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PubMed2004

Comparison of microcomputed tomographic and microradiographic measurements of cortical bone porosity.

Cortical bone is perforated by a network of canals that have a significant impact upon its material properties. Microcomputed tomography offers the possibility of noninvasively visualizing and quantifying cortical pores in both two and three dimensions. Establishing how two-dimensional (2D) microcomputed tomographic (microCT) analysis compares with conventional methods for analyzing cortical porosity is an important prerequisite for the wider adoption of this technique and the development of three-dimensional (3D) analysis. Therefore, we compared porosity-related parameters from 2D microcomputed tomographic images with those from matching microradiographic sections. Samples from five human femora were scanned at a 10-microm resolution and then sequentially sectioned and microradiographed. An average of eight image pairs were produced from each femur (total, n = 41). The repeatability and comparability of the two techniques was assessed for three parameters; cortical porosity (%), mean pore area (microm(2)), and pore density (pores/mm(2)). For repeatability, no significant difference ( P > 0.05) was found between the two methods for cortical porosity and mean pore area; however, pore density differed significantly ( P < 0.001). For comparability, the bias (+/- error) between the methods was found to be 0.51% (+/-0.31%) for cortical porosity and -155 microm(2) (+/-293 microm(2)) for mean pore area. The bias for pore density was dependent upon measurement size with microcomputed tomographic images having 14% (+/-9.3%) fewer pores per millimeter squared. The qualitative and quantitative similarities between the two techniques demonstrated the utility of 2D microcomputed tomographic for cortical porosity analysis. However, the relatively poor results for pore density revealed that a higher resolution (<10 microm) is needed to consistently visualize all cortical pores in human bone.

Femur↗
PubMed2006

A reinvestigation of murine cranial suture biology: microcomputed tomography versus histologic technique.

BACKGROUND: Histology remains the standard form to analyze cranial suture in murine models, but this technique provides only limited "snapshots" of the entire suture and requires animal euthanasia with tissue destruction. Because of the bone complex microarchitecture, better methods are required to study the behavior of the cranial suture and its surrounding environment. The authors compared microcomputed tomography and histology as techniques to evaluate murine cranial sutures. METHODS: A total of 360 microcomputed tomography images and 160 to 170 histologic sections were processed from a mouse at postnatal days 22 and 45, respectively. After euthanasia, the posterior frontal and sagittal sutures were imaged with a microcomputed tomography system and subsequently processed for histologic analysis. Quantitative analysis of two-dimensional images was performed to determine the percentage of bone in a 1-mm sample. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis of the percentage of bone within the sutures showed identical patterns by microcomputed tomography and histology techniques. Both methods demonstrated the posterior frontal suture to have heavier fusion patterns in the anterior and endocranial portions, with variable skip areas of complete patency on the endocranial surface, ectocranial surface, or both at day 45. CONCLUSIONS: Cranial suture fusion in the murine model is not an "all-or-none" phenomenon. The posterior frontal suture, previously thought to be completely fused on day 45 by histological analysis, showed variable fusion along the length of the suture by both methods. Quantitative assessment of the percentage of bone within the posterior frontal and sagittal sutures and morphologic assessment of these sutures demonstrated similar findings by both methods. Whereas thorough histologic evaluation of an entire suture would be extremely labor intensive and impractical, these findings help to validate microcomputed tomography as a rapid and reliable method of examining the entire suture in murine models.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A microcomputer system for long term monitoring, collecting, analyzing and reporting noninvasive oxygen saturation.

The characteristics of a microcomputer based system for long term monitoring, collecting, analyzing and reporting oxygen saturation are described. Every two seconds SaO2 is transmitted to the microcomputer via the serial port of the oximeter and verified by the program. The microcomputer's real time display and internal data structures are updated. At the end of the data collection period, accumulated data is stored to disk. Report generation modules calculate summary statistics and generate graphs depicting the cumulative time distribution of SaO2, the frequency distribution of SaO2, and an hour by hour representation of the real time display. This inexpensive microcomputer based system allows accurate collection and timely presentation of oxygen saturation levels with monitoring periods of any length replacing tedius and time consuming manual recording, digitizing and analysis.

Computer Systems↗
PubMed1986

The use of the simplex method for the optimisation of non-linear functions on a laboratory microcomputer.

The use of the microcomputer for the processing of analytical data in the laboratory is currently increasing. However, computational methods which have been used successfully on minicomputers may not be suitable for microcomputer implementation due to the lack of available precision. This paper describes a technique, namely the simplex method, which may be successfully applied to the processing of laboratory data on an 8-bit microcomputer. The method is used to optimise a non-linear function in order to fit a curve to radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunoradiometricassay (IRMA) data. The microcomputer package described has been tested on laboratory data and is currently in use in a clinical biochemistry laboratory.

Biometry↗
PubMed1984

Use of a home-based microcomputer to analyze community data from reported cases of child abuse and neglect.

A personal microcomputer data base program was used to study 184 substantiated 1981 child abuse and neglect cases in the city of Lansing, Michigan. Data on 18 variables were entered directly into the microcomputer from the agency case closing forms in 7 1/2 hours. The microcomputer can sort by one or more variables. In analyzing the data, the following questions were addressed: Who reports the child abuse cases? In what types of families does abuse occur? Who are the perpetrators in relation to the child? Who are the victims by age and race? What types of abuse are substantiated? How many of the cases are repeats? Where are substantiated cases located? This study was both simple and inexpensive, requiring minimal staff time, a microcomputer with a data base program, and data already available in agency files. This study could be duplicated in any area by noncomputer persons to help professionals, community organizers, and others to better understand their community and help the abusive family.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

A short review of current laboratory microcomputer systems and practice.

In the last few years quite powerful complete computer systems have become available that fill many laboratory needs at low cost (US $3000-10,000). This development is based on the use of microcomputers, which now have capabilities that were previously associated with minicomputers. Due to the rapidly expanding use of microcomputers, a very large software base has been developed. As a result it is now feasible to use a microcomputer in the laboratory for signal averaging, controlling experiments, data analysis and reduction, printing and storage of results, plotting of graphs, curve fitting, statistics and word-processing. These applications of a microcomputer can make some other laboratory equipment unnecessary, thus providing substantial savings on items such as analog tape recorders, strip chart recorders, and stimulus generators.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗
PubMed1987

A microcomputer-based system for processing 31-phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectra from studies of cardiac metabolism in immature hearts.

We designed an interactive microcomputer-based digital data processing system for analysis of 31-phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectra from studies of cardiac metabolism in immature and neonatal hearts. This system included a digitizing tablet (Kurta Series Two), a microcomputer (IBM PC XT) and a graphics plotter (Hewlett-Packard 7470A) used in conjunction with a Nicolet 1280 NMR signal processing computer. We obtained 31P spectra from isolated perfused rabbit hearts with a Nicolet NT-200 4.7 Tesla superconducting NMR spectrometer operated in the pulsed Fourier transform mode. The small size of the hearts resulted in increased noise in spectra and demanded comparison of methods used to quantitate changes in inorganic phosphorus, phosphocreatine and ATP during ischemic stress. We performed microcomputer operations and interfacing functions with a software package written in BASIC. This system simplified documentation, data filing and statistical data processing. Our microcomputer system displayed and made hard copies of digitized spectra and results of analyses. Errors in data entry were rectified directly with this program. Consistent data reduction improved the precision of the physiological results and reduced the influence of noise on 31P spectra from neonatal hearts weighing about 0.5 g. The system flexibility extends its application to NMR spectra analysis for other in vivo organ systems, and signal processing in other biological research.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Empirical tests of the intrinsic pseudorandom number generator on IBM-compatible microcomputers.

This paper reports results of frequency and serial correlation tests, for 30 different seeds and two different seeding mechanisms (the RANDOMIZE statement and the RND function), of a Microsoft pseudorandom number generator available on IBM-compatible (and some IBM) microcomputers. The generator is shown to perform well on these screening tests, in comparison to previously reported results for the Microsoft generator available on IBM-PC microcomputers. However, the generator seeding mechanisms--the RANDOMIZE statement and the RND function--exhibit anomalies similar to those of the IBM-PC generator, and could result in seeding which is inconsistent with the desire of the user. Furthermore, the differences in the randomness characteristics of sequences of numbers generated by IBM and IBM-compatible microcomputers have serious implications regarding the true compatibility of the two types of microcomputers.

Mathematical Computing↗
PubMed1989

Multidimensional assessment of the elderly via a microcomputer: the SENOTS program and battery.

We compared the psychometric adequacy of a multidimensional self-report battery for use with cognitively able, elderly adults under conditions of microcomputer and interviewer administration. The SENOTS battery contains scales of Happiness/Depression, Financial Hardship, Physical Symptoms, Activity Limitation, and Activity Propensity. The SENOTS microcomputer program contains sequential phases intended to (a) select out respondents incapable of interacting adequately with the microcomputer, (b) train respondents to make appropriate keyboard responses. (c) administer the program, and (d) store and process the responses. The SENOTS battery was administered to 80 community residents and 80 institution residents by either a microcomputer or an interviewer. Results indicated a comparable psychometric adequacy to the SENOTS battery under both administration conditions. Internal consistencies were all at acceptable levels, and the scales differentiated the community residents from the institution residents.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1986

Adolescents and microcomputers: sex differences, proxemics, task and stimulus variables.

Questionnaires concerning attitudes toward use of microcomputers at home, in school, and at video arcades were administered to 879 high school students. Direct observations of adolescent proxemics and sex differences, and of various parameters of video games in 18 video arcades were made. A thorough and representative content analysis of sex bias of microcomputer software advertising brochures was carried out. Results supported previous findings of overrepresentation of masculine culture in the adolescent world of microcomputers, particularly regarding video games. Various types of computer-related activity were not related to socioeconomic class of the parents or to academic grades except for use of home microcomputers, which was mildly positively related to socioeconomic class (r = .124, p less than .001). Nearly half the activity in the arcades was strictly solitary. None of the arcade video games allowed for cooperative play. Most allowed only for sequential competition (86%) or simultaneous competition (7%); as many as 7% did not provide a display of the scores for a second player.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Microcomputers and computer-based instruction.

With the advent of low-cost modular microcomputer technology, discussions of computer-based instruction (CBI) have taken on a new direction. Earlier efforts at computer-based instruction were successful in the technical area, but the expense of starting and maintaining the programs deterred the widespread application of CBI. The initial low purchase price and minor maintenance expenses of microcomputers have lessened financial concerns about equipment purchases. The smaller size and the capability of the microcomputer have allowed CBI system developers to focus on more specific (rather than monolithic) projects so that the time and the cost for program development have been reduced. Although students have demonstrated high interest in CBI, faculties expressed some reservation about entering the field because of the new technology and the lack of supporting evidence for the value of this teaching modality. The microcomputer may be the answer to the economic and attitudinal deterrents to the success of previous attempts at CBI.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enter the world of the microcomputer.

Step aside prejudices and fear, it is time for all medical group managers to find a friend in the microcomputer. This useful tool can eliminate the drudgery of number crunching and help solve the many practical financial and operational problems daily confronting the manager. The purchase of a $4,000 microcomputer system may at first seem ridiculous when a $100,000 system is already in use, but the software available for a microcomputer can offer specific applications for day-to-day management activities for which a " supercomputer " may not be well suited. The electronic spreadsheet applications for medical group financial management available through a microcomputer are explored here in detail.

Computers↗
PubMed1989

Developing pharmacy applications using a microcomputer relational database in a long-term care psychiatric hospital.

The database applications developed with a microcomputer for a 1000 bed long-term care forensic psychiatric care hospital are described. The implementation of a microcomputer system was instituted as an interim measure prior to the development of a hospital wide minicomputer system. Primary emphasis was placed on increasing the efficiency of professional staff while enhancing clinical therapeutic monitoring. The system operates on an IBM-AT with 30 megabyte hard disk drive and an Epson FX-100 dot matrix printer. A relational database manager, Team-Up, was utilized in the development of applications that included census maintenance, scheduled drug inventory, drug regimen review, drug utilization protocols and a skilled nursing unit dose patient profile. Other ancillary functions included generation of stock labels, a literature abstract database and an on-line policy and procedure manual. Advantages of the system include an increase in staff productivity through the use of information that is readily attainable from the patient database. Possible disadvantages are the programming and hardware limitations imposed by a microcomputer system. Long term care psychiatric facilities may be able to enhance staff efficiency by computerizing existing manual systems. Because of the diverse and specialized requirements of long term care facilities, a microcomputer used in conjunction with a programmable relational database can be easily customized to fulfill this need.

California↗
PubMed1989

Recent work with microcomputers for census processing in developing countries.

The use of microcomputers to process census data in developing countries is discussed. Specifically, the authors describe the Integrated Microcomputer Processing System (IMPS) developed by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and focus "on the recent experience of Burkina Faso and Senegal in using microcomputers. A summary is given of the use of IMPS by an increasing number of countries. Additionally, this paper describes the latest enhancements and future plans for IMPS. It concludes with some thoughts on the use of microcomputers in the areas of data collection and processing, as well as in the use and dissemination of census data."

Africa↗
PubMed1992

Development of a microcomputer-based system to quantify the effective dose of drug through epithelial cells.

It is well documented that the rate-limiting step of pharmaceutical investigation is the amount of drug absorbed through the epithelial cells, not the total dose taken. To date, the only measure of the effective dose of medication is by measuring the circulating level of the ingested medication. This mode of measurement is neither accurate nor practical in determining the active ingredient required. However, a more efficient method of testing which constitutes simplicity and practically is desired. The aim of this project was the design of a microcomputer-based system for detecting and quantifying steroid hormones taken up by mucosal intestinal cells in vitro, for eventual in vivo application in animals and humans. A microcomputer-based system capable of controlling and monitoring four cell membranes simultaneously has been designed, consisting of a microcomputer system and a data acquisition subsystem. The data acquisition subsystem consists of instrumentation amplifiers with an analog-to-digital converter and digital-to-analog converter. This subsystem converts the ionic exchanges first to electrical signals, and then to digital format, to be processed and stored by the microcomputer. Subsequently, the stored information can be clinically interpreted. Due to the complexity of membrane behavior (nonlinear) in response to feedback control signals, software development was difficult. Therefore, a unique scheme was developed to control various unexcitable tissues in order to reach the predetermined values very rapidly, and then to collect cell membrane data periodically.

Drug Monitoring↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of six microcomputer dietary analysis systems with the USDA Nutrient Data Base for Standard Reference.

We compared the general operating features and nutrient databases of six microcomputer dietary analysis systems. A 3-day food record with 73 food items was entered into each program; nutrient averages were compared with the US Department of Agriculture Nutrient Data Base for Standard Reference (USDA NDB), full version, release 9, for microcomputers. The six programs were found to vary widely in cost, number of foods and nutrients in the database, use of non-USDA data and imputation of data for missing values, number of print/export options, time to analyze the 3-day food record, and overall ease of use. Although all of the microcomputer dietary analysis systems were within 7% of the USDA NDB for energy, protein, total fat, and total carbohydrates, the proportion of other nutrients varying more than 15% from the USDA NDB varied considerably between programs. Variance among programs for 3-day food record nutrient values occurred because of differences in the number of food items included in the database (leading to varying degrees of substitution), the recency of the nutrient data (whether or not the most recent USDA releases had been incorporated), and the number of missing values (the degree to which non-USDA sources or estimated calculations were used to fill in the blanks from the USDA standard). Our results demonstrate that it is important for each dietitian to carefully choose a microcomputer dietary analysis system that is suitable to specific and predetermined needs.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1988

Views of general practitioners in the Oxford region on microcomputing and collaboration with health authorities and family practitioner committees.

A postal questionnaire was sent to the senior partners of all 353 general practices in the Oxford region to investigate their interest in microcomputing and in pooling data with other general practitioners, health authorities and family practitioner committees. The response rate was 58%. Twenty per cent of responders already used a microcomputer and a further 59% intended to purchase a microcomputer for the practice. Nearly all the practices with an interest in microcomputing wanted to use it to produce age-sex registers, to establish recall groups and for repeat prescribing. Approximately 90% of interested practices reported that they would be prepared to link their data with family practitioner committees or health authorities, while 76% were interested in collaborating with other general practitioners for research. The results show that general practitioners will require support in utilizing the data that they produce.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1987

Use of microcomputers in health and social service applications in developing nations.

The microcomputer is creating something of a revolution in many developing nations where historically there has been a lack of access to computer power at all levels of the health sector. For the first time, practitioners and researchers, often trained in computer techniques for developing countries, have access through microcomputers to data and information manipulation in their local workplace. While the history of microcomputers in such settings is short, this article presents early evidence from several countries which indicates the usefulness of various applications. The majority of the applications reported in the literature from clinical and research laboratories is made up of national data base systems and special studies of morbidity and mortality. Secondary applications, including assistance in biographical searches and word and graphics processing, are also reviewed in this article. A summary of the most utilized microcomputer hardware configurations completes the review.

Computers↗