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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↗

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↗

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↗

Computer-assisted scheduling of radiology resident call.

The difficulties inherent in assigning an entire residency group fair and equivalent daily call prompted the development of a computerized scheduling program at The University of Texas at Houston. Written in COBOL, the program is run on a CDC mainframe computer. Logic parameters restrict the number and frequency of calls per month, and each resident is coded for five available call types at two university hospitals. The foundation of the program's operation is an arbitrary point scale applied to each call type determined by its difficulty and time commitment. Residents' point totals each month are roughly balanced within a prescribed range, with call exchanges made by the computer if necessary. The computer-generated schedules are flexible and equitable, require little manual correction, and save time for the chief resident and the residency secretary.

Appointments and Schedules↗

Mathematical model for chemically induced lipid peroxidation in precision-cut liver slices: computer simulation and experimental calibration.

A biologically based pharmacodynamic (BBPD) model was developed in order to describe and simulate chemically induced lipid peroxidation in precision cut mouse liver slices. The model was written in Advanced Continuous Simulation Language (ACSL) and simulations were performed using SIMUSOLV software on a VAX/VMS mainframe computer. The BBPD model simulated formation of lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) over time as a function of the amounts of cytochrome P450 (CYP)-activated chemical inducer and active antioxidants. The rate of peroxidation was controlled by lipid peroxidizability, destruction of CYP, autooxidation, and activity of glutathione peroxidase. The BBPD model was initially parameterized with the literature data for TBARS formation during lipid peroxidation, reported for rat liver slices induced with bromotrichloromethane and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBOOH). Then, the biochemical parameters were adjusted to reflect the physiology of the mouse liver, and the BBPD model was used to simulate TBARS formation during lipid peroxidation in precision cut mouse liver slices induced with TBOOH. The BBPD model predictions were in agreement with the experimental data.

Animals↗

A computer software application for managing occupational exposure data.

The Health Hazard Information Module is the U.S. Army's computer software application for managing occupational exposure data. The project mission is to utilize automated information systems technology to improve the overall effectiveness of industrial hygiene programs. Field industrial hygiene professionals document their survey methods, findings, conclusions, and recommendations with a portable, pen-based computer. Back at the office, the data are electronically transferred to a desktop workstation. Users can generate standard or customized reports in hard copy or electronic formats. Annually, users transfer their data to a corporate mainframe computer. The software incorporates appropriate information and represents an excellent template worth examining during the ongoing international effort to standardize occupational exposure data. Planned refinements include distributing the software to other Department of Defense agencies and making it commercially available for a nominal fee through the National Technical Information Service in the near future.

Computer Systems↗

Automation of data acquisition and processing in assays for anchorage-independent growth: application to the purification of epithelial transforming growth factor.

We have developed a method for automated data collection from anchorage-independent growth assays by direct interfacing of an Omnicon image analysis system with a VAX mainframe computer network. By use of this interface, data generated with the Omnicon can be acquired and manipulated by the VAX, providing several advantages including high throughput, elimination of operator error, flexibility and speed, and capacity of mainframe data processing. We have applied these techniques to aid in the purification of a novel growth factor for human epithelial cells. Both column elution profiles and dose-response data were processed to graphic formats, and ED50 values for the individual purification steps were obtained by Hill transformation of the dose-response curves. The assay for anchorage-independent growth is widely used for purification of growth factors and testing of chemotherapeutic agents against human tumor cells. The present technique should be useful in facilitating these labor-intensive studies.

Animals↗

A computer data base for information on cancer treatment.

The Physician Data Query (PDQ) system is a clinically oriented computer data base developed to make recent information on cancer treatment widely available to the medical community. It represents an effort by the National Cancer Institute to promote diffusion of information about the treatment of cancer throughout the country, facilitate access to clinical trials, and accelerate the practical application of advances in research. The computer system provides information about state-of-the-art cancer treatment, which is updated monthly by an editorial board. It also includes a file of active cancer-research protocols and a directory of physicians and organizations providing cancer care to which physicians can gain access by geographic location as well as other features. PDQ was designed for physicians who may not be familiar with computers, to permit them to search for and display information without learning a specialized search language. PDQ uses a computer mainframe, which allows a large amount of data to be stored and made available to physicians rapidly and accurately. Transmission of information about cancer over commercial telecommunication networks gives health professionals access to PDQ by means of a computer terminal and local telephone lines.

Directories as Topic↗

Evaluation of new computer-enhanced identification program for microorganisms: adaptation of BioBASE for identification of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.

We report the use of BioBASE, a computer-enhanced numerical identification software package, as a valuable aid for the rapid identification of unknown enteric bacilli when using conventional biochemicals. We compared BioBASE identification results with those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's mainframe computer to determine the former's accuracy in identifying both common and rare unknown isolates of the family Enterobacteriaceae by using the same compiled data matrix. Of 293 enteric strains tested by BioBASE, 278 (94.9%) were correctly identified to the species level; 13 (4.4%) were assigned unacceptable or low discrimination profiles, but 8 of these (2.7%) were listed as the first choice; and 2 (0.7%) were not identified correctly because of their highly unusual biochemical profiles. The software is user friendly, rapid, and accurate and would be of value to any laboratory that uses conventional biochemicals.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Spreadsheet interface for transfer of drug-use data from a mainframe to a personal computer.

The development of spreadsheets and automated instructions for transfer of drug-use data from a hospital's mainframe computer to the pharmacy department computer is described. Drug-use data are down-loaded from the mainframe as an ASCII file on a floppy disk. Instructions within the spreadsheet ("macros") are used to import the data into the first spreadsheet, arrange the data to be compatible with the database portion of the spreadsheet, and transfer the data to another spreadsheet where drug use and cost are calculated and placed in the column for the appropriate month. A series of formulas are used to arrange the imported data to account for items that have not been used. By eliminating the need for manual data input into the spreadsheets, the macros and associated formulas saved pharmacists substantial time.

Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems↗

Activities of and time spent by the project dietitian in implementing a custom-designed decision support system for a computer.

Part 1 of this study involved development and implementation of a prototype of Interactive Foodservice Decision Assist Methods (IFDAM) software. A 1-day menu from the Health Center of Methodist Health Services, Inc., which included 161 menu items and 181 ingredients, composed the data base. The prototype was used to test transfer procedures from the mainframe computer at the university to the one at the hospital and to test the program and train users. Three supporting documents were written. The Procedure Manual described methodology for data collection and use of IFDAM at the Health Center. The Data-Entry Manual explained the use of the microcomputer for entering information into IFDAM. The User Manual illustrated the command structure of IFDAM. Part 2 of the study included the addition of data from five cost centers, which were serviced from the central production facility of the Health Center. Six-week-cycle menus and all ingredient files in the foodservice were incorporated into the data base. The data totaled 998 menu items and 660 ingredients. Time spent by the project dietitian on development of data bases and support manuals, completion of data forms, data entry and transfer, conferences, and training totaled 362.10 hours and 898.75 hours in Parts 1 and 2, respectively. The project required 30 months to complete. Problems, classified as equipment, program, or personnel, delayed implementation.

Data Collection↗

Neurological mapping using an electron microscope/microprocessor data acquisition system.

Quantitative electron microscopy is used widely in many neurobiological laboratories but can be greatly enhanced by the computer storage, display and analysis of features or boundaries observed under the microscope. An interactive system is described, in which a microprocessor and microcomputer combination controls the data acquisition and display; more detailed analysis can be carried out on a mainframe computer. The performance of this system is examined and it is shown to be a cheap and effective solution, capable of expansion in many directions.

Animals↗

Computer aids for floodlighting design.

The lighting engineer is faced with many problems when specifying floodlighting schemes, not least the large amount of computation required to evaluate each potential solution in terms of illuminance grids and isolux contours across the area of interest. Traditionally these kinds of evaluations have been carried out on (programmable) calculators with a design time days for anything other than trivial schemes. Mainframe computers are used in batch mode to ease this problem, but there is a need for an interactive system directly available in the design office. Interactive desk-top microcomputers with graphics facilities make this kind of system both technically and economically viable for the small design office. This paper describes the recently implemented system at Abacus Municipal Ltd, a company involved in the design, supply, and installation of a wide range of floodlighting systems. The primary objective is to provide the lighting engineer with a simple interactive computer system for specifying the details of a floodlighting scheme, leaving the computer to perform the relatively simple but tedious calculations to determine the illumination over the area of interest. User interaction in terms familiar to the lighting engineer is considered to be important so that the engineer's skills, knowledge and experience are enhanced rather than replaced. The design time using the system is typically reduced to a matter of hours rather than days, and improved and more precise results can be presented to the potential client.

Journal Article↗

Data collection, computation and statistical analysis in psychophysiological experiments.

The system was designed to allow simultaneous monitoring of eight bioelectrical signals together with the necessary event markers. The data inputs are pulse code modulated, recorded on magnetic tape, and then read into a minicomputer. The computer permits the determination of parameters for the following signals: electrocardiogram (ECG), respiration (RESP), skin conductance changes (SCC), electromyogram (EMG), plethysmogram (PLET), pulse transmission time (PTT), and electroencephalogram (EEG). These parameters are determined for time blocks of selectable duration and read into a mainframe computer for further statistical analysis.

Electrophysiology↗

Easily assembled digital data acquisition system for the analytical ultracentrifuge.

A system for the acquisition of digital data from the analytical ultracentrifuge which uses a commercially available data acquisition board, a standard IBM compatible personal computer (PC), and an interface circuit has been developed. The system uses the signal from the standard Beckman scanner. Preliminary analysis and data reduction are performed at the PC within minutes of data acquisition using simple commercially available software, and final data fitting is performed with a mainframe computer. Procedures are described which allow approach to equilibrium to be followed and attainment of equilibrium to be demonstrated. Data density of approximately 200 points per millimeter column height (approximately 500 points per 100 microliters of sample) allows the use of short columns and hence short run times. Only 2 min are required to collect a complete scan, which is recorded in a format suitable for direct analysis by standard spreadsheet software. This allows multiple sequential scans to be quickly recorded at equilibrium and averaged to reduce noise prior to analysis. The combination of characteristics allows molecular weight determinations to be performed relatively quickly with only a few micrograms of protein. The system is inexpensive and easy to assemble given the centrifuge and a PC.

Computer Systems↗

Continual audit of clinical diagnostic accuracy by computer: a study of 592 autopsy cases.

In a prospective study of 592 autopsy cases, correlations between clinical and pathological data were made by computer from a novel protocol on which morphological and functional diagnoses were separated. The accuracy of diagnosis was analysed with respect to time in hospital, specialty, consultant in charge, and other criteria. Overall, there were 168 clinical 'overdiagnoses', not confirmed at autopsy; 492 'underdiagnoses', not made clinically; and 432 'agreements' between clinical and pathological diagnoses. The computer program allows the data to be analysed at any time as the number of cases increases. Entry of information entails comparatively little extra work and a similar system could be incorporated into the service commitment of any pathology department with a suitable microcomputer and access to a mainframe computer.

Autopsy↗

Computer-aided analysis of infrared, circular dichroism and absorption spectra.

Marquardt and Powell optimization methods without constraints on the optimized spectral parameters were employed for decomposition of complex i.r., c.d. and absorption spectra into component bands. The procedure resolved experimental spectra into eight component bands and it can be easily adjusted for a larger set of component bands. The CPU time required for achievement of satisfactory convergence of parameters for eight component bands is rather large even when using mainframe computers and therefore division of spectra into a few non-overlapped parts is advisable. The program also can be used for calculation of absorption, c.d. and difference spectra from formatted raw spectral data.

Algorithms↗

MULCOX: a computer program for the Cox regression analysis of multiple failure time variables.

MULCOX is a user-friendly FORTRAN program for the analysis of regression effects when individual study subjects may experience multiple events or failures. Each marginal distribution of the multivariate failure time variable is formulated by a Cox proportional hazards model. The maximum partial likelihood estimators of the regression parameters in these marginal models are approximately jointly normal. The MULCOX program estimates the marginal models as well as the joint covariance matrix. In addition, it implements several multivariate inference procedures. The program runs on both mainframe computers and microcomputers. The running time is quite acceptable even for large samples. A simple example is provided to illustrate the features of the program.

Mathematical Computing↗