Prototype: An application that can change the physical activity levels of children and adolescents / Protótipo: um aplicativo que pode mudar os níveis de atividade física de crianças e adolescentes

In the challenge of making children and young people more physically active, possibilities of unit-ing knowledge between digital games and physical activity and, as a product, the exergames have emerged. Using this method as a possibility of behavior change, the present study aimed to present a prototype of an exergame that stimulates the increase of physical activity levels in adolescents. In order for the user to be able to use the exergame as a mobile application, it is necessary to register initially with personal and anthropometric data, establish goals by time, and then start using it. The proposal is to make the application available to schools and students for research, evaluating the in-fluence of the exergame on the level of habitual physical activity, displacement, participation in phys-ical education classes, motivation and interest for changing behavior of physical activity through-out the day, among other parameters. Equipping Physical Education professionals with these new healthcare tools is necessary, and they can be pedagogical for the paradigm shift on how to contribute to a healthier aging and with more quality of life

No desafio de tornar crianças e jovens mais fisicamente ativas, surgem possibilidades de união de conhe-cimentos entre jogos digitais e atividade física e como produto os exergames. Utilizando este método como possibilidade de mudanças de comportamento, o presente estudo teve como objetivo apresentar um protótipo de exargame que estimule o aumento dos níveis de atividade física em adolescentes. Para que o usuário possa utilizar o exergame em formato de aplicativo móvel, se faz necessário fazer inscrição inicial com seus dados pessoais e antropométricos estabelecimento de objetivos por tempo para na sequência possa iniciar a utilização. A proposta é disponibilizar o aplicativo para as escolas e estudantes para realização de pesquisas, avaliando a influência do exergame sobre o nível de atividade física habitual, de deslocamento, participação nas aulas de educação física, motivação e interesse para a mudança de comportamento de atividade física durante todo o dia, entre outros parâmetros. Instrumentalizar os professores de Educação Física sobre o cuidado com a saúde, através destas novas ferramentas é necessário e podem ser pedagógicas para mudança de paradigmas sobre como contribuir para um envelhecimento mais saudável e com mais qualidade de vida

Continuing education in the child health handbook: an educational software for primary care1

Abstract Objective: To present, the process of development and evaluation of an educational software on the Child Health Handbook proposed for the continuing education of primary care nurses and physicians. Methods: Quantitative study of methodological development. For software development, the following steps were followed: definition of objectives; determination of the target audience; choice of pedagogical and theoretical reference for content; content selection and structuring; software development and evaluation by experts (five nurses and four physicians). All responded to an instrument that included four domains: pedagogical; content; functionality; system presentation and usability. The evaluation criteria were arranged on a Likert-type scale. The percentage of agreement and Content Validity Index were used for the quantitative analysis of the degree of agreement, considering a Content Validity Index cutoff point equal to 0.80. Results: The overall agreement index, calculated by the arithmetic mean of the Contents Validity Index of the evaluated domains, was 0.96, with scores ranging from 0.90 to 1.00. The average percentage of agreement of the experts per domain was 92.86%, with lower agreement in the content (80.95%), presentation, and usability (90.48%) domains. 100% of percentage of agreement was observed in the pedagogical and functionality domains among the evaluated specialists. Conclusion: The percentage of agreement, Content Validity Index and overall agreement index of the Child Health Handbook educational software in the context of primary care disclosed the software adequacy as an educational resource for continuing education of primary care nurses and physicians. Considering the assessed dimensions, it can also be used by other health professionals and undergraduate students.

Estudo comparativo entre dois programas de computador (Dolphin Imaging® e Nemotec®) e método manual para análises cefalométricas de pacientes com deformidade dentofacial Padrão II / Comparative study of two computer software programs (Dolphin Imaging® and Nemotec®) and a manual method of cephalometric analysis for patients with dentofacial deformity Class II

Este estudo analisou traçados digitais obtidos por dois programas de computador (Dolphin Imaging® e Nemotec®) em comparação aos obtidos pelo método manual nas análises cefalométricas SNA, SNB, Co-A, Co-Gn, altura facial anterior, A-Nperp, Pg-Nperp e plano mandibular. 30 pacientes leucodermas, portadores de retrognatismo mandibular, foram avaliados e submetidos à cirurgia ortognática para correção da deformidade por meio da osteotomia sagital do ramo mandibular. Os traçados cefalométricos foram realizados em telerradiografias laterais obtidas uma semana antes da cirurgia. O método Manual e o Nemotec® apresentaram excelente confiabilidade em todas as medidas. Por outro lado, o método Dolphin Imaging® apontou baixa confiabilidade nas medidas altura facial anterior, Co-A e Co-Gn. Nas medidas A-Nperp, Pg-Nperp, Plano md, SNA e SNB, não houve diferença entre três métodos estudados. Na medida altura facial anterior, houve diferença entre os métodos Dolphin Imaging® e Nemotec®, mas não foram observadas diferenças em relação ao método manual. Nas medidas Co-A e Co-Gn, foi observado que o método Dolphin Imaging® apresentou média significativamente inferior aos demais métodos estudados. No método manual, somente as medidas Co-Gn, Pg-Nperp e SNB confirmaram o diagnóstico de retrognatismo mandibular, tendo o programa Nemotec® apresentado resultados melhores que o programa Dolphin Imaging®... (AU)

This study analyzed digital tracings obtained by two different computer software programs (Dolphin Imaging® and Nemotec®) and compare them to the manual method using cephalometric measurements SNA, SNB, Co-A, Co-Gn, anterior facial height, A-Nperp, Pg-Nperp and mandibular plane. Thirty Caucasian patients exhibiting mandibular retrognathia were analyzed and were submitted to orthognathic surgery to correct the deformity by bilateral sagittal split osteotomy. The cephalometric tracings were performed with lateral radiographs that were obtained a week prior to the surgery. The manual method and the Nemotec® software exhibited an excellent reliability in all measurements. However, the Dolphin Imaging® method exhibited low reliability in the anterior facial height, Co-A and Co-Gn measurements. For the measurements of A-Nperp, Pg-Nperp, Mandibular plan, SNA and SNB, there were no significant differences between the three methods studied. For the anterior facial height measurement, a statistically significant difference was found between the Dolphin Imaging® and Nemotec® methods, although not in relation to the manual method. For the Co-A and Co-Gn measurements, the Dolphin Imaging® method exhibited a significantly lower mean than the other methods studied. In manual method, only the Co-Gn, Pg-Nperp and SNB measurements confirmed the diagnosis of mandibular retrognathia and Nemotec® software provided better results than Dolphin Imaging®... (AU)

Conducting simulation studies for computerized adaptive testing using SimulCAT: an instructional piece / 보건의료교육평가

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) technology is widely used in a variety of licensing and certification examinations administered to health professionals in the United States. Many more countries worldwide are expected to adopt CAT for their national licensing examinations for health professionals due to its reduced test time and more accurate estimation of a test-taker's performance ability. Continuous improvements to CAT algorithms promote the stability and reliability of the results of such examinations. For this reason, conducting simulation studies is a critically important component of evaluating the design of CAT programs and their implementation. This report introduces the principles of SimulCAT, a software program developed for conducting CAT simulation studies. The key evaluation criteria for CAT simulation studies are explained and some guidelines are offered for practitioners and test developers. A step-by-step tutorial example of a SimulCAT run is also presented. The SimulCAT program supports most of the methods used for the 3 key components of item selection in CAT: the item selection criterion, item exposure control, and content balancing. Methods for determining the test length (fixed or variable) and score estimation algorithms are also covered. The simulation studies presented include output files for the response string, item use, standard error of estimation, Newton-Raphson iteration information, theta estimation, the full response matrix, and the true standard error of estimation. In CAT simulations, one condition cannot be generalized to another; therefore, it is recommended that practitioners perform CAT simulation studies in each stage of CAT development.

Función ejecutiva y entrenamiento computarizado en niños de 7 a 12 años con discapacidad intelectual / Executive function and computer-based training in children aged 7-12 with intellectual disability

Se presenta un estudio comparativo de la función ejecutiva (componentes de planeación y flexibilidad), por medio de un programa de entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado aplicado a niños y niñas con discapacidad intelectual. La discapacidad intelectual es una problemática mundial y local en constante crecimiento, sin embargo, son pocos los estudios encontrados en cuanto a procesos de intervención para población con discapacidad intelectual que involucran programas computarizados en relación con el funcionamiento ejecutivo y que sirvan como referente tanto para procesos de acompañamiento neuropsicológico como pedagógico. En este estudio, se empleó una muestra poblacional de 20 niños y niñas antioqueños (colombianos) con diagnóstico de discapacidad intelectual, entre los 7 y 12 años de edad, divididos en grupo caso (10) y grupo control (10). El estudio empleó un diseño pretest-postest; el grupo caso tuvo un proceso de entrenamiento con el programa computarizado Lumosity durante 15 sesiones, 3 veces por semana, con una intensidad de 40 minutos cada una, 20 minutos para flexibilidad y 20 minutos para planeación, como componentes de la función ejecutiva. Al comparar estos componentes de la función ejecutiva (antes y después del proceso), tanto en el grupo caso como en el grupo control, se encuentran resultados significativos que demuestran la generación de cambio en los componentes de planeación y flexibilidad en esta población; asimismo, se logra validar la efectividad del programa de entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado

A comparative study of executive function (planning and flexibility components) presented by a computerized cognitive training program applied to children with intellectual disabilities. Few studies found on intervention in population with intellectual disabilities involving computer programs about executive functioning, and focused on neuropsychological processes as educational support. In this study, a population sample of 20 boys and girls in Antioquia (Colombia) diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, between 7 and 12 years of age, divided into an experimental group (10) and a control group (10) was used. The study used a pretest-posttest design; the case group had a training process with the computer software Lumosity for 15 sessions, 3 times a week, with an intensity of 40 minutes each (20 for flexibility and 20 for planning) as components of executive function. Comparing these components of executive function (before and after the process), in the case group and the control group are significant results that demonstrate the generation change in the components of planning and flexibility in this population; It is also possible to validate the effectiveness of computerized cognitive training programs.

Improved Software to Browse the Serial Medical Images for Learning

The thousands of serial images used for medical pedagogy cannot be included in a printed book; they also cannot be efficiently handled by ordinary image viewer software. The purpose of this study was to provide browsing software to grasp serial medical images efficiently. The primary function of the newly programmed software was to select images using 3 types of interfaces: buttons or a horizontal scroll bar, a vertical scroll bar, and a checkbox. The secondary function was to show the names of the structures that had been outlined on the images. To confirm the functions of the software, 3 different types of image data of cadavers (sectioned and outlined images, volume models of the stomach, and photos of the dissected knees) were inputted. The browsing software was downloadable for free from the homepage (anatomy.co.kr) and available off-line. The data sets provided could be replaced by any developers for their educational achievements. We anticipate that the software will contribute to medical education by allowing users to browse a variety of images.

A Guide Book for Children and Adolescents to Experience Anatomy and Clinics / 체질인류학회지

The purpose of this study is to enable children and adolescents to experience anatomy and clinics. For the purpose, the ways to use the anatomy educational resources (comics, 3-dimensional images, and 2-dimensional images) and diagnostic tools (stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, pen light, and reflex hammer) were described in a guide book. Following the guide book, students experienced anatomy and clinics in a course of the science museum. They learned anatomy with the comics, then did virtual dissection with the 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional images. Sequentially, with the diagnostic tools, they listened to heart sound, measured blood pressure, and performed light reflex and knee jerk. Through this study, we have found that anatomy and clinics should be experienced pleasantly. The complimentary guide book is expected to be further improved in future, so as to achieve better experience at home, science museum, and school.

Computer assisted endoscopic measurement for area of gastric lesions / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To explore an accurate,objective and simple method for barrel distortion correction and lesion area measurement by assistance of computer.Methods The software of Panaroma tool was employed to correct barrel distortion of endoscopy and Image J to measure lesion size and manage the relative measurement error.Computed measurement in vitro of lesion area was established,firstly,by identification of correction factor of Panorama tool to minimize measurement error; then by determination of influence of object distance change between the lens and the image.This measurement was used on patients with gastric ulcer for focal area.Results were compared with those of traditional method.Results Number of 0.1was determined to be the correction factor for barrel distortion of endoscopy.Prior to the correction of the barrel distortion,the relative error of measurement gradually increased with the increasing distance between endoscopy and the image.However,different object distances did not exert influence on the relative measurement error when barrel distortion was corrected by Panaroma tool ( P =0.141 ).A total of 50 foci of gastric ulcer were measured,results from combinational treatment of Panorama tool and Image J showed the areas (35.0 ± 5.0) mm2 were significantly larger than those determined by traditional method [ ( 29.1 ± 4.1 ) mm2,P =0.000 ],with a correlation coefficient of 0.988.Conclusion Computed endoscopic lesion measurement is a relatively accurate,objective and simple method to determine the area of gastric lesions.

Application of the Extended Technology Acceptance Model to Picture Archiving and Communication Systems in Dental Hospitals / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVE: With the rapid growth of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) in the healthcare industry, this article describes the users' satisfaction with PACS by employing functional PACS features and the two concepts of perceived ease-of-use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU), based on the extended technology acceptance model (TAM). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with dentists in 25 dental hospitals which were cluster sampled from the national registry of 132 dental hospitals. Of the 204 respondents (response rate 81.6%), the data of 159 PACS users were analyzed using the structural equation modeling method. RESULTS: The fitted model showed significant relations between the technical components and the TAM variables, via the following three significant paths: hardware to PEOU, and software to PEOU and also to PU. Moreover, the critical path of TAM variables was observed: PEOU-->PU-->SAT. Therefore, the model produced three significant routes: hardware-->PEOU-->PU-->SAT, software-->PU-->SAT, and software-->PEOU-->PU-->SAT. CONCLUSION: Contrary to expectations, the direct effect of PEOU on user satisfaction was not significant. The final model provided critical paths from technical components to user satisfaction, by utilizing PEOU and PU as intermediary, latent factors.

Development of a Semi-automatic Computer System to Register MRI Lesions Onto a Brain Template for Quantitative Analyses in Clinical Trials Having MRI Findings as Surrogate Endpoints: A Preliminary Report

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials that utilize imaging findings as surrogate endpoints are considered to be cost-effective. However, unlike numeric data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are not quantifiable. Thus, we have begun to develop a software package that is able to convert qualitative MRI findings into quantifiable data. METHODS: Computer software (DUIH_Image) was created with which every patient's MRI data can be registered on a standard brain template. Interuser and intrauser reliabilities for the registration were measured, and then a proof-of-principle experiment was conducted to determine whether the system could identify factors that were associated with a greater National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission. We studied 40 consecutive patients [65.1+/-14.2 years old (mean+/-SD); 22 males and 18 females] with first-ever acute lacunar infarction of the corona radiata, who were divided into two groups according to their NIHSS score (i.e., low: 0-2; high: > or =3). The following parameters were compared between these two groups: (1) data retrieved from clinical profiles, including demographic and risk factor variables; and (2) accumulated diffusion MRI lesions mapped on a standard template. RESULTS: Modest levels of interuser and intrauser reliability were observed (p<0.05, R(2)=0.63-0.84, Pearson correlations). Regarding the clinical profiles, no significant difference was found for the numeric data sets or infarct size between the two groups. However, on the accumulated lesion map image, the lesion area that overlapped the most was located more posterolaterally in the high NIHSS score group than in the low NIHSS score group. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study we have demonstrated the potential usefulness of the DUIH_Image software. We plan to update this software to enable its utilization in actual clinical trials.

Software for Nutritional Assessment Using a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire and the 24-hour Recall Method / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to develop a computer software program for nutritional assessment using a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQFFQs) and the 24-hour Recall Method. The software for the SQFFQ was divided into input, output, and database. For dietary analyses, recipe and food databases were used. The recipe database included 25 items and the food database was divided into 18 food groups. The food database was composed of 19 general nutrient items, 33 fatty acids, and 18 amino acids. The software developed in this study can be summarized as follows: 1) input items related to the individual's ages information, lifestyle, biological values, and dietary habits; 2) individualized data in percent of the Korean RDA, the energy ratios of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, the ratio of animal to plant source intakes, and the distribution of food group intakes; 3) Statistical data on the individual's information, lifestyle, biological values, and dietary intakes including the frequency of intake of cooked foods, the amounts of food, and the number of food groups, and nutrients. In the 24-hour Recall Method, the input and output consisted of the individual's information and cooked dish intakes. The individual's report included the amounts of nutrient intake according to number of meal and days, in comparison to the Korean RDA, the energy ratio for carbohydrates, proteins and fats, the ratio of animal to plant source intakes, and the distribution of food group intakes. The statistical report presented the number of food groups and foods, and the nutrient intakes. To evaluate the validity of the SQFFQ, the Spearman Rank Order Correlation and kappa values were used. As a result, correlation coefficients comparing the 24-hour Recall Method appeared to be more than 0.5, except for vitamin B1, B2, niacin, and vitamin E. The kappa values for energy and carbohydrate intakes were both 0.7, and protein, fat, vitamin C, folate, Ca, and iron intakes ranged from 0.3 to 0.7.

Developing a Statistical Software for Predicting Hospital Bankruptcy using Data Mining Tool / 대한의료정보학회지

Since the hospital bankruptcy rate is increasing, it has been an important issue to predict the bankruptcy of hospital using the existing hospital management information. Fortunately, the implementation of data mining methodology and decision support system(DSS) are becoming popular. Therefore, this study developed the statistical software for predicting hospital bankruptcy using data mining tool. Stepwise procedures were taken as follows: 1) adopting the HGLM and Logit Models; 2) implementing the input and output processes; 3) linking to the iBITs interface, the data miming tool; and 4) evaluating the software by fitting the hospital management data in practice. The software is written in Visual C++ 5.0 under windows NT/95, and allows the interconnection with other interfaces and libraries. This program initiates encouragement of implementation of DSS models using data mining methodology, in health care fields. This kind of software will play a pivotal role in improving the efficiency and adequacy of managing health care institutions.

Ourrent codltions and problems concering the software development of clinical drug-use consultation / 中华医院管理杂志

Many software systems have been developed concerning the collection and collation of pharmaceutical information data through microcomputers and the initiation of clinical drug-use consulta- tion","clinical anti-biotic drug-use consultation","emergency treatment of drug toxication","consulta- tion on injection compatibility","data control of clinical drug-use monitoring",etc.These systems are charaterized by their large information storage,rapid retrieval,practical use,simple operation and easy control.They highly satixfactory roles in raising the level of rational clinical drug-use.But a unified or- ganization and planning is lacking in the software devdlopment of drug-use consultation.Scattering and overlapping are not uncommon.A lag in the innoration of softwares and in the replenishment of data does dxist.The functions of consultation are many while those of statistical analysis are not enough. Those shortcomings should be gradually overcome.

Development and application of the computer information administration system in radiotherapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To develop the system of computer information processing for radiotherapy. Methods Visual Foxpro 5.0 was used to program the system through the model of client-server machine. SQL-server was used as the database-server.Results The main function of this system was management of the case data for radiotherapy and make plans for radiotherapy. Conclusion This system operates steadily with the data safe and reliable. It can be used extensively in clinical practice.