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Biotrans: description of a data transfer program for the biostator.

Glucose clamp experiments are often performed by means of a Biostator. Due to the fact that this device does not provide data storage, data analysis has to be done manually or data must be fed into the computer. In order to enhance the efficacy of data analysis and to avoid time consuming work, a data acquisition program (Biotrans) has been developed which allows data transfer from the Biostator into an IBM compatible computer. After a complex analysis of incoming data, Biotrans provides on-line data storage and display features (blood glucose concentrations and glucose infusion rate). Off-line analysis of the stored data is accomplished by conventional spread sheet programs, thus permitting complex data calculations and graphic presentation. In more than 300 glucose clamp experiments performed within the last three years Biotrans was an important tool providing data storage capabilities, better control of ongoing events during an experiment and rapid and reliable data analysis immediately after completion of individual experiments.

Glucose Clamp Technique↗

EEG data compression techniques.

In this paper, electroencephalograph (EEG) and Holter EEG data compression techniques which allow perfect reconstruction of the recorded waveform from the compressed one are presented and discussed. Data compression permits one to achieve significant reduction in the space required to store signals and in transmission time. The Huffman coding technique in conjunction with derivative computation reaches high compression ratios (on average 49% on Holter and 58% on EEG signals) with low computational complexity. By exploiting this result a simple and fast encoder/decoder scheme capable of real-time performance on a PC was implemented. This simple technique is compared with other predictive transformations, vector quantization, discrete cosine transform (DCT), and repetition count compression methods. Finally, it is shown that the adoption of a collapsed Huffman tree for the encoding/decoding operations allows one to choose the maximum codeword length without significantly affecting the compression ratio. Therefore, low cost commercial microcontrollers and storage devices can be effectively used to store long Holter EEG's in a compressed format.

Algorithms↗

A standardized 'in vivo' model for the study of experimental arterial thrombosis: description of a method.

A method for "in vivo" induction and registration of arterial platelet thrombosis has been developed and standardized in a branch of the mesenteric artery of the white Wistar rat. It consists in local deendothelialization by electrical current. Thrombus induction is performed by topical superfusion with ADP; when the superfusion is discontinued the thrombus disappears but can again be induced reproducibly by renewal of the ADP superfusion after a time interval not exceeding 15 minutes. Registration of the thrombotic phenomenon is made possible by microprojection of the investigated arterial segment. An appropriate optoelectronic device allows the on-line derivation of discriminating parameters. Off-line storage and processing of the experimental data by computer is provided. The method is automatized and can easily be applied to other species of laboratory animals.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Image is everything.

Digital imaging is transforming the practice of radiology. But provider organizations face many technical and financial challenges on the road to becoming filmless. Their own reluctance to let go of the film habit is making the transition to digital images difficult. And the complexity of the myriad technologies, as well as the high prices delivery systems and hospitals still must pay to acquire them, are slowing the march toward filmless radiology departments.

Capital Expenditures↗

Nonaqueous magnesium electrochemistry and its application in secondary batteries.

A revolution in modern electronics has led to the miniaturization and evolution of many portable devices, such as cellular telephones and laptop computers, since the 1980s. This has led to an increasing demand for new and compatible energy storage technologies. Furthermore, a growing awareness of pollution issues has provided a strong impetus for the science and technology community to develop alternatives with ever-higher energy densities, with the ultimate goal of being able to propel electric vehicles. Magnesium's thermodynamic properties make this metal a natural candidate for utilization as an anode in high-energy-density, rechargeable battery systems. We report herein on the results of extensive studies on magnesium anodes and magnesium insertion electrodes in nonaqueous electrolyte solutions. Novel, rechargeable nonaqueous magnesium battery systems were developed based on the research. This work had two major challenges: one was to develop electrolyte solutions with especially high anodic stability in which magnesium anodes can function at a high level of cycling efficiency; the other was to develop a cathode that can reversibly intercalate Mg ions in these electrolyte systems. The new magnesium batteries consist of Mg metal anodes, an electrolyte with a general structure of Mg(AlX(3-n)R(n)R')(2) (R',R = alkyl groups, X = halide) in ethereal solutions (e.g., tetrahydrofuran, polyethers of the "glyme" family), and Chevrel phases of MgMo(3)S(4) stoichiometry as highly reversible cathodes. With their practical energy density expected to be >60 Wh/Kg, the battery systems can be cycled thousands of times with almost no capacity fading. The batteries are an environmentally friendly alternative to lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries and are composed of abundant, inexpensive, and nonpoisonous materials. The batteries are expected to provide superior results in large devices that require high-energy density, high cycle life, a high degree of safety, and low-cost components. Further developments in this field are in active progress.

Journal Article↗

An audio- and speech-based interface for computer-controlled scientific instruments.

Laboratory instruments are intrinsic to research and work in a wide array of scientific fields. They are used for the control of devices, data storage, and data analysis. The control of instruments is increasingly changing from independent on-instrument controls to multiple instrument integrate software control. Unfortunately, the graphical representation of controls and data makes it difficult for an individual with a visual impairment to independently operate laboratory instruments. Alternative interfaces have been previously developed for these individuals but have often proved limited in scope and accuracy, or otherwise expensive. The resulting inaccessibility to affordable and accurate scientific instrumentation, unfortunately, discourages many individuals with a visual impairment from entering scientific fields of research or work. This paper introduces an alternative interface method developed for LabVIEW, National Instruments' instrumentation software package. The method is specifically designed for individuals with visual impairments, and uses alternative navigation techniques as well as audio feedback. The developed user interface uses simple keyboard inputs to traverse through a hierarchical tree-based menu system. Speech and audio tones are used to alert the user to system settings and errors, as well as a help mechanism and data analysis tool. At this time, alternative interfaces have been developed for the following basic laboratory instruments: an oscilloscope and function/arbitrary waveform generator. The interface methodology, however, can be extended to include any scientific instrument that can be controlled by LabVIEW.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

Picture archive and communication systems implementation in a community medicine practice.

In order to gain experience with vendor-supplied picture archive and communication system (PACS) products, a Vantage PACS from Lockheed-Martin was installed in a Mayo community medicine practice in Rochester. This practice produces about 45,000 radiology examinations annually. The PACS includes central long- and short-term storage devices, 10 image display workstations, and a dedicated high-speed image distribution network. Digital images are produced using two Fuji computed radiography readers. Custom worklists were created to facilitate efficient system usage. Currently, all radiographic examinations for this practice are acquired digitally, and interpreted and distributed using the PACS. Remote softcopy interpretation via PACS has decreased the turnaround time for both routine and urgent examinations, and has allowed subspecialty interpretation or consultation for pediatric examinations. These results have significantly improved the radiology component of this community medicine practice.

Community Health Centers↗

A testing system for implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) testing during the implantation process is important in order to avoid repeated induction of arrhythmias, which extends the implantation procedure and poses a risk to the patient. Hence, an in vitro testing system has been designed to assist optimal device programming and avoid repetitive inductions. The system includes a high-speed computer with A/D and D/A subsystems. Software has been designed to eliminate repeated arrhythmia induction by real-time capture and storage of the electrogram. Subsequently, the electrogram can be replayed into ICD software simulators at a variety of settings to determine candidate programming parameters. To validate the simulation system, signals were fed directly to an ICD via an attenuator. Output event markers were captured simultaneously with the signal into a digital file to assess the device performance. Four ventricular tachycardia (VT), three supraventricular tachycardia, (SVT), three atrial flutter (AFL), three atrial fibrillation (AF), and ten ventricular fibrillation (VF) passages were used to verify the system. Test settings were 110-160 beats/min for detection rate and 5 seconds for shock delay. The simulator and ICD detected the episodes for all passages at the 110 beats/min setting. For the setting of 160 beats/min, two VTs, two SVTs, three AFLs, and nine VFs were detected by the device, but no Afb triggered a shock. The simulator detection criteria were met by two VTs, two SVTs, three AFLs, ten VFs, and one AF. The mean detection time was 6,869-7,330 ms (110-160 beats/min) for the simulator and 7,840-8,170 ms for device. Comparison of results showed general agreement between simulator and device. Results demonstrated that device behavior at a variety of settings can be elucidated by the simulator for selection of optimal performance. The automated system can also function as a test bed for evaluation of new algorithms during device development and design.

Algorithms↗

Applications of virtual reality technology in pathology.

TelePath(SM) a telerobotic system utilizing virtual microscope concepts based on high quality still digital imaging and aimed at real-time support for surgery by remote diagnosis of frozen sections. Many hospitals and clinics have an application for the remote practice of pathology, particularly in the area of reading frozen sections in support of surgery, commonly called anatomic pathology. The goal is to project the expertise of the pathologist into the remote setting by giving the pathologist access to the microscope slides with an image quality and human interface comparable to what the pathologist would experience at a real rather than a virtual microscope. A working prototype of a virtual microscope has been defined and constructed which has the needed performance in both the image quality and human interface areas for a pathologist to work remotely. This is accomplished through the use of telerobotics and an image quality which provides the virtual microscope the same diagnostic capabilities as a real microscope. The examination of frozen sections is performed a two-dimensional world. The remote pathologist is in a virtual world with the same capabilities as a "real" microscope, but response times may be slower depending on the specific computing and telecommunication environments. The TelePath system has capabilities far beyond a normal biological microscope, such as the ability to create a low power image of the entire sample using multiple images digitally matched together; the ability to digitally retrace a viewing trajectory; and the ability to archive images using CD ROM and other mass storage devices.

Alabama↗

Report generation and data mining in the domain of thoracic surgery.

As a part of AssistMe system, the reporting system has been developed for the thoracic surgery domain. Reporting System is defined as software for dynamic report generation purpose and based on the data-mining techniques. The target users of the future reporting system-physicians, administrative staff, and patients-have been identified. Two major types of clinical reports have been found: predefined and customized. The decision of splitting reports into groups has been taken mainly because users were heterogeneous and had different access rights to the sensitive information. Data-mining process in the reporting system is based on descriptive statistics. It allows dynamically mined AssistMe databases and generates statistical reports about patient's morbidity, mortality, and comorbidity. Information is visualized in the chart way and can be also observed in tabular form. User interaction is also supported by the system.

Heart-Assist Devices↗

An asynchronously controlled EEG-based virtual keyboard: improvement of the spelling rate.

An improvement of the information transfer rate of brain-computer communication is necessary for the creation of more powerful and convenient applications. This paper presents an asynchronously controlled three-class brain-computer interface-based spelling device [virtual keyboard (VK)], operated by spontaneous electroencephalogram and modulated by motor imagery. Of the first results of three able-bodied subjects operating the VK, two were successful, showing an improvement of the spelling rate sigma, the number of correctly spelled letters/min, up to sigma = 3.38 (average sigma = 1.99).

Algorithms↗

Optical memory card applicability for implementing a portable medical record.

The implementation of portable record based on laser card technology is discussed in terms of data structures for quick access and software tools to reinforce security and confidentiality as required by medical data. Experimental results from a field test with a laser card technology are reviewed with regard to implementation in a large-scale and public information system. An efficient data structure is described for storage purposes, and some proposals are put forward to secure stored data.

Computer Security↗

Some ways of measurement unification in testing ECG analysers on the basis of test signals normalized according to amplitude/parameters and medical indications.

An urgency of test method development for testing the automated ECG analysers is substantiated; a generalized measurement algorithm used in measuring devices testing is discussed with interpretation as applied to ECG analysers. A general measurement scheme in analyser testing is given, tasks to create test ECG signals and develop methods and means for storage, reproduction and transfer of ECG signals to ECG analysers are advanced. A method to create, organize, store and reproduce the ECG signal data bank with the use of measuring and computing complex (MCC) is developed. A device for ECG signal reproduction and transfer (a generator) is made, with its structural diagram, work principles and main technological (metrological) characteristics shown.

Algorithms↗

[Progress in molecular biology study of DNA computer].

DNA (deoxyribonucleotide acids) computer is an emerging new study area that basically combines molecular biology study of DNA molecules and computational study on how to employ these specific molecules to calculate. In 1994 Adleman described his pioneering research on DNA computing in Science. This is the first experimental report on DNA computer study. In 2001 Benenson et al published a paper in Nature regarding a programmable and autonomous DNA computing device. Because of its Turing-like functions, the device is regarded as another milestone progress for DNA computer study. The main features of DNA computer are massively parallel computing ability and potential enormous data storage capacity. Comparing with conventional electronic computers, DNA molecules provide conceptually a revolution in computing, and more and more implications have been found in various disciplines. DNA computer studies have brought great progress not only in its own computing mechanisms, but also in DNA manipulation technologies especially nano-technology. This article presents the basic principles of DNA computer, its applications, its important relationship with genomic research and our comments on all above issues.

Computers, Molecular↗