https://dl.ucsc.cmb.ac.lk/jspui/handle/123456789/4548 2026-04-28T13:08:13Z https://dl.ucsc.cmb.ac.lk/jspui/handle/123456789/3945 Title: Artificial Neural Network Application in Classifying the Left Ventricular Function of the Human Heart Using Echocardiography Authors: Ranaweera, G. A. C.; Samaradiwakara, N. H. A. P.; Upendra, K. E. T Abstract: Abstract The human heart is one of the most important life-giving organs in the human body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart diseases are considered world’s number one cause for deaths worldwide. As per the statistics of Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka, the number of heart patients admitted and the annual deaths caused by heart diseases has increased making heart diseases the leading cause of hospital deaths in Sri Lanka as well. Emergency medicine is the discipline focused on treating patients with urgent medical conditions who are admitted to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of a hospital. Due to the high number of deaths, the condition of the heart is considered as one of the most critical aspects in emergency medicine. Echocardiography is a widely accepted medical test performed to diagnose the heart condition in non-invasive manner. Generally, the echocardiographic examinations are conducted by acute care physicians who are trained specifically for emergency medicine. Yet there is a chance of them making incorrect decisions due to the lack of clinical experience and expertise in cardiology. Therefore,, an accurate evaluation of the heart condition is highly challenging within the emergency medicine settings. Left Ventricular (LV) function is a crucial factor when diagnosing the cardiac abnormalities. Several parameters such as LV diameter values and Ejection Fraction are considered to determine whether the patient’s LV function is normal or abnormal. Inspired by the recent studies, we carried out several experiments to investigate the possibility of classifying the LV function of the human heart using echocardiography readings. During our study, we considered several image processing and feature extraction methods to extract the important parameters from echocardiography images. The extracted parameters were subjected to train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to classify the LV function as normal or abnormal. From our research we obtained a high accuracy for the final result which proves the feasibility of using this methodology to determine the LV heart condition for clinical evaluations. Keywords: Emergency medicine, Artificial Neural Networks, Image Processing, Echocardiography and Left Ventricular Systolic function 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dl.ucsc.cmb.ac.lk/jspui/handle/123456789/3944 Title: Framework for Data Management in Public Service Delivery Applications in Sri Lanka Using Blockchain Technology Authors: Deshapriya, G.W.N.T.; Dharanidu, G.H.G.M.; Jayakody, J.A.R.T. Abstract: Abstract This Dissertation will comprise details of the research “Framework for Data Management in Public service delivery applications in Sri Lanka using Blockchain technology”. Blockchain technology is an emerging technological concept which shows the capability of addressing many problems in many different domains, including the public-sector domain which is considered for this research. How four prominent data management issues namely data accessibility difficulty, data manipulation possibility, data loss and privacy preservation of data is mitigated through the applicability of blockchain technology are the research questions that are answered in the research. In order to derive a common framework, three distinct data management processes were used namely Birth Marriage and Death certificate management system, Land title management system and eHealth records management system. Systems were redesigned using blockchain technology and prototypes developed using two different existing platforms and qualitatively evaluated for the four criteria of research questions. Based on the characteristics extracted from the selected systems, a Generic Guideline was designed comprising the six areas that need to be considered when adopting a blockchain for Data Management in a Public Service Delivery application and five steps that should be followed in adopting a blockchain for the specific needs of the government institution. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dl.ucsc.cmb.ac.lk/jspui/handle/123456789/3943 Title: ICT for Psychosocial Competency Development: A study conducted in Sri Lanka Authors: Mudannayake, M.A.D.A.L. Abstract: Abstract Along with the technology development, teenagers have more freedom and opportunities to experience new things and people. Parents are busy with their career and they do not have time to pay concern on dramatic behavioral changes of their teenage children. As a result teenagers are more vulnerable for abuse and health problems in particularly for teenage pregnancy. In order to minimize this issue, Health Organizations have started conducting workshops with the intention of empowering teenagers with knowledge, attitude and safety skills required to prevent pregnancy. However, teenagers seem reluctant to show their interest for studying about sexuality and talk about their issues openly. Therefore, health organizations emphasize the importance of identifying an innovative and personalized strategy to develop psychosocial competencies in teenagers. Since information and communication technology has proven to bring benefits for education, the present study investigated how ICT can be used to reduce the major health problem, teenage pregnancy through psychosocial competence development among teenagers. Data were gathered through interviews, questionnaires and focused group interviews from a group of female adolescents who received support from professional counselors as well as from professionals at Ministry of Health. The findings imply that psychosocial competencies can be improved though an online intervention than a classroom-based intervention and it suggested that an online learning environment delivering lessons using videos, games and discussions might probably be well accepted by the adolescents and they will be willing to share their issues related to psychosocial competencies and receive advice online. According to the findings, several paper prototypes were developed. Prototypes were evaluated by the IT professionals and counselors at the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka and come across with a final paper prototype. Based on that, the online intervention was developed. While developing several brainstorming sessions were held with the doctors, IT professionals and the counselors at the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, to evaluate the progress of the online intervention. Then a sample was selected from Henegama Central College, Gampaha, to conduct the online pretest questionnaire. A true experiment was conducted using a treatment and a comparison group and finally held the online posttest questionnaire. The results of the study informed that adolescents’ level of psychosocial competencies can be assessed and supported through an online system. In order to prove these results and to know the perception of the adolescents for the online intervention, a separate interview was conducted. The results of the evaluation interpreted that the online intervention was successful in achieving psychosocial competencies among adolescents. Further analysis of data revealed that the learners' satisfaction and the target objectives can be archived successfully through the use of video, game and discussions. Keywords— Psychosocial competency, Teenage pregnancy, Instructional design, gaming principles, Design guidelines 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dl.ucsc.cmb.ac.lk/jspui/handle/123456789/3942 Title: Motion Tracking Based Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Imbalance Identification Mechanism Using Kinematic Analysis of Human Gait Cycle Authors: Hiranthi, T. R. K.; Paranamana, C. Abstract: Abstract According to biomedical researches, repetitive usage of one body muscle sector than the other, incorrect postures a human body takes and practices on a regular basis may cause muscle imbalances in the skeletal system. A muscle imbalance should be paid adequate attention since both neurological and physical performances can be severely affected due to imbalances as time progresses. Current clinical practices of imbalance identification as in gait and posture analysis, movement analysis, joint range of motion analysis and muscle length analysis require and depend on domain expertise and experience. Technical methods of imbalance identification as in X-Rays and CT scans also require the assistance of domain experts to interpret results and cost and time an individual has to bear for this is excessive. To overcome cost, time and domain expertise constraints, this research proposes a mechanism for an individual to self-identify body imbalances and track their progress with treatments. This research considers tracking human gait cycle as the technique for muscle imbalance identification and address the area of physiotherapy. Kinect motion capturing device which is able to track human skeleton, its joints and body movements within its sensory range is used for the gait cycle tracking purposes of this research. Dot product is used in the proposed research as a mathematical operation in order to calculate joint angles applying joint information obtained via the Kinect. Gait cycle patterns of a healthy person are defined by performing several calculations using the proposed mechanism and the skeletal imbalance of a person is defined by differentiating the deviation against the defined healthy gait cycle patterns. A quantifiable final result is produced by this research study pertaining to the status of the skeletal imbalance. The final outcome of the study can be further used to decide the pathology of the imbalance. A satisfactory end result is derived by this research study and followed by further development of the concept, the proposed method can be used in sports and games, clinical and physical fitness domains as a self-identification musculoskeletal imbalance mechanism. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z