Use Of Small Computer Research Articles

Streamlining experiment data manipulation with psychology experiment data interchange format (PXDIF)

The use of small computers to automate psychology experiments has raised a number of development and logistical problems that interrupt the smooth flow of work from hypotheses to conclusions and publication. Currently, the outstanding bottleneck is the tedious and error-prone manipulation of raw experiment data in preparation for use in commercial data visualization and statistics packages. This problem is addressed by a self-describing data format PXDIF. Companion software can perform most needed manipulations automatically or with minimal experimenter involvement.

Mickey, A Computer Helping Hand for the Everyday use of the T.E.M.

The efficiency of transmission electron microscopy investigations is drastically impaired by the time required for photographic plate development, measurements and interpretation. Very often, the operator has to go back to the microscope to complete his analysis. The evolution of the TEM, through the automation of an increasing number of operating parameters and the increasing use of small computers has led to a variety of performance improvements.The outline of the microscope facility that we developed is shown in Figure 1. The TEM/STEM EM400T PHILIPS microscope is linked simultaneously to the EDAX PDP devoted to X-ray microanalysis and to a DEC μPDP for diffraction analysis. This second computer, operating in a multitask RSX environment can be used for on-line and off-line analysis of patterns, microanalysis data and crystallographic calculations. The μPDP is coupled to the microscope via ADC/DAC converters and the Hybrid Diffraction STEM apparatus. The two computers are connected through a serial line for data transmission (i.e. spectra and chemical analysis). As a whole, this facility is integrated in a DEC ETHERNET network connected to a mainframe VAX computer. Several image workstations, are among the other nodes of the network.

Use of small computers for large computations: enumeration of polyhex hydrocarbons

The enumeration of polyhex hydrocarbons with up to 16 hexagons is reported. These results are now for the first time available

Special Medical Applications of Computers

The use of small computers for assistance in medical diagnosis is examined in light of their limitations, particularly in a veterinary clinical setting. Various approaches to these problems are discussed with an eye towards "appropriate technology" for the veterinary practice. The author describes two "expert systems" he devised that enable the small computer to aid in the analysis of laboratory data and in the clinical diagnosis of veterinary patients.

ON LINE DATA PROCESSING FOR THE PI‐1A MONOCOMPARATOR USING THE BBC MICROCOMPUTER

AbstractThe use of small computers for on line data processing in photogrammetry has developed from the desktop calculators of the early 1970s to the microcomputers of today. The restrictions of machine code programming, small memory and limited display have been overcome. Software has been written for the PI‐1A monocomparator using the BBC microcomputer for a calibration test, relative orientation, and strip formation and adjustment in the on line mode. This low cost system is suitable for training inexperienced operators or students in analytical photogrammetry, with the sequence of observation guided by operator prompts and with error checking computations displayed. Re‐observations can be made on line and acceptable observations stored for input to the strip adjustment program or subsequent block adjustment.

The Use of Small Computers in the Tree Care Business

The Use of Small Computers in the Tree Care Business

Computer security for minis and micros

Mini and micro computers were originally designed mainly for low cost, real time computer applications. Security in these dedicated systems was not a concern. Now that minis and micros are being used in multi-user environments, security is much more a concern. In the commercial arena, security for word processing applications urgently needs to be addressed. Security and integrity are concerns in the communications area where minis and micros are used for both front-ends and network switches. Finally, with the widespread use of small computers in defense applications, data security in terms of the Department of Defense (DoD) national security policy also needs to be addressed.This paper provides some background on computer security to those new to the area and gives a general context for the two architecture papers following this overview.

Development of Process Control Tools Using Innovative Software Technology

A Iike most fields of computer applications use of small computers for the automatic control of mineral processing plants is faced at the difficulty in the flexible adaptation of the software to the plant operations. To overcome the difficulty it is urgently required that the programming language itself should be optimal. This paper briefly describes the features of FORTH, a non-conventional language developed by C. H. Moore, in particular reference to its exploitation for automatic control associated with real-time multi-tasking environment. Some simple examples show that the distinguished extensibiIity of the language is a powerful basis for the design and the realization of the software system for automatic control amenable to later modifications and further developments and portable to various computer systems and applications.

Critical issue: Software and standards

The Commission on Software Issues in the 1980s, comprised of representatives from computer software-related professional, business, and trade associations, has researched several critical issues facing the American computer software industry in the 1980s. The Commission's Software Standards Task Force discovered that there are many issues, including concern about incompatibility of successive versions of standard programming languages, acceleration of the development of voluntary standards, and better definition of software engineering activities. Although certain constraints inherent in the American marketplace must be considered, the widespread use of small computers and producing needed software requires establishing different priorities for standards development.

Opinion on a Computer

I was interested in your commentary concerning the use of small computers (Pediatrics 69:121, 1982). The process that I used to select a home computer may be of help to other physicians. Since each computer has specific characteristics and requirements, the first problem is to identify exact needs and uses for the equipment. Potential uses include but are not limited to: word processing for letter, report, or manuscript preparation (requires a printer); educational programs for adults and children; games and entertainment; writing programs to better understand computer capabilities (children and adults); data manipulation; and continuing medical education.

The use of small computers in large-scale activation analysis

This paper describes simple algorithms for evaluating gamma-ray spectra, readily applicable to small computers. A comparative assessment of the accuracy of the existing programs for experimental data analysis is presented. The use of “Nairi-K” computers suitable for “on-line” operation with multichannel analyzers enables as many as 300 element determinations to be carried out in a 7-hour working day.

Small computers in the private ophthalmic practice. Practical considerations

The use of small computers in private ophthalmic practice is introduced in a manner requiring no mathematical or data processing background. What a small computer is and does, and what costs and problems should be expected with contemporary equipment are presented. Business, educational and medical applications for small computers in ophthalmic practice are described, and the need for standardizing the language and recording formats of medical data processing is emphasized.

Computer Drafting--Its Application in Petroleum Exploration: ABSTRACT

Conventional or manual drafting of exploration data has been used since the early 1900s. Within the past 4 or 5 years, the use of small computer and digitizing equipment to supplement proved methods has saved time, improved accuracy, and simplified modifications. Maps, charts, cross sections, etc, can be captured, edited, and drawn by plotters in half the time of conventional methods. Once in digital form, documents can be edited and easily combined with other graphics. Maps with different scales and projections can be transformed to common projections and scales. Phillips Petroleum Co. uses a Bendix 100/101 digitizing-drafting system which consists of a Nova 100 computer with tape drive and disk pack, a Bendix cursor and table, and a Tektronix 4014-1 CRT. Output can be generated for both a Calcomp 748 plotter and/or a Versatec 42-in. electrostatic plotter. This type of system is not a replacement for manual drafting, but is a supplement. End_Page 494------------------------------ In many projects, the final product is a combination of manual drafting, computer drafting, and standard computer application techniques. End_of_Article - Last_Page 495------------

A Minicomputer Software Package for Reducing Digitized Spectrophotometric Data

SUMMARYThe advent of fast, multichannel detectors with their usually high data rates has lead to the steadily increasing use of small computers in data analysis. At York University a very simple and flexible system of computer programs has been developed to reduce spectroscopic and relative spectrophotometric data obtained with a SIT-Vidicon spectrometer'. The system is written for an HP2100A with peripherals and a DOS-M operating system. A disc storage device is used to store raw observations, partially processed, and calibration data. The programs are also kept on the disc unit in executable (machine language) form.The programs are written in HP FORTRAN IV and consist of several standalone units, each of which performs a specific task. The location of raw data on the disc, the destination of the results of the program and processing parameters are all read in from the card reader. This approach enables system command cards and program parameter cards to be combined into modules which are run in DOS-M ba...

The computer as a laboratory instrument: Experiments for a third-year laboratory in Electrical Engineering

This paper describes a series of three experiments developed for the Junior laboratory course required of all Cornell Electrical Engineering undergraduates. These experiments are designed to illustrate the use of small computers as laboratory equipment directly interfaced with electronic experiments.

A compact fitting algorithm for accurate analysis of gamma spectra

A simple algorithm for accurate least-squares fitting of Ge(Li) gamma spectra is presented which utilizes a random search technique for adjustment of fitting parameters. It has been demonstrated that this algorithm gives fitting with results sufficient accuracy for single peaks as well as multiplets. All fitting calculations have been performed successfully without any treatment to prepare good initial estimates, or to reduce the number of fitting parameters. The present algorithm is quite advantageous in use of small computers as it requires no more than 10 kw computer storage for analysing 4096-channel pulse height data.

On-Line Computers for Telescope Control and Data Handling

The use of small computers in almost every field of science and technology has been expanding rapidly for more than a decade. As applications and demand have increased, the technology has improved and prices have fallen dramatically, leading to even faster growth and more new applications. The applications are so varied and new developments are so numerous that formal up-to-date documentation is rare; new techniques usually are disseminated at conferences, by word of mouth, and in trade journal advertisements. Formal papers in the scientific journals often mention the,use of on-line computer equipment, but rarely describe it. The phenomenal speed of development of computer hardware, software, and methodology contributes to the difficulty experienced by those involved in decision­ making processes regarding data acquisition and control systems. The enormous range of possibilities offered by the programmability of the computer almost has turned the design of computer-aided control and data-acquisition systems into an art form, reflecting the personality and experience of the designer, as well as the limitations of economics and technology. The use of computers for on-line control and data acquisition adds complexity to the problem; computer functions must not only be carried out correctly but also be synchronized to operations outside the computer. Finally, the necessity that the finished system be unobtrusive, easy to operate, and even aestiletically pleasing adds to the intricacy of the design. This article is written with the hope that it will be interesting and helpful to some of the astronomers who will specify, design, and use on-line digital computing equipment for ground-based data acquisition, data reduction, and telescope control. Because only on-line applications are considered, the characteristics of small mini computing systems are emphasized.

Hierarchical Autonomy in Spaceborne Information Processing

Distributed computer systems have been implemented in some degree for various aircraft and spacecraft including the Space Shuttle. Computer systems of this sort have advantages of modularity, reliability, fault tolerance, and the ability to partition design and validation problems.A hierarchical system design discipline is proposed as a framework for distributed computation. This system concept depends on the use of small computers to support centers of autonomy such as subsystems, components, or areas of a vehicle. Potential benefits include lower design and modification costs, easier software generation and validation, greater system survival, and methodical system specification.

Use of small computers for measurement of reactivity

Use of small computers for measurement of reactivity

Die herleitung von lösungsformeln für einen dynamischen aufteilungsprozeβmit dem bellman-algorithmus

In this paper the posibility of deriving formulas for the optimization of an allocation process by using the method of functional equations due to R. Bellman. is shown. The advantage of such a procedure consists in the possibility of obtaining optimal solutions for concrete allocation processes, which in this case be reduced to the general allocation process by tabulation of functions. Hence the numerical display is reduced considerably. This allows the use of small computers for the solution of such problems.