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PubMed1991

A model of a microcomputer database system to assist medical schools in recruiting and retaining students.

A model for a microcomputer database to aid a school's efforts to recruit and retain students is presented. The model is based upon a working system developed by the author at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. The article discusses data needs for adequate records of the recruitment and retention efforts, especially those concerning minority students, and how these records can be used to administer and evaluate programs. The model provides a framework for microcomputer data files, record fields, relationships, and system development and maintenance considerations.

Colorado↗

PubMed1986

A microcomputer algorithm for solving compartmental models involving radionuclide transformations.

An algorithm for solving first-order non-recycling compartment models is described. Given the initial amounts of a radioactive material in each compartment and the fundamental transfer rate constants between each compartment, the algorithm gives both the amount of material remaining at any time t and the integrated number of transformations that would occur up to time t. The method is analytical, and consequently, is ideally suited for implementation on a microcomputer. For a typical microcomputer with 64 kilobytes of random access memory, a model containing up to 100 compartments, with any number of interconnecting translocation routes, can be solved in a few seconds; providing that no recycling occurs. An example computer program, written in 30 lines of Microsoft BASIC, is included in an appendix to demonstrate the use of the algorithm. A detailed description is included to show how the algorithm is modified to satisfy the requirements commonly encountered in compartment modelling, for example, continuous intake, partitioning of activity, and transformations from radioactive progeny. Although the algorithm does not solve models involving recycling, it is often possible to represent such cases by a non-recycling model which is mathematically equivalent.

Computers↗

PubMed1989

A microcomputer algorithm for solving first-order compartmental models involving recycling.

A general algorithm for solving first-order compartmental models including recycling systems has been developed and its implementation on a microcomputer is described. Matrix algebra is used to obtain for any compartmental model an analytical solution, which is expressed as the exponential of a matrix of rate constants. A special technique is used in the algorithm to enable this exponential to be evaluated with a rapidly converging series. Truncation errors incurred in this process are estimated automatically. Thus, in an extreme case, where these errors may be significant, the appropriate action can be taken. Given a particular model, the user enters the model parameters into a rate matrix according to a simple rule. The algorithm then uses this matrix to solve the model, and thus no specialized mathematical knowledge is needed. The algorithm is given in a short BASIC program (60 lines) listed in an appendix. No additional software is required. By running this program on a standard microcomputer, the user can solve models of any complexity: those up to 15 compartments in seconds and those up to 30 compartments within a minute. The algorithm is thus ideally suited to solve kinetic models describing the transport of radionuclides in the environment or the translocation of elements in biological systems such as the metabolic models recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Given the initial amount of material in each compartment at time t = 0, together with its radioactive decay constant, the algorithm gives both the amount in each compartment at any future time t and the number of disintegrations that will have occurred in each compartment up to time t. The computer program, shown in an appendix, could easily be used to calculate disintegrations over any time interval of interest, or to predict the quantities or fractions of an intake expected to be present in any in vivo or excretion compartments of interest. Thus, the algorithm can be useful in both the design and conduct of bioassay and internal dose assessment procedures.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1988

Microcomputer-based technique for 3-D reconstruction and volume measurement of computer tomographic images. Part 1: Phantom studies.

This paper presents a microcomputer-based technique that accurately quantifies volumes from computed tomographic (CT) scans of irregularly shaped objects as well as displaying 3-D reconstructions. The method uses standard CT film, allowing analysis of previous or outside CT studies. The planimetry method showed less than 5% error in measuring irregular 2-D areas larger than 6 mm2. The method is demonstrated to be significantly more accurate than spherical, ellipsoid, or rectangular geometric models in quantifying object volume by CT (P less than .001). With a single gantry angle, planimetry showed a two standard deviation error under 10% in measuring the volume of irregular objects compared with an error over 30% for ellipsoid models. The inaccuracy of the spherical model (80% error) and the rectangular prism model (192% error) renders them impractical to provide quantitative object volume. Microcomputer planimetry provides an accurate and versatile means to measure the volume and produce 3-D reconstructions of objects scanned with CT, and it has potential application in quantifying tumor response with CT and magnetic resonance imaging.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A microcomputer-based preventive maintenance system.

A medical equipment preventive maintenance system using a Radio Shack microcomputer is described. The system generates a schedule of equipment to be inspected each week. The software is written in BASIC for easy modification or transfer to other commercially available microcomputers. The system has been in use for nine months with good results.

Biomedical Engineering↗

PubMed1986

Microcomputers, interactive videodisks, and psychodynamic simulations.

Recent endeavors have applied microcomputers and interactive laser/optical videodisks to create simulations of psychodynamic processes. This paper briefly describes the technical aspects of microcomputers and videodisks, explores attributes and drawbacks of these simulation systems, and outlines future directions toward the ideal psychodynamic simulation.

Computers↗

PubMed1986

Applications of the microcomputer in the health care environment.

From maintaining patient records to analyzing data to documenting time of professional efforts, microcomputers provide specific benefits to today's health care professional. Recent advances in microprocessor technology has made a new generation of personal computers feasible and affordable. The use of these microcomputers in clinical management, education, and data manipulation promises to offer unlimited potential for improving health care delivery.

Appointments and Schedules↗

PubMed1990

Microcomputer reconstruction for analysis of spinal deformity and lung volume in hypokyphotic scoliosis.

Current techniques for imaging chest deformity are limited to two-dimensional representations, and clinical testing for lung volume measurements are based on pulmonary function studies that are effort-dependent. The authors evaluated spine deformity and lung volume by using a new three-dimensional microcomputer imaging technique. Results from preoperative and postoperative chest computed tomograms underwent boundary detection by expert human observers. Data were then processed by polygon surface tiling to create three-dimensional color images of the spine and lungs for display. This computer technique allowed: 1) visualization of the anatomic relationships from any angle, 2) assessment of spinal deformity in relation to lung volume, and 3) measurement of individual lung volumes. Three-dimensional microcomputer imaging is a useful technique in objectively measuring lung volume and assessing postoperative changes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Comparison of the predictions of one- and two-compartment microcomputer programs for long-term tobramycin therapy.

A retrospective study of patients receiving tobramycin compared the accuracy of predictions of actual trough serum concentrations using two commercially available microcomputer software programs. Twelve patients met the study criteria of intravenous tobramycin treatment for more than 10 days with serum concentration monitoring within the first 5 days and after 10 days of therapy. No patients received dialysis. Twenty-five serum concentrations were compared. Predictions within 0.2 microgram/ml were considered clinically "exact." No significant differences were found by chi-square analysis for any of the four possible choices (p less than 0.3). One of the programs, distributed by Dista Pharmaceuticals, offers a one-compartment model, a two-compartment model, and a two-compartment prenephrotoxic option. SIMKIN, a program marketed by Medical Engineering, Inc., uses a two-compartment model. Overall, the predictions errors were small, but occasionally were clinically significant. Further evaluation of microcomputer programs for therapeutic drug monitoring is necessary to document their impact on predicting drug efficacy and toxicity.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Scheduling nursing personnel on a microcomputer.

Suggests that with the shortage of nursing personnel, hospital administrators have to pay more attention to the needs of nurses to retain and recruit them. Also asserts that improving nurses' schedules is one of the most economic ways for the hospital administration to create a better working environment for nurses. Develops an algorithm for scheduling nursing personnel. Contrary to the current hospital approach, which schedules nurses on a person-by-person basis, the proposed algorithm constructs schedules on a day-by-day basis. The algorithm has inherent flexibility in handling a variety of possible constraints and goals, similar to other non-cyclical approaches. But, unlike most other non-cyclical approaches, it can also generate a quality schedule in a short time on a microcomputer. The algorithm was coded in C language and run on a microcomputer. The developed software is currently implemented at a leading hospital in Taiwan. The response to the initial implementation is quite promising.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1992

The use of microcomputer-based psychomotor tests for the evaluation of benzodiazepine effects on human performance: a review with emphasis on temazepam.

1. The literature relating to the effects of benzodiazepines in general, and temazepam in particular, on human psychomotor performance as assessed using microcomputer-based testing batteries is surveyed. 2. The adverse effects of central nervous system depressants on performance is an important mediocolegal issue and frequently comes into question in on-the-road and on-the-job accidents. The use of microcomputer-based testing batteries allows for performance evaluation both in the laboratory and at-the-scene, as well as providing the opportunity to model a large number of different behaviours required in routine yet complex psychomotor tasks. 3. The conclusions in general are: (1) The benzodiazepines as a class of drugs impair both cognitive and motor performance. These effects are often subtle when low doses are involved or when testing occurs the morning following evening administration of the medication. (2) No single psychomotor task adequately simulates complex daily tasks such as automobile driving. A battery of tests that evaluates a number of the components of such tasks is necessary to determine adequately the full range of effects of these medications.

Benzodiazepines↗

PubMed1982

Microcomputer data handling for the Phoenix system.

A modified Phoenix data processing system has been introduced into the laboratories at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. Specifications for the design and installation of microcomputers to link automated instruments to this host computer are described. The operation and data manipulation facilities of the microcomputer are included. It is concluded that these devices aid the management of data within the department and improve the quality of service.

Blood Cell Count↗

PubMed1983

A microcomputer-based information storage and retrieval system for the maintenance of records for a culture collection.

A microcomputer-based system for the storage and retrieval of information on strains in a culture collection is described. The system was designed around commercially available software packages written for microcomputers. Two additional programs were written using the BASIC language to allow a catalogue of the culture collection to be printed in a specific format. The details of each strain in the collection were stored on a floppy disc. Details of new strains were added to this database and information relating to existing cultures was modified or, where necessary, deleted from the collection. The database can be searched to supply details of a particular culture or to identify those cultures which possess certain attributes. The records for the whole collection were sorted alphabetically by species name, and numerically by accession number, and a word-processing package was used to print a catalogue of the culture collection.

Bacteriology↗

PubMed1995

Microcomputer statistics packages for biomedical scientists.

1. There are hundreds of commercially available microcomputer statistics packages, ranging from the very cheap and elementary to the very expensive and complex, and from the very general to the very specialized. This review covers only those that appear to be popular with biomedical investigators who deal with fairly small sets of data but may wish to use relatively complex analytical techniques. 2. It is highly desirable, if not essential, that biomedical investigators who use microcomputer statistics packages have access to a spreadsheet program. These provide sample statistics and simple statistical analyses but, more importantly, they are often the best way of entering data into the files of the statistics packages proper. 3. A vital component of any statistics package is its manual. This should be easy to follow, but at the same time it must provide full documentation of, and references to, precisely how the various statistical tests are performed. 4. Some packages are elementary and offer only a narrow range of test procedures (mini-packages). Some are designed to be used as statistical libraries and programming tools for professional statisticians. Between these extremes are the general purpose packages (mid-range, maxi- and supermaxi-packages) that constitute the main body of this review. 5. All the packages reviewed have some shortcomings or flaws. It is argued that the ideal package for biomedical investigators should have the following features: (i) it should provide a wide range of test procedures for analysing continuous, rank-ordered, and categorical data; (ii) the way in which these tests are carried out should be clearly stated in the manual; and (iii) lastly, although not unimportantly, the package should be easy to use. 6. It is recommended that biomedical investigators purchase a package that provides many more statistical routines than they use in their everyday practice. Provided the manual is a good one and the package itself has no serious flaws, this is an excellent stimulus to continuing education in statistical techniques.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Update: microcomputer statistics packages. A personal view.

1. There have been a number of recent commercial developments and new versions of microcomputer statistical software packages since the last review in December 1995. 2. New versions for Windows have been released: SPSS 7.0 (Windows 95), SYSTAT 6.0 (Windows 3.11, 95, NT) and MINITAB 11.0 (Windows 3.11, 95, NT). 3. The minimum requirements of microcomputer hardware to run the statistical packages under Windows now include 486 or Pentium processors and 16 Mb of RAM. 4. It is now clear to the reviewer that no package that operates under Windows can be recommended unless it is possible to execute analyses by commands as well as by menus. 5. The Internet is an important medium for disseminating information about forthcoming new versions of statistical software packages and about flaws in recently released versions of such packages.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1983

Microcomputers in surgery: a data file and analysis program.

A microcomputer based patient data file and analysis system is both feasible and useful. One such system is described in this paper. The advantages and disadvantages of the system are discussed. It may be used in many patient-related specialties and will enable practitioners not only to file their data but more importantly to analyse it so that they can improve their performance and cost-effectiveness. It is the author's belief that few realize the potential of the microcomputer in clinical practice and many are put off computing and computerized recording and data analysis because of the size and the difficulties that most experience with larger minicomputer-based facilities.

Colonoscopy↗

PubMed1989

Microcomputer servo-controlled bicycle ergometer system for psychophysiological research.

Steady state exercise is widely used for psychophysiological studies in which a constant heart rate at a predetermined level is desired. We have developed a microcomputer servo-controlled bicycle ergometer system that can be used for administering steady state exercise. Fourteen healthy male subjects, with a wide range of fitness levels (measured by VO2max) were exercised to either a fixed workload (130 watts) or a predetermined heart rate level (servo-heart rate) of 122 bpm (i.e., 65% of maximum calculated heart rate for the sample). Servo-heart rate was implemented using a feedback loop that automatically adjusted workload to compensate for immediate variations in heart rate, resulting in a more consistent heart rate. Heart rate varied from the predetermined value by 17 bpm during fixed workload but only 3 bpm during servo-heart rate (p less than .05). Therefore, by using the microcomputer servo-controlled bicycle ergometer, heart rate was maintained at a predetermined level regardless of the subject's fitness level. VO2max and workload during servo-heart rate were significantly correlated (r = .85, p less than .05). Therefore, the workload necessary to maintain heart rate at a constant level may provide an approximate index of aerobic fitness level.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Selection of an obstetric data base for a microcomputer and its use for on-line production of birth notification forms, discharge summaries and perinatal audit.

A microcomputer system is described which stores data for perinatal audit and produces 'on-line' the statutory birth notification form and mother and baby discharge summary. The derivation of a minimum data-base and the methods used to obtain reliable data are outlined. The results of a trial of the production of the birth notification form for 195 deliveries are reported together with those of a further trial of 86 deliveries in which the system was used to produce both the notification form and the discharge summary. A study of the accuracy of the handwritten birth notification forms revealed a high error rate which was markedly reduced by the use of the microcomputer system. The system is now in routine use and further developments are outlined.

Computers↗