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PubMedDate not supplied

Microcomputer-assisted transmission of disaster data by cellular telephone.

Voice communication of information during disasters is often inadequate. In particular, simultaneous transmission by multiple callers on the same frequency can result in blocked transmissions and miscommunications. In contrast, nonvoice transmission of data requires less time than does voice communication of the same data, and may be more accurate. We conducted a pilot study to test the feasibility of a microcomputer assisted communication (MAC) network linking the disaster scene and the command hospital. The radio chosen to transmit data from the field disaster site to the command hospital was a cellular telephone connected to the microcomputer by modem. Typed communications between the microcomputer operators enabled dialogue between the disaster site and the hospitals. A computer program using commercially available software (Symphony by Lotus, Inc.) was written to allow for data entry, data transmission, and reports. Patient data, including age, sex, severity of injury, identification number, major injuries, and hospital destination were successfully transmitted from the disaster site command post to the command hospital. This pilot test demonstrated the potential applicability of MAC for facilitating transmission of patient data during a disaster.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1990

Tabletop versus microcomputer-assisted speech management: response evocation phase.

This is the third in a series of studies on the use of microcomputers with speech-delayed children. Two repeated-measures designs (n = 15) and five case studies were completed to compare tabletop management at early and late stages of the response development phase with two comparable, computer-assisted drill-and-practice activities. Discrimination of correct articulatory responses was mediated by the clinician in all modes, rather than by speech recognition hardware, but all contingent reinforcement in the computer modes was presented by animation graphics. The two computer modes were identical except for the addition of fantasy involvement in one of the modes. Findings indicated that the three modes of intervention were equally effective, efficient, and engaging. Subject-level analyses suggested that microcomputer software has excellent potential to engage children in drill-and-practice for late-phase response evocation, when the target sound is stimulable, but limited usefulness with young children at early-phase response evocation, when specific articulatory behaviors need to be cued. Discussion considers learning, child, and hardware/software factors in microcomputer-assisted speech management.

Child↗

PubMed1985

Use of a microcomputer network for history taking in a prenatal clinic.

A stand-alone microcomputer was installed at St. Bartholomew's Hospital to obtain the booking (first prenatal) history. This system has many well-documented advantages over the manual method, particularly with respect to the completeness and quality of the history produced. However, a single microcomputer system is unable to deal with the load of a busy clinic, and initially, several independent terminals were required. We now describe the installation of a local area network to link several microcomputers with a single database in the Antenatal Clinic at Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital.

Computers↗

PubMed1988

The "diff-if". Use of microcomputer analysis to triage blood specimens for microscopic examination.

Increasingly, all automated blood counts are not accompanied by a microscopic white blood cell differential. A popular strategy is to obtain a manual differential if any part of the automated blood count and differential is outside specified limits (the "diff-if" strategy). The authors compared two sets of criteria to triage blood counts for manual differentials: previously recommended numeric values, and the analysis of a microcomputer program. In a population of subjects with a high percentage of hematologic disorders, the microcomputer program and the numeric criteria were equally specific (excluding normal blood smears); the program was more sensitive for bands, immature granulocytes, monocytes, nucleated red blood cells, reticulocytosis, teardrops, red blood cell fragments, and hypersegmented neutrophils. The numeric criteria were more sensitive for eosinophilia (less than 1.0 X 10(9)/L) and mandated fewer manual differentials. In a population of predominantly normal subjects, the program was more sensitive for increased bands and equally sensitive for eosinophilia, the only abnormalities observed on the smear. In a population of subjects with predominantly abnormal blood counts, but excluding most primary hematologic disorders, there were few blood smears with abnormalities beyond eosinophilia or increased bands. In both of these groups, the computer program mandated more manual differentials than did the numeric criteria. The authors conclude that microcomputer analysis by the program tested was more sensitive than numeric criteria to identify specimens with abnormal blood smears. Specificity depended on the patient population. The choice of a triage strategy should be based on the individual laboratory's patient population.

Blood↗

PubMed1982

Microcomputer programs for DNA sequence analysis.

Computer programs are described which allow (a) analysis of DNA sequences to be performed on a laboratory microcomputer or (b) transfer of DNA sequences between a laboratory microcomputer and another computer system, such as a DNA library. The sequence analysis programs are interactive, do not require prior experience with computers and in many other respects resemble programs which have been written for larger computer systems (1-7). The user enters sequence data into a text file, accesses this file with the programs, and is then able to (a) search for restriction enzyme sites or other specified sequences, (b) translate in one or more reading frames in one or both directions in order to find open reading frames, or (c) determine codon usage in the sequence in one or more given reading frames. The results are given in table format and a restriction map is generated. The modem program permits collection of large amounts of data from a sequence library into a permanent file on the microcomputer disc system, or transfer of laboratory data in the reverse direction to a remote computer system.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1989

Uses and limitations of microcomputers for epidemiological research in occupational health.

The rapid improvements in microcomputer systems have contributed to ease of performance of epidemiological research in occupational health. Computers now available can aid in all stages of research- from the early stages of literature review to data collection, analysis and presentation. Optical storage devices now allow large occupational health data bases to be stored on a single compact disc, with the information accessible by microcomputer. Hand-held computers and optical scanners allow paperless collection of field data. Epidemiological analysis and data presentation is easily done with software packages, some of which are in the public domain. However, there are limitations in the use of computers for any epidemiological research. Investment of time is required to learn the use of a computer. Care needs to be taken to ensure accurate data entry, and correct choice has to be made of methods for subsequent statistical analysis. Microcomputers are valuable as labour saving devices, but cannot replace proper planning, execution and appropriate data analysis in epidemiological research in occupational health.

Health Services Research↗

PubMed1984

Epidemiologic modeling using a microcomputer spreadsheet package.

Epidemiologic modeling has provided both researchers and students with a means of studying complex disease processes as well as making intervention recommendations to decision makers. To develop more than the most elementary model, however, it has become necessary to be well versed in a computer programming language. While this has deterred many modelers in the past, with microcomputers it is now possible to develop even complex models without significant investment of time spent in learning a computer language. In addition to being affordable, many microcomputers offer "canned" spreadsheet packages which are readily adapted for epidemiologic modeling. To demonstrate this, two models were developed and run using a microcomputer spreadsheet package: 1) the classic Reed-Frost model, and 2) a modified Reed-Frost model with two intermixing subpopulations.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Interfacing a microcomputer to a spectrophotometer for EMIT assays.

Details of how to connect a microcomputer to a spectrophotometer are given. Four BASIC subroutines are described which allow the user to: sense sample input, transfer data to the microcomputer, purge the flowcell, and set a time delay loop. Initially designed for EMIT assays, the microcomputer could easily be adapted to other laboratory tests.

Humans↗

PubMed1989

[Effects of noise on sleep. Part 1. Development of an automatic analysing system for all-night sleep polygraphy by microcomputer].

In order to assess the effects of noise on sleep, the authors have developed a microcomputer system which determines the sleep stage based on an all-night EEG (electroencephalogram), rapid eye movement and an EMG (electromyogram). All the polygraphic parameters for each epoch (including spindle, rapid eye movement, alpha and delta waves, and amount of muscle tension), which are necessary to determine the sleep stage, were determined by a microcomputer using a digital data processing program. Recognition of EEG waves is based on Fujimori's method with some modifications. The rules of Rechtschaffen et al. were adopted for judging sleep stage with a slight modification. Data were obtained from six healthy students of a university. Each student was polygraphed for five to six nights under various conditions of noise exposure. Judgements of the sleep stage were made by two medical doctors. Using randomly selected 10 nights' data, the agreement between judgements by the microcomputer system and by the doctor was 77%. The percentage of agreement increased to 84% for the epochs in which the two doctors agreed. It takes about one hour to determine all-night sleep stages by this system.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Teaching selected microcomputer skills to retarded students via picture prompts.

Five retarded students were taught to use picture prompts to help them access and terminate a microcomputer program. Training was provided within a multiple baseline format. Posttesting (picture prompts without feedback), and a return to baseline were later conducted for both the training program and an untrained (generalization) program. The results indicate that the program was successful in teaching the microcomputer skills to the students. In addition, all students were able to maintain their skills over a 7-day interval in which they did not have access to the microcomputer.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Networking of microcomputers in the radiology department.

A microcomputer may be installed in any of several areas in a radiology department or office to automate data processing. Such areas include the reception desk, the transcription office, the quality-control station, and remote or satellite radiography rooms. Independent microcomputers can be interconnected by networking, using small hardware and software packages and cables, to effect communication between them, afford access to a common data base, and share peripheral devices such as hard disks and printers. A network of microcomputers can perform many of the functions of a larger minicomputer system at lower cost and can be assembled in small modules as budgetary constraints allow.

Computers↗

PubMed1990

A microcomputer-photocell system to monitor periparturient activity of sows and transfer data to remote location.

A microcomputer-photocell system to record, summarize and transfer data on the postural changes of crate-confined sows was developed. The system uses an infrared photocell system mounted on farrowing crates to detect changes in sow body postures prior to parturition. When a sow breaks the infrared beam by standing or sitting, the lack of reflection back to the photocell activates a relay. The relays are connected to an input/output card inside the primary ("host") microcomputer. A second microcomputer, at a location remote to the animal facility, and the host computer both are equipped with multi-tasking operating systems. The host computer uses a data acquisition program written in BASIC to record posture changes, the sow's identifying number, date and time. Both computers are equipped with communications software so that the host computer can transfer data to the remove location while continuing to collect data. Either computer can be used to summarize, graph and examine the accumulated data. Knowledge of periparturient activity patterns allows the observer to predict farrowing time and to determine whether farrowing has begun without being present in the farrowing facility.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Microcomputers enhance student health fairs.

To stimulate student interest in learning about health, faculty assigned students the task of planning and implementing a university health fair. Two questions were posed: (1) Could sophomore students effectively plan and implement a health fair as a learning opportunity? (2) Could microcomputers be used appropriately to influence client participation and to enhance the nurse-client interactions? Literature regarding the efficacy of the health fair as a mode of health care delivery and as a student learning opportunity and literature addressing the advantages of microcomputer use were reviewed. Two health fairs were piloted. Microcomputers were employed in three areas: nutrition, stress, and substance abuse. Students, with faculty guidance, developed educational materials using principles of teaching, learning, and health promotion. Clients rated the health fair as congruent with their health needs. Students identified learning gained from the experience. Students and clients were receptive to computer use. Future directions are discussed.

Community Participation↗

PubMed1986

Microcomputer applications in allied health education: some new alternatives.

Allied health educators should consider that today low-cost microcomputer hardware and software that can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching are available. These alternative educational applications of microcomputer technology in allied health can be developed by faculty themselves without programming or reliance on computing experts. Such applications include word-processing software for creation and revision of syllabi, exams, and handouts; data base management software for creation of large sets of bibliographic references, storage and retrieval of data on student admissions and matriculation, and management of clinical affiliations; spreadsheet software for preparation of budgets, calculation of student grades and test item analyses, and demonstration of physiologic and biologic phenomena; and graphics software for production of graphs and charts and printing of graphic images. These instructional support uses of microcomputers hold the greatest promise for near-term cost benefit in allied health education.

Audiovisual Aids↗

PubMed1989

[Application of the microcomputer "Electronika BK-0010" in programmed monitoring of the degree of students' assimilation of a course in pathologic anatomy according to tests at the first level].

To optimize the programmed checking of the students' knowledge on pathological anatomy, it is feasible to use an "Elektronika BK-0010" microcomputer. In terms of the limited internal storage of the computer, a package of questions and answers to them is recorded on a magnetic tape, the microcomputer being loaded with it before each study. For maximal employment of the microcomputer's internal storage, it is expedient to use the programs based on the combined application of a text in the form of questions and computer-assisted processing of the students answers.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

PubMed1989

The microcomputer as a clinical research tool.

A microcomputer system has been developed for clinical perinatal-neonatal research. This system is composed of commercially available hardware and software that is readily available, relatively inexpensive, and easy to learn to use. Systems like this permit compilation of data, statistical analysis, and the possibility of intercommunication with other microcomputers and mainframe systems in collaborative research endeavors. Further, microcomputer systems allow investigators immediate access to data and data analysis within their own offices.

Data Collection↗

PubMed1988

Using microcomputer telecommunications.

The field of computers and communication is rapidly growing. Microcomputer telecommunications is a fairly simple new tool that can increase productivity and improve work skills. For those who have access to a microcomputer, the cost to add telecommunication capability is minimal while the payoff is unlimited. The next time you need an article about a particular topic or try to remember where you read a particular article, make travel plans or write a letter to a colleague in another state, think how easy it would be with your microcomputer and a modem.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1986

The microcomputer and basic peripheral equipment.

This article has presented the basic information needed for setting up a microcomputer work station. The four basic components are the central processing unit (CPU), the monitor (CRT), the keyboard, and the disk drive. A brief overview of how the microcomputer works was presented, including the concepts of random-access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The use of peripheral devices to enhance the operating capabilities of the microcomputer has allowed this technology to become practical and useful both at home and in business and research. Special furniture is available to assure a comfortable and practical environment. Perhaps one of the most important concepts presented in this article is the necessity of backing up data on a regular basis. Finally, computer equipment must be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.

Computers↗