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A comparison of bayesian methods for haplotype reconstruction from population genotype data.

In this report, we compare and contrast three previously published Bayesian methods for inferring haplotypes from genotype data in a population sample. We review the methods, emphasizing the differences between them in terms of both the models ("priors") they use and the computational strategies they employ. We introduce a new algorithm that combines the modeling strategy of one method with the computational strategies of another. In comparisons using real and simulated data, this new algorithm outperforms all three existing methods. The new algorithm is included in the software package PHASE, version 2.0, available online (http://www.stat.washington.edu/stephens/software.html).

Algorithms↗

Computer programs and clinical contexts: two computer based exercises for cognitive rehabilitation.

Two examples taken from computer programs for cognitive rehabilitation of patients with schizophrenia show how different groups of clinicians attribute different meanings to the same exercise. This illustrates that the meaning of an artifact or a technology is socially constructed and thereby intimately bound to the context of use. This perspective has implications on issues such as the design process, the assessment of technology and the issue of standardization.

Cognition Disorders↗

Surveying free and low-cost survey software.

Surveys are widely used to gather health information from a sample of individuals. This brief report reviews 14 free and low-cost software packages (< dollar 1,000) that can be used when conducting health surveys with a limited budget. Information available on the Internet or directly from the provider in response to inquiry was reviewed for key features used by health survey researchers. Many free or low-cost software options appropriate for questionnaire development are readily available. Questionnaire mode and complexity, data management and analytical needs, and computing environment are all important considerations in selecting survey software.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

The essential steps cognitive orthotic.

A multifunction cognitive orthotic system is designed to assist people with cognitive disorders in the performance of ecologically relevant activities. This personal computer-based compensatory approach applies neuroscience and technology to the rehabilitation needs and challenges of people with chronic brain damage. The primary goal of this approach is the independent accomplishment of practical, applied tasks integral to daily living, at home, at work, at school and in the community. This paper will describe the "Essential Steps" cognitive orthotic system, and describe its potential to facilitate skill acquisition and enhance self-sufficient life management. The software was designed to guide and protect the user as he or she progresses through each "essential step" in the progression required for completion of a targeted task. The discussion will explicate the underlying principles promoting skill acquisition with this application of a cognitive orthotic. Data have shown that this compensatory aid can promote rapid skill acquisition and support reliable performance, even long past the time when rapid recovery and progress are customarily expected. Discussion will focus on issues of design for people with brain damage, the significance of this system's prototypical structure, and research findings and clinical observations made with people using "Essential Steps".

Adult↗

[The design of ultrasound subsystem in PACS/HIS environment].

Playing an important role in PACS, ultrasound subsystem together with CT and X-radiography subsystems works as the image Provider and image processing center. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme on how to construct ultrasound subsystem and explain it with detailed work flow and software frame. We also give a discussion on how to expand such a subsystem.

Computer Communication Networks↗

[Possibilities of computer-assisted navitation in knee para-articular osteotomies].

Osteotomies in the knee region for incipient osteoarthritis in active patients have become increasingly popular in recent years. A computer-guided navigation system should help increase the surgeon's accuracy and lower the risk of intraoperative complications for this technically demanding type of surgery. Furthermore, computer navigation might be a powerful research and educational tool. The technical principles and the clinical implications of this system for knee osteotomies are described in the following article.

Bone Malalignment↗

A new actigraph for long-term registration of the duration and intensity of tremor and movement.

Actigraphy, the long-term measurement of human movement with a small solid state recorder, is gaining acceptance as a useful method in many research fields. Currently available actigraphs assess or estimate the movement duration per time interval. However, the output gives no information on movement type or intensity, and cannot be used in subjects suffering from tremor. The present paper describes a new type of actigraph, that has been developed primarily for the long-term evaluation of motor symptoms in Parkinson patients. The device is the first to discriminate tremor from other movements and to assess both duration and intensity of the two types of movement. It is based on a Motorola 68HC805B6 microcontroller and contains: an accelerometer, programmable gain stages, programmable low- and highpass filters, a programmable level comparator, a peak detector, interface circuits, a real time clock, data storage, and control circuitry. The micro-controller performs a period amplitude sequence analysis (PASA) on the conditioned accelerometer signal, and stores four output variables (tremor duration, tremor amplitude, movement duration, and movement amplitude) at the end of programmable time intervals. The analysis of fluctuations in the motor symptoms of, e.g., Parkinson patients using this actigraph can be of great help in the pharmacological management of symptoms.

Aged↗

Genome-scale design of PCR primers and long oligomers for DNA microarrays.

During the last years, the demand for custom-made cDNA chips/arrays as well as whole genome chips is increasing rapidly. The efficient selection of gene-specific primers/oligomers is of the utmost importance for the successful production of such chips. We developed GenomePRIDE, a highly flexible and scalable software for designing primers/oligomers for large-scale projects. The program is able to generate either long oligomers (40-70 bases), or PCR primers for the amplification of gene-specific DNA fragments of user-defined length. Additionally, primers can be designed in-frame in order to facilitate large-scale cloning into expression vectors. Furthermore, GenomePRIDE can be adapted to specific applications such as the generation of genomic amplicon arrays or the design of fragments specific for alternative splice isoforms. We tested the performance of GenomePRIDE on the entire genomes of Listeria monocytogenes (1584 gene-specific PCRs, 48 long oligomers) as well as of eukaryotes such as Schizosaccharomyces pombe (5006 gene-specific PCRs), and Drosophila melanogaster (21 306 gene-specific PCRs). With its computing speed of 1000 primer pairs per hour and a PCR amplification success of 99%, GenomePRIDE represents an extremely cost- and time-effective program.

Animals↗

Effect of pulping variables on the characteristics of oil-palm frond-fiber.

Caustic pulping of oil-palm frond-fiber strands was conducted following a central composite design using a two-level factorial plan involving three pulping variables (temperature: 160-180 degrees C, time: 1-2 h, alkali charge: 20-30% NaOH). Responses of pulp properties to the process variables were analyzed using a statistical software (DESIGN-EXPERT). The results indicated that frond-fiber strands could be pulped with ease to about 35-45% yield. Statistically, the reaction time was not a significant factor while the influences of the treatment temperature and caustic charge were in general significantly relative to the properties of the resultant pulps.

Arecaceae↗

Sample size calculation for complex clinical trials with survival endpoints.

Sample size estimation is important in planning clinical trials. The purpose of this paper is to describe features and use of SIZE, a comprehensive computer program for calculating sample size, power, and duration of study in clinical trials with time-dependent rates of event, crossover, and loss to follow-up. SIZE covers a wide range of complexities commonly occurring in clinical trials, such as nonproportional hazards, lag in treatment effect, and uncertainties in treatment benefit. The use of SIZE is illustrated by several hypothetical examples as well as applications to real study designs, each featuring a statistical issue.

Algorithms↗

A deductive database system PACADE for analyzing 3-D and secondary structures of protein.

We have developed a deductive database system PACADE for analyzing 3-D and secondary structures of protein. The PACADE system consists of a relational database created from Protein Data Bank and a deductive engine DEE based on logic programming. It has the following features: (1) The system has an inference mechanism. This means by which users can easily write and check biological hypotheses using logical and declarative rules instead of procedural programs. (2) The relational database of the PACADE system stores data on both 3-D and secondary structures of protein. The integration of this two level structure makes feasible an abstract representation of the protein structure. We describe herein the design, functions, and implementation of this PACADE system.

Computer Graphics↗

A portable and inexpensive computer system to interpret arterial blood gases.

The hand-held computer (HHC) allows computer technology to be brought inexpensively to the patient's bedside. In this paper we describe HHC applications software that interprets oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status--and also provides a differential diagnosis and makes suggestions for therapy. Although this software was designed to be used in an emergency department, it has equally useful applications elsewhere such as in critical care units. Computerized arterial blood gas interpretation is especially helpful to students and others who infrequently interpret arterial blood gases. The software described here has been enthusiastically accepted by emergency department personnel in our institution.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

Development and test of a model for designing interactive CD-ROMs for teaching nursing skills.

The use of interactive multimedia is well documented in the education literature as a medium for learning. Many schools of nursing and healthcare agencies purchase commercially-made CD-ROM products, and, in other cases, educators develop their own. Since nurses are increasingly designing CD-ROMs, they must be aware of the instructional design needed to develop comprehensive and effective CD-ROMs that do not compromise the quality of education. This article describes a process for developing and testing an interactive, multimedia CD-ROM on oral medication administration, using an instructional design model based on Chickering and Gamson's Principles of Good Practices in Education. Results from testing the model are reported. The findings can be used to guide the work of nurse educators who are interested in developing educational software.

Audiovisual Aids↗

How to design an effective practice brochure.

The practice brochure is an effective marketing tool. But should you do it yourself or hire a designer? Each option has its pros and cons, as this marketing expert explains.

Marketing of Health Services↗

Autospec: computerized processing of the data output from a spectrophotometer in a biochemical laboratory.

Autospec was designed to acquire data output from a Beckman DU series 60 spectrophotometer and to process these data with an IBM or IBM-compatible computer. It functions in conjunction with the Beckman DU Data Capture and Lotus 1-2-3 softwares. Autospec automatically stores data produced by the spectrophotometer, determines standard curves and calculates unknown concentrations of the substance being assayed. The principal features of Autospec are simplicity of use, adaptability and flexibility, minimal intervention from the operator, standardized print-outs of all data in tabular and graphic forms, accuracy of computations, speed of operation, and ease of storage and back-up of data files.

Biochemistry↗

An automatic technique for finding and localizing externally attached markers in CT and MR volume images of the head.

An image processing technique is presented for finding and localizing the centroids of cylindrical markers externally attached to the human head in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) image volumes. The centroids can be used as control points for image registration. The technique, which is fast, automatic, and knowledge-based, has two major steps. First, it searches the entire image volume to find one voxel inside each marker-like object. We call this voxel a "candidate" voxel, and we call the object a candidate marker. Second, it classifies the voxels in a region surrounding the candidate voxel as marker or nonmarker voxels using knowledge-based rules and calculates an intensity-weighted centroid for each true marker. We call this final centroid the "fiducial" point of the marker. The technique was developed on 42 scans of six patients-one CT and six MR scans per patient. There are four markers attached to each patient for a total of 168 marker images. For the CT images the false marker rate was zero. For MR the false marker rate was 1.4% (Two out of 144 markers). To evaluate the accuracy of the fiducial points, CT-MR registration was performed after correcting the MR images for geometrical distortion. The fiducial registration accuracy averaged 0.4 mm and was better than 0.6 mm for each of the eighteen image pairs.

Algorithms↗

Design and analysis of a content-based pathology image retrieval system.

A prototype, content-based image retrieval system has been built employing a client/server architecture to access supercomputing power from the physician's desktop. The system retrieves images and their associated annotations from a networked microscopic pathology image database based on content similarity to user supplied query images. Similarity is evaluated based on four image feature types: color histogram, image texture, Fourier coefficients, and wavelet coefficients, using the vector dot product as a distance metric. Current retrieval accuracy varies across pathological categories depending on the number of available training samples and the effectiveness of the feature set. The distance measure of the search algorithm was validated by agglomerative cluster analysis in light of the medical domain knowledge. Results show a correlation between pathological significance and the image document distance value generated by the computer algorithm. This correlation agrees with observed visual similarity. This validation method has an advantage over traditional statistical evaluation methods when sample size is small and where domain knowledge is important. A multi-dimensional scaling analysis shows a low dimensionality nature of the embedded space for the current test set.

Abstracting and Indexing↗