Dietolf Ramm

Teaching a hierarchical model of computation with animation software in the first course

In a world saturated with computers, it is important that the popnlace have some understanding of what thesedevices am, how they work, what they can do, and what they cannot do. People will not intelligently live with machines if they regard them as indistinguishable from magic. In fact, many authors (Brookshear(1988), Schaffer(1988), Tucker (1992)) have called for &eased breadth in the early computer science courses specifically to better educate nonmajors who may never take another computer course and to give perspective to majors who are looking forward to a series of specialized courses. In the education of majors, many recent committees and writers haveargued for kreased breadth in the early courses including Denning et al. (1989), the ACIWIEEE-CS Joint Curriculum Task Force (1991), and Barker et al (1992).

Quantum diffusion in solid H2

A study of quantum diffusion in solid H2 is reported based on the measurement of the pressure versus time at constant volume. Solid samples with ortho-H2 concentrations between 0.01 and 0.025 were investigated over the temperature range 0.4–4 K. The characteristic time constant Τ for ortho pair formation or breaking up and the resulting pressure changes are presented and compared with other experiments and with theory. The pressure change calculated from a simple statistical model is in good agreement with the experiment and this leads to the conclusion that both in-plane and out-of-plane pairs appear to form (or break up) at the same rate, at least in our concentration range. The experiments also suggest that the concentration dependence of Τ is in qualitative agreement with theory, which, however, makes no predictions on the temperature dependence. Comparison with other experiments also suggests that Τ might be a function of strains in the sample.

TOCRS—The therapy-oriented computer record system

A computerized system has been developed to provide treatment records for patients in the Duke Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic. Demographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic data are incorporated into a concise summary provided to the therapist for each patient visit. Variables were carefully chosen to capture essential therapeutic information while minimizing the burden of data entry on the therapist. Suggestions by the users have led to a number of modifications in the system, including the addition of special data-keeping functions for therapy groups and record generations of summary reports for clinicians and administrators. Essential information is gathered in a format well suited to analysis by standard computerized statistical techniques. Record keeping, in this fashion, provides an information base that describes the process of psychiatric treatment.

Pressure changes accompanying the phase transitions in solid H2 and D2

Abstract Pressure changes at constant volume accompanying hexagonal-to-cubic and cubic-to-hexagonal phase transitions have been measured in solid H 2 and D 2 as a function of ortho concentration.

LASER PUMPING BY INTENSE DISCHARGES IN z-PINCH GEOMETRY

Optical properties of high-current, low-pressure, noble-gas discharges in z-pinch geometry are studied and compared with theta-pinch discharges and standard commercial light sources. Results indicate possible usefulness in systems where high peak power, high repetition rates or high uv content are demanded.

A conversational psychiatric information network

A pilot network consisting of IBM 2741 terminals connects Cherry Hospital to Duke University which is 75 miles away. The system we have devised allows users to write narrative reports, score behavioral scales, search patient files,and store census data. In addition it allows the physician to write medication orders. The system has been in active use for nine months. The major benefit of the system to the physician user is regular narrative and graphical information about patients, which enables him to keep well informed, to utilize consultation more effectively, and to provide continuity of care.

DROWSINESS AND DRIVING IN A MIDDLE AGED POPULATION

QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENCE OF DRIVERS AGED 45-70 ADMITTING DROWSINESS WHILE DRIVING IS HIGH. THIS APPEARS RELATED TO MALENESS, YEARLY MILEAGE LOGGED, AND LONG TRIP DRIVING. CATTELL PERSONALITY TESTING REVEALED NO CONSISTENT GROUP OF PERSONALITY TRAITS WHICH CORRELATES WITH GETTING DROWSY. SUBJECTS WHO HANDLED DROWSINESS ESPECIALLY POORLY (THAT IS, FALLING ASLEEP) WERE CHARACTERIZED BY EMOTIONALITY, A TENDENCY TO WORRY, GIVE UP, AND EVADE RESPONSIBILITIES. MANY PHYSICAL FACTORS WERE EXAMINED, BUT ALL FAILED TO REVEAL A CONSISTENT PATTERN OF PHYSICAL DEFECT IN THE DROWSINESS GROUP. /NHTSA/

SHOCK-WAVE-GENERATED PLASMAS AS LIGHT SOURCES FOR OPTICAL PUMPING.

Electrodeless discharges in coaxial tubes, capable of holding a laser crystal in the center, have been studied to obtain a measure of the energy coupled into the tube, to understand the dynamical processes, and to quantitatively determine the radiation emitted by the tube. The energy coupling and emitted radiation have been found to depend on the voltage stored on the capacitor, the primary coil dimensions, the fill gas and fill‐gas pressure, and the tube dimensions. The dominant dynamical processes are those due to strong cylindrically imploding shock waves. Radiation emitted is found to be due to particles liberated from tube walls as well as that of the fill gas. Curves of radiation intensity vs wavelength, as well as spectral pictures and calculations of spectral matching coefficients, indicate the possibility of pumping very high powers into ruby crystals.

Treatment Goals in Geropsychiatry

Each geriatric patient has observable problems which can generate treatment goals implemented by a treatment plan. Extensive record keeping would be required to document this tripartite scheme. In practice, either problem‐oriented or goal‐oriented records are used. Problem records tend to drift toward a goal concept, since problems are usually stated in only sufficient detail to serve as a guide to treatment. The results of a problem‐oriented format are described for 143 state hospital patients whose mean age was 74 years. The most common number of problems was 5 per patient. Physical problems were the most frequent (N = 456), followed by behavioral (N = 203), thought‐related (N = 156), administrative (N = 99), affective (N = 69), and attitudinal (N=10). The authors’ experience with both systems leaves them with a preference for the problem‐oriented system with geriatric patients since physical problems are so numerous.

Use of the computer in caring for the elderly.

Computers are effective adjuncts to medical care of the elderly. However, their rightful place as an aid, not an alternate, to sound medical care must be recognized. A number of technics believed to have potential for improving medical care have been developed. Those selected for discussion here are measurement of cerebral blood flow, computer-based medical history systems, psychologic testing, mental status examinations, and patient data systems.