Framestore system for map displays

The map displays project was undertaken to investigate techniques for the storage and display of geographical maps and related information and to develop the hardware and software required for a complete working system. Initially most of the project was concerned with the design of graphics hardware to be interfaced to a DEC LSI-11/03 micro-computer which was the main supply of computing power for the project. The development of one of the pieces of specialized hardware, the framestore display, is described.     

Hospital-associated bacterial meningitis

Eighteen of 349 cases (5.2 per cent) of bacterial meningitis seen between 1949 and 1973 were hospital-associated (developed after admission to the hospital). The patients were adults, usually males, and developed symptoms and signs of meningitis from 2 to 23 days (mean, 10.1 days) after hospital admission. The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was made from less than 1 day to 15 days (mean, 4.8 days) after the onset of symptoms. Fourteen of the 18 patients had received antibiotics during the week prior to developing meningitis. Nine (50 per cent) had a chronic, noninfection, underlying illness. Diagnostic or surgical procedures involving the neuraxis or adjacent structures preceded the development of meningitis in 10 of the 18 patients (56 per cent). Only 6 of the 18 patients survived their infection. Prompt recognition, diagnosis, and therapy of hospital-associated meningitis in high-risk patients may reduce the significant mortality.     

A diagnostic formula for alcoholism

Clinical pathologies with unusually high morbidities in alcoholic populations were analyzed to determine their capacity to diagnose alcoholism. On the basis of five systemic variables it was possible to diagnose correctly nearly 75% of alcoholic and matched control subjects.