Search results for " Computer"
showing 10 items of 6910 documents
A semi-automatic approach for epicardial adipose tissue segmentation and quantification on cardiac CT scans
2019
Abstract Many studies have shown that epicardial fat is associated with a higher risk of heart diseases. Accurate epicardial adipose tissue quantification is still an open research issue. Considering that manual approaches are generally user-dependent and time-consuming, computer-assisted tools can considerably improve the result repeatability as well as reduce the time required for performing an accurate segmentation. Unfortunately, fully automatic strategies might not always identify the Region of Interest (ROI) correctly. Moreover, they could require user interaction for handling unexpected events. This paper proposes a semi-automatic method for Epicardial Fat Volume (EFV) segmentation a…
Increased structural white and grey matter network connectivity compensates for functional decline in early multiple sclerosis
2016
Background: The pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) consists of demyelination and neuronal injury, which occur early in the disease; yet, remission phases indicate repair. Whether and how the central nervous system (CNS) maintains homeostasis to counteract clinical impairment is not known. Objective: We analyse the structural connectivity of white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) networks to understand the absence of clinical decline as the disease progresses. Methods: A total of 138 relapsing–remitting MS patients (classified into six groups by disease duration) and 32 healthy controls were investigated using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Networks were analysed using graph the…
An online guided ACT intervention for enhancing the psychological wellbeing of university students: A randomized controlled clinical trial.
2015
Stress, anxiety and depression are relatively common problems among university students. This study examined whether an online psychological intervention aiming at enhancing the wellbeing of university students could be an effective and practical alternative for meeting the needs of a university population. University students (N = 68; 85% female; 19-32 years old) were randomly assigned to either a guided seven-week online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (iACT) intervention or a waiting list control condition (WLC). A between-groups pre-post (iACT vs WLC) design with 12-month follow-up for the iACT participants was conducted. The intervention participants were offered two face-to-face mee…
Psychodynamic Online Treatment Following Supportive Expressive Therapy (SET):Therapeutic Rationale, Interventions and Treatment Process.
2018
The feasibility of psychodynamic online treatments has remained an issue of debate. The paper presents rationale and technique of a psychodynamic online intervention discussing therapeutic process and alliance based on two case examples from an RCT.A weekly writing task is followed by individual feedback from the online therapist. Treatment focuses on a 'Core Conflict Relationship Theme' based on relationship episodes according to the wish of the patient, reactions of the others and reactions of the self. Maladaptive interpersonal interactions are worked through by supportive and expressive therapeutic interventions.Case reports from our study illustrate a productive therapeutic process wit…
Cephalometric measurements from 3D reconstructed images compared with conventional 2D images
2011
Abstract Objective: To assess whether the values of different measurements taken on three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) are comparable with those taken on two-dimensional (2D) images from conventional lateral cephalometric radiographs (LCRs) and to examine if there are differences between the different types of CBCT software when taking those measurements. Material and Methods: Eight patients were selected who had both an LRC and a CBCT. The 3D reconstructions of each patient in the CBCT were evaluated using two different software packages, NemoCeph 3D and InVivo5. An observer took 10 angular and 3 linear measurements on each of the three types o…
Influence of Software Tool and Methodological Aspects of Total Metabolic Tumor Volume Calculation on Baseline [18F]FDG PET to Predict Survival in Hod…
2015
Aim To investigate the respective influence of software tool and total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV0) calculation method on prognostic stratification of baseline 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG-PET) in newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Methods 59 patients with newly diagnosed HL were retrospectively included. [18F]FDG-PET was performed before any treatment. Four sets of TMTV0 were calculated with Beth Israel (BI) software: based on an absolute threshold selecting voxel with standardized uptake value (SUV) >2.5 (TMTV02.5), applying a per-lesion threshold of 41% of the SUVmax (TMTV041) and using a per-patient adapted threshold based on SUVmax of the…
Reliability and validity of the Digigraph 100 in orthodontic diagnosis.
2001
Cephalometric analyses of lateral cephalograms allow important statements to be made on diagnosis and treatment planning. Such radiographs should, however, be taken with a considerable reduction in radiation exposure. With the Digigraph 100 (Dolphin Imaging Systems Inc., USA) a cephalometric technique based on distance measurements of emitted sonic signals is now available. This study was aimed at determining the degree to which this procedure can cope with the requirements of reliability and validity in the field of orthodontics. For this purpose 50 volunteers were examined by conventional cephalometry with manual tracing of lateral cephalograms as well as by sonic cephalometry, with Jarab…
Linking planning performance and gray matter density in mid-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: Moderating effects of age and sex
2012
Abstract Planning of behavior relies on the integrity of the mid-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (mid-dlPFC). Yet, only indirect evidence exists on the association of protracted maturation of dlPFC and continuing gains in planning performance post adolescence. Here, gray matter density of mid-dlPFC in young, healthy adults (18–32 years) was regressed onto performance on the Tower of London planning task while accounting for moderating effects of age and sex on this interrelation. Multiple regression analysis revealed an association of planning performance and mid-dlPFC gray matter density that was especially strong in late adolescence and early twenties. As expected, for males better plannin…
Eyes open and eyes closed as rest conditions: impact on brain activation patterns
2003
The patterns of associated brain activations during eyes-open and eyes-closed states in complete darkness considerably differ in fMRI. An "interoceptive" state with the eyes closed is characterized by visual cortex activation, while an "exteroceptive" state with the eyes open is characterized by ocular motor system activity. The impact of the chosen rest condition (eyes open or eyes closed in complete darkness) on the pattern of brain activations during visual stimulation was evaluated in 14 healthy volunteers. During fixation or dim light room illumination, the activation of the visual cortex was larger with the eyes-open rest condition than with the eyes-closed rest condition; however, ac…
Optical noninvasive monitoring of skin blood pulsations
2005
Time-resolved detection and analysis of skin backscattered optical signals (remission photoplethysmography or PPG) provide rich information on skin blood volume pulsations and can serve for reliable cardiovascular assessment. Single- and multiple-channel PPG concepts are discussed. Simultaneous data flow from several locations on the human body allows us to study heartbeat pulse-wave propagation in real time and to evaluate vascular resistance. Portable single-, dual-, and four-channel PPG monitoring devices with special software have been designed for real-time data acquisition and processing. The prototype devices have been clinically studied, and their potential for monitoring heart arrh…