Timely-automatic procedure for estimating the endocardial limits of the left ventricle assessed echocardiographically in clinical practice

In this paper, we propose an analytical rapid method to estimate the endocardial borders of the left ventricular walls on echocardiographic images for prospective clinical integration. The procedure was created as a diagnostic support tool for the clinician and it is based on the use of the anisotropic generalized Hough transform. Its application is guided by a Gabor-like filtering for the approximate delimitation of the region of interest without the need for computing further anatomical characteristics. The algorithm is applying directly a deformable template on the predetermined filtered region and therefore it is responsive and straightforward implementable. For accuracy considerations, we have employed a support vector machine classifier to determine the confidence level of the automated marking. The clinical tests were performed at the Cardiology Clinic of the County Emergency Hospital Timisoara and they improved the physicians perception in more than 50% of the cases. The report is concluded with medical discussions.European Union (UE)Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO). Españ

Immigrants, Mental Health, and the Oregon State Hospital

This Senior thesis examines the treatment and care of immigrants who found themselves within the confines of the Oregon State Hospital in the early 20th century. During the Progressive Era (1890-1920) there was a rise in the use of mental health institutions and along with it came patients from various backgrounds. Many patients were admitted either voluntarily or by others in good faith for recovery from their mental ailments. Others however, fell victim to mental institutions being used to work against marginalized groups during this time. Two case files show individual examples of immigrants who were put in the State Hospital in the early 20th century and display how they were treated within and without the walls of the hospital. With the support of secondary sources from scholars like Joel Braslow, Susan Burch, and John D’Emilio and Estelle B. Freedman, practices within the Oregon State Hospital are analyzed. There is also an emphasized investigation on how mental health institutions operated against marginalized groups in the early 20th century

Conserving, reinstating and converting Queensberry House

This paper discusses the work that the author has carried out as project and resident architect for the conversion of Queensberry House, a 17th century Grade A-listed townhouse, as part of the new Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh. The complex stratification of this fine masonry building together with severe water penetration caused major problems when carrying out the works. The richness of the original masonry, the abusive additions and reconstruction over the centuries, like the late conversion to hospital, and the way the building fabric was conserved and reinstated are illustrated. Very little of the original interiors survived and there was a need to strengthen the building for reasons of security. The building now provides accommodation for the Presiding Officer and staff of the Parliament. The process followed since the author took over the conservation and conversion project, with the building as an almost masonry shell, until conclusion is discussed, including a record of the fabric condition and the decisions concerning its repair and final presentation

Embedded in These Walls

Embedded In These Walls uses photographic imagery, archival ephemera, and written text to examine a specific history of generational trauma through the lens of a singular family of a southern tradition to point to a larger systemic breakdown of accountability and truthfulness regarding abus

Artfully healing Austin : artist’s hospital beautification project spotlights local healing arts

textArt has long been used as a healing method. Thousands of years ago, the Greeks designed temples to surround patients with art and nature and to promote healing and harmony. Today, a growing amount of evidence-based design research proves that hospitals need to be more mindful of the healing environment through better design and inclusion of the arts to reduce stress, lower costs and shorten hospital stays. This report follows Aaron Darling, an artist and part-time nurse based in Austin, Texas, who has seen a need for such change in local hospitals. Through expansive nature-themed wall murals, Darling hopes to improve the blank walls he has seen in hospital hallways and patient rooms and increase the presence of local art in Austin-area hospitals, starting with Seton Medical Center. His story sheds light on other local professionals using art to heal, such as art therapists, and successful healing arts programs, including Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. More than that, this report highlights the power of art itself to serve patients by improving healing spaces and acting as a positive distraction in an oftentimes scary place: the hospital.Journalis

Noise Solver for Refurbishment Construction Site Design

The noise generated by the presence of a construction site within complex structure in operation (e.g. school, hospital) is a problem that too often is underestimated but that can generate problems of different nature, both concerning the health of the actors involved and regarding the performance of daily activities present within such structures (e.g. carrying out a lesson, a surgical procedure). The main aim of our tool is to highlight the impact of the noise generated by the construction site activities on these daily activities and to allow the simulation in real time of the viable solutions, thus arriving to find the one that is considered most suitable

Alteration of cystic airway mesenchyme in congenital pulmonary airway malformation.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is the most common congenital lesion detected in the neonatal lung, which may lead to respiratory distress, infection, and pneumothorax. CPAM is thought to result from abnormal branching morphogenesis during fetal lung development, arising from different locations within the developing respiratory tract. However, the pathogenic mechanisms are unknown, and previous studies have focused on abnormalities in airway epithelial cells. We have analyzed 13 excised lung specimens from infants (age < 1 year) with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 CPAM, which is supposed to be derived from abnormal growth of intrapulmonary distal airways. By examining the mesenchymal components including smooth muscle cells, laminin, and elastin in airway and cystic walls using immunofluorescence staining, we found that the thickness and area of the smooth muscle layer underlining the airway cysts in these CPAM tissue sections were significantly decreased compared with those in bronchiolar walls of normal controls. Extracellular elastin fibers were also visually reduced or absent in airway cystic walls. In particular, a layer of elastin fibers seen in normal lung between airway epithelia and underlying smooth muscle cells was missing in type 2 CPAM samples. Thus, our data demonstrate for the first time that airway cystic lesions in type 2 CPAM occur not only in airway epithelial cells, but also in adjacent mesenchymal tissues, including airway smooth muscle cells and their extracellular protein products. This provides a new direction to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of CPAM pathogenesis in human

A Simulation Model for Logical and Operative Clash Detection

The introduction of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach has facilitated the management process of documents produced by different kinds of professionals involved in the design and/or renovation of a building, through identification and subsequent management of geometrical interferences (Clash Detection). The methodology of this research proposes a tool to support Clash Detection, introducing the logical-operative dimension, that may occur with the presence of a construction site within a hospital structure, through the integration of a BIM model within a Game Engine environment, to preserve the continuity of daily hospital activities and trying to reduce negative impacts, times and costs due to construction activities

Beneficial Art in Hospitals with Masking Tape Initiated from University Hospital

Art therapy has attracted attention in the medical field. Among them, authors have been engaged in various activities including art in hospitals. We have started the artworks using masking tape, which has various colors and the pattern. It can be also used for craft making, wrapping, decoration, and original goods such as art exhibitions. Our current work was performed on the corridor and staircase walls of Tokushima University hospital. It has psychologically three important perspectives, which are i) healing: relieving anxiety, healing the mind, ii) comfort: creating a pleasant and comfortable image, iii) wayfinding system: the wall sign can give a walk direction guide without confusion such as pilgrim walking. We plan to develop the performance in various opportunities

Take one

This item contains two issues of the Take One newsletter: September 3, and 17, 1981Take One was published every two weeks and focused on short news items and announcements "for the people of University Hospital.