Digital Sampling Method Research Articles

Uncovering the Daily Experiences of People Living With Advanced Cancer Using an Experience Sampling Method Questionnaire: Development, Content Validation, and Optimization Study.

The experience sampling method (ESM), a self-report method that typically uses multiple assessments per day, can provide detailed knowledge of the daily experiences of people with cancer, potentially informing oncological care. The use of the ESM among people with advanced cancer is limited, and no validated ESM questionnaires have been developed specifically for oncology. This study aims to develop, content validate, and optimize the digital Experience Sampling Method for People Living With Advanced Cancer (ESM-AC) questionnaire, covering multidimensional domains and contextual factors. A 3-round mixed methods study was designed in accordance with the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer guidelines. The study included semistructured interviews with 43 people with stage IV breast cancer or stage III to IV lung cancer and 8 health care professionals. Round 1 assessed the appropriateness, relative importance, relevance, and comprehensiveness of an initial set of ESM items that were developed based on the existing questionnaires. Round 2 tested the comprehensibility of ESM items. Round 3 tested the usability of the digital ESM-AC questionnaire using the m-Path app. Analyses included descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Following the first round, we developed an initial core set of 68 items (to be used with all patients) and a supplementary set (optional; patients select items), both covering physical, psychological, social, spiritual-existential, and global well-being domains and concurrent contexts in which experiences occur. We categorized items to be assessed multiple times per day as momentary items (eg, "At this moment, I feel tired"), once a day in the morning as morning items (eg, "Last night, I slept well"), or once a day in the evening as evening items (eg, "Today, I felt hopeful"). We used participants' evaluations to optimize the questionnaire items, the digital app, and its onboarding manual. This resulted in the ESM-AC questionnaire, which comprised a digital core questionnaire containing 31 momentary items, 2 morning items, and 7 evening items and a supplementary set containing 39 items. Participants largely rated the digital questionnaire as "easy to use," with an average score of 4.5 (SD 0.5) on a scale from 1 ("completely disagree") to 5 ("completely agree"). We developed the ESM-AC questionnaire, a content-validated digital questionnaire for people with advanced breast or lung cancer. It showed good usability when administered on smartphone devices. Future research should evaluate the potential of this ESM tool to uncover daily experiences of people with advanced breast or lung cancer, explore its clinical utility, and extend its validation to other populations with advanced diseases.

QGP generation and evolution simulation of pp collision on LHC

In this paper, the generation of Quark-Gluon Plasma(QGP) in proton–proton collisions is discussed based on the thermal equilibrium theory. A partons list at the initial stage of collisions are obtained by digital sampling method, which provides a reasonable initial state for the subsequent evolution simulation. The calculation shows that the multiplicity distribution of the final charged particles obtained by this method is very similar to that of experiment or PYTHIA event generator. Thus, a new mechanism for hadron production in LHC is proposed.

Longitudinal data collection on an international level during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundDifferent sampling approaches can be used in longitudinal surveys. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted possibilities to conduct random based longitudinal surveys. However, longitudinal data on public mental health responses are urgently needed.MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal study in eight European countries (Albania, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia) including 18+ year olds with the goal to reach as many people as possible and generate robust data. We used various sampling approaches (convenience sampling, snowball sampling, panel data) utilizing social media, professional organisations, educational institutions and personal direct contact. To gather robust data, focus was on multiperspectivity rather than representativeness. A mix of sampling approach is possible. Digital sampling methods were feasible in the European region.ResultsIn total 2,426 participants filled out >50% of the questionnaire in the overall sample, which is, also due to the rapidness of survey development, a good result for data on mental health and resilience during COVID-19 pandemic. COPERS study has shown that a mix of various sampling approaches is possible and a good option to generate datasets in a relatively short time span. However, no responses rates can be calculated using.ConclusionsOnline surveys are a good tool to reach people in times of crisis. Furthermore, they can be adapted directly in case of changes, if necessary and desired. Using different ways of recruitment, a diverse group of people can be recruited. However, online surveys require a certain technical understanding, which not all potential participants have. Question remains how multinational research is evolving and being shaped. This asks for possibly new methods to define and detect sampling bias.

A Novel Digital Control Method of Primary-Side Regulated Flyback With Active Clamping Technique

Because of the different working principles between conventional flyback and active-clamped flyback (ACF), the existing primary-side regulation (PSR) technology cannot be applied to ACF. And in order to achieve PSR of ACF, a low-cost digital sampling method based on the auxiliary winding of the transformer is proposed. In the conventional peak current mode (PCM) controlled ACF, the sampling resistor of primary current may introduce additional power loss, and high-frequency oscillations during sampling may reduce system's stability. Therefore, a digital feedback-feedforward control (FFC) method is proposed to eliminate the sampling resistor. The stability of the proposed control method and its influence on the dynamic response are studied. In addition, since GaN device has higher power loss during reverse conduction than its Si counterpart, design considerations of reverse conduction time of power switches are also discussed in this paper. All control methods and design considerations are verified on a GaN-based 12V-3A ACF, and the proposed control strategy is implemented by FPGA.

A Digital Control Scheme for PSR Flyback Converter in CCM and DCM

Due to the simple structure and low cost, the primary-side-regulation (PSR) flyback converter is widely used in small power applications. As the output voltage is sampled from auxiliary winding in PSR flyback converter, some sampling error exists, especially when continuous conduction mode (CCM) is introduced for higher power. To improve the constant voltage accuracy, a novel digital controlled sampling strategy is proposed. This scheme uses a digital ramp sampling method to sample output voltage in both discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and CCM, and proposes a voltage adjustment strategy to adjust sampling errors in CCM without weakening the stability in the load-switch process. Finally, the experimental results validate the presented scheme and show that the output voltage error is less than 0.6% in a 20-V, 5-A PSR flyback prototype.

Research and Implementation of Natural Sampling SPWM Digital Method for Three-Level Inverter of Photovoltaic Power Generation System Based on FPGA

The digital method of natural sampling sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) is studied based on the characteristics of neutral point clamped three-level inverters of Photovoltaic power generation system. Based on field programmable gate array (FPGA), A three-level natural sampling SPWM digital framework is constructed. The digital implementation methods of triangular carrier generation, sinusoidal modulation waveform generation, switching state combination configuration and dead-zone setting are studied. A ultra-realtime comparison calculation method of switching time based on FPGA technology is proposed in this paper. This method avoids complex calculation such as Taylor series expansion and convergence judgment in natural sampling SPWM. Under the same conditions, the harmonic content of the SPWM output waveform using this method is smaller than that of the symmetrical regular sampling method. And the harmonic content is equivalent to that of natural sampling. The digital natural sampling method can further improve the quality of output waveform and the stability of DC bus voltage of three-level inverters. The theoretical research is realized by VHDL (Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language) and FPGA chip. The experimental results prove the correctness and feasibility of the digital method.

First year of practical experiences of the new Arctic AWIPEV-COSYNA cabled Underwater Observatory in Kongsfjorden, Spitsbergen

Abstract. A combined year-round assessment of selected oceanographic data and a macrobiotic community assessment was performed from October 2013 to November 2014 in the littoral zone of the Kongsfjorden polar fjord system on the western coast of Svalbard (Norway). State of the art remote controlled cabled underwater observatory technology was used for daily vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, and turbidity together with a stereo-optical assessment of the macrobiotic community, including fish. The results reveal a distinct seasonal cycle in total species abundances, with a significantly higher total abundance and species richness during the polar winter when no light is available underwater compared to the summer months when 24 h light is available. During the winter months, a temporally highly segmented community was observed with respect to species occurrence, with single species dominating the winter community for restricted times. In contrast, the summer community showed an overall lower total abundance as well as a significantly lower number of species. The study clearly demonstrates the high potential of cable connected remote controlled digital sampling devices, especially in remote areas, such as polar fjord systems, with harsh environmental conditions and limited accessibility. A smart combination of such new digital sampling methods with classic sampling procedures can provide a possibility to significantly extend the sampling time and frequency, especially in remote and difficult to access areas. This can help to provide a sufficient data density and therefore statistical power for a sound scientific analysis without increasing the invasive sampling pressure in ecologically sensitive environments.

Experimental investigation on the flow characteristics of rice husk in a fuel-rich/lean burner

The particle dispersion mechanisms of rice husk in a fuel-rich/lean burner with an impact-type concentrator were investigated by both digital imaging technique and sampling method. In the experiments, a model burner with a scale ratio of 1/2.708 was studied employing an optical measurement system which consisted of a charge-coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) camera and a laser sheet for illumination. Effects of different impact block heights and inflow particle concentrations on the distribution of rice husk were studied. The distribution of husk particles was obtained by measuring local particle appearance frequency ratio (abbreviated as AFR) within the field of view. Then the size distributions and mass ratios of particles collected from the solid-rich and solid-lean sides were obtained by sampling methods. Increasing the impact block height resulted in a great increase of the rich/lean ratio of particle appearance frequency (abbreviated as RL) at the exit of the burner, as the ratio of 1.66, 5.21 and 9.55 for the block height of 40mm, 50mm and 60mm. Similar tendency was observed when increasing the inflow particle concentration (9.55, 10.57 and 11.87 for 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3kg/kg). The mean size of particles on solid-rich side was always larger as compared with that on the solid-lean side.

ZVS 위상천이 풀브릿지 컨버터의 디지털 샘플링 기법에 따른 소신호 모델 분석

ZVS 위상천이 풀브릿지 컨버터의 디지털 샘플링 기법에 따른 소신호 모델 분석

Forensic Evidence of Copyright Infringement by Digital Audio Sampling Analysis - Identification – Marking

In recent years, the number of attempts to use digital audio and video evidence in litigation in civil and criminal proceedings has increased. Technical progress makes editing and changing music, film and picture recordings much easier, faster and better. The methods of digital sampling differ from the conventional pirated copy in that using a sample involves extensive changes and editing of the original work. Different digital sampling methods make the technical analysis and the legal classification more difficult. Targeted analysis methods can clearly identify a case of sampling and belong to the main field of forensic analysis. If persuasive evidence of an unauthorized use of sampling cannot be produced, the proof is useless in the legal process. Labelling technologies that are applied correctly make an important contribution to the effective detection of unauthorised sound sampling. There are hardly any holistic approaches that integrate the problem of sound sampling into the fields of analysis, identification, and labelling. In combination with specific technical protective mechanisms against sampling, an unauthorised use of samples protected by copyrights can be prevented or reduced. Using and sampling somebody else’s piece of music or video can be a copyright infringement. The copyright and the neighbouring rights of performing artists and the neighbouring rights of phonogram producers are affected by the consequences of illegal sampling. Part 1 of the article introduces the problems of digital audio sampling, Part 2 describes the typical manifestations of sampling, Part 3 illustrates various analytical procedures for the detection of audio sampling and Part 4 shows the identification by labelling strategies.

Application of digital sampling techniques for [formula omitted] coincidence counting

The 4 π β ( LS ) ‐ γ coincidence counting system of KRISS (Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science) has been operated in the analog signal-processing mode. We develop and implement a digital sampling method using a commercially available analog to digital converter. In the implementation, we digitize the amplified pulse trains generated from three detector channels and determine the locations and amplitudes of peaks using a peak detection algorithm. We develop offline analysis routines to process the recorded locations and amplitudes for activity determinations by means of the efficiency-extrapolation method. In the activity determinations we can make corrections for the effects of out-of-channel events and correlation between data points. We validate the digital sampling method by measuring 60Co activity and comparing the measurement results with those obtained in the analog mode. The digital method is capable of facilitating the activity standardization of radionuclides with very short half-lives.

Precession electron diffraction using a digital sampling method

A software-based method for collecting precession electron diffraction (PED) patterns is described. The PED patterns are obtained on a computer controlled transmission electron microscope. A series of electron diffraction (ED) patterns are collected as still ED frames at equal intervals, while the electron beam is precessed by one period (360°) around the optical axis. A PED pattern is obtained by combining the different ED frames, which resembles the sampling of a conventional PED pattern. Since intermediate ED frames are collected, it is possible to perform different post-processing strategies on the ED data. This can be used for geometric corrections to obtain accurate integrated intensities. The alignments and data collection are fully automated and controlled by software. The data quality is comparable to what can be achieved using specialized hardware for precession. The PED data can be used for structure solution and refinement with reasonably good R-values.

Comparison of rocky itertidal community sampling methods at northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

The purpose of this study is to compare different rocky intertidal sampling methods at the northern coast of the Rio de Janeiro State. Quadrats with 50 and 100 intersection points were sampled in field and in computer using digital photos. A similarity over 90% was obtained between both methods for the intertidal zone. Cluster analysis showed that the lower sample size overestimated some indicator organisms. The zonation pattern through photo sampling was different from that in field especially in Supralitoral Fringe due to the color similarity of Chthamalus sp with bare substrate. The main advantages of the digital method are the fast abundance estimation, the possibility of comparison among researchers and the permanent community record. However, there is a potential for species misidentification with similar color morphotypes. In zonation intertidal studies, digital photograph sampling method is suggested since it is rather efficient, accurate and advantageous in relation to the field method. Such a choice might be made after the previous knowledge of local organisms and should be adequate to the final objectives.

Digital-sampling systems in high-resolution and wide dynamic-range energy measurements: Comparison with peak sensing ADCs

The use of fast digital sampling techniques in Nuclear Physics experiments as a replacement of the standard analog signal processing methods is discussed for applications needing high-resolution signal amplitude measurements. This is for example the case of a solid-state detector with a charge-sensitive preamplifier, processed using fast digital sampling methods. Under very general assumptions, an expression for the achievable resolution and dynamic range of the system is reported, valid for any detector/digitizer/digital-filter combination, taking into account the detector noise and the ADC properties, namely the Effective Number of Bits (ENOB) and the sampling frequency. The system properties are summarized using the parameter PSENOB, i.e. the “Peak-Sensing-Equivalent Number of Bits”. These results can be used to predict the attainable performances in various applications, possibly requiring a resolution/dynamic-range trade-off. Numerical examples for some representative cases in γ -ray spectroscopy and charged particle experiments are reported, demonstrating that the equivalent performances of a 15 bit peak-sensing ADC are feasible with today-available sampling ADCs. For ease of presentation, other non-trivial effects as baseline- and non-linearity-related issues as well as experimental tests of the proposed approach are presented in a companion paper [L. Bardelli, G. Poggi, Digital sampling-systems in high-resolution and wide dynamic-range energy measurements: finite time window, baseline effects, and experimental tests, this issue].

Digitization of the Experience Sampling Method

The implementation and the assessment of the digital experience sampling method are reported in this article. The experience sampling method is transformed into a digital format and is examined in the Web environment to elicit online Web users’ experiences through multiple iterations of an online questionnaire. By sampling Web users’ online experiences and detecting Web users’ situated experiences from a time point very close to their actual experiences, this tool may collect reliable and valid data with minimal distortion. This tool may effectively and unambiguously tap Web users’ internal experiences associated with their use of the Web. Two empirical studies are reported to verify the usefulness of this method.

Commerce versus art: The transformation of fair use

Digital sampling and other methods of copying give individuals a powerful means of commenting on the media. This technology is not being used to its fullest potential because of concerns about copyright infringement. Many artists believe that appropriating electronic broadcasts for the purpose of comment and criticism should be considered a fair use. The Supreme Court's recent decision in the 2 Live Crew parody case (Campbell v. Acuff‐Rose Music, Inc., 1994) supports this interpretation of copyright law.

Time-Resolved Spectral Measurement in Hollow Cathode Discharge Tubes by Photon-Counting Method

A microcomputer-controlled photon counting system using a digital sampling method has been developed to perform the spectral measurement of weak lines emitted from Ne atoms and ions excited by square-wave voltage pulses in hollow-cathode discharge tubes with sufficient sensitivity and accuracy. The characteristic features of the system are, 1) the high-voltage pulse generator and photon counter are operated synchronously, 2) the background noise and dark current of the photomultiplier are effectively eliminated by the use of two sampling gates, 3) even when the scanning range is greatly expanded, fluctuation of the gate position remains small. It has been observed using the system that the rise time of the intensity of a neutral line of Ne is generally shorter than that of an ionic line in pulsed hollow-cathode discharge.

A Note on Filtering Techniques

Abstract The peak braking coefficient of tires has been measured on an over-the-road tire traction tester using a variety of active electronic filters. Filters are identified that produce an accurate peak braking coefficient measurement by visual chart interpretation or digital sampling methods.