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PubMed1985

A microcomputer method for designing optimal experiments for estimating enzyme kinetic parameters.

A computer program, written in BASIC, for designing optimal experiments with the aim of evaluating estimates of the parameters for any enzyme kinetic model is given. This computer program can be run on any microcomputer with less than 32 Kbytes of random access memory. The program uses the termed D-optimization design criterion, which minimizes the determinant of the variance-covariance matrix. The user only supplies the rate equation, the maximum and minimum concentrations of substrates and inhibitors, the weighting pattern, and the best possible values of the parameters. The computer supplies the optimal substrate and inhibitor concentrations (one for each parameter), for estimating the parameter values, and the determinant of the variance-covariance matrix. Likewise, the microcomputer supplies the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of information and redundancy matrices, the sensitivity and the global redundancy.

Biometry↗

PubMed1986

A rapid, flexible method for biochemical assays using a microtiter plate reader and a microcomputer. Application for assays of protein, Na,K-ATPase and K-p-nitrophenylphosphatase.

A computerized system which greatly accelerates and eases the collection, storage, and analysis of data has been applied to several standard biochemical assays. The system uses a commercially available microtiter plate reader connected to an Apple IIe microcomputer via a standard serial port. Data are transmitted automatically from the reader to the microcomputer, where they can be viewed, printed, further analyzed immediately, or stored on a diskette for later retrieval and processing. Some or all of the data may be entered manually. The program calculates a linear least squares best fit to a standard curve after correcting all data for blanks, then determines the quantities of substrate or product contained in each well of a microtiter plate. Data from two plates may be combined, enabling calculation of enzyme specific activities. This system can be adapted to any assay whose final step can be performed by a microtiter plate reader. Its use is described for determination of protein concentration, Na,K-ATPase activity, and K-stimulated p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity.

4-Nitrophenylphosphatase↗

PubMed1987

Microcomputer-based local area network system for controlling information on perinatal medicine.

We present an outline of our microcomputer-based Local Area Network (LAN) system designed to process information related to perinatal events. This system enables any of the medical personnel to use a microcomputer terminal installed at the bedside and also to process, in a real-time manner, new input-information together with past information, thereby correlating the processing of medical information to actual clinical care. In addition, using the utility subsystem, a more desired form of data-output can be substituted for conventional hand-prepared clinical charts. Over a 3-month test period for clinical use, it became evident that this could serve as a suitable prototype system capable of covering the entire scope of information required by perinatologists. This system also enables any form of statistical assessment to be made of events, such as calculating the perinatal mortality rate and the incidence of preeclampsia. Problems arising from the clinical application of this system are given immediate attention and appropriate steps taken.

Computer Systems↗

PubMed1988

Microcomputer application of Bayesean probability testing for the identification of bacteria.

A computer program (BACTID) is described which facilitates the identification of bacteria based on a priori data and Bayesean probability testing. The program is not limited to a specific format, has a short execution time, can be easily applied to a variety of situations, and can be run on almost any microcomputer system operating under either 8-bit CP/M or 16-bit MS-DOS/PC-DOS. Additionally, BACTID (1) is not limited to one type of computer (hardware independent), (2) is not limited by size of the computer's random access (RAM independent), (3) can recognize various data bases matrices (format independent), (4) is able to compensate for missing data and (5) allows for various methods of data entry. The efficacy of the program was checked against a commercially available test system and a 99.34% agreement was obtained. Also, the execution time for a 46 x 21 element data matrix was as little as 3.5 s. These results show that microcomputer identification programs are not only viable alternatives to code book registers, but also offer flexibility which is not found in commercial systems.

Bacteria↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Application of a microcomputer-based system in the analysis of infection data at the emergency units of a large hospital.

After three years of retrospective study in four emergency units from a large hospital (2000 beds) and analysis of 6283 positive cultures, a microcomputer database system was built to store information concerning nosocomial infections in order to help the clinical staff from those units to study the incidence of 20 bacterial species and their sensitivity pattern evolutions for 27 antibiotics (from samples in 15 different collecting sites). This system was developed as an alternative to the hospital mainframe computer microbiological reports. It put emphasis on graphical outputs instead of the coded tables generated by the bigger system. This orientation and the possibility of sectorial infection data analysis were responsible for the general acceptance of the microcomputer-based system by the clinical staff. As the first practical results, the system was able to detect a particular increase in the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus in surgical emergency units (up to 21.6% in 1982) as well as the dissemination of the antimicrobial resistance patterns of S. aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae from the surgical units to the clinical ones. The time evolution behaviour of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and other nonfermentative Gram negative bacilli was also studied to complete the analysis of the most pathogenic bacterial species found in our emergency units.

Brazil↗

PubMed1985

A microcomputer controlled snow ski binding system--I. Instrumentation and field evaluation.

This paper presents the design and field evaluation of the first microcomputer controlled ski binding system. This system incorporates an Intel 8086 microcomputer controller and an integral binding/dynamometer. This instrumentation system not only undertakes real time control, but also it records dynamometer data via a miniature digital cassette tape recorder. The integral binding/dynamometer offers the same operational and mounting convenience of commercially available mechanical bindings. The binding may be released either manually or electrically via the controller. Comprised of four octagonal half strain rings, the strain gage dynamometer measures the three moment load components at the boot. To enable the user to conveniently operate the computer, extensive operating software was developed. The operating software is discussed in relation to both the acquisition and storage of data from the dynamometer and the control of the electro-mechanical snow ski binding. The binding system has been used successfully to both record boot moment components and control ski binding release during actual skiing maneuvers. Moment histories typical of three common recreational skiing maneuvers are presented.

Athletic Injuries↗

PubMed1986

Microcomputer-driven digital data processing of mouse actograph activity.

The system is designed to measure the ambulatory activity of each of a set of eight mice, using a group of actographs driven by an inexpensive microcomputer, thus avoiding unnecessary usage of a costly instrument over an extended period. A toric actograph was chosen since it is sensitive to ambulatory activity even at low amplitudes. In this computerized system, actograph data are recorded on audio cassettes during the experiment, and later reread by an Apple II microcomputer for storage on floppy disks. This makes it possible to perform all types of mathematical treatment at a later date. Since the experiments last for several days and the environment is kept constant, activity rhythms can be studied. The data processing takes place off-line and employs digital filtering, which is shown to be preferable for the presentation of temporal data to a simple smoothing, by a moving average. Spectral analysis is obtained through a discrete Fourier transform. Two methods of reconstitution of temporal curves from the frequency analyses are presented: an inverse Fourier transform, or summation of the Fourier series.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

A microcomputer system for the measurement of finger forces.

In the analysis of hand functions, the production and control of forces exerted during voluntary contraction of the finger muscles plays an important role; unfortunately such an analysis is rarely seen in routine clinical examinations of neurological patients. A microcomputer controlled system for the measurement and analysis of finger forces is described. The system consists of a modified Z80 based microcomputer, a commercially available high precision force transducer, a specially designed force signal amplifier and a suite of menu-driven user interactive programs. A variety of tasks is implemented by means of the computer programs. In addition to the measurement of maximum hand grip force, the system is able to record forces continuously as a function of time. Task characteristics and the type of feedback presented to the subject are under user control; they can be varied to meet clinical or experimental requirements. Examples of programs and clinical applications are presented and discussed.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1987

Microcomputer system for the analysis of muscle function.

Though skeletal muscle function has recently been increasingly studied, a system for routine clinical examination in patients is not widely available. A microcomputer based system has been developed for the measurement and analysis of force-frequency characteristics, relaxation rate, fatiguability and endurance in the adductor pollicis muscle. The mobile system consists of a modified displacement transducer fitted with a linear-output Hall-effect sensor, a specially designed signal processing unit and a microcomputer for control of both the electrical stimulus and a suite of menu-driven, user-interactive programs. One hundred normal volunteers have been studied to produce a normal database for comparison with malnourished surgical patients. The system compares favourably with other systems in use for objective measurement of skeletal muscle function and introduces a refined technique for evaluating endurance.

Biomedical Engineering↗

PubMed1992

Development of an above-knee prosthesis equipped with a microcomputer-controlled knee joint: first test results.

The shortcomings of conventional above-knee prostheses are due to their lack of adaptive control. Implementation of a microcomputer controlling the knee joint in a passive way has been suggested to enhance the patient's gait comfort, safety and cosmesis. This approach was used in the design of a new prosthetic system for the above-knee amputee, and tested on one patient. The knee joint of a conventional, modular prosthesis was replaced by a knee joint mechanism, equipped with a controllable brake on the knee joint axis. Sensors and a microcomputer were added, keeping the system self-contained. The modularity of the design permits the use of an alternative, external, PC-based control unit, emulating the self-contained one, and offering extended data monitoring and storage facilities. For both units an operating environment was written, including sensor/actuator interfacing and the implementation of a real-time interrupt, executing the control algorithm. A double finite state approach was used in the design of the control algorithm. On a higher level, the mode identification algorithm reveals the patient's intent. Within a specific mode (lower level), the relevant mode control algorithm looks for the current phase within the gait cycle. Within a particular phase, a specific simple control action with the brake replaces normal knee muscle activity. Tests were carried out with one prosthetic patient using a basic control algorithm for level walking, allowing controlled knee flexion during stance phase. The technical feasibility of such a concept is illustrated by the test results, even though only flexion during early stance phase was controlled during the trials.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Artificial Limbs↗

PubMed1985

An inexpensive microcomputer-based image-analysis system: novel applications to quantitative autoradiography.

We describe a relatively inexpensive, yet versatile and powerful microcomputer-based image-analysis system, and its applications to processing of deoxyglucose autoradiographic data. Images are acquired via a video camera mounted on a light microscope or a light box, and digitized in 40 ms to 512 X 512 picture elements with 8-bit resolution (256 gray levels). The bit-mapped image analysis hardware can provide up to 256 colors for pseudo-color coding, and virtually instantaneous readout of brightness values for densitometry. The system is controlled by an 8-bit S-100 bus microcomputer, providing flexibility and ease of expansion. In addition to pseudo-color coding and densitometry, we have developed programs for averaging of successive sections, image subtraction and quantitative reconstruction of different planes of section from serial autoradiograms.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

A microcomputer system designed for psychological and behavioural experiments.

This paper describes a relatively cheap MC6809-based microcomputer designed to run experiments in real-time, and to use the hardware and software facilities of a larger (HOST) computer. Each microcomputer is capable of controlling a wide range of psychological and behavioural experiments, and includes 32K RAM, 4K EPROM, 32 digital input lines, 32 digital output lines, analogue/digital converters, and programmable timers. Any programming language may be used, providing a cross-compiler generating MC6809 executable code exists for the HOST. Following over a year of use we can confirm that this system provides an effective method of running psychological and behavioural experiments.

Computers↗

PubMed1986

An inexpensive and interactive microcomputer system for codifying Golgi-impregnated neuronal morphology.

An interactive microcomputer system has been developed for the quantitative analysis of Golgi-impregnated neuronal morphology (GINM). The system uses commercially available hardware: a 48K RAM microcomputer (Apple II), a TV monitor (NEC), an optical microscope (Reichert Biovar) with a camera lucida and a specially developed wheel attached to the focus adjustment knob and to a digital planimeter (Tamaya), allowing one to obtain the value of the z-coordinate. The x- and y-coordinates are obtained using the movement of a point plotted by the computer on the TV monitor. This point is superimposed upon the GINM point to be codified employing the camera lucida. The x- and y-coordinates are acquired automatically while the variations of the z-coordinate are introduced by the computer keyboard. The three-dimensional coordinates of the selected GINM points and different codes are stored by the computer in a six-dimensional array. The software is written in BASIC. The results demonstrate that the digitization and quantitative analysis of GINM can be achieved with reasonably inexpensive equipment.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Acquisition and analysis of fast single channel kinetic data on an Apple IIe microcomputer.

We describe a method for acquisition and analysis of single channel kinetic data, that uses a ubiquitous microcomputer, the Apple IIe (and is thus cheap), and is yet sensitive and powerful (analysis of up to 6000 events per run of the program; event detection only limited by the amplifier bandwidth). For data acquisition, the original record is converted into an idealized record of open and closed times, using half amplitude threshold analysis or a two-cursor window discriminator. A Time Interval Meter (TIM) has been developed that measures the durations of the TTL-signal from the window discriminator and stores up to 256 intervals in a FIFO-buffer. Each cycle of the TIM is completed within 1 microsecond. The, largely Pascal, software reads the intervals from the FIFO-buffer and stores them in the main memory of the microcomputer (cycle time 70 microseconds). The package is completed with Pascal programs for statistical analysis, including histogram construction of open and closed times, non-linear fit of up to 3 exponentials and correlation analysis.

Computers↗

PubMed1989

Microcomputer-controlled laboratory system for field potential experiments.

A microcomputer-controlled laboratory system for hippocampal field potential experiments was constituted. This system realized the quasi-simultaneous processing of execution of stimulation, data acquisition, data display and data analysis by means of a microcomputer for the first time. To attain this quasi-simultaneous processing, a new algorithm for drawing a tangent on the wave-form of the potential was contrived, which enabled rapid analysis of an arbitrary population spike even in the case of generation of double spikes. The system has the following functions: (1) execution of the programmed stimulation paradigm, (2) analog/digital (A/D) conversion of the evoked field potential with a sampling interval of more than 50 microseconds per channel, (3) display of the A/D converted wave-form data on a CRT and storage of the data on a floppy disk, (4) on-line analysis of the population excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and population spike, (5) more detailed off-line analysis of the field potentials, and (6) output of the wave-form data and measured values through a printer and an X-Y plotter.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1989

Enhancing high-speed digitization of single-unit neuronal activity on a microcomputer using a hybrid software-hardware technique.

A new data acquisition technique allows a microcomputer simultaneously to digitize spikes at high rates, analyze spike waveforms for computer-based spike separation and manage other control tasks. The technique has two key features: a software scheduling routine written in a high-level language and a hardware analog delay of neuronal signals using simple hardware external to the computer. The technique provides an alternative for real-time data acquisition and can be used on microcomputers without requiring interrupt processing and assembly language programming.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1990

On-line acquisition, analysis and presentation of neurophysiological data based on a personal microcomputer system.

A microcomputer based system is described for the acquisition, averaging, displaying, analysis and storage of electrophysiological (EPSP and post-stimulus histogram) data. The system consists of commercially available hardware (IBM-PC AT compatible, 80286 or 80386 based microcomputer, Burr-Brown analog-to-digital (A/D) converter), a custom built interface module, and a combination of commercially available and custom built software packages. The software operates within a Microsoft Windows environment and is comprised of custom built data acquisition and review modules which are linked to Microsoft's Excel program. The system is capable of four channel A/D conversion of EPSP's at a sampling frequency of up to 10 KHz (50 KHz single channel), the averaging of data including the addition and subtraction of various channels, the graphical display of data, the extraction of various data parameters, and the transfer of data to an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet allows for the development of mathematical formulas for statistical analysis of data and presentation of the results in graphical form. Finally, data can easily be output to a laser printer or plotter. A sample experiment, illustrating system operation, is presented.

Electronic Data Processing↗

PubMed1987

Real-time acquisition and analysis of cardiac action potentials and twitches using a programmable digitizer and a microcomputer.

Action potentials and single twitches from papillary muscles were acquired and analyzed in real-time using a programmable digitizer and a microcomputer. This combination provides greater control and flexibility during data acquisition than standard analog-to-digital converters. The present system was designed to facilitate evaluation of experimental drugs. However, the combination of a programmable digitizer and a laboratory microcomputer can be applied to a variety of applications in biomedical research.

Action Potentials↗