Personal Computer Workstations Research Articles

Virtualization as a Way to Distribute PC-Based Functionalities

Virtualization theory is well known and successfully used in the computer domain. Personal computer (PC) workstations, as well as their virtual counterparts, are popular for general purposes. PC stations are also popular in networked control systems (NCSs). They are used as system components to deliver user interfaces and to run many important services of the data processing, communication, and database type. In this paper, the usage of virtual PC machines (VMs) is considered in the context of interoperability with NCS. This specific application area requests answers whether virtualization is applicable and secure, and what are the expectations from the temporal characteristics of running services.

A Portable Gait Asymmetry Rehabilitation System for Individuals with Stroke Using a Vibrotactile Feedback.

Gait asymmetry caused by hemiparesis results in reduced gait efficiency and reduced activity levels. In this paper, a portable rehabilitation device is proposed that can serve as a tool in diagnosing gait abnormalities in individuals with stroke and has the capability of providing vibration feedback to help compensate for the asymmetric gait. Force-sensitive resistor (FSR) based insoles are used to detect ground contact and estimate stance time. A controller (Arduino) provides different vibration feedback based on the gait phase measurement. It also allows wireless interaction with a personal computer (PC) workstation using the XBee transceiver module, featuring data logging capabilities for subsequent analysis. Walking trials conducted with healthy young subjects allowed us to observe that the system can influence abnormality in the gait. The results of trials showed that a vibration cue based on temporal information was more effective than intensity information. With clinical experiments conducted for individuals with stroke, significant improvement in gait symmetry was observed with minimal disturbance caused to the balance and gait speed as an effect of the biofeedback. Future studies of the long-term rehabilitation effects of the proposed system and further improvements to the system will result in an inexpensive, easy-to-use, and effective rehabilitation device.

ChemInform Abstract: SYNthesis LIBrary, an Expert System for Chemical-Reaction Knowledge- Base Management.

SYNLIB (SYNthesis LIBrary) is an expert system which allows laboratory scientists to rapidly and interactively search databases of chemical reaction information. SYNLIB is fully supported on personal computer and RISC workstation platforms and requires minimal computer expertise on the part of the chemist. By encouraging hands-on access to information, SYNLIB allows complex chemical synthesis concepts to be presented directly to the practicing laboratory scientist. SYNLIB searching enables the user to query chemical reaction knowledge bases for matches to combinations of structural and non-structural chemical questions. We discuss the design considerations for expert systems specifically for chemists and present an analysis of the chemical-reaction information available from the published literature. A search for the formation chemistry of functionalized α,β-unsaturated ketones is used to illustrate the search strategies available.

Evaluation of the Fetal Secondary Palate by 3-Dimensional Ultrasonography

Diagnosis of cleft lip and palate remains a challenge with 2-dimensional ultrasonography, particularly when clefting involves only the secondary palate. The utility of 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) has enhanced our ability to detect clefts. We report our experience with a modification of the flipped face technique to aid in the diagnosis of clefting of the secondary palate. Ninety-two volumes of 92 fetal faces were evaluated. Thirty-six volumes were acquired prospectively. Fifty-six volumes had previously been acquired and included 8 with clefting of the secondary palate. Volumes were obtained on 3DUS systems and reviewed by 4 blinded readers on personal computer workstations. Volumes were manipulated so that an upright profile was visualized. The palate was then rendered using a thin, curved render box. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test for categorical data. Intraclass correlations were computed to assess inter-rater agreement. The mean gestational age at image acquisition +/- SD was 22 +/- 5 weeks. Image quality of the secondary palate was obtained and rated as adequate by at least 2 reviewers in 34% (31 of 92) of volumes. The sensitivity of cleft detection ranged from 33% to 63%, and the specificity ranged from 84% to 95%. The low sensitivity was mainly due to artifacts/shadowing. The inter-rater reliability was 0.62 (95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.76). Three-dimensional ultrasonography can be used to diagnose clefts of the secondary palate. This evaluation is limited by the fetal position and artifacts from shadowing of adjoining structures. Pseudoclefts can be created, and optimal imaging cannot be obtained in all fetuses.

Information system needs in health promotion: a case study of the Safe Community programme using requirements engineering methods

The international Safe Community programme was used as the setting for a case study to explore the need for information system support in health promotion programmes. The 14 Safe Communities active in Sweden during 2002 were invited to participate and 13 accepted. A questionnaire on computer usage and a critical incident technique instrument were distributed. Sharing of management information, creating social capital for safety promotion, and injury data recording were found to be key areas that need to be further supported by computer-based information systems. Most respondents reported having access to a personal computer workstation with standard office software. Interest in using more advanced computer applications was low, and there was considerable need for technical user support. Areas where information systems can be used to make health promotion practice more efficient were identified, and patterns of computers usage were described.

OC040: Evaluation of the secondary palate by 3‐D ultrasonography

Objectives: Diagnosis of cleft lip and palate remain a challenge with 2-D ultrasound particularly when clefting involves only the secondary palate. The utility of 3-D ultrasonography (3DUS) has enhanced our ability to detect clefts of the secondary palate. We report our experience with a modification of the flipped face technique to aid in the diagnosis of clefting of the secondary palate. Methods: Ninety-two volumes of fetal faces were evaluated. Of these, 36 volumes were acquired prospectively. The remaining 52 volumes had previously been acquired and included 8 with clefting of the secondary palate. Volumes were obtained using the Voluson 730 Expert (GE) and the IU22 (Phillips) and reviewed by four blinded readers on personal computer workstations. Volumes were manipulated so that an upright profile was visualized. The palate was then rendered utilizing a thin, curved render box. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test for categorical data. Intraclass correlations were computed to assess inter-rater agreement. Results: The mean gestational age of image acquisition was 22 + 5 weeks. Image quality of the secondary palate was obtained and rated as adequate by at least two reviewers in 34% (31/92) of volumes. The sensitivity of cleft detection ranged from 33–63% and the specificity ranged from 84–95%. The low sensitivity was mainly due to artifact/shadowing. The interrater reliability was 0.62 (95% CI 0.47,0.76). After review of the data, an additional 10 fetuses were studied and the secondary palates successfully visualized. These volumes were acquired slightly obliquely from the inferior aspect of the maxilla, pointing upward. Conclusions: 3DUS can be utilized to diagnose clefts of the secondary palate. However, this evaluation is limited by plane of acquisition and artifacts from shadowing of adjoining structures. Pseudoclefts can be created and optimal imaging cannot be obtained in all fetuses.

New generation photon-counting cameras: algol and CPNG

Algol and Comptage de Photons Nouvelle Génération (CPNG) are new generation photon counting cameras developed for high angular resolution in the visible by means of optical aperture synthesis and speckle interferometry and for photon noise limited fast imaging of biological targets. They are intensified CCDs. They have been built to benefit from improvements in photonic commercial components, sensitivity, and personal computer workstations processing power. We present how we achieve optimal performances (sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution) by the combination of proper optical and electronics design, and real-time elaborated data processing. The number of pixels is 532 x 516 and 1024(2) read at a frame rate of 262 and 100 Hz for CPNG and Algol, respectively. The dark current is very low: 5.5 x 10(-4) e(-) .pixel(-1). s(-1). The saturation flux is approximately 7 photon events /pixel/s. Quantum efficiencies reach up to 36% and 26% in the visible with the GaAsP photocathodes and in the red with the GaAs ones, respectively, thanks to the sensitivity of the photocathodes and to the photon centroiding algorithm; they are likely the highest values reported for intensified CCDs.

Sample tracking in an automated cytogenetic biodosimetry laboratory for radiation mass casualties

Chromosome-aberration-based dicentric assay is expected to be used after mass-casualty life-threatening radiation exposures to assess radiation dose to individuals. This will require processing of a large number of samples for individual dose assessment and clinical triage to aid treatment decisions. We have established an automated, high-throughput, cytogenetic biodosimetry laboratory to process a large number of samples for conducting the dicentric assay using peripheral blood from exposed individuals according to internationally accepted laboratory protocols (i.e., within days following radiation exposures). The components of an automated cytogenetic biodosimetry laboratory include blood collection kits for sample shipment, a cell viability analyzer, a robotic liquid handler, an automated metaphase harvester, a metaphase spreader, high-throughput slide stainer and coverslipper, a high-throughput metaphase finder, multiple satellite chromosome-aberration analysis systems, and a computerized sample-tracking system. Laboratory automation using commercially available, off-the-shelf technologies, customized technology integration, and implementation of a laboratory information management system (LIMS) for cytogenetic analysis will significantly increase throughput. This paper focuses on our efforts to eliminate data-transcription errors, increase efficiency, and maintain samples’ positive chain-of-custody by sample tracking during sample processing and data analysis. This sample-tracking system represents a “beta” version, which can be modeled elsewhere in a cytogenetic biodosimetry laboratory, and includes a customized LIMS with a central server, personal computer workstations, barcode printers, fixed station and wireless hand-held devices to scan barcodes at various critical steps, and data transmission over a private intra-laboratory computer network. Our studies will improve diagnostic biodosimetry response, aid confirmation of clinical triage, and medical management of radiation-exposed individuals.

Value of Noncontact Mapping for Identifying Left Ventricular Scar in an Ovine Model

We assessed the hypothesis that "virtual electrograms" from a noncontact mapping system (EnSite 3000) could be used to localize myocardial scar. Myocardial infarctions were induced in sheep by inflating an angioplasty balloon in the left anterior descending coronary artery for 3 hours. Scar mapping was performed on 8 sheep without inducible ventricular tachycardia by use of the noncontact mapping system and a 256-channel contact mapping system. Transmural mapping needles were inserted into myocardial regions that were (1) scarred, (2) peripheral to the scar, and (3) distant from the scar. Unipolar electrograms were exported from both systems and analyzed on a personal computer workstation. The percentage of myocardial scarring at each needle site was assessed histologically. Pearson's correlation was used to assess the degree of association between various electrogram characteristics and the presence of myocardial scarring. The only noncontact electrogram characteristic that showed any association with the presence of myocardial scarring was the negative slope duration (contact, r=0.62, P<0.001; noncontact, r=0.23, P=0.004). The other electrogram characteristics studied were electrogram maximal deflection (contact, r=0.38, P<0.001; noncontact, r=0.03, P=0.75) and minimal slope (contact, r=0.42, P<0.001; noncontact, r=0.05, P=0.54). Noncontact electrograms do not reliably identify ventricular scar. Alternative strategies such as importing computed tomography images into the geometry should be used when scar localization is important.

Laboratory voice data entry system.

We have assembled a system using a personal computer workstation equipped with standard office software, an audio system, speech recognition software and an inexpensive radio-based wireless microphone that permits laboratory workers to enter or modify data while performing other work. Speech recognition permits users to enter data while their hands are holding equipment or they are otherwise unable to operate a keyboard. The wireless microphone allows unencumbered movement around the laboratory without a "tether" that might interfere with equipment or experimental procedures. To evaluate the potential of voice data entry in a laboratory environment, we developed a prototype relational database that records the disposal of radionuclides and/or hazardous chemicals. Current regulations in our laboratory require that each such item being discarded must be inventoried and documents must be prepared that summarize the contents of each container used for disposal. Using voice commands, the user enters items into the database as each is discarded. Subsequently, the program prepares the required documentation.

An Introduction Electronic Documentation Preparation and Submission for Future Microscopy and Microanalysis Meetings.

Since the introduction of personal computers in the early 1980s, most documents and manuscripts have been prepared from within a word processing program on such a computer. Indeed, most documents on personal computers are created on a limited number of word processing packages that have come to dominate the market. Most of the data acquisition that attendees of Microscopy and Microanalysis currently perform is digital, i.e. directly into a personal computer or desktop workstation. It is frequently the case that images, spectra and diffraction patterns are only committed to paper when they are dispatched for publication. With the advent of the World Wide Web in 1994, and its subsequent explosive growth, entirely electronic publishing has become possible. It is possible to envisage the day when most publications will be available solely electronically and material will be only printed out occasionally by the reader.While there are a growing number of journals that are only available electronically, entirely paperless publication is not yet the norm and there are no definite plans, as yet, to publish the proceedings of the Microscopy and Microanalysis meetings solely in electronic format. However, there are a number of advantages to applying some of these emerging technologies in the production of the future proceedings. Electronic submission of abstracts is one advance that is being considered by the organizers of the meetings scheduled for the early 2000s. The National Science Foundation now receives almost all proposals electronically. There are several reasons for moving to electronic submission. The first is that proofing and correcting the abstracts would then be straightforward.

Introducing DSP with an electronic book in a computer classroom

A first course in digital signal processing is being taught with an electronic book in a computer classroom. The electronic book is a set of Mathcad documents bound with hyperlinks and with navigation, full text search, annotation, and special pasting facilities. The documents consist of interactive text, graphics, and mathematics regions. The computer classroom consists of 20 student personal computer (PC) workstations and an instructor's podium with PC workstation, lighting, and projection (computer screen, overhead, and video) controls. The electronic book, the computer classroom, experience with student-selected content and pacing, portfolio and project evaluation, and other instructional methods are discussed.

Quality assessment in radiology: value of a portable bar-code scanner integrated with a computer workstation.

Radiographs are typically processed by several employees of a radiology department before being interpreted by a radiologist. A technologist acquires and labels the radiograph(s), and file room employees match the radiograph(s) with prior examinations and prepare them for interpretation by the radiologist. Every radiologist has encountered radiologic examinations in which the image quality, presentation, or associated clinical or technical information is suboptimal. In small departments, the process of immediately tracking the problem to its source and correcting it might be straightforward, albeit an annoying interruption to the radiologist's focus on clinical care. However, in larger departments, trends of human error or machine malfunction may be overlooked or untraceable because no effective method exists to track the quality of images and associated information. A feedback loop from radiologists to the department's ancillary personnel can result in a cycle of continuous quality improvement that enhances the quality of radiographic examinations and also decreases waste. To achieve this, we designed and implemented a computerized process that involves a portable bar-code scanner, a personal computer workstation, and our existing radiology information system.

Integration of a personal computer workstation and radiology information system for obstetric sonography.

A personal computer workstation has been developed for storage and analysis of obstetric sonographic examinations. The workstation also serves as an interactive data terminal for our radiology information system. A data-base management program locally stores quantitative and descriptive sonographic results. Algorithms are used to analyze growth parameters over serial examinations, plot growth curves, generate a radiologic report, and provide instantaneous diagnostic assistance and suggestions. A bibliographic data-base system containing more than 3000 references (with abstracts) in the obstetric sonographic literature is integrated with the software's analytical functions. A telecommunications software module performs dialogues, such as immediate automatic transcription of the sonographic report, with the radiology information system. An examination summary form, growth curves, and the radiologist's report can be printed or digitally faxed by the workstation after authorization by the radiologist. The workstation has improved the organization of sonographic data, facilitated serial quantitative analysis, supplemented educational resources for our staff radiologists and residents, reduced transcription errors and transcription delays, and shortened to minutes the time necessary to deliver precise examination results to clinicians. This model is suitable for use in many areas in a radiology department.

Industrial Espionage: Reality of the Information Age

Research managers have enough work without overseeing the lab's information security program too. Unfortunately, they have choice without risking the disclosure of innovative technical information. Never before in peacetime has there been such an intense effort to obtain a competitor's technical information. For instance, French intelligence agents conducted espionage operations against the overseas offices of IBM and Texas Instruments (1). Two Koreans were arrested by the FBI in Houston after allegedly paying $40,000 for blueprints of Dow Chemical's polymer plant in La Porte, Texas (2). A former Merck and Schering-Plough employee was recently sentenced to nine years in prison for attempting to sell the formulas for Ivermectin and Interferon (3). Theft and attempted theft of proprietary information is a reality of our information age. Unless a company adopts a formidable defensive posture, its ability to compete in the global marketplace will be significantly eroded. STEALING TRADE SECRETS The need to protect one's technical advantage is not new. The Celts stole the secrets for making superior chariot wheels from the Romans, and the Persians stole the secrets for silk production from the Chinese, despite their making such disclosure a capital offense (4). Incidents of trade secret theft increased after World War II. 3M's secrets for making cellophane tape were misappropriated by Technical Tape Company (a situation corrected by litigation) (5). A chemistry professor, Robert Aries, and a former student of his working for Merck, stole Merck's process for making Amprolium. Aries successfully sought sanctuary in France--the Merck employee forfeited a promising career (6). A research chemist at American Cyanamid's Lederle laboratories stole the organisms and process data to make Aureomycin, Tetracycline and Declomycin, and attempted to sell them to an Italian pharmaceutical firm (7). As early as 1962, the Japanese were reported to have opened an Institute for Industrial Protection with the avowed purpose of training spies and counterspies for Japanese corporations (8). The 1980s saw a substantial growth in trade secret theft. The proliferation of personal computers and computer workstations provided more employees with information of a highly sensitive nature. In many cases, access controls to such information were inadequate. The Freedom of Information Act became routinely used to obtain information that competitors were submitting to the government. Some companies, like Monsanto, learned the hard way the importance of placing proprietary markings on their information before submitting it to government agencies (9). Employees were becoming more aware of the value of the information with which they were working. The incident receiving the most attention by media during the 1980s was the FBI sting operation in 1982 in which representatives of Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric were arrested and charged with soliciting and purchasing IBM's trade secrets. Studies showed that increasingly business executives were taking action to acquire a competitor's information that were previously considered unethical and rarely done (10). The primary legal text on trade secrets expanded from a single volume in 1980 to three volumes in 1989 (11)! Without a doubt, the two most serious threats to competitive information to emerge during this period were: the no holds barred approach to acquiring sensitive information adopted by business writers and journalists, and the growth in competitive intelligence gathering. Interest in acquiring internal information on the performance of companies grew as investment in new companies grew. People wanted to know about company plans, research activities, product development and key personnel changes. Newspapers expanded their coverage of business affairs. Many new publications came into being or expanded, creating a demand for hot information. Business journalists are often the most aggressive and resourceful people seeking to obtain competitive information; they are also the most dangerous. …

SYNthesis LIBrary, an expert system for chemical-reaction knowledge-base management

SYNLIB (SYNthesis LIBrary) is an expert system which allows laboratory scientists to rapidly and interactively search databases of chemical reaction information. SYNLIB is fully supported on personal computer and RISC workstation platforms and requires minimal computer expertise on the part of the chemist. By encouraging hands-on access to information, SYNLIB allows complex chemical synthesis concepts to be presented directly to the practicing laboratory scientist. SYNLIB searching enables the user to query chemical reaction knowledge bases for matches to combinations of structural and non-structural chemical questions. We discuss the design considerations for expert systems specifically for chemists and present an analysis of the chemical-reaction information available from the published literature. A search for the formation chemistry of functionalized α,β-unsaturated ketones is used to illustrate the search strategies available.

Programmable logic controllers find a home in wastewater treatment

Efforts to computerize wastewater treatment plants have had mixed results. A wastewater treatment plant presents significant obstacles to computer automation. One of the most challenging problems is coping with the aggressive environment of the plant. Industrially hardened programmable logic controllers (PLCs) have found a home in the wastewater treatment field. These small, reliable, and rugged computers are gaining acceptance in this conservative industry. Standard process control and data acquisition software packages are available from most PLC manufacturers for use on a supervisory personal computer workstation networked to their PLCs. In addition, similar third-party generic software packages, which support the PLCs of multiple manufacturers, can be procured. These packages provide functions such as interactive graphics, database, trending, historic storage, and report generation. Networks containing personal computers and PLCs offer an attractive alternative to the conventional large distributed computer system (DCS). A compomplex PLC network can equal a DCS in capability, while a simple PLC network can offer fast, reliable control of a single process. In each case, PLCs offer the advantage of a rugged input/output (I/O) system designed for the factory floor. Process control applications with fail-safe provisions are suitable to PLCs and can be demonstrated throughout the plant. Although they are industrially hardened, caution must be exercised in the application of PLCs. The corrosive nature of the atmosphere at a wastewater treatment plant still presents challenges. However, properly installed, PLCs maintain their reputation for reliability.

Realistic viewing and manipulation of radiographic images on a personal computer—A user interface for educational applications

The authors have designed a user interface for the display and manipulation of radiographic images that is intended for use in digitized teaching files and computer-aided instruction (CAI) applications. By making the way the viewer interacts with a set of digitized images on the computer screen as similar as possible to the interaction with conventional films on a view-box the authors have tried to create a system that combines the directness of the conventional teaching file with the power and flexibility of CAI. This is accomplished on readily available personal computer workstations.

A Video Microscopy System for Teaching and Casework

Abstract This paper discusses an inexpensive video microscopy system built around a high-resolution, solid-state color camera. The system includes a VHS-format videocassette recorder, a color monitor, and a home computer to provide titling and other data input. The entire system is mounted on a small table designed as a personal-computer workstation so that it can be moved to different locations within the laboratory.

Interprocess communication dependency on network load

Results of an analysis of the communication performance as perceived by the application layer in the presence of background load are presented. The analysis was carried out on two distinct protocol suites, TCP/IP and XNS, on a single Ethernet LAN with personal computer workstations. Service times for a reliable transfer and an unreliable transmission as perceived by the application layer were measured. An appropriate model of the reliable transfer process was used to derive service time analytical estimates. Owing to the close relation between measured and estimated values, the model was used to identify the major sources of delay and to evaluate the effects of possible improvements. The most important causes affecting the transport layer performance as background load increases are identified, and different strategies are examined in order to reduce their impact. The improvement margin offered by the implementation of a lightweight transport protocol specifically tailored to the requirements of a bulk data transfer over an Ethernet is addressed. >