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A computer program for multiple decrement life table analyses.

Life table analysis has traditionally been the tool of choice in analyzing distribution of "survival" times when a parametric form for the survival curve could not be reasonably assumed. Chiang, in two papers [1,2] formalized the theory of life table analyses in a Markov chain framework and derived maximum likelihood estimates of the relevant parameters for the analyses. He also discussed how the techniques could be generalized to consider competing risks and follow-up studies. Although various computer programs exist for doing different types of life table analysis [3] to date, there has not been a generally available, well documented computer program to carry out multiple decrement analyses, either by Chiang's or any other method. This paper describes such a program developed by Research Triangle Institute. A user's manual is available at printing costs which supplements the contents of this paper with a discussion of the formula used in the program listing.

Computers↗

The effectiveness of an interactive computer program versus traditional lecture in athletic training education.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive athletic training educational curriculum (IATEC) computer program as compared with traditional lecture instruction. Instructions on assessment of the quadriceps angle (Q-angle) were compared. Dependent measures consisted of cognitive knowledge, practical skill assessment, and attitudes toward the 2 methods of instruction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Sixty-six subjects were selected and then randomly assigned to 3 different groups: traditional lecture, IATEC, and control. The traditional lecture group (n = 22) received a 50-minute lecture/demonstration covering the same instructional content as the Q-angle module of the IATEC program. The IATEC group (n = 20; 2 subjects were dropped from this group due to scheduling conflicts) worked independently for 50 to 65 minutes using the Q-angle module of the IATEC program. The control group (n = 22) received no instruction. SUBJECTS: Subjects were recruited from an undergraduate athletic training education program and were screened for prior knowledge of the Q-angle. MEASUREMENTS: A 9-point multiple choice examination was used to determine cognitive knowledge of the Q-angle. A 12-point yes-no checklist was used to determine whether or not the subjects were able to correctly measure the Q-angle. The Allen Attitude Toward Computer-Assisted Instruction Semantic Differential Survey was used to assess student attitudes toward the 2 methods of instruction. The survey examined overall attitudes, in addition to 3 subscales: comfort, creativity, and function. The survey was scored from 1 to 7, with 7 being the most favorable and 1 being the least favorable. RESULTS: Results of a 1-way ANOVA on cognitive knowledge of the Q-angle revealed that the traditional lecture and IATEC groups performed significantly better than the control group, and the traditional lecture group performed significantly better than the IATEC group. Results of a 1-way ANOVA on practical skill performance revealed that the traditional lecture and IATEC groups performed significantly better than the control group, but there were no significant differences between the traditional lecture and IATEC groups on practical skill performance. Results of a t test indicated significantly more favorable attitudes (P < .05) for the traditional lecture group when compared with the IATEC group for comfort, creativity, and function. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that use of the IATEC computer module is an effective means of instruction; however, use of the IATEC program alone may not be sufficient for educating students in cognitive knowledge. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of the IATEC computer program as a supplement to traditional lecture instruction in athletic training education.

Journal Article↗

A computer program for conducting incinerator risk assessments.

In 1994, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) developed a screening methodology for conducting indirect exposure risk assessments for combustion facilities. The United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine currently utilizes this methodology in conjunction with other USEPA guidance documents to perform human health risk assessments (HHRAs). The HHRAs require the development of complex human health models using spreadsheet software packages which estimate various media concentrations of contaminants in the environment. Since the quality assurance/quality control procedures associated with verifying the model's results are extremely time consuming, a computer program was developed using Microsoft Excel to minimize the amount of time needed. This discussion describes the 6 steps taken in developing this computer program, which are: (1) understanding the problem; (2) establishing the structure of each table in the spreadsheets; (3) developing an algorithm to solve the problem; (4) writing code; (5) running the program; and (6) testing the results. The automated process of having the computer predict health risk and hazards for each potentially exposed individual saves a tremendous amount of time because each calculated value is placed in the correct spreadsheet cell location. In addition to the time needed to develop human health spreadsheets, this program also minimizes the potential for reducing human error.

Algorithms↗

A computer program for analyzing bivariate flow karyotypes.

This article describes a computer program for analyzing bivariate flow karyotypes of human chromosomes stained with Hoechst 33258 (HO) and chromomycin A3 (CA). The karyotype first is divided into regions that contain chromosome peaks. The chromosomes that are associated with those areas are identified. The distributions in these areas then are fitted with mathematical functions of increasing complexity. The process starts by fitting a specified number of univariate Gauss functions to projections of the HO and CA distributions of each area. The final fit can include multiple bivariate Gauss functions, including a background function for debris subtraction. The results of one stage in the fitting process serve as seed values for the next, more complex step. Since the program autonomously estimates the starting values for the iterative fitting procedures, the fit results are insensitive to operator bias and the program will consistently converge to the same solutions. The resulting table of parameter values can be used to compare flow karyotypes to a reference data set.

Chromomycin A3↗

REDCE: a computer program for the analysis of red cell survival data.

A computer program for the analysis of red cell survival data is described. Experimental data are used to estimate the parameters of seven models of derived from different hypotheses on the red cell destruction process. The program includes statistical tests for the reliability of the estimated parameter values and the bias due to the poor model. A set of criteria for selecting between models is given. The results obtained from simulated and red data are reported and discussed.

Computers↗

[The revised PEDINFUS computer program for total and added parenteral nutrition in children].

The computer program PEDINFUS, first described in 1991, has been fundamentally revised and further developed. The area of application has been considerably widened as additive parenteral nutrition has been included and the group of newborn and preterm infants has been taken into account. Consequently, the program can be used for children of all age groups. In addition, the program has a graphical user interface and can be used on several hardware platforms. The flexibility of the program has also been increased to a considerable degree. Now the nutrient amounts per kilogram per day, the limits of the laboratory values, the combination of enteral food and infusion solutions, and the already drawn-up infusion plans can be changed at liberty. Considerably more matters of clinical interest accompanying parenteral nutrition have been integrated in the program. Further plausibility controls have also been introduced to achieve greater certainty in the calculation of the infusion solutions. In consequence, the preconditions for ensuring and controlling the quality of infusion therapy regimens can be established on an improved level.

Adolescent↗

[Computer program for the processing of data collected during therapeutic trials in psychiatry].

A computer program is described which has been developed over several years and allows for the easy processing of psychiatric data gathered in clinical trials. It provides user-defined parametrization of a computer-aided data entry system, the use of the program created to input data to the computer and the data processing of the data collected either through modifications of the file created or by statistical analysis, the procedures of which have been simplified to enable its performance even by lay people.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Development of a simple computer program for spirometry interpretation.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate a computer program for interpretation of spirometry. METHODOLOGY: The spirometry programme was constructed in Epi Info software using a previously defined algorithm for interpretation. The programme incorporated current American Thoracic Society guidelines on interpretation of spirometry and was based on regression equations for healthy North Indians previously derived by us. The programme was pretested for two months before being put to routine use. RESULTS: Use of this spirometry programme led to consistent interpretation of spirometry results. There was significant saving of time while preparing reports, without any additional expenditure. CONCLUSION: The use of such computer programmes accelerate the reporting of pulmonary function test results at little extra cost, and all interpretations are performed in a consistent fashion.

Female↗

Computer programs for the analysis of protein fluorescence quenching data.

Educational computer programs for analysis of fluorescence quenching studies of proteins have been developed. The program is written according to the classical Stern-Volmer equation and some modified Stern-Volmer equations. The static and dynamic quenching constants as well as the accessibility of the quencher molecules to the fluorescence groups are calculated. The experimental data are plotted on a high resolution graph. The calculated data or the graphs can be printed out to obtain a hard copy for filing.

Kinetics↗

An integrated set of computer programs for processing electron micrographs of biological structures.

A set of computer programs is described which has been developed for processing electron micrographs of biological structures. The programs provide facilities for efficient image storage, enhancement and display. Extensive programs are available for analysis of images of structures with translational, rotational and helical symmetry, and for performing 3-dimensional reconstruction. The considerations which went into the design of the system are listed. A description is provided of the means of control of the main program, which performs the majority of the image processing operations, and an example is given to illustrate its use. These programs are compared with other program systems also developed for micrograph image processing.

Computers↗

A computer program for period analysis of cancer patient survival.

Monitoring of long-term survival rates, which is now routinely performed by many cancer registries throughout the world, should be as up-to-date as possible. A few years ago, a new method of survival analysis, denoted period analysis, has been proposed which provides more up-to-date estimates of long-term survival rates than traditional survival analysis by exclusively reflecting the survival experience of patients within a recent calendar period. However, application of this method has so far been hindered by the lack of pertinent computer programs. In this paper, we present a simple and easy-to-use computer program (SAS macro) that enables one to carry out period analysis (as well as conventional analysis) of both absolute and relative survival rates with the type of data commonly available in population-based cancer registries. We illustrate application of the program with examples from the nationwide Finnish Cancer Registry.

Female↗

Radioimmunoassay evaluation and quality control by use of a simple computer program for a low cost desk top calculator.

A simple computer program for the data processing and quality control of radioimmunoassays is presented. It is written for low cost programmable desk top calculator (Hewlett Packard 97), which can be afforded by smaller laboratories. The untreated counts from the scintillation spectrometer are entered manually; the printout gives the following results: initial data, logit-log transformed calibration points, parameters of goodness of fit and of the position of the standard curve, control and unknown samples dose estimates (mean value from single dose interpolations and scatter of replicates) together with the automatic calculation of within assay variance and, by use of magnetic cards holding the control parameters of all previous assays, between assay variance.

Computers↗

A computer program for automatic plotting of isopotential contours in CNS.

A computer program was developed in a Basic (Applesoft) version for generating up to five isopotential curves from field potentials recorded in nervous structures. Voltages are fed according to a cartesian coordinate system, and an area is delineated each four points in which a certain number of intermediate voltage points are calculated, according to the required resolution. The calculated values are compared to those prefixed for each curve and, if similar, their coordinates are stored in corresponding bidimensional matrixes. A special subroutine was designed for constructing an isometric tridimensional perspective of the isopotential curve ensemble. The reliability of this program was tested in the localization of sensory representation areas on the neocortex of the South American armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus) studied by evoked potential mapping following visual, auditory and somatosensory stimuli. The isopotential curves traced permitted a quantitative evaluation of the cortical activated areas, and from their topographical distribution, relative unresponsive zones could be inferred where only inconspicuous responses were obtained. It is concluded that the present program provides a reliable and fast method for studying the evoked potential's spatial distribution over the entire neocortex. In addition, it can be extended to the study of curves or contours which connect equivalent values pertaining to biophysical magnitudes other than voltage data.

Animals↗

A computer program for molecular weight determination of DNA fragments (HOWBIG).

The computer program HOWBIG has been developed based on the reciprocal correlation of size to migration distance of DNA in high voltage gradient gel systems (Southern, 1979). For calculation the program automatically chooses three marker bands migrating closest to the calculated band, reducing the error down to approximately 0.5% or less (reciprocal method, local form of calculation). The big advantages of the completely menu-driven program are high accuracy, error detectability, speed and ease of data handling. Management of marker-DNA molecular weights, data and analyses as files included in the menu driven program speeds up every-day lab work.

DNA↗

XAS-Collect: a computer program for X-ray absorption spectroscopic data acquisition.

A computer program for X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data acquisition, called XAS-Collect, is described. The software employs the X Windows system to provide a pull-down menu, dialog-box style of graphical user interface. The software provides state-of-the-art features while still being sufficiently simple for novice users.

Journal Article↗

WINPEPI (PEPI-for-Windows): computer programs for epidemiologists.

BACKGROUND: The WINPEPI (PEPI-for-Windows) computer programs for epidemiologists are designed for use in practice and research in the health field and as learning or teaching aids. They aim to complement other statistics packages. The programs are free, and can be downloaded from the Internet. IMPLEMENTATION: There are at present four WINPEPI programs: DESCRIBE, for use in descriptive epidemiology, COMPARE2, for use in comparisons of two independent groups or samples, PAIRSetc, for use in comparisons of paired and other matched observations, and WHATIS, a "ready reckoner" utility program. The programs contain 75 modules, each of which provides a number, sometimes a large number, of statistical procedures. The manuals explain the uses, limitations and applicability of specific procedures, and furnish formulae and references. CONCLUSIONS: WINPEPI provides a wide variety of statistical routines commonly used by epidemiologists, and is a handy resource for many procedures that are not very commonly used or easily found. The programs are in general user-friendly, although some users may be confused by the large numbers of options and results provided. The main limitations are the inability to read data files and the fact that only one of the programs presents graphic results. WINPEPI has a considerable potential as a learning and teaching aid.

Journal Article↗

A computer program for measuring body size distortion and body dissatisfaction.

A computer program is described that measures body size distortion and body dissatisfaction. The program is written using Visual Basic development tools and will run on any Windows 98 or more current system. The width of a static digital image of the participant can be manipulated using three separate psychophysical methods. In the method of adjustment, the participant adjusts the image wider or thinner to match his or her perceived size. The participants may also be required to adjust the image to their ideal size, with the discrepancy between perceived and ideal size being used as a measure of body dissatisfaction. In the staircase method, participants see an image that is continuously expanding or contracting. The participants change the direction of the distortion when the image matches their perceived size. In the adaptive probit estimation procedure, participants judge whether a static image is distorted too wide or too thin. Analysis of the responses permits a determination of the point of subjective equality (PSE) and the difference limen (DL) values. The DL reflects the amount of body size distortion necessary for the participant to detect the distortion 50% of the time. The PSE reflects the participant's subjective judgment of his or her body size. These two values are reflective of the sensory and nonsensory components, respectively, that contribute to body size judgments.

Body Image↗

A PC based computer program to aid the preparation of solvent systems for the HPLC.

An interactive computer program, SOLCOMP, is developed which calculates the volumes of the components that are to be added to obtain either a fresh solvent mixture or a new solvent system from the old one of required composition. The code is implemented in MicroSoft FORTRAN and GWBASIC which runs on any IBM compatible PC under MSDOS environment.

Algorithms↗