G(u,u',u") = 0, (1) where u = u(x, x,..., x), and u', u" denote all the first and second partial derivatives of u. For simplicity we will assume here that both u and G are scalars and denote by ua, uab, the partial derivatives dau and respectively dahu; a,b =1,2, ..., n+1. Let u (x) be a given solution of (1). Our equation is said to be elliptic or hyperbolic at u°(x) according to whether the (...

Access control policies are used to restrict access to sensitive records for authorized users only. One approach for specifying policies is using role based access control (RBAC) where authorization is given to roles instead of users. Users are assigned to roles such that each user can access all the records that are allowed to his/her role. RBAC has a great interest because of its flexibility....

BACKGROUND NHS Direct, introduced in 1998, has provided 24/7 telephone-based healthcare advice and information to the public in England and Wales. National studies have suggested variation in the uptake of this service amongst the UK's diverse population. This study provides the first exploration of the barriers and facilitators that impact upon the uptake of this service from the perspectives ...

Patient satisfaction surveys can be an interesting way to improve quality and discuss the concept of patient-centered care. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the validated patient satisfaction measurement instruments applied in healthcare. The systematic review searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Knowledge. The search strategy used the terms: "Patient...

HIV infection associated with drug injecting in the newly independent states, eastern Europe: the social and economic context of epidemics. Addiction 1999;94:1323-36. 7 McKee M. Substance use and social and economic transition: the need for evidence. Int J Drug Policy 2002;13:453-9. 8 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Transition report: energy in transition. London: EBRD, 2001. ...

Several research papers have presented crucial work on the needed functionality of home healthcare systems as well as on methods for evaluating the usability of such systems. There is also considerable work on usability problems experienced with systems that are targeted at medical staff. Yet, much less effort has been devoted to identification of usability problems in systems targeted at elder...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the prevalence of short message system (SMS) and internet usage in patients visiting the SingHealth Polyclinics and to measure patients' acceptance of using these technologies in healthcare delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS A representative sample of patients visiting the 9 SingHealth Polyclinics were interviewed in-person by trained medical students. Col...