Research Information Infrastructure Research Articles

Europe's Largest Research Infrastructure for Curated Medical Data Models with Semantic Annotations.

Structural metadata from the majority of clinical studies and routine health care systems is currently not yet available to the scientific community. To provide an overview of available contents in the Portal of Medical Data Models (MDM Portal). The MDM Portal is a registered European information infrastructure for research and health care, and its contents are curated and semantically annotated by medical experts. It enables users to search, view, discuss, and download existing medical data models. The most frequent keyword is "clinical trial" (n = 18,777), and the most frequent disease-specific keyword is "breast neoplasms" (n = 1,943). Most data items are available in English (n = 545,749) and German (n = 109,267). Manually curated semantic annotations are available for 805,308 elements (554,352 items, 58,101 item groups, and 192,855 code list items), which were derived from 25,257 data models. In total, 1,609,225 Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) codes have been assigned, with 66,373 unique UMLS codes. To our knowledge, the MDM Portal constitutes Europe's largest collection of medical data models with semantically annotated elements. As such, it can be used to increase compatibility of medical datasets and can be utilized as a large expert-annotated medical text corpus for natural language processing.

Trusted infrastructure needs DINIvolution – the DINI certificate for Open Access publishing services

Research information infrastructure services require transparent criteria and guidelines to be considered trustworthy, i.e. sustainable, interoperable and ready for future challenges. The DINI Certificate for Open Access Publication Services (an English version is currently in preparation) supports these requirements. The community-developed, noncommercial certificate paves the way for open scholarly communication and supports the prerequisites for the free availability of scholarly information as an essential element of future-oriented research-related services. Launched in 2004 and now in its 7th revised version, the DINI certificate has undergone dozens of successful certification processes, and is still unique and can be considered a de facto standard for publishing services, at least in Germany, and a role model for other countries. It is therefore recommended as a guide for publication services by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The DINI Certificate is managed by a team of information experts from research libraries, research organisations and software developers who are organised in the “Electronic Publishing” working group of DINI e.V. DINI or the German Initiative for Networked Information (Deutsche Initiative für Netzwerkinformation) promotes the development of interoperable open and trustworthy information infrastructures and services at research institutions.The DINI Certificate is based on an elaborate set of criteria that takes into account international standards and reflects the current state of technical, organisational and editorial requirements. For certified institutions, the DINI certificate provides a quasiguarantee that their service complies with the requirements of open science and will continue to do so. For others, it provides guidance on implementing a state-of-the-art service. Feedback from the interested community is collected through an open call for comments and taken into account in the revision processes.In the latest certificate (2022), the focus is on supporting users as authors and recipients, the requirements of open science, the sustainability of the service infrastructure, and the desired internationalisation. As a first step towards internationalisation, the certificate has been extended to include the specific requirements for certification of Austrian publication services. Complementary tools and measurements support the effectiveness of the certificate.This presentation will highlight the “DINIverse” − the DINI Certificate and its complementary tools − as a central instrument and inspiration for establishing and maintaining trustworthy Open Access publishing services. In three chapters it will give a brief overview of the origin of the certificate and the continuous adoption of new established requirements as essential parts of the “DINIvolution”, the related workflows, the benefits for users as well as the related services and projects: e.g. supporting tools like the DINI OAI validator, a dynamic overview of publishing services from Germanspeaking countries developed in cooperation with BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine as well as a specialised vocabulary to support compliance with international standards.

What makes databases tick: Logics that underpin national databases for research output in Europe

Abstract The increasing use of research metrics in the monitoring and evaluation of research has led to the expansion of research information infrastructure, as indicated by the rising number of national databases for research output and research information systems. At the same time, debates on requirements of national databases for research output are typically guided by simplistic assumptions about what an infrastructure is and how it shapes our understanding of different phenomena. We present an alternative framing of databases wherein infrastructure and context are seen as mutually constitutive. Drawing upon qualitative data on 12 national databases in Europe, we investigate the role that databases for research output play in research metrics and consequently in our understanding of research activities. Specifically, we bring to the surface database features that are typically left implicit and yet are crucial for understanding these databases in context. A key outcome of this study is an identification of two database logics—New Public Management and Enlightenment—that underpin database designs and the organization of database work. These logics do not merely guide practical database work (e.g. by determining the features of highest priority), but through the outcomes of that work they both enact and distribute a particular conception of what research is. In this article, we show how the two logics manifest and how they are related to each other. Situating these findings in the landscape of developments in research information infrastructure, we discuss implications for research evaluation and the understanding of research in general.

Research Information Infrastructure in Ukraine: first steps towards building a national CRIS

Development and implementation of Current Research Information Systems (CRIS) is one of the most transparent and practical approaches to curate research information on a national level. The process of building and implementing such systems is a complex and time consuming where successful results heavily depend on the established research information infrastructure of a country, the interoperability of the systems and the quality of the information which reside in them. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the existing Ukrainian Research Information Infrastructure and identify which databases could be reused and integrated with a national Ukrainian Current Research Information System (URIS). The analysis showed that there are functional databases and registries that collect data on research activities and could be used as a data sources for the URIS. In particular, the Unified State Electronic Database on Education is a potential data source on higher educational institutions, the National Repository of Academic Texts — on metadata on research output, internal database of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine and database on research projects maintained by Ukrainian Institute of Scientific Technical and Economic Information — on projects. Secondly, it was identified that Ukrainian research infrastructure lacks complete, up-to-date registry on researchers. Finally, we discussed the challenges and solutions for further steps in building national CRIS.

Visualisation and analysis of multi-resolution raster geodatasets in the cloud

Abstract. Raster geodatasets are an important data source for map-related web applications. However, existing differences in how those datasets are georeferenced, formatted and made available complicate their integration for analysis and visualisation purposes. Furthermore, the inconsistent cell resolutions make it difficult to perform efficient and reliable display of the datasets over a range of scales. In particular, it is challenging to achieve satisfactory user experience in visual exploration of interactive analysis operations carried out on these datasets.Dataset harmonisation carried out as a pre-processing procedure seems to be necessary for resolving the raster geodata inconsistency challenge. After the pre-processing step, the harmonized datasets have to be stored into an easily accessible data storage, preferably in close connection with the computing platform where the analysis operations are to be performed.Multidimensional datacube has emerged as a conceptual framework for organising a repository of harmonised raster geodatasets. Satellite images have so far been the most popular geospatial application area for datacubes. The set of dimensions of such geodatacube typically consist of two or three coordinate axes, time, and the content theme. While being ingested into the datacube, the involved datasets are brought into a common georeferencing frame, series of cell resolutions, and storage format. The selected harmonised resolution levels can actually be seen as a set of individual geodatacubes.An initiative has launched in Finland to build a harmonised multi-resolution geodatacube, called GeoCubes Finland, containing some of the most important national geodatasets. The datasets currently incorporated into the geodatacube include digital elevation models together with land cover, superficial deposit, forest inventory and administrative unit datasets. GeoCubes Finland is being built as part of the Finnish Open Geospatial Information Infrastructure for Research (oGIIR) programme, aimed at developing the geospatial research infrastructure of the country. The data storage and the related computing facilities have been implemented on a cloud service platform provided by CSC - IT Center for Science that serves Finnish universities and research institutes.

The current state and future perspectives of the research information infrastructure in Croatia

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the existing Croatian research information infrastructure and to outline a new model of the Croatian Current Research Information System (CroRIS), required for the systematical monitoring and evaluation of the research processes and output of the Croatian public research and higher education institutions, as well as for the increasing of their international visibility. Based on the results of the analysis of the existing research information infrastructure in Croatia, the general outline of the new CERIF-based CroRIS model is proposed. The analysis of the existing research information infrastructure showed that there are some functional parts which could be reused and/or used as a basis for the implementation of the proposed CroRIS model. The proposed model represents a concept which would allow a quality decision and science-policy making in Croatia.

Persistent identifiers: the building blocks of the research information infrastructure

Persistent identifiers (PIDs) – for people (researchers), places (their organizations) and things (their research outputs and other contributions) – are foundational elements in the overall research information infrastructure. They enable these entities to be uniquely identified and connected, to create reliable links between them. In this paper we describe what PIDs are and how they work. We demonstrate how, if widely adopted, the connections they enable will result in improved access to information, opportunities for collaboration, reduced administrative overhead and, ultimately, increased trust in scholarship and research. To ensure they are fit for purpose, we propose that PID metadata should meet FAIR principles, and that the source of information they contain should be clear and transparent. We also recognize existing usage of persistent identifiers, and invite community support for wider adoption of PIDs in future.

FRIS R3 - CERIF XML in Large Scale Exchange of Research Information

The ambition of FRIS R3 is to take responsibility for a broader regional research information infrastructure that enables the participating Flemish research institutions, and other service users like funders and assessment entities, to uniquely identify and reuse meta-data on “research entities” – as well as showcasing Flemish Research. Relevant research entities in this context are researchers, organisations, projects, research output, but also include other research related aspects. In this paper we present the motivation, development processes, technical architecture and implementation behind the new Flemish infrastructure for research information called FRIS R3. FRIS R3 also serves as an example of a real world implementation of CERIF XML that uncovers challenges that must be addressed, if CERIF XML is intended to stay relevant in commercial and large scale contexts.

The role of the national library as a catalyst for an open access agenda: the experience in Sweden

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of national libraries in developing national open access infrastructure and policy on the basis of the experiences of the National Library (NL) of Sweden.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is descriptive based on the knowledge of a key player in the development of open access in Sweden. The priorities and outcome of the programme are described.FindingsThe paper reveals that the NL Sweden since around 1990 has combined the mission of a “traditional” national library with that of a national, research library authority. It has coordinated its support for development of repositories and open access in the OpenAccess.se programme that ran from 2006 to 2009. The conclusion is that a national library can successfully act as a catalyst for closer cooperation between the main bodies of research and research libraries in advancing an Open Access agenda and developing a digital research information infrastructure. This is because it is usually placed directly under the government and thus closer to national policy making. It is often perceived as unbiased in relation to the different interests of the various parties involved. It is also able to advance development projects into sustainable services.Originality/valueThe role of national libraries in relation to open access has not been discussed widely. The experience of the NL Sweden in this respect has a general interest.

Ambient formaldehyde source attribution in Houston during TexAQS II and TRAMP

An online data repository known as the Air Research Information Infrastructure (ARII) was used to discriminate large industrial sources of formaldehyde (HCHO) from mobile and secondary formaldehyde sources in Houston. Analysis of continuous online measurements at one urban and two industrial sites obtained during the summer of 2006 enabled us to isolate and evaluate major source factors associated with formaldehyde. The contribution of industrial sources to total atmospheric formaldehyde at the urban Houston site is estimated to be 17%, compared to 23% for mobile sources, 36% secondary formation, and 24% biogenic sources. The potential industrial sources include flares from petrochemical plants and refineries in the Port of Houston. The relative contribution of industrial source factors to ambient HCHO at the urban site increased to about 66% on some mornings, coinciding with the HCHO peak concentration. Secondary formation of HCHO during the day and night resulted from reactions of industrial olefins and other VOCs with OH or ozone. Some peak HCHO concentrations can also be linked to emission events of other VOCs, while a significant portion remains unexplained by the reported events. It is likely, based on the results from the SHARP campaign and our analysis, that some episodic emission events releasing primary HCHO are unreported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Past Its Shelve by Date? United Kingdom Research Reserve (UKRR): A Twenty-First-Century Strategy to Protect Our Research Information for the Future

By the end of the twentieth century higher education libraries across the United Kingdom were struggling to find room for their ever expanding collections. In 2007 the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) provided funding for the establishment of United Kingdom Research Reserve (UKRR) Phase One—a partnership between six university libraries and the British Library (BL). This project initiated a systematic approach to the deduplication of low use research material which was also already available in robust electronic form. Following the success of Phase One HEFCE has now made a grant of nearly £10m for Phase Two—a much more ambitious scheme open to all HE libraries working in partnership with the BL. This radical new approach to collection development represents the beginning of an important cultural change. It will see the replacement of the “just in case” model of information provision for UK researchers with a “just in time” model to release valuable space while safeguarding the national research information infrastructure.

Electronic health records: high-quality electronic data for higher-quality clinical research

In the decades prior to the introduction of electronic health records (EHRs), the best source of electronic information to support clinical research was claims data. The use of claims data in research has been criticised for capturing only demographics, diagnoses and procedures recorded for billing purposes that may not fully reflect the patient's condition. Many important details of the patient's clinical status are not recorded. EHRs can overcome many limitations of claims data in research, by capturing a more complete picture of the observations and actions of a clinician recorded when patients are seen. EHRs can provide important details about vital signs, diagnostic test results, social and family history, prescriptions and physical examination findings. As a result, EHRs present a new opportunity to use data collected through the routine operation of a clinical practice to generate and test hypotheses about the relationships among patients, diseases, practice styles, therapeutic modalities and clinical outcomes. This article describes the clinical research information infrastructure at four institutions: the University of Pennsylvania, Regenstrief Institute/Indiana University, Partners Healthcare System and the University of Virginia. We present models for applying EHR data successfully within the clinical research enterprise.

The Role of a National Library in Supporting Research Information Infrastructure

The National Library of Australia is collaborating in a national program to improve the nation’s research information infrastructure. These activities have provided a focus for the Library in its engagement with the university community. The Library has developed integrated discovery services, actively participated in three research information infrastructure projects, and worked with partners on the problem of sustaining university repositories to support long-term access. The Library is an active partner in Project ARROW (Australian Research Repositories Online to the World), which is developing a solution for institutional repositories in collaboration with a commercial vendor, and also in the Australian Partnership for Sustainable Repositories (APSR), where the Library is helping to develop a sound approach to assessing the obsolescence risk of file formats, advising on a strategy for including preservation metadata in the repositories, and seeking to influence the future development of open source repository software to make use of preservation metadata.

Information Infrastructure for Air Quality Modeling and Analysis: Application to the Houston-Galveston Ozone Non-attainment Area

The Houston-Galveston Area (HGA) and several other metropolitan regions in the US are classified, under the Clean Air Act, as non-attainment areas because of the noncompliance of air quality standards due to higher ground-level ozone and particulate matter concentrations. These regions must reduce their ozone levels within the next 5 to 7 years to comply with EPA standards or they will be penalized with a loss of federal funding and other punitive measures. To study the severity of air pollution problems and to provide tools for the development of emissions control strategies, a research information infrastructure that includes air quality measurement data and various modeling systems is necessary. This paper presents an example of such system that integrates a set of meteorological models, emissions processing systems, air quality models, a trajectory analysis tool, a GIS-based data analysis/visualization system, and a collection of observational data sets for the HGA housed in a network of computer systems. We demonstrate the capacity and utilization potential of the information infrastructure to test some of the nongovernmental organizations and public initiated emissions control scenarios proposed by groups including the Task Force for Ozone Reduction Strategies (TFORS), which might have a significant impact on the State Implementation Plan (SIP).

SCIENTIFIC AND METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF PROVIDING THE INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING RESEARCH IN APS OF UKRAINE

Development of modern information infrastructure for research in the APS of Ukraine is a pressing problem in the information society and it’s transition to a knowledge society. The purpose of the article is to define the theoretical foundations based approach and methodology for creating an information system "Planning Research at the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine based on the Internet". The materials of the paper contain the results of a study conducted in the performance of scientific research "Scientific and methodological support of information system programming research at the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine on the basis of the Internet», №s.r. 0109U002139.