Data Management Methods Research Articles

Sampling and measurement methods of the protocol design of the China Nine-Province Survey for blindness, visual impairment and cataract surgery

To design the protocol of the China nine-province survey for blindness, visual impairment and cataract surgery to evaluate the prevalence and main causes of blindness and visual impairment, and the prevalence and outcomes of the cataract surgery. The protocol design was began after accepting the task for the national survey for blindness, visual impairment and cataract surgery from the Department of Medicine, Ministry of Health, China, in November, 2005. The protocol in Beijing Shunyi Eye Study in 1996 and Guangdong Doumen County Eye Study in 1997, both supported by World Health Organization, was taken as the basis for the protocol design. The relative experts were invited to discuss and prove the draft protocol. An international advisor committee was established to examine and approve the draft protocol. Finally, the survey protocol was checked and approved by the Department of Medicine, Ministry of Health, China and Prevention Program of Blindness and Deafness, WHO. The survey protocol was designed according to the characteristics and the scale of the survey. The contents of the protocol included determination of target population and survey sites, calculation of the sample size, design of the random sampling, composition and organization of the survey teams, determination of the examinee, the flowchart of the field work, survey items and methods, diagnostic criteria of blindness and moderate and sever visual impairment, the measures of the quality control, the methods of the data management. The designed protocol became the standard and practical protocol for the survey to evaluate the prevalence and main causes of blindness and visual impairment, and the prevalence and outcomes of the cataract surgery.

Study of Dynamic Visual Query Demonstration System for Steel Bridge Constructing Process

Based on Vb programming language, combined with the large span suspension bridge in the project construction management, research and development of a visual simulation of integrated system platform, achieve the data call and control on the dynamic 3D visual simulation model. Ready to deal with various types of data required for the project, and fundamentally changes the method of mass data management, to realize the “visualization”, “specification” and “simplification” of modern construction management, so that all results more intuitive display of data in the dialog window with visual modeling. It’s good call on a variety of data to guide construction.

Management of Radon Data in the State of Ohio, U.S.A.

The objective of this research paper is to create a public awareness in understanding the radon gas problem, discuss efficient data management methods and analyses of indoor radon gas concentrations, and mitigate the indoor radon gas concentrations to below acceptable level in the state of Ohio. The Ohio Radon Information System (ORIS) is a compendium of five databases or modules, viz. the Homes database, the Water database, the Schools database, the Mitigation database, and the Tester database. Over the years, the radon database (made available by testing laboratories, Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and universities) has been expanded to 145,849 radon gas observations for homes; 1,283 radon gas observations for drinking water; 1,147 radon gas observations for schools; 26,374 radon gas observations for mitigation systems; and 76,727 radon gas observations by testers. Analysis of the homes data shows that Licking County is the only county having a geometric mean (GM = 8.41 pCi/l) of radon gas concentration greater than 8 pCi/l in Ohio. Zip code 43930, in Jefferson County, accounts for a maximum GM radon gas concentration of 39 pCi/l. Of the 216 public and 1,067 private water supply systems, only 2 public and 65 private water supply systems have shown radon gas concentrations to exceed 1000 pCi/l. Analysis of the schools data reveals that a school in Belmont County to show a maximum radon gas concentration of 85.5 pCi/l, with 11 rooms out of the 39 school rooms tested greater than 4 pCi/l. The performance analysis of the mitigation systems identified the Sub Slab Depressurization (SSD) systems to be the best performers in mitigating the radon gas concentration to below 4 pCi/l in Ohio. Analysis of the tester's data showed two counties: Harrison (GM = 10.25 pCi/l); and Perry (GM = 8.65 pCi/l) to have a GM of radon gas concentration greater than 8 pCi/l in Ohio.

Doing feminist research in political and social science

1. Introduction to Feminist Research.- 2. A Feminist Research Ethic Explained.- 3. Feminist Roadmaps: Planning, Doing, and Presenting Your Research.- 4. Question-Driven Research: Formulating a Good Question.- 5. Theory and Conceptualization: situating your topic, also known as....The Literature Review.- 6. The Personal and the Political: Constraints and Opportunities of Research Design.- 7. Designing and Timing a Research Project.- 8. Sampling Cases, Operationalizing Concepts and Variables, and Selecting Data Requirements.- 9. Generating and Collecting Data.- 10. Common Techniques for Analysis.- 11. Structured Inquiry Research Designs.- 12. Methods for Data Management and Field Research.- 13. Writing and Publishing.- 14. Conclusion: Feminist Research Ethic, Review, and Evaluation.

Data transformation and query management in personal health sensor networks

Sensor technology has been exploited in many application areas ranging from climate monitoring, to traffic management, and healthcare. The role of these sensors is to monitor human beings, the environment or instrumentation and provide continuous streams of information regarding their status or well being. In the case study presented in this work, the network is provided by football teams with sensors generating continuous heart rate values during a number of different sporting activities. In wireless networks such as these, the requirement is for methods of data management and transformation in order to present data in a format suited to high level queries. In effect, what is required is a traditional database-style query interface where domain experts can continue to probe for the answers required in more specialised environments. The challenge arises from the gap that emerges between the low level sensor output and the high level user requirements of the domain experts. This paper describes a process to close this gap by automatically harvesting the raw sensor data and providing semantic enrichment through the addition of context data.

Qualitative data analysis: the framework approach

Qualitative methods are invaluable for exploring the complexities of health care and patient experiences in particular. Diverse qualitative methods are available that incorporate different ontological and epistemological perspectives. One method of data management that is gaining in popularity among healthcare researchers is the framework approach. We will outline this approach, discuss its relative merits and provide a working example of its application to data management and analysis.

Logistic assistance systems for collaborative supply chain planning

Global market changes and new business strategies have changed logistic processes. Today, complex supply chains contain numerous manufacturing levels with long–distance transport. Effective planning and control have to follow various objectives like cost reduction, reliability and flexibility, but also ecological targets. This paper introduces Logistic Assistance Systems (LAS) for planning and decision support in supply chains. Designed as lean software systems, LAS focus on logistic planning processes and integrate selected methods for data management, information processing and supply chain planning. First achievements with LAS at Volkswagen Group are now followed by a new promising project.

Computer-aided structural design of punches and dies for progressive die based on functional component

Punches and dies are the real operating components and account for a large portion in the progressive die design procedure. This paper presents a structural design tool for punches and dies for progressive dies of motor core based on functional component. The descriptive model of punch and die component is established which contains three aspect of information, geometry information, assembly-related constraint attribute and hole-related information on plates. Based on the classification and 3D modeling method of punches and dies, the library of components for punches and dies is set up according to the descriptive model. Methods for modeling and data management for components of punches and dies are discussed in detail. The proposed tool for progressive die for motor cores can complete the design of five classes of punches and dies and generate holes on plates automatically. This design tool is constructed on a PC and integrated with a SolidWorks CAD system. The progressive die design for the motor core of house appliance is employed as a practical example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the design tool. The results reveal that it can dramatically improve the design quality and can save both time and costs.

Intelligent Signal and Image Processing in eHealth

Intelligent Signal and Image Processing in eHealth

Activity-Based Proactive Data Management in Mobile Environments

Most users in a mobile environment are moving and accessing wireless services for the activities they are currently engaged in. We propose the idea of complex activity for characterizing the continuously changing complex behavior patterns of mobile users. For the purpose of data management, a complex activity is modeled as a sequence of location movement, service requests, the cooccurrence of location and service, or the interleaving of all above. An activity may be composed of subactivities. Different activities may exhibit dependencies that affect user behaviors. We argue that the complex activity concept provides a more precise, rich, and detail description of user behavioral patterns which are invaluable for data management in mobile environments. Proper exploration of user activities has the potential of providing much higher quality and personalized services to individual user at the right place on the right time. We, therefore, propose new methods for complex activity mining, incremental maintenance, online detection and proactive data management based on user activities. In particular, we devise prefetching and pushing techniques with cost-sensitive control to facilitate predictive data allocation. Preliminary implementation and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed framework and techniques can significantly increase local availability, conserve execution cost, reduce response time, and improve cache utilization.

Data Management System for Complex Mechanical Product in Collaborative Simulation Environment

In order to implement collaborative work in enterprises, it is important to exchange and share data during product design process. According to the characteristics and types of simulation data for mechanical properties analysis, an effective data management method is presented. Based on the functional framework of collaborative simulation environment, a new database system has been designed by combining relational database and content repository. The content repository for simulation data has been established and designed by user-defined node type whose model is a simple hierarchy. In this repository, simulation metadata have been stored as node properties. Furthermore, simulation data files can be stored in node which facilitates the upload and download of files. In the mean while, simulation flow data can be stored in relational database. An engineering application is employed to demonstrate the feasibility and practicability of the data management system.

Satellite operation improvement through efficient data combination in ground station networks

AbstractDue to the recent advances in miniaturization of small satellites, a huge amount of pico and nano satellite missions have been launched in the last years. In this scope also several projects related to networking of ground stations have been established, to increase access to the satellites and to improve operations performance. An important aspect for efficient usage of ground station resources is the application of modern data management methods. This work describes a new approach to efficiently combine data streams in academic ground station networks.

5 Years Experience in Collecting Tumor Specimen at Patient's Tumor Bank of Hope (PATH) – A Decentralized, Independent Biobank in Germany Controlled by Patients.

Abstract Purpose: PATH was established by a German breast cancer advocacy group in 2002. While there are other tumor banks around the world, the immediate benefit for the donating patient is not always clear. With PATH, we set out to prove that patients, physicians and researchers can join forces to operate a tumor bank at the highest ethical standards while collecting tumor specimen at highest and standardized quality. In addition, PATH has developed data acquisition and management methods for disease and therapy process and follow-up.Design: PATH Foundation is a non-profit organization.Seven certified German „breast centers“ are currently our partners. PATH is presented to patients in pre-OP discussion in these centers and they are given the opportunity to take part, by agreeing to an informed consent. The informational documents and consent form we give to patients were developed in collaboration with Prof. Taupitz of Germany's National Board of Ethics. The whole PATH procedure causes no additional cost for the patient.PATH tissuebank contains tumor-, normal tissue- and blood serum-specimen in fresh frozen quality stored in -152°C freezers or liquid nitrogen tanks. The first aliquot of each specimen is stored exclusively for the patient, the rest of the material is donated to PATH for research purposes. All cooperation partners (OB/Gyns and pathologists) commit to working strictly according to PATH's SOPs. There are 4 SOPs (extraction of blood serum und tissue aliquots, labeling of the specimen and quality-check with RIN assay).Cooperation partners' compliance and the implementation of the SOPs is monitored in biannual visits and meetings.All important data regarding tumor biology and therapy as well as sample processing are collected in PATH's own centrally managed MySQL database. The process was approved by the Bavarian Commission of Data Protection.Furthermore, PATH collects necessary follow-up data directly from the patient as well as from local tumor registries.Results: We began the collection of specimen in 2004.Data acquisition and implementation of the data base started in 2005. Follow-up began in late 2008. As of 04/2009, we have 3255 sufficiently documented patient data sets correlating with patients taking part in the PATH procedure (median age is 56). The available PATH collection contains 2732 tumor research specimen from 1251 patients (according to the last analysis of a collective of 2020 patients in 12/2008). Other quantities of collected specimen incl. patients' aliquot (ps') tumor = 1578; ps' normal tissue = 1591; ps' serum = 1876; resarch aliquots (ra) normal tissue = 2667; ra serum = 6068. This means that in 78,1% it was possible to collect a patient's tumor aliquot and in 61,9% at least one research specimen, varying with tumor stage.Conclusion: Over the last 5 years, PATH has gained broad experience in tumorbanking that is allowing it to operate a biobank at the highest ethical and qualitative standards. With its follow-up efforts, PATH will be able to provide a great variety of research specimen with at least a mean follow-up time of 5 years in 2011! Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 3074.

Geoinformatics in Agricultural Development: Challenges and Prospects in Nigeria

The paper reviews agricultural development in Nigeria, in the context of the emerging technologies of Geoinformatics, specifically Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). It expounded on the principles of Geoinformatics and their relevance in agricultural development. A critical analysis of the prevailing situation in Nigeria reveals the shortcomings of the current methods of data collection, analysis and management. This emphasizes the need to adopt Geoinformatic methods to improve agricultural productivity to meet the nutritional need of the teeming Nigeria masses as well as for export income. The challenges in this wise are low level of technological development, inconsistency and inept implementation of government policies, low level of investment, small land holdings, heterogeneity of cropping systems and market imperfection. To surmount these constraints a number of measures are suggested.

A user-centered design for a spatial data warehouse for data exploration in environmental research

The integration of data from diverse fields of ecological research is paramount in the discovery of new ecological patterns and processes. The spatial exploration of an integrated dataset that spans multiple studies and disciplines can allow researchers to gain unforeseen insight into their data, spawn new research questions and hypotheses and identify data gaps. A user-centered approach was taken to design a spatial data warehouse and online analytical processing (OLAP) tools for data exploration in ecological research. The users in this study had diverse needs and current methods of data management do not easily allow for integration and exploration of data in multidimensional space. A generalizable data warehouse design methodology was created based on the results of a user study. This methodology was then demonstrated in the design of a data warehouse for data exploration in stream ecology resulting in a multidimensional data model with a fact table representing biological stream survey measurements and dimension tables representing spatial and categorical site and landscape variables. A generalizable extraction transformation and loading (ETL) workflow was created to integrate data across spatial dimensions before it was loaded into the data warehouse. A prototype data warehouse was implemented using biological stream survey, hydrologic, and vegetation data to observe spatial patterns in biological community distributions. Based on the exploration requirements identified in the user study, prototype OLAP queries were designed to facilitate spatial data cube exploration. Finally, a web-based interface was implemented to allow for multidimensional spatial visualization of biological stream survey data. The data warehouse and interface will allow researchers to explore biological assessment data at multiple spatial scales across many dimensions.

On the application of wavelets in supply chain data management

Modern supply chains span multiple markets, suppliers and customers. Hierarchical decision making in such supply chains uses models and data with varying granularity for different levels. These models require formal methods of high-fidelity data management. This paper introduces wavelets as a mathematical lens to extract data at different scales. Its development will enrich data selection techniques in modern information-overloaded, volatile supply chains.

THE TRANSPORT AND DISPLAY OF ICONS FROM SAINT CATHERINE'S MONASTERY

The temporary exhibition 'Holy Image, Hallowed Ground: Icons from Sinai' was held at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles in 2006–2007. The majority of objects in the exhibition were on loan from St Catherine's Monastery in Egypt. The terms of loan for the objects required maintaining low levels of relative humidity during the transport and display of the objects. The design and construction of both crates and exhibition vitrines are described and illustrated. The method of environmental data management used for the exhibition is discussed.

What oncologists tell patients about survival benefits of palliative chemotherapy and implications for informed consent: qualitative study

Objective To examine how much oncologists tell patients about the survival benefit of palliative chemotherapy during consultations at which decisions about treatment are made.Design Qualitative study in which consultations were...

Technical Note: The air quality modeling system Polyphemus

Abstract. Polyphemus is an air quality modeling platform which aims at covering the scope and the abilities of modern air quality systems. It deals with applications from local scale to continental scale, using two Gaussian models and two Eulerian models. It manages passive tracers, radioactive decay, photochemistry and aerosol dynamics. The structure of the system includes four independent levels with data management, physical parameterizations, numerical solvers and high-level methods such as data assimilation. This enables sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, primarily through multimodel approaches. On top of the models, drivers implement advanced methods such as model coupling or data assimilation.

Through the Looking Glass

Trauma registries can be invaluable tools for improving quality of care and monitoring patient outcomes, but many function below their full potential. Reliance on low-tech, manual data management methods, such as the retyping of demographic information, can lead to inefficiency, increased personnel costs, and potential error. One low-cost solution is a digital interface between the medical records coding database and the trauma registry, allowing the registrar to pull demographic information and ICD-9 diagnostic and procedure codes directly from a reliable source without re-keying them. We created a batch interface for that purpose, reducing the burden of manual data entry and decreasing the time needed to complete patient records in the registry. The interface has eliminated our backlog and allowed the trauma registrar to focus on creating timely reports to track quality indicators.