Computer Utilization in the Food and Drug Administration's Bureau of Foods Mass Spectrometry Laboratory

Abstract A network of computers is being used to support the Food and Drug Administration's Bureau of Foods mass spectrometry facility. Five mass spectrometers are each interfaced to at least 2 of the 6 dedicated minicomputers in the laboratory. This multiple interfacing provides data acquisition and processing backup, reducing the overall down-time. Selected data from all of the minicomputers can be sent to FDA's main computers via a digital cartridge tape recorder or paper tape. The digital cartridge tape recorder records data that are output from a minicomputer terminal and then plays it back on a terminal which is on-line with the main computer. This main computer stores and edits data; plots spectra for reports, data banks, and publications; and carries out some data processing. Multiple interfacing also serves to supplement the capabilities of the 8-year-old Finnigan MAT (formerly Varian MAT) SS-100 data system (Sperry-Univac/V-76) with the newer and more powerful Finnigan MAT INCOS (Data General/Nova 3) data system. The SS-100 data system is also enhanced by the substitution of the 110 baud paper tape with a 9600 baud cartridge tape recorder for I/O of system bootstraps, BASIC programs, and raw data.</jats:p

Interfacing an ICAP System to Food and Drug Administration's Large Computer Facility

Abstract An inductively coupled argon plasma (ICAP) emission spectrometer is capable of simultaneously determining the concentrations of many elements. The Jarrell-Ash ICAP systems at FDA have dedicated minicomputers which control the analysis via terminal commands. The standard ICAP terminal interface has been changed to enable logging of ICAP data onto a magnetic tape data cartridge. This tape is subsequently processed through the programming language APL into a large computer system. The transfer of data into the large computer system enables additional statistical processing, report writing, archival storage, and magnetic reel tape generation for transferring processed data to computer systems of other agencies. Three of FDA's ICAP systems use these data processing procedures. The ICAP terminals have been upgraded or replaced from current loop 110-300 baud to RS-232-C 1200 baud and equipped with magnetic tape data cartridge units. Separate graphics display terminals with magnetic tape data cartridge units are used to read the data into the large computer system at 1200 or 4800 baud.</jats:p

A Distributed Processing Laboratory Data System

Abstract Distributed data processing has been accomplished by a computer system in which laboratory instrument data are collected on a PEAK-11 system for preliminary processing and generation of initial reports. When further processing is required, or when archival storage of raw or processed data is desired, data are transferred over telephone lines to an IBM 3033; an IBM 7406 Device Coupler is used to handle protocol conversion and ″handshaking.″ User-written programs in APL.SV on the IBM machine and in Assembly Language on the PEAK-11 system effect the transfer of bidirectional data. The distributed processing approach allows efficient use of expensive peripherals while maintaining short response times.</jats:p

Computer Assistance in Food Analysis

Abstract Laboratory computer links are a key part of acquisition, movement, and interpretation of certain types of data. Remote information retrieval from databases such as the Chemical Information System provides the analyst with structural and toxicologicai information via a laboratory terminal. Remote processing of laboratory data by large computers permits the application of pattern recognition techniques to the solution of complex multivariate problems such as the detection of food adulteration.</jats:p