Procedure Model for the Analysis and Design of Reporting Systems – A Case Study in Conceptual Modelling

A structured conceptual design of reporting systems is a crucial task that has to precede implementation and monitoring. A basic challenge can be seen in information requirements engineering. On the one hand, users need certain information to successfully accomplish their tasks. On the other hand, it has to be avoided to supply them with too much and potentially irrelevant information. Information requirements engineering has to support the conceptual specification of information requirements. Thus, there is need for conceptual languages and appropriate procedure models. We propose a procedure model for the analysis and conceptual design of reporting systems as well as a conceptual modelling language that can be used for both as-is analysis and to-be modelling. It has been developed in an iterative approach based on multiple case studies. Due to the fact that different projects and different basic conditions require the use of different approaches of information requirements engineering, within the procedure model different approaches can be used. In this paper we introduce both procedure model and conceptual modelling language and present findings of a case study in which they were used

Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease

Anticoagulation represents the mainstay of therapy for most patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients on oral anticoagulation often require concomitant antiplatelet therapy, mostly because of coronary artery disease. After coronary stent implantation, dual antiplatelet therapy is necessary. However, the combination of oral anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy increases the bleeding risk. Risk scores such as the CHA2DS2-Vasc score and the HAS-BLED score help to identify both bleeding and stroke risk in individual patients. The guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology provide a rather detailed recommendation for patients on oral anticoagulation after coronary stent implantation. However, robust evidence is lacking for some of the recommendations, and especially for new oral anticoagulants and new antiplatelets few or no data are available. This review addresses some of the critical points of the guidelines and discusses potential advantages of new anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation after stent implantation

Internet-based training of coronary artery patients: the Heart Cycle Trial

© 2016, Springer Japan. Low adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) might be improved by remote monitoring systems that can be used to motivate and supervise patients and tailor CR safely and effectively to their needs. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a smartphone-guided training system (GEX) and whether it could improve exercise capacity compared to CR delivered by conventional methods for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A prospective, randomized, international, multi-center study comparing CR delivered by conventional means (CG) or by remote monitoring (IG) using a new training steering/feedback tool (GEx System). This consisted of a sensor monitoring breathing rate and the electrocardiogram that transmitted information on training intensity, arrhythmias and adherence to training prescriptions, wirelessly via the internet, to a medical team that provided feedback and adjusted training prescriptions. Exercise capacity was evaluated prior to and 6 months after intervention. 118 patients (58 ± 10 years, 105 men) with CAD referred for CR were randomized (IG: n = 55, CG: n = 63). However, 15 patients (27 %) in the IG and 18 (29 %) in the CG withdrew participation and technical problems prevented a further 21 patients (38 %) in the IG from participating. No training-related complications occurred. For those who completed the study, peak VO 2 improved more (p = 0.005) in the IG (1.76 ± 4.1 ml/min/kg) compared to CG (−0.4 ± 2.7 ml/min/kg). A newly designed system for home-based CR appears feasible, safe and improves exercise capacity compared to national CR. Technical problems reflected the complexity of applying remote monitoring solutions at an international level

Thoracoscopic versus open lobectomy debate: the pro argument

Introduction: Controversy persists about the role of VATS lobectomy for patients with lung cancer. This is particularly true in Europe, where VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) lobectomy is performed for lung cancer less often than in the USA or Japan. This article reviews existing data comparing the results of VATS vs. open lobectomy for the treatment of lung cancer in order to provide a scientific basis for a rational assessment of this issue

Automated information system for the classification of data from XML documents

The article presents the developed automated information system that solves the task of structuring information obtained from the xml file and storing it in the database. Also, this AIS allows to change the information and upload it to the formats xls and xml

Experimental study of a drop "evolution" under conditions of its free fall on a heated surface

Time dependences of distilled water drop diameter were obtained experimentally after its falling on a heated copper substrate from a height of 0.09 m. The temperature of the solid surface ( Tw ) varied from 333 to 413 K in steps of 20 K. The effect on the drop dynamics after falling and the maximum ratio of the spreading diameter to the drop diameter in flight ( [beta]max ) were determined