An ontology-based question system for a virtual coach assisting in trauma recollection

Internet-based guided self-therapy systems provide a novel method for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients to follow therapy at home with the assistance of a virtual coach. One of the main challenges for such a coach is assisting patients with recollecting their traumatic memories, a vital part of therapy. In this paper, an ontology-based...

Design and implementation of home-based virtual reality exposure therapy system with a virtual eCoach

Current developments of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) system focus mainly on systems that can be used in health clinics under the direct supervision of a therapist. Offering patients however the possibility to do this treatment at home would make VRET more accessible. In this paper we therefore present a home-based VRET system for the...

Design guidelines for a virtual coach for post-traumatic stress disorder patients

Patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often need to specify and relive their traumatic memories in therapy to relieve their disorder, which can be a very painful process. One new development is an internet-based guided self-therapy system (IBGST), where people work at home and a therapist is remotely involved. We propose to enrich...

Leukemia from dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide among nurses in the Netherlands: Quantitative assessment of the risk

Several studies showed that oncology nurses are exposed to antineoplastic drugs via the skin during daily activities. Several antineoplastic drugs (including cyclophosphamide) have been classified as carcinogenic to humans. This study aims to assess the leukemia risk of occupational exposure to cyclophosphamide. Average task frequencies from the...

The V-Cycle for system innovation translating a broad societal need into concrete product service solutions: The multifunctional centre Apeldoorn case

In this paper a system innovation project is presented in which a sustainable future vision with a long-term perspective was developed and translated into short-term commercial innovation opportunities, which in turn can benefit the longer-term vision of society. The case described is a three-year innovation project, in which TNO worked together...

Systems biology, connectivity and the future of medicine

The concept of systems-based strategies in medicine is emerging, with systems pathology guiding an understanding of the multidimensional aspects of disease system fingerprints and systems pharmacology providing insight into dynamic system responses upon (multiple) drug perturbations. Knowledge of the changes of system characteristics during...

Global Suppression of IL-6-induced Acute Phase Response Gene Expression after Chronic in Vivo Treatment with the Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-alpha Activator Fenofibrate

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), which is highly expressed in liver, plays key roles in lipid metabolism and inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is the principal inducer of acute phase response (APR) gene expression. In the present study, we demonstrate that chronic treatment with the PPARalpha agonist fenofibrate...

Precision, comfort and mechanical performance of the Quadriso-tester, a quadriceps force measuring device

The mechanical performance, repeatability and comfort of the Quadrisotester, which assesses isometric knee extensor muscle strength, were examined. Twenty healthy subjects and 20 patients treated for unilateral anterior ligamenta cruciata insufficiency were tested. Intra-rater repeatability was determined by the testing and retesting of subjects...