Handheld-computers

The use of wireless computer systems has gain popularity in data collection for clinical trials. They have been used as a substitute for normal paper-based patient diaries (Koop et al. [19]) to increase data quality and shorten the time needed to close the database. They have also been used for mobile interviewing [20] and for bedside data collection [21]. In patient-directed data entry, subjects are given handheld computers to answer the trial s questions (Clarke et al. [22]). 

Koop A, Mosges R. The use of handheld computers in clinical trials. Controlled Clin Trials 2002 23 469-80. 

Although not yet available, it is likely that Web-based performance testing systems will become available in the near future. Web-based systems will permit selected tasks to be presented on computers equipped with appropriate Web browser software. Hardware requirements include Internet access and appropriate memory and software to support Web-based applications. Depending on the design of the Web-based system, it is could be possible to tailor the specific tasks presented for the performance testing system from a menu of options. Alternatively, testing systems consisting of a standardized array of tasks can also be chosen. As such, the start-up costs of Web-based systems should be lower than with personal or handheld computer systems. Subject identification, date, and time can be recorded at the start of a test, and data from multiple subjects and test occasions can be stored in a central file for easy access to the data. 

Elsmore, T.F., Reeves, D.L., and Reeves, A.N., ANAM for Palm OS Handheld Computers The ARES Test System for Palm OS Handheld Computers, unpublished data, 2004. 

Binocular microscope and lamp Field forms and folders Used to assist identification of panned concentrate minerals/contaminants Field forms as illustrated in Fig. 4.3 and a folder to keep them dry and clean. Ideally could be replaced by handheld computer devices... 

The first release of the PCMCIA standard (PCMCIA 1, the same used in that original handheld computer) defined only the bus to be used for memory expansion. The second release (PCMCIA 2) is the most common it is in use throughout the computer industry and has remained relatively unchanged. PCMCIA 2 was designed to be backward compatible with version 1, so memory cards can be used in the version 2 specification. 

More recent advances in technology made possible by the personal digital assistant (PDA) have allowed physicians to electronically prescribe at the point of care. PDAs are handheld computers that typically run using a Windows- or other proprietary-based platforms. These PDAs use a touch-sensitive screen to maneuver through a menu-driven prescribing process that can execute a prescription in as little as three stylus taps. - The PDAs or other proprietary devices then upload the prescription via a network connection or modem to be printed, faxed, or electronically transmitted to a pharmacy. 

Alternate modes of delivery of the information are now being investigated. For mobile prescribers in institutional. settings, the use of handheld computers is being explored. For prescribers in office settings, information embedded in prescribing software is being developed. 

Advances in technology can facilitate the generation and transfer of patient documentation. As more pharmacies use the Internet as a means of communication, information can be transferred quickly and accurately over greater distances. Handheld computers and specialty software allow health care practitioners to document information in an electronic format that can be transformed immediately for rapid transfer to others. Reports in the literature have described methods to assess pharmacist interventions related to medication errors, the use of computer-based systems, and recently, the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in specific patient care areas. Many of these documentation systems tend to be individualized apphcations in which the transfer of data to other providers is not possible or quite limited. Often these systems focus on the generation of reports for workload analysis or accreditation purposes. 

There are dozens of choices of popular hardware platforms, depending on the size of your business or your personal preference. Software runs your business. The hardware requirements of the software define the hardware needed. Activities of daily business or lifestyle further define hardware requirements. Personal digital assistants or handheld computers have significantly improved user mobility. As wireless technology emerges, users will enjoy even greater flexibility. But at the end of the day, most hardware, even stand-alone home computers (with Internet connectivity), are networked. 

Figure 4.27 depicts a first demonstration system that comprises a microfluidic chip, an organic photodiode, and a low-cost printed circuit board (PCB) with amplifier. Powering and read-out is performed through a handheld computer. Future battery-driven devices are also envisaged to comprise an... 

The biochemists are most likely to be working with one of the three types of computers personal computer (PC), notebook or handheld computer (Becker et al, 2(X)1 Tsai, 2002), although workstations with improved capacity, computing speed and other added facilities are used in dedicated research laboratories and networked internally to form a local area network (LAN). A computer system (Mueller, 2005 Meyers and Jemigan, 2004 Weber, 2004) consists of internal and external devices. Inside a computer system box (chassis) is ... 

Recording methods in applied enviromnents make increasing use of new techniques for the acquisition of physiological and psychological data. Portable multichannel recorder/analyzer systems and handheld computers provide new means of ambulatory assessment and foster a more ecologically valid approach to many issues in the applied fields. In this chapter, such developments are reviewed with particular emphasis on ambulatory techniques. 

The study was carried out at simulated computer workplaces on a 10-kV electroeneigy network with the same technical equipment and information transfer as in real life. The motivation of the operators was high because this 3-hour training was required for certification. Objective methods of task analysis were used to define typical tasks and performance data were recorded accordingly. HR, blood pressure, and physical activity were measured by use of a multichannel monitoring system. The operators, concurrent with blood pressure measurements, answered questions concerning subjective strain, emotion, perceived control, and success, by means of a handheld computer. Such a multilevel approach appears to be especially suited to the assessment of the psychophysiological arousal and recovery within the framework of demand and performance. 

After the construction of the tunnel was finished the reference points were mounted on the concrete wall (Fig. 1 and 6). A reference point consists of a steel plate with a well-machined surface und a centering bore. A pillar of aluminium can be mounted onto these plates. There are 44 reference points in each quadrant of HERA with a single bay distance of 35.2 m (L6ffler,F. Schwarz, W. 1989). From eaeh pillar the directions to the two backward und to the two forward points were measured with a theodolite KERN E2. The observation data were directly registered and analyzed by a handheld computer HUSKY-HAWK. The distances were measured with the Mekome-ter ME 5000. The standard deviation of the direction measurements is O.Smgrad, that of the distance measurements is better than 0.1 mm. 

Decrease reliance on memory Improve the accuracy of judgements through cognitive aids mnemonics, clinical practice guidelines, algorithms, handheld computers... 

R Clemmensen et al., "Diversion of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients for primary angioplasty based on wireless prehospital 12-lead electrocardiographic transmission directly to the cardiologist s handheld computer A progress report,". ElectrocardioL, vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 194-198,2005. 

The Apple iPhone is essentially a miniature, handheld computer, because it can download application programs ( apps ) directly from the Internet, in addition to functioning as a phone. There are apps designed to perform just about any task, from accessing files on an office server to making the iPhone function as a flashlight. As of 2011 there were more than 100,000 apps available on the Apple App Store Web site. 

Commonly used transmission devices are telephones, which increasingly are cell phones, smartphones, or handheld computers. The dial is usually a set of pushbuttons (the keypad). The system converts the analogue signals of the unit to a digital signal (a series of ones and zeros). 

Newton Apple introdnces Newton, one of the first handheld computers, or personal digital assistants, which has a hquid crystal display operated with a stylus. 

Pahn VII The Palm VII organizer is on the market. It is a handheld computer with 2 megabytes of RAM and a port for a wireless phone. 

From the time of their discovery in 1888 until about 30 years ago, liquid crystals were largely a laboratory curiosity. They are now widely used as pressure and temperature sensors and in the displays of electrical devices such as digital watches, calculators, and notebook and handheld computers (Figure 12.2 T). Liquid crystals can be used for these applications because the weak intermolecular forces that hold the molecules together in a liquid crystal are easily affected by changes in temperature, pressure, and electromagnetic fields. 

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