Projects / Programmes
Functions and technologies of complex systems
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2014
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.06.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Systems and cybernetics |
|
| 2.07.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Computer science and informatics |
|
| 2.10.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Manufacturing technologies and systems |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T111 |
Technological sciences |
Imaging, image processing |
| T121 |
Technological sciences |
Signal processing |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.06 |
Engineering and Technology |
Medical engineering
|
Researchers (47)
Organisations (2)
Significance for science
Theory, methods, experiments, databases and different results related to the finished research programme were published in numerous journals and conference proceedings. From 2009 to 2014 researchers on this programme have published 240 papers in peer reviewed journals with an IF. More importantly, the majority of papers (137) were published in the top 25% of journals according to their IF. The key researchers associated with the programme during its whole duration published 137 journal papers. Through extensive multidisciplinary research collaborations between academia, healthcare providers, medical device manufacturers, drug developers, and pharmaceutical industry, the mutual exchange of knowledge, views, findings, needs and innovative solutions, led to novel discoveries and revealed or will reveal new and challenging research opportunities. The relevant contributions to the engineering and medical sciences are opening the doors to: (i) increased understanding and contribution to the awareness of the potentials and pitfalls of each of the developed image analysis method and system, achieved through scientifically rigorous and objective validation of existing state of the art and novel image analysis methods, (ii) promotion of further research and development of image analysis methods, and facilitation of objective evaluation and comparison studies, by making standard validation image data sets with benchmark results publicly available to the research community, (iii) application of image analysis techniques to improved diagnosis, therapy planning and therapy delivery related several anatomical structures and pathologies, (iv) formulation of guidelines for quantitative measurements in longitudinal studies, (v) advancement of understanding and monitoring of progression of several diseases, achieved through their objective and reproducible in vivo multi-modality imaging-based measurements, (vi) evolution and improvement of related clinical guidelines and treatment plans, by promoting objective and quantitative measurements in addition to the more subjective neurological status assessment, (vii) faster development and assessment of novel drugs and other innovative ways of therapy, by enabling early decision-making based on objective measurements, (viii) reduction of the numbers of patients required to assess a given treatment effect in a trial by improved accuracy and sensitivity of quantified anatomical structures, (ix) more reliable characterization of individual patients for personalized treatment, and (x) novel fabrication of nanostructures with better physical and chemical (catalytic) properties because of higher available surface due to nano sized structure. Fabrication of new nanoparticle and new nanostructured surfaces may thus lead to improvement of the technological level in industrial production connected to applications in medicine, in pharmaceutical industry, in production of new titanium implants and in fabrication of novel antibacterial surfaces. Nanostructured titanium surfaces are also of high interest as a photocatalyst and for solar cells applications. (xi) New methods for supressing the cancer spreding in human body, (xii) characterization of the ability of living systems to respond to fluctuations coming from the external and internal environments, and (xii) understanding of the mechanisms that stabilise the frequency and amplitude of the associated oscillations in living systems, that are characterised as interacting self-sustained non-autonomous oscillators.
Significance for the country
The ultimate success of a new methods and technology is measured by their impact on current practices and also through its contributions to scientific knowledge. The following specific benefits to the Slovenian society and industry were achieved: Benefits in terms of the results: Innovative design, development and application of the techniques as well as dissemination (240 papers in journals with IF), evaluation and transfer of the results undoubtedly contributed to the visibility, reputation and affirmation of the research team, of the involved institutions (University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and medical Faculty) and of the Republic of Slovenia in the international scientific research community. The results of the proposed research program primarily impacted the fields of engineering and medicine, by providing direct benefits for the patients, medical doctors, and also for the society as innovations introduced in these fields have the potential to lead to shorter patient recovery times, greater patient comfort, lower risk of complications, and faster patient throughput. Transfer of knowledge from academia to industry: The research team did not only strenghten its collaboration with the Slovenian companies but also approached high-tech Slovenian and foreign companies that develop or manufacture relevant devices and systems and which will expressed interest in technology that was being developed within this programme. The extremely important and most direct socio-economic impact of the research conducted within the program was the extensive growth of the hi-tech company Sensum, which was founded in 2000 by the PI and two researchers on the program. The growth of the company was expressed in: a) the number of full-time employees which in the period from 2009 to 2014 increased from cca 10 to over 50, b) technological level- the achieved high technological level of the company enabled the company to become a niche market winner, c) sales revenues achieved at demanding markets - the revenues increased from 2009 to 2014, reaching the highest amount in 2014 d) contribution to the Slovenia budget - through higher employment, sales revenues and high added value. Human resources development: The abilities and skills of the researchers fully or partially connected to the finished research programme were improved either during or as a result of the programme by means of mini courses, dissemination of the results, sharing of information, or by any other form of collaboration with formal research. The highly relevant and interesting research topic and the obtained expertise of the research team are expected to attract new talented researchers in the future. Strengthening of the institutional capacities: The proposed research programme enabled and helped in acquisition of new and reconditioning, improving and renovating of the existing hardware, software, literature, and administrative and management systems. Increased and more effective collaboration: Valuable working relationships with different individuals, organizations and institutions, whether they were directly related to the finished research or not, were established and strengthened, which may lead to more effective future collaborations. Funds and resources: The ability to generate new financial, technical or organizational support resources for future research projects increased for the researchers as well as for the institutions involved in the research programme.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
