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A universal computer and interface system for the disabled (UNICAID).

A prototype text handling and computing system using microprocessor technology has been developed for the severely handicapped user. The input uses a serial 'suck-puff' code (TWC code version DR2). In addition to the usual video display and full editing and printout facilities of a word processor, the unit acts as a terminal for other computers and can also function as a stand-alone microcomputer using commercial software. The 'bus' structure allows simple expansion to incorporate additional functions, and a remote control link is used for the input. The prototype is currently being evaluated by a tetraplegic student.

Communication Devices for People with Disabilities↗

Computerized histories facilitate patient care in a termination of pregnancy clinic: the use of a small computer to obtain and reproduce patient information.

An inexpensive microcomputer has been programmed to obtain histories from patients attending a pregnancy termination clinic. The system is nurse-interactive; yes/no and multiple-choice questions are answered on the visual display unit by a light pen. Proper nouns and discursive text are typed at the computer keyboard. A neatly formatted summary of the history is then provided by an interfaced printer. The history follows a branching pattern; of the 370 questions included in the program, only 68 are answered in the course of an average history. The program contains numerous error traps and the user may request explanations of questions which are not immediately understood. The system was designed to ensure that no factors of anaesthetic or medical importance would be overlooked in the busy out-patient clinic. The computer provides a much more complete history with an average of 42 more items of information than the pre-existing manual system. This system is demanding of nursing time and possible conversion to a patient-interactive system is discussed. A confidential questionnaire revealed a high degree of consumer acceptance.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

Medial lemniscal and spinal projections to the macaque thalamus: an electron microscopic study of differing GABAergic circuitry serving thalamic somatosensory mechanisms.

The synaptic relationships formed by medial lemniscal (ML) or spinothalamic tract (STT) axon terminals with neurons of the somatosensory ventroposterolateral thalamic nucleus of the macaque monkey have been examined quantitatively by electron microscopy. ML and STT axons were labeled by the anterograde axon transport of WGA-HRP following injection of the tracer into the contralateral dorsal column nuclei, or the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, respectively. Thalamic tissue was histochemically reacted for the presence of HRP. Serial thin sections were stained with a gold-labeled antibody to GABA, to determine which neuronal elements exhibited GABA immunoreactivity (GABA-ir). Serially sectioned thalamic structures were recorded in electron micrographs and reconstructed in three dimensions by computer. Individual ML axon terminals form multiple synaptic contacts with segments of the proximal dendritic trees of thalamocortical relay neurons and also synapse upon the dendritic appendages of GABA-ir interneurons (local circuit neurons). These GABA-ir dendritic appendages contain synaptic vesicles and are presynaptic (presynaptic dendrites) to the same segments of relay neuron dendrites that receive ML contacts. When analyzed in serial sections and reconstructed by computer, the ML terminals form triadic relationships (ML, GABA appendage, and relay neuron dendrite) or more complex glomerular arrangements involving multiple appendages, all of which then contact the relay neuron dendritic segment. In contrast, multiple STT terminals make synaptic contacts along segments of projection neuron dendrites and are usually the only type of profile to contact that segment of dendrite. More than 85% of the spinal afferents form simple axodendritic synapses with relay cells and do not contact GABA-ir appendages. The thalamic synaptic relationships of ML terminals are fundamentally different from those formed by the STT. Because STT neurons predominatly transmit information about noxious stimuli, the simple axodendritic circuitry of the majority of these spinal afferents suggests that the transmission of noxious information is probably not subject to GABAergic modulation by thalamic interneurons, in contrast to the GABAergic processing of non-noxious information carried by the ML afferents. The differences in the GABAergic circuits of the thalamus that mediate ML and STT afferent information are believed to underlie differential somatosensory processing in the forebrain. We suggest that changes in thalamic GABAergic dendritic appendages and GABA receptors following CNS injury may play a role in the genesis of some central pain states.

Afferent Pathways↗

The MTX package of computer programmes for the comparison of sequences of nucleotides and amino acid residues.

A suite of some dozen programmes written in FORTRAN77 to run on VAX computers using the VMS operating system, and which utilizes a Digital Command Language (DCL) shell to allow it to be menu driven has been in use at the Division of Molecular Biology for about nine months. The package allows the user to obtain both dot matrix and line matrix plots, find and output specific regions of similarity and compute statistics for randomly generated sequences. In all these cases the user may specify either a maximum number of gaps in the match that will be tolerated or a minimum percentage similarity allowable for a match to be registered. The system allows the user to create a batch job for any of these analyses; so, for example, a number of line matrix plots can be specified from a remote alpha-numeric terminal which can be plotted later at a graphics terminal. In addition, computation of quasi-correlation statistics (Qr) for nucleotide sequences or correlation statistics (r) for amino acid residue sequences may be computed. Help facilities and documentation including examples are provided.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Computer aided design of prosthetic sockets for below-knee amputees.

A computer-aided sculpting system for use in prosthetics is described. The prosthetist's sculpting tools now consist of a computer, a graphics terminal, a mouse and an on-screen moveable cursor. Accompanied by the system software, these tools allow systematic modification of a primitive socket using techniques analogous to those used by a prosthetist working with rasps and plaster.

Amputation Stumps↗

Computing feature motion without feature detectors: a model for terminator motion without end-stopped cells.

Pointlike object features such as line-endings, have a privileged position in the computation of the veridical direction of object motion. Experiments confirm that the human visual system relies heavily on such features if they are present. It has been proposed that units such as end-stopped cells might be necessary for the computation of feature motion instead of the simple cells used in plaid motion models. Conventional plaid motion models have not been applied to feature motion. We present here a model, based on ordinary simple cells, using two parallel pathways (Fourier and non-Fourier) for the computation of the direction of two dimensional motion. Although similar in structure to popular models of plaid motion, our model includes a novel scheme for contrast normalisation and incorporates spatial pooling at the level of MT cells. The model predictions are consistent with psychophysical results for plaids. Furthermore, it computes directions within 5 degrees of the physical motion of line-endings. It is shown that the non-Fourier signal is necessary for the computation of veridical motion.

Computer Simulation↗

Ophthalmic applications of circular polarizers.

Circular polarizing filters have recently been introduced in several ophthalmic applications. These applications include clinical instruments for ophthalmoscopy, slit-lamp specular microscopy, and fundus photography, as well as consumer products such as 3-D movie projection and viewing systems and glare-control screens for computer visual display terminals. The nature of circularly polarized light and mode of operation of the circular polarizing filters in various applications are discussed. In view of the advantages of circular polarizers in vectographic applications, the current linearly polarized vectographic systems used for binocular testing and visual training should be replaced with circular polarizing systems.

Computers↗

[Evaluation of estimation method of X-ray spectral distribution by attenuation data (author's transl)].

This paper describes a method for estimating spectral distributions from X-ray attenuation data obtained by inserting metal filters in the beam. First, the principle of the estimation method is briefly outlined. the spectral distribution is approximated by a histogram with an appropriate number of cells whose heights are estimated by recursive algorithm. The algorithm is based on a gradient method that seeks the minimum of a least-square criterion function. Next, the following two problems to which special attention should be paid in practical applications are discussed: 1) appearance of discontinuity in estimated distribution; and 2) termination criterion of iterative computation. The problem 1) is investigated theoretically and the improved algorithm is devised. Computer simulation is performed for the problem 2), and a proper termination criterion based on the decreasing curve of the least-square criterion function is given. The validity of estimation results is illustrated about the spectral distribution of 140 kV constant potential X-ray source.

Computers↗

The nature of the traK4 mutation in the F sex factor of Escherichia coli.

The sequence of traK gene of the F sex factor of Escherichia coli is presented; the traK gene product is predicted to be a protein of 25,627 Da with a signal sequence of 21 amino acids to give a mature protein of 23,307 Da. The traK4 mutation is an extremely polar mutation in the F plasmid that affects F pilus synthesis and plasmid transfer. traK genes carrying the traK4 mutation and a nonpolar mutation traK105 were cloned, sequenced, and identified as an amber nonsense and a frameshift mutation, respectively. The traK4 mutation occurred within one predicted rho-dependent transcription termination element (TTE) and immediately upstream of another, while the traK105 mutation occurred after the two potential TTEs within the traK gene. S1 nuclease protection analysis and Northern (RNA) blot analysis were used to confirm that the traK4 mutation, but not the traK105 mutation, caused premature termination of transcription. Computer analysis of the F transfer region suggested the presence of TTE motifs at regular intervals throughout the 33.4-kb sequence.

Algorithms↗

[Computer-assisted surgery documentation in clinical routine practice].

In surgery, computer support is still of minor importance. It is the aim of this publication to outline the concept of a computer-assisted documentation system for surgical procedures, to describe the realization of the concept and to discuss the results of the evaluation. Planning of the system started in 1988 with an analysis of existing computer support at our clinic, definition of the parameters to be documented and determination of the classifications to be used, followed by a design for the system's use and a decision on hardware and software. The system is run on an IBM-compatible personal computer with three terminals, and the software used is MEDOS. The surgical procedures are documented with a four-level hierarchical classification related to the VESKA code and the internal university codes. After extensive training of the doctors, routine use commenced in 1991. Up to now 9837 operations have been documented by 35 surgeons. The system produces all necessary statistics and supports scientific studies and inquiries from individual doctors. A prospective evaluation of 300 consecutive operations demonstrated good compliance of the doctors and high data quality. To achieve optimal benefit from the use of computers it is recommended that departmental communication and documentation systems be gradually built up in surgical departments.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Clinical application of the computer picture archiving and communicating system to stereotactic radiosurgery.

Stereotactic radiosurgery, a rapidly evolving technology, provides precise high-dose irradiation to brain lesions and tumors. A new method using digital subtraction angiographic images of a personal computer-image display terminal interfaced to our picture archiving and communication system (PACS) performs measurements and calculations of the coordinates of the location of the center of the lesion to be treated. The time required to calculate the coordinates was performed by three methods: hand calculation, digitizer method, and PACS method. These three coordinates were compared in 10 cases. The hand calculation method required approximately 50 minutes, the digitizer method required approximately 10 minutes, and the PACS method approximately 3 minutes. The difference is statistically significant (P < .001). The three methods were equally accurate. This type of PACS application using inexpensive personal computers interfaced more directly to a PACS is an emerging trend that facilitates wider access to images and to manipulating them for specialized applications.

Humans↗

Membrane topology of the multidrug resistance protein (MRP). A study of glycosylation-site mutants reveals an extracytosolic NH2 terminus.

Multidrug resistance protein, MRP, is a 190-kDa integral membrane phosphoglycoprotein that belongs to the ATP-binding cassette superfamily of transport proteins and is capable of conferring resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic agents. Previous studies have indicated that MRP consists of two membrane spanning domains (MSD) each followed by a nucleotide binding domain, plus an additional extremely hydrophobic NH2-terminal MSD. Computer-assisted hydropathy analyses and multiple sequence alignments suggest several topological models for MRP. To aid in determining the topology most likely to be correct, we have identified which of the 14 N-glycosylation sequons in this protein are utilized. Limited proteolysis of MRP-enriched membranes and deglycosylation of intact MRP and its tryptic fragments with PNGase F was carried out followed by immunoblotting with antibodies known to react with specific regions of MRP. The results obtained indicated that the sequon at Asn354 in the middle MSD is not utilized and suggested approximate sites of N-glycosylation. Subsequent site-directed mutagenesis studies established that Asn19 and Asn23 in the NH2-terminal MSD and Asn1006 in the COOH-terminal MSD are the only sites in MRP that are modified with N-linked oligosaccharides. N-Glycosylation of Asn19 and Asn23 provides the first direct experimental evidence that MRP has an extracytosolic NH2 terminus. This finding, together with those of previous studies, strongly suggests that the NH2-terminal MSD of MRP contains an odd number of transmembrane helices. These results may have important implications for the further understanding of the interaction of drugs with MRP.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Psychology of computer use: XXXVI. Visual discomfort and different types of work at videodisplay terminals.

The relationship between visual discomfort (or asthenopia) and different types of work using display units for 10,626 videodisplay terminal operators of the Italian Telecommunication Company was studied. Visual discomfort was evaluated as related to data entry, data checking, word processing, dialogue, enquiry, and various services. Chi-squared indicated that visual discomfort was not significantly related to any particular type of work for subjects with similar amounts of weekly time using videodisplay units. These findings are consistent with earlier results indicating that the main factor determining visual fatigue in VDT operators is the amount of time spent on the display units.

Adult↗

Is your healthcare information system physician friendly?

An organization's healthcare information system (HIS) can be used as a tool to improve relationships with its physicians by facilitating physician work processes and research. An effective HIS should provide census reports tailored to individual physician needs, allow physicians access to information via dedicated personal computers (PCs) or terminals, and should have features, such as screen design and graphical interfaces that are easy to understand and use. In addition, the HIS should provide comprehensive reports, have online ordering capability, and respond quickly to the needs of busy physicians. A good HIS also supports physician-related activities occurring outside the hospital. For example, physician office managers should be able to access billing information, such as patient demographics and procedure codes, contained in the HIS. And, physicians should be able to retrieve archived information from their offices or homes. Critical to physicians' successful use of an organization's HIS is administration's attitude and support. An organization that places a priority on physician issues and needs can make even a basic HIS an effective tool for its physicians, while a sophisticated HIS that does not address physician needs will not maximize return on the investment.

Computer Graphics↗

Computer-aided management of hypertensive patients.

A computerized system has been developed which potentially enables a single expert physician to monitor a large number of hypertensive patients being seen at distant locations. The patients may receive their care directly from primary care physicians or nurse-physician surrogates. Primary care physicians can use the same data bank to monitor their own panels of patients. These goals are accomplished through a special purpose, interactive programming language which can be used to perform sophisticated data retrieval along different complexes of parameters. The physician is able to query the computer, via a terminal, about any group of patient he defines and have displayed to him the clinical data requested. The system is open-ended, enabling one query to lead to another. Four hundred and ninety-three patients have been entered into this program so far, including 29 patients with diastolic pressures greater than 115, 92 with diastolic pressures of 104 to 114, and 372 with diastolics of 90 to 104. Among patients who have been on therapy for at least six weeks, 80 per cent were at goal blood pressure. Ten to 14 weeks after therapy was initiated, 69 per cent of all patients in the program were at goal blood pressure. The system provides a useful means of monitoring a large hypertensive population of patients. Such a system can result in a more efficient utilization of medical personnel and can bring the consultative services of highly trained specialists to larger segments of the population.

Computers↗

Computer simulation of growth of anastomosing microvascular networks.

Stochastic growth of polygonal microvascular networks was simulated on computer by dichotomous terminal branching and bridging (anastomosing with an existing segment). The model was applied to describe microvascular growth into a rectangular plane from the sides when vessels bifurcate in a probabilistic manner. The angle of bifurcation was drawn from a normal distribution, the mean of which was varied between 40 degrees and 80 degrees. The resulting networks contained an average of 88-104 nodes of which 30-38% were due to bridging. Number of nodes, number of branches, number of vascular polygons and a fractal dimension representing the density of nodes were calculated for each simulated network. Capillary density increased when mean angle of bifurcation was increased between 40 degrees and 80 degrees. Distributions of normalized vessel lengths and polygon shapes were compared with those of a mesenteric vascular network. The distributions were not found to be significantly different (p less than 0.05) for most values of the mean angle of bifurcation, matching best for the mean bifurcation angle of 50 degrees. Vascular polygons had an average shape between pentagonal and hexagonal for the mesenteric network as well as for all values of the mean bifurcation angle used in this study.

Capillaries↗