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PubMed1990

Ministry of Health computerisation programme.

The purpose of the paper is to give the readers an idea of the state of computerisation in the Ministry of Health, Singapore and to highlight some of the benefits of computerisation. The Ministry employs a wide range of computer systems from portable microcomputers, point-of-sale microcomputers, supermicros, minicomputers to mainframe computer. What are the roles of these computers? Why and how are they interconnected? Carry on reading if these questions are appealing to you.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1991

An instrument to monitor physiological and environmental parameters associated with heat stress on an ambulatory subject.

This paper outlines the development and construction of an instrument for use on an ambulatory subject which monitors selected physiological and environmental parameters that are a reflection of the degree of physiological strain associated with heat stress. The resulting instrument is rugged, reliable, and uses existing practical technology for in-the-field ambulatory monitoring, and provides minimal restriction to subject movement. The physiological parameters monitored (heart rate and skin temperature) were selected following examination of systemic, skin, and psychoneurotic heat disorders, with the environmental parameters (wind velocity, ambient temperature and relative humidity) based on existing heat stress indices' correlation with physiological parameters. A microprocessor is utilized for data acquisition, mathematical computation and long term storage, and software for downloading the data to a large mainframe computer is provided. Following calibration of the transduction circuits, the instrument was assembled and tested. Improvements are required to obtain the reliability originally envisaged. Additional field trials would see the collection of data to establish criteria to determine the values of the parameters monitored enabling prediction of the onset of heat stress in hot, humid environments.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A statistical model to optimize indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay parameters of antigen and antibody: a microcomputer program.

A new computer software program "AVCRV" was developed using a statistical model to analyze the data from the indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The software program calculates a sigmoid type of regression analysis and can be run on most microcomputers in the laboratory. The program permits those who are not familiar with computers to complete this type of analysis in a few seconds without a large mainframe computer or complicated software. This statistical model for a sigmoid type of regression analysis of ELISA data may improve the analysis of research data for various avian pathogens from several different experiments.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Measurement of intracranial tissue volume using computed tomographic images and a personal computer.

A software package called MacMeasure was developed previously to measure the size of intracellular structures by means of photomicrographs. We have expanded the application of this program to computed tomographic (CT) images. Using three objects of irregular shape and unequal size (phantoms), we compared volumetric determinations made with a CT mainframe computer and a widely available personal computer. The phantom objects were scanned in a GE CT/T 9800 scanner with serial, nonoverlapping slices 3.0 mm in thickness. The image data were first measured directly from the magnetic archive tape with the CT control terminal. Hard copies of the CT scans were then measured with a Macintosh SE computer and a digitizing tablet with a crosshair cursor driven by the MacMeasure software package. A third method of measuring volume was by tracing individual CT images onto paper (hard copies). The tracings were then cut out, weighed, and converted to surface area by dividing the weights by a weight/surface area standard (26.37 mg = 25 cm2) calibrated to the CT image scale (5.0 cm). The total surface area value was then converted to volume by multiplying by a single CT slice thickness (0.3 cm). Finally, the phantom objects were placed in water-filled graduated cylinders to determine their volume by fluid displacement. The technique using MacMeasure and the personal computer provides an accurate means of determining surface area and volumes using hard copies of CT images. It avoids occupying costly CT computer time and is the most rapid method of volume measurement of the three techniques tested (CT mainframe = 6.0 hours, trace/weigh = 3.5 hours, and PC = 1.25 hours).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed1987

Computer registration and processing of census data for an anesthesiology department.

The description of a set of programs running on a HP-1000 mainframe computer is outlined. They allow easy census data input, storage and handling according to the growing needs of an academic anesthesia department of about twenty physicians, delivering more than 8000 anesthetic procedures a year. Various kinds of reports can be generated that are useful not only for the department as a whole or for the anesthesiologists independently, but also for the optimization of the use of the operation theatres. Special attention has been given to the respect the medical secrecy: identification of the patient's records is under direct control of a physician, is impossible without a deciphering routine and is not performed unless really needed.

Anesthesia Department, Hospital↗

PubMed1987

A novel device for the automated administration of test compounds to laboratory animals.

A prototype instrument is described that permits efficient administration of test compounds to laboratory animals by intubation. The system integrates a balance, a computer and a volumetric dispenser. Complete animal identification, weight and dose records are kept and may be interfaced with mainframe computers. A range of doses may be delivered from a single stock solution. No carryover is evident between doses. The system is accurate, precise and rugged. The system is cost effective relative to current manual gavage techniques and offers added safety for investigators handling toxic materials.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1986

Digital signal processing in studies of animal acoustical communication, including human speech.

The study of animal acoustical communication and other biological signals like cardiopulmonary cycles and neurological waves has advanced rapidly in the last few years. Progress has been stimulated by dramatic improvements in transducers, recorders, computers, and digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. Nevertheless, many biologists cannot take advantage of these new techniques and technology because mainframe computer usage is expensive and DSP theory is buried in highly technical engineering and mathematical journals. Recently, new developments in microcomputer hardware and commercially available DSP software have greatly improved this picture. Nevertheless, DSP theory remains largely inaccessible to the non-specialist. In this paper, selected areas of DSP theory are surveyed in relation to a common biological signal processing problem, namely, the analysis of animal acoustical signals. Signal digitization techniques are described, including the concepts of word-width, sample rate, and data encoding. An overview of the mathematical models developed for human speech encoding and analysis is presented. Finally, selected DSP techniques used in the time and frequency domains, including digital filtering, spectral analysis, and dynamic time warping are reviewed.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

MIAMOD: a computer package to estimate chronic disease morbidity using mortality and survival data.

The MIAMOD package is for use in epidemiological analysis of chronic degenerative diseases. The package has been designed to use survival and mortality data supplied by the user, to estimate incidence and prevalence rates, to forecast future mortality and morbidity levels and to provide life tables. Estimates are derived by modelling incidence as an age-period-cohort function and by the equations relating specific cause mortality and prevalence to incidence and survival. The model parameters are evaluated by fitting mortality data by means of a weighted non-linear regression model. Numerical and statistical methods used to solve the regression and to compute standard errors, projections, and life tables are discussed. The program is written in standard FORTRAN 77 and runs on a mainframe computer. The different program units are illustrated together with the principal implementation options. An example of application is provided to show a typical output pattern.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1992

Assessing the qualitative data component in large-scale quantitative surveys: computer aided qualitative survey data management, retrieval and analysis.

In a large-scale survey the qualitative component of the interview is often used either to refine the quantitative coding categories or to get a 'general feel' for the respondents' comments with no attempt at analysis. This article reports on an approach which has been developed for solving some of the problems of linkage of qualitative and quantitative components at the survey analysis stage. This approach is dependent on efficient methods of data management and text retrieval, and presupposes a system of data collection that produces computer-based text files to store the verbatim comments of study participants. The size of the data set necessitated using a mainframe computer for data management, text retrieval and analysis. The article provides illustrations of how the analysis of 11 000 files consisting of textual data was facilitated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Anatomy of the clinical simulation.

Computer-based clinical simulations have been used in medical education for the past 25 years. During this period, the technology has evolved from mainframe computers to microcomputers to multimedia. All designers of simulations must decide which elements of reality to include explicitly in a simulated case, which to leave to the user's imagination, and when to intervene for educational purposes. Once these decisions are made, developers of simulations have many options for structuring the simulation itself. They can develop simulations with single or multiple patient encounters, with menu or natural-language requests for data, with varying levels of volunteered information about the simulated patient, with interpreted or uninterpreted clinical findings, with deterministic or probablistic evolution of the case, with various ways to give users feedback about their progress through the case, and with manual or automated creation of specific cases. Simulations derive their specific character from how these options are implemented.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1985

Microcomputers and consultation psychiatry in the general hospital.

The microcomputer allows for the design of a system that functions integrally with both the day-to-day and long-term needs of a consultation-liaison psychiatric service. This article describes a microcomputer system and data structure that can accomplish many of the same research tasks as a minicomputer system. In addition, the same data item inputs can be used to develop management reports that can facilitate the administrative as well as the pedagogic needs of a consultation-liaison service. Because of the daily availability and review of output reports, supervisors' corrections are made that enhance the reliability of the data. The program format provides 1) an intake form with pertinent identifying demographic data; 2) an activity file that contains every encounter between the consultant and the patient as well as research, supervisory, and liaison activities (which permit cost-effectiveness analysis); 3) a master clinical data base containing 255 variables for each case seen; 4) a computer-generated chart note; 5) letters to referring physicians; 6) clinical activity descriptions for billing; and 7) a file for pertinent literature searches. Since certain analyses may be limited in the microsystem, its interactive capacity with mainframe computers allows for complex functions. The microsystem described presently emphasizes flexibility, accessibility, and step-by-step development of files as needed by a particular consultation-liaison service. Finally, microcomputers are available at a fraction of the cost of the minicomputer or mainframe systems.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Study of automatic cephalometric analysis by digital image processing].

In the lateral roentgenographic cephalometric analysis, a certain degree of errors is unavoidable as it involves a lot of manual work in tracing, landmark setting, measurement and registration. To minimize the chances of errors creeping in, efforts have been made toward the mechanization of manual work. For measuring and registering automatically, a roentgenographic cephalometric system using a personal computer is available. Attempts have also been made to automatically obtain landmarks on tracings by the use of a computer. However, tracing still has to be performed by hand. The circumstances are such that the development of a full-scale scanning system that can perform automatic tracing on cephalometric radiographs in being eagerly awaited. The present study concerns the possibility of using a small-size computer mainframe in a small-scale clinical laboratory which cannot afford to install a large one. A digital image processing system using a personal computer was devised to process cephalograms. And a the anatomical complex on the screen was developed. To examine the acuracy of the drawings, comparisons were made between manual tracings and computer-aided tracings. The results were as follows: 1. In both vertical and horizontal components at Pog, Gn and Me points, computer tracings were matched significantly well with manual tracings. 2. At the points of Or, ANS, A and Go, only vertical components were matched significantly well with those obtained by manual tracing. 3. In the program developed for the present study, the computer had a greater tendency than man to draw the borderline along the higher density area when the gray level gradient was not sharp.

Cephalometry↗

PubMed1986

The human element in the design of computer-assisted orthopedic inpatient medical record systems.

It is possible to vastly improve the quality of the "final product" of medical record processing by use of word and data base processing systems without traditional programming and expensive mainframe computers. Human engineering features need to be addressed first, since these form the basis of the system for obtaining quality data. Successful operations of the system is dependent upon a close working relationship between the staff of the medical record department and the medical staff.

Forms and Records Control↗

PubMedDate not supplied

BASIC computer program to summarize data using nonparametric and parametric statistics including Anderson-Darling test for normality.

Tools for calculating Gaussian parametric statistics are widely available in hand-held calculators and program packages for desktop as well as mainframe computers. The standard deviation calculated from non-Gaussian data may, however, be meaningless or even absurd. Furthermore, the standard error of the mean is frequently used as a descriptive statistic even if it really does not describe the variation in the observations themselves. However, comprehensive tools for calculating nonparametric descriptive statistics and judging whether observations have a Gaussian distribution are hard to come by. The present paper attempts to provide the essential statistical reasoning behind the calculation of descriptive statistics and introduces a computer program written in Microsoft BASIC that applies the methods described in the text.

Mathematical Computing↗

PubMed1985

Applications of microcomputer spreadsheet packages as adjuncts to multiple logistic regression analysis.

This paper illustrates how a microcomputer spreadsheet package can be used by epidemiologists to facilitate the computation of multiple logistic regression (MLR) probabilities, as well as odds ratios and associated confidence intervals, given the coefficients of the MLR model. By formatting a spreadsheet, data entry is greatly simplified, and computations are accomplished without any arithmetic manipulations on the part of the user. This approach makes it feasible for clerical support staff to assist in the computation of seemingly complex expressions. The increasing availability of microcomputers in clinical and research settings suggests that numerous analytic applications are amenable to this approach, thereby decreasing reliance on mainframe computers and desk-top calculators.

Computers↗

PubMed1990

GELANAL, a personal computer-program to compare protein patterns on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels.

Comparing and analyzing a series of two-dimensional gels by hand is troublesome and subjective. So far a number of systems for automatic analysis have been developed on mainly mainframe computers, using complex algorithms. This paper presents an inexpensive system, based on a simple Pascal program, to compare individual spots on two-dimensional gels using an IBM or compatible personal computer in a qualitative way. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by comparing two patterns of the same extract from different runs.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1984

A DNA sequence analysis package for the IBM personal computer.

We present here a collection of DNA sequence analysis programs, called "PC Sequence" (PCS), which are designed to run on the IBM Personal Computer (PC). These programs are written in IBM PC compiled BASIC and take full advantage of the IBM PC's speed, error handling, and graphics capabilities. For a modest initial expense in hardware any laboratory can use these programs to quickly perform computer analysis on DNA sequences. They are written with the novice user in mind and require very little training or previous experience with computers. Also provided are a text editing program for creating and modifying DNA sequence files and a communications program which enables the PC to communicate with and collect information from mainframe computers and DNA sequence databases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Reconstruction of a human ligamentous lumbar spine using CT images--a three-dimensional finite element mesh generation.

Detailed investigation on biomechanics of a complex structure such as the human lumbar spine requires the use of advanced computer techniques for both the geometric reconstruction and the stress analysis. In this study, an automated scheme is developed to generate the required three-dimensional finite element grid of a human ligamentous lumbar spine. The computer-based medical images (CT-scans) of a cadaveric lumbar spine are used to automatically reconstruct the geometry and the grid of the tissues. The data are then transferred to a mainframe computer in a format suitable for an existing nonlinear finite element code. The process has been designed to allow for a number of user-defined parameters such as the number of elements representing the intervertebral discs and the degree of smoothing of the facet articulating surfaces. This finite element mesh can be used for a detailed stress analysis of the human lumbar spine to understand its mechanical function in both normal and perturbed states. The developed interactive system is also helpful from a diagnostic point of view.

Aged↗