely available for researchers concerned about visible wavelength iris recognition and will be useful in accessing the feasibility and specifying the constraints of this type of biometric recognition.

Modelling photovoltaic water pumping systems and evaluation of their CO 2 emissions mitigation potential

In photovoltaic (PV) water pumping design, the accurate prediction of the water flow is a key step for optimized implementation and system robustness. This paper presents a model to characterize the motor-pumps subsystems used in PV pumping installations. The model expresses the water flow output ( Q) directly as a function of the electrical power input ( P) to the motor-pump, for different total heads. The actual model is developed using the experimental results obtained by the use of several motor-pump subsystems of different types and technologies. This work details the investigations concerning centrifugal and positive displacement motor-pump subsystems. The experimental tests are used to validate the developed model. Based on the motor-pump subsystem model, a method is proposed to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions saved by the use of water pumping facilities powered by a photovoltaic array instead of diesel fuelled generators. This work shows that the dissemination of PV water systems not only improves the living conditions in remote areas, but is also environment friendly.

Smart Disaster Reduction Against Torrential Downpours: Micromedia Creation

In response to frequent flooding disasters due to local torrential downpours, the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), along with other organizations, has advanced rapid tracking systems for torrential rains. It is also noted that people can now be easily located by the widespread dissemination of mobile phones and car navigation systems with easy-to-use global positioning systems (GPS). Unfortunately, the current practice of disseminating disaster information has failed to incorporate recent these technological innovations. In this paper, we propose a way to establish a new information dissemination media called “micromedia,” which provides individuals with disaster prevention information in real time, regardless of their location.

AN EMBEDDED OSS RELIABILITY AND OPTIMIZATION ANALYSIS INCORPORATING IMPERFECT DEBUGGING

As a result of the technological progress, software development environment has changed into development paradigm based on client/server systems by using network computing technologies. Network technologies have made rapid progress with the dissemination of computer systems in all areas. These network technologies become increasingly more complex in a wide sphere. Especially, open source software systems which serve as key components of critical infrastructures in the society are still ever-expanding now. In this paper, we propose a method of software reliability assessment based on stochastic differential equations. Especially, we derive several assessment measures in terms of imperfect debugging. Also, we analyze actual software fault-count data to show numerical examples of software reliability assessment for an embedded open source software. Further, it has been necessary to manage the software development process in terms of reliability, effort, and release time. Then, we find the optimal release time based on the total expected software maintenance effort.

Issues in image-guided therapy [A Look at . . .

M edical robotics, computer- assisted surgery (CAS), image-guided therapy (IGT), and the like emerged more than 20 years ago, and many advances have been made since. Conferences and workshops have been organized; scientific contributions, position papers, and patents have been published; new academic societies have been launched; and companies were created all over the world to propose methods, devices, and systems in the area. Researchers in robotics, computer vision and graphics, electronics, mechanics, biomedical engineers, physicians, and surgeons have been involved, thus demonstrating the enthusiasm for this emerging field. Their commitments emphasize the transdisciplinary nature of the efforts to be made. However, the effective dissemination of CAS-IGT systems in medical disciplines remains limited. There are several reasons that may explain this situation, among which the effective demonstration of patient benefits and cost savings, the reluctance of surgeons or therapists to use them, and, of course, the technological breakthroughs are still expected. This series of articles attempts to point out some of them and will also show that many opportunities in computer-assisted interventions are open in the near future.

Environmental Protection, Energy Policy and Poverty Reduction – Synergies of an Integrated Approach

This paper describes the mechanisms that link poverty reduction with climate and energy policy. First, there is a brief analysis of the relationship between ongoing climate change, energy use and poverty. This analysis is followed by an overview of different policy options that have the potential to fight poverty while simultaneously limiting global warming and environmental degradation. Mitigating climate change, transforming the energy systems in developing countries and financing adaptation to climate change are pointed out as central policy fields governments and developing agencies should focus on. Furthermore, one can argue that new technologies to increase energy efficiency and the dissemination of renewable energy systems have an especially strong impact on poverty. Access to clean and cost-efficient energy has a direct effect on the income generation potentials of the poor. Finally, this paper identifies appropriate financing mechanisms to implement the aforementioned strategies.

Quality Improvement

Outcomes research examines the effects of healthcare interventions and policies on health outcomes for individual patients and populations in routine practice, as opposed to the idealized setting of clinical trials. A national survey from 1998 to 2000 that evaluated the extent to which patients received established processes of care for 30 medical conditions illustrated the importance of outcomes research.1 Among adults living in 12 metropolitan areas in the United States, only half of patients received proven elements of preventive care, treatments for acute illness, and chronic disease management for which they were eligible. For cardiovascular conditions, the use of proven therapies varied widely from 68% to 25% of patients who received recommended care for coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, respectively.1 Despite these gaps between ideal and actual care, patient outcomes have improved in many fields. For instance, the age-adjusted mortality from cardiovascular disease in the United States fell by >40% from 1980 to 2000 as a result of improvements in risk factor modification and uptake of evidence-based treatments for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.2,3 Nevertheless, many Americans do not receive the ideal recommended care (either at all or in a timely fashion), whereas others receive too much or the wrong care.4,5 In the field of cardiovascular diseases, substantial opportunities for improvement remain. Outcomes research has generated a foundation of knowledge about what constitutes ideal care and what gaps exist between ideal and actual care, but we have less understanding about how to deliver this ideal care to every patient every day. The potential for basic science breakthroughs to reach and improve the health of individual patients and populations may be substantially delayed or may not be realized if science is not efficiently translated to action. Moreover, in many cases, increased delivery of …

On the global distribution and dissemination of knowledge

Our article centres on the question in the sense in which it may be possible to speak of global knowledge, in the first instance. Is it the necessary outcome and the intellectual mark of an age of globalising knowledge societies or is the global demand for the dissemination of knowledge systems trying to answer universally perceived problems? What changes occur to knowledge as it travels and for whom does its globalisation yield benefit or harm? Knowledge must be differentiated from mere information and its locally embedded nature poses serious challenges to opportunities and obstacles for its horizontal and vertical dissemination. Further, global worlds of knowledge raise questions over the ownership of knowledge. Intellectual property claims should be discussed with reference to opposing views, such as those concerning the thesis of knowledge's self‐protective character. Some political and certain idealistic conceptions regard knowledge as common property par excellence. While trade in services and products as well as the digital communications revolution are identified as major vehicles for the dissemination of knowledge, it is yet an open question as to whether they will result in the unhindered dissemination of knowledge or in concentrating it. The second section of the article overviews and introduces the articles in this volume.

Identifying barriers to implementing a cardiovascular computerised decision support system (CDSS): a Delphi survey

This paper reports an evaluation of stakeholders' perspectives and recommendations for the dissemination of a cardiovascular computerised decision support system (CDSS) program. A literature review of dissemination models for health information and decision support aids was undertaken to develop a semi-structured interview protocol outlining a range of dissemination models for distribution. A cross section of eight health professionals and three corporate managers were interviewed to provide as broad a view as possible of eight dissemination models. Data were collected via two questionnaires incorporating the Delphi technique. Perspectives from the corporate managers were collected by telephone interview. Financial incentive was the most highly rated dissemination method, followed by joint promotion with a professional body and undergraduate medical education. The lowest average rating was for dividing the program into separate components. Participants provided five other suggestions for dissemination. Suggestions for further exploration include the development of a multi-professional model comprising two or more approaches that is piloted and evaluated. Our results provide beneficial information on the potential dissemination of computer decision support systems to health professionals whose uptake of CDSS has not previously been explored. Whether use of a shared decision aid impacts on the decisions made by health professionals working in a team is, however, less evident.

Towards a Web Platform for Collaborative Learning Practice, Evaluation and Dissemination

Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) tool adoption is slow and challenging when compared to the dissemination of simpler content delivery systems. The lack of technical and pedagogical expertise, concrete training, and effective support for teachers are some reasons that explain the current situation. This paper proposes a technological approach for making CSCL practice, evaluation and dissemination easier. In this approach, a powerful workflow-enabled web platform hosts virtual communities of volunteer teachers and CSCL specialists. The platform supports participants for designing collective learning processes that integrate CSCL tools, executing and tutoring them, analyzing their results and debating all related technical and pedagogical issues.

Bioenergy Innovations: The Case of Wood Pellet Systems in Sweden

In the context of global warming and strong dependence on fossil fuels, modern wood pellet heating systems for space heating of detached houses have emerged as a new technological option in many parts of the world. In Sweden, in recent years, such systems have advantages over oil-fired and electric boiler systems in terms of the expected total lifecycle heating costs to consumers. However, market diffusion of this technology has hitherto been rather slow. By combining an extended configuration cycle model with a dynamic multi-level perspective on system innovation, we study the factors involved in the diffusion of such systems in Sweden. The results indicate that energy policy, abundance of raw material and a wide dissemination of district heating systems have fostered the emergence and growth of the Swedish pellet market. However, other factors, such as a lack of co-ordination between the pellet and equipment suppliers in the early phase of market development, annual operating cost, lack of information, dissatisfaction among earlier adopters and technology lock-in might have contributed to the relatively slow growth of the market for small-scale systems.

Sustainable dissemination of solar home systems for rural development: experiences in Nepal

Sustainable dissemination of solar home systems for rural development: experiences in Nepal

Medical Decision Support Systems: Old Dilemmas and new Paradigms?

The purpose of this paper is to examine past and present medical decision support systems and the environment in which they operate and to propose specific research tracks that improve integration and adoption of these systems in today's health care systems. In preamble, we examine the objectives, decision models, and performances of past decision support systems. Medical decision support tools were essentially formulated from a technical capability perspective and this view has met limited adoption and slowed down new development as well as integration of these important systems into patient management work flows and clinical information systems. The science base of these systems needs to include evidence-based medicine and clinical practice guidelines and the paradigms need to be extended to include a collaborative provider model, the users and the organization perspectives. The availability of patient record and medical terminology standards is essential to the dissemination of decision support systems and so is their integration into the care process. To build new decision support systems based on practice guidelines and taking into account users preferences, we do not so much advocate new technological solutions but rather suggest that technology is not enough to ensure successful adoption by the users, the integration into practice workflow, and consequently, the realisation of improved health care outcomes.