Client-based System Research Articles

The Implementation of Laboratory Information Management System in Multi-Site Genetics Study in Africa: The Challenges and Up-Scaling Opportunities

This study describes the roles of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) in multi-site genetics studies in Africa. We used the HiGeneS Africa project as a case study. The study participants were recruited in six African countries between 2019 to 2021. The Baobab LIMS, a server–client-based system (an African-led innovation) was used for the coordination of the biospecimen. The development phase of the LIMS showcased the team formation, data collection, biospecimen collection, and shipment strategies. The implementation phase showcased the biospecimen registration, processing, and quality control (QC) analytics. The sample QC was done using Nanodrop, Qubit, and PicoGreen/gDNATapestation assays. The results showed that a total of 3144 study participants were recruited from Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. The biospecimen registration provided a comprehensive registry that included patient demographics, genetic information, and clinical and blood/saliva samples from the proband and family relatives. The QC analyzes identified 30 samples that failed QC, linked to overdue storage in the freezer before DNA extraction. The LIMS components implemented in this project formed a structure that can be upscaled to artificial intelligence-based LIMS. In conclusion, this study represents the largest and the most diverse collection of biospecimens for the genetic study of hearing impairment in Africa to date. A well-characterized LIMS should be recommended for multi-site molecular studies, particularly in Africa, to enhance African participation in global genomic medicine.

A Location Privacy-Preserving System Based on Query Range Cover-Up or Location-Based Services

Location-based service (LBS) has been widely used in various fields of industry, and become a vital part of people's daily life. However, while providing great convenience for users, LBS results in a serious threat on users’ location privacy, due to its more and more untrusted server-side. In this article, we propose a location privacy-preserving system for LBS by constructing “cover-up ranges” to protect the query ranges associated with a location query sequence. Firstly, we present a client-based system framework for location privacy protection in LBS, which requires no compromise to the accuracy and usability of LBS. Secondly, based on the framework, we introduce a location privacy model to formulate the constraints that ideal cover-up ranges should satisfy, so as to improve the efficiency of location services and the security of location privacy. Finally, we describe an implementation algorithm to well meet the location privacy model. Both theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation demonstrate the effectiveness of our system, which can improve the security of users’ location privacy on the untrusted server-side, without compromising the accuracy and usability of LBS.

A dummy-based user privacy protection approach for text information retrieval

Text retrieval enables people to efficiently obtain the desired data from massive text data, so has become one of the most popular services in information retrieval community. However, while providing great convenience for users, text retrieval results in a serious issue on user privacy. In this paper, we propose a dummy-based approach for text retrieval privacy protection. Its basic idea is to use well-designed dummy queries to cover up user queries and thus protect user privacy. First, we present a client-based system framework for the protection of user privacy, which requires no change to the existing algorithm of text retrieval, and no compromise to the accuracy of text retrieval. Second, we define a user privacy model to formulate the requirements that ideal dummy queries should meet, i.e., (1) having highly similar feature distributions with user queries, and (2) effectively reducing the significance of user query topics. Third, by means of the knowledge derived from Wikipedia, we present an implementation algorithm to construct a group of ideal dummy queries that can well meet the privacy model. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation. The results show that by constructing dummy queries that have similar feature distributions but unrelated topics with user queries, the privacy behind users’ textual queries can be effectively protected, under the precondition of not compromising the accuracy and usability of text retrieval.

Gamification concept for encouraging lecture attendance

<span>New generation of students has high dependence on technology and embrace social learning environments that have low barrier to access. This means in-class lectures are not popular anymore, and in fact has become a burden for them to cope. To resolve the issue of low student attendance, this paper proposes a character growth game with the concept of gamification in education that is able to track and reward student attendance called PetAttendToClass. PetAttendToClass is a client-based system developed using C# and unity3D game engine. Although finding from the UAT session revealed that some users believed that attendance is the responsibility of the student, gamification is meant to turn this mundane responsibility into something motivative, interactive and interesting. It is hoped that by gamifying the class attendance, student will be motivated to attend their daily classes.</span>

The AROW Health Link experience with client-based system design.

This article outlines the experience of the Arnprior Region & Ottawa West (AROW) Health Link using a multi-dimensional engagement framework in the co-development of systems change with client representatives. The article outlines patient, organizational, and societal factors influencing client engagement. The key learning that has allowed the joint Client Engagement Committee to evolve has been the core of client leadership. Client-led tables and workgroups have fueled client-to-client engagement, which has shifted clients from being a part of the change to driving the change.

Inferring Learning Style From the Way Students Interact With a Computer User Interface and the WWW

Recent significant advances in automatically predicting user learning styles are described. The system works with new client-based systems that filter Web pages and provide easy, structured, focused, and controlled access to the Internet. A first system called iLessons was embedded within Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and provided teachers with tools to create lesson Web pages, define zones of the Internet that could be accessed during a lesson, and enforce these settings in a set of computers. A second system enabled students to investigate and collaborate using the Internet. The system filtered Web pages based on the relevance of their contents and assisted students by inferring their learning style (active or reflective) and by recommending pages found by fellow students based on page relevancy, student learning style, and state of mind measured by activity. The system infers learning style in real time by monitoring user activity, and recent significant advances in the research are described.

"Mailing it in"

The automated assessment of student programming assignments is now considered to be in its third generation. Today, these server-based systems use web front-ends and employ sophisticated testing techniques. While automated assessment has proven its benefits over the last 40 years, these systems are simply not feasible for many scenarios because of their infrastructure, support or training requirements. Today's extensible email clients are capable of handling many of the functions performed by these modern assessment systems without requiring extra infrastructure. This paper summarizes experiences using graphical email-clients that were extended to support menu-activated automated processing of a student-submitted program sent as an email message or attachment. The email-client automatically captured the results of the automated assessment in an email window for instructor annotation. This client-based system provides many of the same benefits as those provided by web-based systems.

Intelligent Browser-Based Systems to Assist Internet Users

New client-based systems that filter Web pages, infer user learning styles, and recommend relevant pages are described. The systems provide easy, structured, focused, and controlled access to the Internet. A first system, called iLessons, is embedded within Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and provides teachers with tools to create lesson Web pages, define zones of the Internet that can be accessed during a lesson, and enforce these settings in a set of computers. A second system enables students to investigate and collaborate using the Internet. The system filters Web pages based on the relevance of their contents and assists students by inferring their learning style (active or reflective) and by recommending pages found by fellow students based on page relevancy, student learning style, and state of mind measured by activity.