A database-driven interactive computational system for the qualitative analysis of body temperature

New-generation computational software is the emerging and enabling technology that is revolutionizing the delivery of education and the analysis of results to yield information. This allows for the dynamic and interactive analytical processing of both archival and current experimental data. The design and usability of a database-driven computational system that demonstrates the qualitative analysis of the dynamic balance of thermoregulatory processes is discussed. Incorporated within the software are educational modules that describe the effect of exercise on body temperature and heart rate, the effects of the environment on body temperature, methods of prevention of heat illness and first-aid procedures to be utilized in the event of a medical emergency. These modules are linked to clinical and experimental research databases. A user-friendly interface allows both non-technical users and scientists to retrieve information of interest easily. Simple examples are presented which demonstrate the utility of the interface. These include normal (indoor) body temperature, body temperature while hiking in a mountainous region and partial results from a study that characterized the skin temperature and heart rate response during bicycle ergometry. Temperature was measured by thermistors from 13 body segments. The data was collected and compiled into a relational database. Several algorithms, some of which utilize artificial intelligence objects incorporated within the database, analyze the data and yield results based on user preferences