This conceptual paper examines the computer identification of signs called day markers that commonly appear for navigation purposes in a marine channel waterway. Most people are familiar with these signs when navigating in a boat as they appear either as red triangles, green rectangles or diamonds since they aid navigation through the channel. The paper focuses on a proposed classifier using Procrustes analysis techniques for identification purposes.

The introduction of modem technology such as PDAs, laptops, and wireless LANs is a well documented advance for the classroom compared to using chalkboards. This paper describes the implementation of a method of delivering education content using video applications so as to improve student learning. Although measuring improvements to student learning is a difficult task, we believe the use of video talking characters along with the latest technology gadgets fosters learning for younger generations. This paper documents one approach to providing young students with education materials along this track. The use of PDAs by students along with laptops connected by wireless LANS offers a unique opportunity to reach and get the attention of many students. By approaching student learning from a technology standpoint, using devices that they already use in their personal lives such as PDAs and cell phones, student interest in math and sciences can be improved.

The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is evolving into a leading means of Internet data exchange. With XML use increasing, a way to store and query the data natively in XML, rather than extract into SQL solely for data exchange, has become of importance. This paper proposes a method in which to handle and process XML natively by creating a Native XML Database and a proposes way to handle updating, inserting, and removing existing XML data.

We propose a real-time system to effectively manage the patient flow problem. The system will provide automatic resource availability notifications, easy resource management and assignment, resource scheduling based on priority, proper activity scheduling, and proper staffing. A database schema of the proposed system is presented.. The database schema is designed to model and present an automation solution to the patient flow problem. Since the patient flow problem is a general problem to most US hospitals, this schema can then be extended to be implemented to any specific hospital or medical practice with minimal effort. The generalized schema provides a simple solution to a complex problem. Definitions for the database objects are abstracted from the common consensus in the medical field. A sample implementation is described to show how the patient flow database model can be applied to provide a solution for a specific enterprise. Using technology to overcome the patient flow problem is not only feasible but also the obvious way to solve the patient flow problem. Technology will automate the solution, eliminate human error, provide accurate metrics to measure the successfulness of the implementation, and provide an easy, accessible and affordable medium to solve the problem.

In this paper, we consider the problem of creating a secure patient database system that complies with the patient privacy laws, particularly HIPAA. We analyze two models which seek to encrypt the database in order to comply with the patient privacy laws.

With the proliferation of applications using remote sensing and high resolution satellite imagery, there has been a steady increase in the complexity of ways spatial data needs be manipulated and in the amount of raster data that has become available for use. With this increase, the management and storage of large sets of spatial raster objects via a DBMS needs to be addressed in order for applications to have efficient access to the data and high throughput. To provide this type of data management, there has been a shift to implement solutions that can represent and store raster data in databases. This paper presents a systematic approach to populate a database with the raster data. In particular, we present an algorithm that can be used to process and load large amounts of geo-spatial data, specifically satellite imagery, from a file system to a database.

An Electronic Medical Record System (EMR) is responsible for efficiently gathering, storing, manipulating, and retrieving clinical information for providing timely patient care. A statewide EMR would serve a large number of the state's residents who opt into to the program, by pooling their medical records from all of their healthcare providers and then making the records available in real time to the patient and to all providers authorized by the patient. The system would guarantee to the patient the archival preservation of their records and easy interface thereto, as opposed to the need to collect fading paper copies from doctors A and B when going to see doctor C. Existing legal rights of the patient will allow pooling of data from doctors through easy low-tech interfaces and will entice doctors to opt-in higher-level interfaces which would allow for better classification of the patient's records and in return will provide better services to the doctor. Some patients would also opt to allow their records to be used for medical research. The system would save lives, significantly improve health care, and would make health care more cost effective. In this paper, we introduce the components of a clinical information system and propose our model for the implementation of such a system.

This paper investigates using image registration through spatial transformation to incrementally improve eigenface detection in training sets containing non-centered head orientation. In identifying a new face, a training set of faces is created from a scene. After face detection in an image, these faces may exhibit different head orientations. The use of several images combined through image registration offers the possibility of improving eigenface recognition through center normalizing the head orientation of the training sets collected in a dynamic environment.