Electronic Measurement System Research Articles

An Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures System in UK Chiropractic Practices: A Feasibility Study of Routine Collection of Outcomes and Costs

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of collecting valid and widely used health outcomes, including information concerning cost of care, using a Web-based patient-driven patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) collection process within a cohort of UK chiropractic practices. MethodsA Web-based PROM system (Care Response) was used. Patients with low back and neck pain were recruited from a group of chiropractic practices located in the United Kingdom. Information collected included demographic data, generic and condition-specific PROMs at the initial consultation and 90 days later, patient-reported experience measures, and additional health seeking to estimate costs of care. ResultsA group of 33 clinics provided information from a total of 1895 patients who completed baseline questionnaires with 844 (45%) completing the measures at 90-day follow-up. Subsequent outcomes suggest that more than 70% of patients improved over the course of treatment regardless of the outcome used. Using the baseline as a virtual counterfactual with respect to follow-up, we calculated quality-adjusted life years and the cost thereof resulting in a mean quality-adjusted life years gained of 0.8 with an average cost of £895 per quality-adjusted life year. ConclusionRoutine collection of PROMs, including information about cost, is feasible and can be achieved using an online system within a clinical practice environment. We describe a Web-based collection system and discuss the choice of measures leading to a comprehensive understanding of outcomes and costs in routine practice.

Development of the Internet-Enabled System for Exercise Telerehabilitation and Cardiovascular Training.

Sustained exercise training could significantly improve patient rehabilitation and management of noncommunicable diseases in the community. This study aimed to develop a universal telecare system for delivery of exercise rehabilitation and cardiovascular training services at home. An innovative bilateral leg training device was equipped with an electronic system for the ongoing measurement of training activities with the device. A single-item parameter reflecting the intensity of training was monitored using several modern telecommunication technologies. According to the application protocol, eight volunteers first tried the device for 30-60 min to determine their personal training capacity. Then, they were provided with equipment to use at home for 4 weeks. Adherence to daily training was assessed by the number of training days per week, training intensity, and duration of training sessions. The system provided reliable recording of training activities with the device using (1) long-term data logging without an ongoing connection to the computer, (2) wireless monitoring and recording of training activities on a stand-alone computer, and (3) a secure cloud-based monitoring over the Internet connection using electronic devices, including smartphones. Overall analysis of recordings and phone feedbacks to participants took only approximately 5 h for the duration of study. This study, although of a pilot nature, described the comprehensive exercise telerehabilitation system integrating mobile training equipment with personalized training protocols and remote monitoring. A single-item electronic parameter of the system usage facilitated time-effective data management. Wireless connection allowed various locations of device application and several monitoring arrangements ranging from real-time monitoring to long-term recording of exercise activities. A cloud-based software platform enabled management of multiple users at distance. Implementation of this model may facilitate both accessibility and availability of personalized exercise telerehabilitation services. Further studies would validate it in the clinical and healthcare environment.

다목적 및 고활용성을 위한 객체지향 모델링 기반의 전자 측량기준점 모니터링 S/W 구현

표시점의 위치 및 고도를 표시하기 위한 기준점은 각종 측량에 유용하게 활용되는 장점을 가지고 있다. 그러나 기상 변화 및 지각 변화 등의 이유로 손 망실되는 사례가 급증하고 있으며, 무의미하게 방치되는 기준점이 늘어나고 있는 실정이다. 이에 본 논문에서는 기존 측량기준점의 활용성을 극대화할 뿐만 아니라 기준점 주변의 각종 환경 데이터 수집과 주변 지역의 지각변동 감지 기능 등이 포함된 다목적 전자 측량기준점 시스템모니터링 S/W를 설계 및 구현한다. 제안하는 S/W는 S/W의 재사용성 및 확장성을 충분히 지원할 수 있도록 객체지향 모델링 기법을 이용하여 설계하고 구현한다. 본 S/W에서는 전자측량 기준점 관리자를 위한 GUI 뿐만 아니라, 웹 및 모바일 사용자를 위한 GUI를 지원한다. 제공하는 GUI에서는 전자 측량기준점의 손 망실 예방 및 지각 변동을 감지하기 위해 측위된 위치정보 및 각종 센싱 정보를 데이터베이스에 실시간으로 저장하고 분석할 수 있도록 각종 데이터를 위한 그래프 GUI 지원한다. 아울러 QR-Code 및 RFID 인식 기능도 포함되어 있다. 마지막으로, 자이로센서를 이용한 지각 변화 감지 및 GPS 위치 오차율을 확인하기 위해 성능평가 결과를 제시한다. Datum point for displaying location and altitude of point has being advantage usefully in various measurement parts. However, datum point has been increasing loss cases owing to weather changes and stratum changes and neglecting meaninglessly. In this paper, we design and implement a multi electronic measurement system monitoring software with functions such as include maximize utilization of existing measurement datum system as well as collected various environment data and detection stratum changes of surround area. Proposed software is implemented to support that reusability and extensibility of software using object oriented modeling method. Our software supports a GUI for electronic measurement datum point administrator as well as for web user and mobile user. Our system can support a graph GUI for various data analysis and reposition in realtime to database that measured location information and various sensing information to prevent loss of electronic measurement datum point and to detected stratum changes. In addition, we include a QR code and RFID recognition function. Finally, we suggest performance evaluation result to confirm stratum changes detection and GPS location error rate.

Literature Review of Race Driver Fatigue Measurement in Endurance Motorsport

Driver fatigue in endurance motor racing, has been problematic for driver safety and optimal performance. Historically in this sport focus has been primary on improving mechanical performance; making the racecar light, faster and improving grip (aerodynamics and suspension geometry). Driver safety has come secondary. A series of fatal accidents that were attributed to fatigue have led to rule changes; however, these were made with little understanding of the driver fatigue (type/level). As the literature indicates few publicly available studies into driver fatigue take into account all of the identified stresses for endurance motor racing. Technology has progressed where it is now easier to quantify self with the use of appropriately selected and placed sensors. This literature review aims to highlight the need for sports engineers to develop a new electronic system for fatigue measurement in endurance motor racing and is the first part of a major research project in the development of a system for race driver fatigue measurement.

Research of Medical Electronic Instrument Measurement and Control Experiment System Based on Virtual Instrument

In order to meet the need of modern medical electronic instrument measurement and control experiment, this paper put forward a design scheme of medical electronic instrument measurement and control system based on virtual instrument technology. The system combined with virtual instrument, data acquisition and network technology, the optimization of the level of automation control of medical electronic instrument, and realizes the function of remote control, and provide good interactive interface. Through the system design makes the medical electronic instrument simulation measurement and control experiment with high utilization rate of equipment, a good share of the equipment, and the advantages of good scalability.

Sensing and identification of carbon monoxide using carbon films fabricated by methane arc discharge decomposition technique.

Carbonaceous materials have recently received attention in electronic applications and measurement systems. In this work, we demonstrate the electrical behavior of carbon films fabricated by methane arc discharge decomposition technique. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of carbon films are investigated in the presence and absence of gas. The experiment reveals that the current passing through the carbon films increases when the concentration of CO2 gas is increased from 200 to 800 ppm. This phenomenon which is a result of conductance changes can be employed in sensing applications such as gas sensors.

Electronic measurement system of foot plantar pressure

Purpose – This paper aims to present a prototype of the diagnostic system for the examination of the distribution of the force applied by foot to substrate during usual human moving. Presented system is competitive to other currently available devices, thanks to sensors reliability, user-friendly operation manner and design based on cheap parts. The results of examinations are transmitted by radiomodem. Its recording and visualization are possible on either personal or mobile computers. Design/methodology/approach – During selection of the sensors substrate, many polymeric electrets were examined. Polyvinylidene fluoride films were selected, because they have good charge uniformity across the surface, wide range of acceptable temperatures, linear relation between mechanical stress and output signal and high resistance for squeezing. The system measures the charge generated in film. Findings – The pressures are recorded in relation to maximum value; therefore, measuring system does not require calibration. The simultaneous recording of data from all eight sensors allows tracking the signal without distortion. Originality/value – An array of sensors is installed in the shoe insole. The measuring device is fixed to the outer surface of the shoe. Its weight is 75 g. The range of transmission is suitable for examination in the natural environment, outside traditional consulting room. Software is dedicated for analysis of the pressure distribution in every moment of the foot movement. The system is suitable for examination of flat feet, diabetic foot and recovery progress after injures.

Design of a Race-Track Coil For Measurements of Ac Power Losses in High-Temperature Superconducting Tapes

Abstract One of the most important parameters, crucial to applications of superconductors in cryo-electrotechnique, is power loss. Measurements of losses in superconducting long sample wires require AC magnetic fields of a special geometry and appropriate high homogeneity. In the paper part of the theoretical basis for calculations and a simple design method for a race-track coil set are presented. An example of such home-made coils, with a magnetic field uniformity of about 0.2 % over the range of about 8 cm, is given. Also a simple electronic measurement system for the determination of AC magnetization loss in samples of superconducting tapes is presented.

A Simple Electronic Curvy Length Measurement System: Application to Geography

A Simple Electronic Curvy Length Measurement System: Application to Geography

Synthesis and Hydrogen Gas Sensing Performance of Pd-Functionalized Nanostructures

In this work, palladium surface-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) hydrogen gas sensor was fabricated by electrodeposition and its sensing properties were systematically studied under various conditions. The diameter and density of the Pd nanoparticles were optimized by tuning the deposition voltage and time. Using a microfabricated chip consisting of a circular array of 16 individually addressable Pd-functionalised nanosensors, the gas sensing performance for each nanosensor was evaluated sequentially via a customized multiplexer-coupled electronic measurement system with Labview program control. The sensing properties were optimized for high sensitivity and short response time with respect to hydrogen detection. Sensor formed from non-connected chains of Pd particles was found to exhibit excellent sensing properties with resistance change exceeding 60% in 2000 ppm of hydrogen and lowest detection limit of 30 ppm hydrogen. The response time increased from a few minutes to tens of minutes with decreasing hydrogen concentrations.

Research of Intelligent Mower Based on High Accuracy 3D Electronic Compass

This paper introduces an intelligent mower with directional navigation features. This kind of mower uses electronic compass made by MEMS magnetoresistive sensor and three-axis acceleration sensor with high precision tilt compensation function. This paper also describes the advantages and applications of this kind of mower, as well as electronic compass measurement principle, system design and software algorithms, and electronic compass error analysis and elimination. This cost-effective system can be normally used in the field of intelligent mowers.

Modeling and Performance Analysis of Aerostatic Bearings for Lifting Heavy Payload

An aerostatic bearing is a clean equipment that has near-zero friction between the stator and the floating support. Hence, these are being increasingly used in food processing and electronic equipment and precision measurement systems. However, the problems of low stiffness and pneumatic hammer have kept their use restricted to small and light systems. The objective of the design study undertaken here is to formulate a design procedure that could be used to support loads that are one order heavier than the existing systems. A thorough modeling and simulation analysis have been taken up with a view to decide an appropriate bearing configuration to support a payload that could have weight as high as 25kN. There has been an external compressor feeding high-pressure air through an orifice at the bearing inlet and a network of holes in the stator forming air passages to the ambient through radial and axial gaps between the stator and top and inside bore of the support. Different bearing configurations investigated are free and choked orifice-flow types and equal and unequal radial extent of the top and bottom pads. An order-separated perturbation analysis of the flow dynamics coupled with vertical motion of the payload has been carried out. The analysis shows the choked flow design with equal radial size at the top and bottom gaps to be the best.

Use of an electronic patient-reported outcome measurement system to improve distress management in oncology

Management of patient distress is a critical task in cancer nursing and cancer practice. Here we describe two examples of how an electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) measurement system implemented into routine oncology care can practically aid clinical and research tasks related to distress management. Tablet personal computers were used to routinely complete a standardized ePRO review of systems surveys at point of care during every encounter in the Duke Oncology outpatient clinics. Two cases of use implementation are explored: (1) triaging distressed patients for optimal care, and (2) psychosocial program evaluation research. Between 2009 and 2011, the ePRO system was used to collect information during 17,338 Duke Oncology patient encounters. The system was used to monitor patients for psychosocial distress employing an electronic clinical decision support algorithm, with 1,952 (11.3%) referrals generated for supportive services. The system was utilized to examine the efficacy of a psychosocial care intervention documenting statistically significant improvements in distress, despair, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL) in 50 breast cancer patients. ePRO solutions can guide best practice management of cancer patient distress. Nurses play a key role in implementation and utilization.

Research of Radar Waveform Based on Pulse Position Jitter and Relative LPI Performance Analysis

The low probability of intercept (LPI) radar waveform is reflected in a lower pulse power and complex structure of the pulse series. The previous one ensures that it avoids being intercepted by the electronic measures system (ESM) carried by the goal; the latter makes it difficult for ESM to separate and identify. As for pulse position jitter pulse array, because of pulse position's random jitter in a specific pulse interval of the pulse repetition interval (PRI), the spectrum broadens and spectral density reduces, making it hard for the ESM to intercept. Meanwhile, because the waveform doesn't have a fixed PRI, it's also difficult to be sorted or identified Therefore pulse position jitter waveform is a rational LPI waveform. Combined with a design about the LPI radar signal waveform, this paper carries out a research on PRI jitter waveform, and provides a waveform generating and echo signal processing method; then the paper simulates the LPI characteristics and comes to a conclusion which has an important applying value .

3D Electronic Products Surface Measurement System Based on Machine Vision

Adopting high-speed line scan industrial camera, through window function of the software to capture interested areas scanning by linear structured light, through image processing algorithms and splicing technique to extract 3D feature information of the detected object surface, combined with the camera calibration technology, calculated the three-dimensional coordinates of the detected object, and real-time displayed intuitive pseudo color map, monitored picture signal and weeded out unqualified products. Compared with similar systems at home and abroad, the system are real-time pseudo color graphics display, open system and lower cost.

Synthesis and Characterization of CNT/Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-ZnS Nanocomposites

ZnS was coated on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that had been previously functionalized with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscope (TEM) and physical properties measurement system (PPMS). ZnS nanoparticles with sphalerite structure are successfully assembled on the surface of CNTs/Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The CNTs/Fe3O4-ZnS nanocomposites exhibit superparamagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of 21.25emug1. The as-synthesized nanocomposites have great potential for applications in the field of wastewater treatment, electronic devices, sensors and biotechnology.

Driving Techniques for Micro Gear Measuring Instrument

Micro gears are applied in an increasing quantity in many applications. Therefore, precise measurements are of growing importance to ensure their quality. This paper studies the electronic generative and automatic indexing measurement system in a micro gear (with a module less than 0.2mm) measuring instrument, and develops a loop proportioned driving approach and a stage-error compensation technique. The approach and the technique have been successfully applied in the micro gear measuring instrument developed by the authors. The experiment shows that the application of the approach and the technique greatly reduces the cost of measuring instrument, with simple control and reliable operation.

Low‐Temperature Co‐Fired Ceramics System for Light Absorbance Measurement

The article describes technology of the low‐temperature co‐fired ceramics (LTCC) structure that enables light absorbance measurements of liquid sample. The manufactured ceramic structure contains buried microfluidic channels. The structure consists of two co‐fired glass windows that separate the light source and detector from the test solution. A construction of an electronic measurement system is described as well. The signal from three light‐emitting diodes (LED)s — red, green, and blue — can be used in the absorbance measurements. The light intensity is measured by the TCS 3414CS (TAOS, Plano, TX) color detector. Optical properties of the fabricated microfluidic LTCC system is investigated with several concentrations of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in water solution. The system can be applied in microbiology for constant monitoring of bacterial growth.

Fabrication and Characterization of an Improved Micro Inductosyn

The standard linear Inductosyn® system consists of two measurement elements, a scale and a slider. The stationary scale contains a single meander winding, while the moving slider has two meander windings for sensing. Unlike the standard Inductosyn®, a second generation micro Inductosyn® system has four sensing windings, which enables to correct a wedge shaped air gap between scale and slide due to a misalignment occurring during the final assembly process. As its first generation micro Inductosyn® predecessor, it features magnetic flux guides not found in the standard Inductosyn® system to improve coupling. The micro displacement sensor was fabricated using Micro Electro-mechanical System (MEMS) technology. The sensor components, such as meander windings and flux guides, were fabricated by electrodeposition. Moreover, PECVD was used to create an insulating layer between these components. In order to evaluate the system, a mechanical test fixture and an electronic measurement system were created.

Meaningful measurement: developing a measurement system to improve blood pressure control in patients with chronic kidney disease

To develop an electronic registry of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated in a nephrology practice in order to provide clinically meaningful measurement and population management to improve rates of blood pressure (BP) control. We combined data from multiple electronic sources: the billing system, structured fields in the electronic health record (EHR), and free text physician notes using natural language processing (NLP). We also used point-of-care worksheets to capture clinical rationale. Nephrologist billing accurately identified patients with CKD. Using an algorithm that incorporated multiple BP readings increased the measured rate of control (130/80 mm Hg) from 37.1% to 42.3%. With the addition of NLP to capture BP readings from free text notes, the rate was 52.6%. Data from point-of-care worksheets indicated that in 52% of visits in which patients were identified as not having controlled BP, patients were actually at goal based on BP readings taken at home or on that day in the office. Building a method for clinically meaningful continuous performance measurement of BP control is possible, but will require data from multiple sources. Electronic measurement systems need to grow to be able to capture and process performance data from patients as well as in real-time from physicians.