Trustworthy Model Research Articles

How Modeling Standards, Software, and Initiatives Support Reproducibility in Systems Biology and Systems Medicine.

Only reproducible results are of significance to science. The lack of suitable standards and appropriate support of standards in software tools has led to numerous publications with irreproducible results. Our objectives are to identify the key challenges of reproducible research and to highlight existing solutions. In this paper, we summarize problems concerning reproducibility in systems biology and systems medicine. We focus on initiatives, standards, and software tools that aim to improve the reproducibility of simulation studies. The long-term success of systems biology and systems medicine depends on trustworthy models and simulations. This requires openness to ensure reusability and transparency to enable reproducibility of results in these fields.

Uncertainty and variability in models of the cardiac action potential: Can we build trustworthy models?

Cardiac electrophysiology models have been developed for over 50years, and now include detailed descriptions of individual ion currents and sub-cellular calcium handling. It is commonly accepted that there are many uncertainties in these systems, with quantities such as ion channel kinetics or expression levels being difficult to measure or variable between samples. Until recently, the original approach of describing model parameters using single values has been retained, and consequently the majority of mathematical models in use today provide point predictions, with no associated uncertainty.In recent years, statistical techniques have been developed and applied in many scientific areas to capture uncertainties in the quantities that determine model behaviour, and to provide a distribution of predictions which accounts for this uncertainty. In this paper we discuss this concept, which is termed uncertainty quantification, and consider how it might be applied to cardiac electrophysiology models.We present two case studies in which probability distributions, instead of individual numbers, are inferred from data to describe quantities such as maximal current densities. Then we show how these probabilistic representations of model parameters enable probabilities to be placed on predicted behaviours. We demonstrate how changes in these probability distributions across data sets offer insight into which currents cause beat-to-beat variability in canine APs. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges that this approach entails, and how it provides opportunities to improve our understanding of electrophysiology.

Experiences of registered nurses with regard to accessing health information at the point-of-care via mobile computing devices.

BackgroundThe volume of health information necessary to provide competent health care today has become overwhelming. Mobile computing devices are fast becoming an essential clinical tool for accessing health information at the point-of-care of patients.ObjectivesThis study explored and described how registered nurses experienced accessing information at the point-of-care via mobile computing devices (MCDs).MethodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. Ten in–depth interviews were conducted with purposively sampled registered nurses employed by a state hospital in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Tesch's data analysis technique. Ethical principles were adhered to throughout the study. Guba's model of trustworthiness was used to confirm integrity of the study.ResultsFour themes emerged which revealed that the registered nurses benefited from the training they received by enabling them to develop, and improve, their computer literacy levels. Emphasis was placed on the benefits that the accessed information had for educational purposes for patients and the public, for colleagues and students. Furthermore the ability to access information at the point-of-care was considered by registered nurses as valuable to improve patient care because of the wide range of accurate and readily accessible information available via the mobile computing device.ConclusionThe registered nurses in this study felt that being able to access information at the point-of-care increased their confidence and facilitated the provision of quality care because it assisted them in being accurate and sure of what they were doing.

A methodological approach for trustworthiness assessment and prediction in mobile online collaborative learning

Trustworthiness and technological security solutions are closely related to online collaborative learning and they can be combined with the aim of reaching information security requirements for e-Learning participants and designers. Moreover, mobile collaborative learning is an emerging educational model devoted to providing the learner with the ability to assimilate learning any time and anywhere. In this paper, we justify the need of trustworthiness models as a functional requirement devoted to improving information security. To this end, we propose a methodological approach to modelling trustworthiness in online collaborative learning. Our proposal sets out to build a theoretical approach with the aim to provide e-Learning designers and managers with guidelines for incorporating security into mobile online collaborative activities through trustworthiness assessment and prediction.

El marco institucional del nuevo modelo de regulación finaciera de la Unión Europea

The economic crisis, which has been with us since 2008, has called into question the supervision and financial regulation model in the European Union (EU). The economic governing system, which was born after the creation of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EEMU), has been shown to be clearly insufficient in order to deal with the impact of the recession which has hit the twenty seven Member States of the EU. This situation has illustrated the need for a wider cooperation between the States, some supervisory institutions with a more systematic vision and a better designed and more specific financial system. The objective of this article is to analyze the modifications which have been made to the supervision model of the European financial system, the problems which have resulted and the lines of improvement which must be studied if the intention is that the supervision model of the European financial system is going to be a trustworthy, efficient and effective model in the future. To do this, the changes in the renovation of the financial supervision model in the EU, which have been made since 2011, will be studied. In the first place, the macro-prudential and micro-prudential supervision through the restructuring of the three fundamental bases of the financial system will be analyzed: banking system, market values and insurance. Secondly, a critique of the model will be carried out and the most problematic points of the system will be outlined in order to highlight areas which need improving and finally, the conclusions will be presented.

Perceptions of professional nurses regarding introduction of the Batho Pele principles in State hospitals.

BackgroundThe South African health care delivery system has shifted focus to primary health care since 1994. For this purpose the Batho Pele principles were introduced. Nurses claim, however, that since the introduction of these principles patients and their families have been making unnecessary and sometimes impossible demands of nursing staff. This article presents the perceptions of the professional nurses regarding the introduction of the Batho Pele principles in their workplace.ObjectivesTo describe the perceptions of professional nurses regarding introduction of the Batho Pele principles and to recommend guidelines to facilitate measures to realise the objects of these principles.MethodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contexual research design was used. Six audio-taped focus group discussions and field notes were used to collect data from purposively sampled participants who have worked in the outpatient departments of hospitals in the Port Elizabeth Hospital Complex. Guba's model of trustworthiness was used to confirm integrity of the study, whilst the participants were kept anonymous, protected from harm and participated voluntarily. Data analysis was done using Tesch's data analysis spiral and with the involvement of an independent-coder.ResultsThree themes emerged, revealing that the professional nurses perceived the objectives of the Batho Pele principles as difficult to uphold due to the inadequate planning prior to their implementation. Inadequacy of human and material resources aggravated this perception.ConclusionProfessional nurses are not happy with how things are in terms of introduction of the Batho Pele principles, but are optimistic of a positive change in the near future.

Security in online web learning assessment

This paper proposes a trustworthiness model for the design of secure learning assessment in on-line web collaborative learning groups. Although computer supported collaborative learning has been widely adopted in many educational institutions over the last decade, there exist still drawbacks which limit their potential in collaborative learning activities. Among these limitations, we investigate information security requirements in on-line assessment, (e-assessment), which can be developed in collaborative learning contexts. Despite information security enhancements have been developed in recent years, to the best of our knowledge, integrated and holistic security models have not been completely carried out yet. Even when security advanced methodologies and technologies are deployed in learning management systems, too many types of vulnerabilities still remain opened and unsolved. Therefore, new models such as trustworthiness approaches can overcome these lacks and support e-assessment requirements for e-Learning. To this end, a holistic security model is designed, implemented and evaluated in a real context of e-Learning. Implications of this study are remarked for secure assessment in on-line collaborative learning through effective trustworthiness approaches.

Prediction carbon dioxide solubility in presence of various ionic liquids using computational intelligence approaches

Ionic liquids (ILs) are highly promising for industrial applications such as design and development of gas sweetening processes. For a safe and economical design, prediction of carbon dioxide solubility by a trustworthy model is really essential. In this research, based on the pressure and temperature of system and the critical properties such as critical temperature (Tc) and critical pressure (Pc) and also acentric factor (ω) and molecular weight (Mw) of pure ionic liquids, a multi-layer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN) and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy interference system (ANFIS) have been developed to estimate carbon dioxide solubility in presence of various ILs over wide ranges of pressure, temperature and concentration. To this end, 728 experimental data points collected from the literature have been used for implementation of these models. To verify the proposed models, regression analysis has been conducted on the experimental and predicted solubility of carbon dioxide in ILs. Moreover, in this study, a comparison between experimental carbon dioxide solubilities and predicted values of carbon dioxide solubility by thermodynamic models based on Peng–Robinson (PR) and Soave–Redlich–Kwong (SRK) equation of states has been performed. For MLP-ANN, coefficient of determination (R2) between experimental and predicted values is 0.9972 and mean squared errors (MSEs) is 0.000133 and the values of R2=0.9336 and MSE=0.002942 were obtained for ANFIS model while, the values of R2 and MSE for PR-EOS were 0.7323 and 0.002702 respectively, and also, R2=0.6989 and MSE=0.005578 were obtained for SRK-EOS model. Therefore, in current study, ability and better performance of MLP-ANN as an accurate correlation for estimating carbon dioxide solubility in ILs was showed against other alternative models.

Perceptions of mental healthcare professionals regarding inpatient therapy programmes for adolescents in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

ObjectivesThe study aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of mental health professionals with experience working in psychiatric hospitals regarding inpatient therapy programmes for adolescents.MethodsThe study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. The research population included various mental healthcare professionals with experience working at psychiatric hospitals in the Eastern Cape. Purposive sampling was utilised and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Tesch's eight steps of data analysis were followed and Lincoln and Guba's model of trustworthiness was utilised.ResultsTwo main themes emerged from the research. The first considered the unique skills and contributions of mental healthcare professionals to an adolescent programme. The second theme acknowledged the need for adolescent therapy programmes to be holistically structured in order to be effective.ConclusionsThe findings showed that inter-professional collaboration is an important aspect of successful inpatient adolescent therapy programmes. Such programmes benefit from the involvement of a wide variety of professionals. However, professionals who are part of a multi-professional team need to be suitably skilled and prepared to meet the needs of the adolescent. Professionals working in therapy programmes for adolescents should have certain personal attributes that make them suitable for working with adolescents. An adolescent inpatient therapy programme requires a team leader or a coordinator to lead the programme to ensure its success. Continuous assessment of each adolescent is essential. Therapy should take place in an adolescent-friendly environment and should be structured yet flexible. The involvement of the adolescents’ families is critical, and the programme should be designed with the family in mind. Group therapy is a major component of an adolescent therapy programme and individual therapy is also an important aspect of the programme. Finally, adolescents should only take part in the programme for a short time to avoid institutionalisation.

Enhancing focused antenatal care in Ghana: An exploration into perceptions of practicing midwives

ObjectiveThe specific objectives of this study were to explore the perceptions of midwives on focused antenatal care at a large urban hospital in Tema, Ghana. MethodologyAn interpretive descriptive design was used to explore, interpret and describe the perceptions of midwives in the provision of focused antenatal services to pregnant women. Purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit participants (midwives). Data were collected by conducting individual semi-structured interviews. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were manually coded using two methods described by Saldana (2009). Guba’s model of trustworthiness was implemented. FindingsFive themes emerged from the data analysis. It included midwives’ conceptualization of FANC and their perception of FANC processes/flow, quality of care, factor inhibiting the implementation of FANC, and strategies to enhance FANC interventions. DiscussionContinuous quality management is essential to ensure a supportive environment to deliver FANC services. Continued and increased support from Ghana Health Service (GHS) will be of great importance. ConclusionIt is clear that the midwives in this study perceived FANC positive. FANC contributes to the quality of ANC delivery and subsequent improvement in the health status of pregnant women in Ghana. In addition, the findings contributed to existing knowledge and have the potential to guide future research in the field of ANC to improve maternal health and reduce maternal deaths.

Software credibility assessment model based on back propagation network

Regarding the problem on ignoring the mutual influence between trustworthy attributes in software trustworthy evaluation process, first, the relation between trustworthy attributes is qualitatively divided into promotion, inhibition, and no effect on the three. Second, combined with users' expectation, a software trustworthy evaluation model based on back propagation (BP) network is proposed, and qualitative relation between software attributes carries out quantitative conversion and obtains differences in degree of different software attribute effect software trustworthiness. Finally, this paper uses a web software case to verify the validity and rationality of the proposed model. The results show that the proposed model can be more accurate and comprehensive in software trustworthy evaluation.

Integrated Petrophysical Evaluation of a Heterogeneous Shaly-sand Reservoir: A Case Study in Nahr Umr Formation-subba Giant Oil Field, Iraq

This study presents an integrated petrophysical evaluation for Nahr Umr reservoir by highlighting a practical trustworthy approach petrophysical model for Nahr Umr reservoir in Subba oil field depending on available data. The available data include core analysis conducted on seven core samples taken from seven wells in Subba oil field and well set logs which include gamma ray, static spontaneous, neutron, sonic, density and resistivity logs. Subba oil field is a giant oil field located in southern part of Iraq about 110 km Northwest Basra. Nahr Umr formation in Subba oil field is a heterogeneous clastic reservoir. It was considered one of the most important producing clastic reservoir in southern Iraqi oil fields. The conventional petrophysical models, by using neutron- density cross-plot for lithology and porosity and Archie's equation for water saturation, can be adequate for evaluating clean sands. Usually the shaly sand formations are adhere to bad hole in shale section. Facies identification was achieved depending on core analysis data, core description data and wire line log measurements. The calculations of permeability was based on rock types identification and using available core data measurements. The generated permeability models can be used to calculate permeability for uncored intervals in all wells corresponding to each facies. Porosity was calculated using Neutron-density porosity model and Sonic model for bad hole section. Saturation model was built by utilizing the Indonesia Equation model, this model has proved its efficiency to be applied successfully for clastic Iraqi reservoirs. The petrophysical parameters were determined on a well-by-well basis. The formation resistivity factors (a, m) and water saturation exponent (n) have been derived from Pickett plot and formation water salinity. Reservoir quality calculations or net pay values are based on cut-offs values for porosity, saturation and shale volume.

Abstract 353: How highly purified lentiviral vectors matter when it comes to genetically modifying your cells for the generation of in vitro or in vivo predictive cancer models

Abstract The development of relevant predictive cancer models including genetic modification is crucial for gene target validation and the assessment of molecules efficacy. Such models must be conceived through the use of a tool ensuring both the original phenotype of the cells to be strictly maintained and a stable expression of the sequence of interest in all target cells including primary cells. In these delicate cells as hematopoietic lineages, classical transfection protocols are not only transient and inefficient but they also induce cytotoxic effects and/or proliferative arrests. Gene transfer using lentiviral vectors is safer for such cells and the expression of the sequence of interest (cDNA, shRNA, miRNA) is stable thanks to the vector DNA integration into genomic DNA, bringing stable cell line at once. Using highly purified and concentrated lentivectors, we show that not only is it possible to transduce 100% of T lymphocytes, monocytes, M1/M2 Macrophages, and dendritic cells, but we also manage the integrated copy number and level of expression. With such transduction efficiency, it doesn’t worth to perform any antibiotic selection, allowing to save time and ensuring to keep the cells phenotype. In vivo, we show that lentiviral vectors expressing luciferase or fluorescent reporters are a good tool for noninvasive analyses of tumor animal models. They can be efficiently used through direct injections into adult animals and also through in vitro transductions of any tumoral cells subsequently reimplantated in the context of cancer models. The transplantation of genetically modified HSC offers an attractive alternative to transgenic animal models, allowing a more rapid and cost-effective in vivo validation of target genes for models of hematopoietic malignancies. Here, we present data obtained using concentrated and purified lentiviral suspension for the transduction of Lin- bone marrow cells before their transfer into recipient irradiated mice. These data bring out that lentiviral vectors have to be highly concentrated and purified in order to maintain the original cell phenotype, proliferation and viability in the goal to achieve an effective transgene expression. These two additional criterias combined with the lentiviral vector properties are required to ensure the development of trustworthy predictive cancer models, and thus build the link between in vitro assays and in vivo results to finally translate to therapeutic applications. Citation Format: Adriana Georges, Régis Gayon, Christine Duthoit, Yohann Moal, Raphael Sevrain, Nicolas Martin, Pascale Bouillé. How highly purified lentiviral vectors matter when it comes to genetically modifying your cells for the generation of in vitro or in vivo predictive cancer models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 353. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-353

A massive data processing approach for effective trustworthiness in online learning groups

SummaryThis paper proposes a trustworthiness‐based approach for the design of secure learning activities in online learning groups. Although computer‐supported collaborative learning has been widely adopted in many educational institutions over the last decade, there exist still drawbacks that limit its potential. Among these limitations, we investigate on information security vulnerabilities in learning activities, which may be developed in online collaborative learning contexts. Although security advanced methodologies and technologies are deployed in learning management systems, many security vulnerabilities are still not satisfactorily solved. To overcome these deficiencies, we first propose the guidelines of a holistic security model in online collaborative learning through an effective trustworthiness approach. However, as learners' trustworthiness analysis involves large amount of data generated along learning activities, processing this information is computationally costly, especially if required in real time. As the main contribution of this paper, we eventually propose a parallel processing approach, which can considerably decrease the time of data processing, thus allowing for building relevant trustworthiness models to support learning activities even in real time. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

SATVPC: Secure-agent-based trustworthy virtual private cloud model in open computing environments

Private clouds and public clouds are turning mutually into the open integrated cloud computing environment, which can aggregate and utilize WAN and LAN networks computing, storage, information and other hardware and software resources sufficiently, but also bring a series of security, reliability and credibility problems. To solve these problems, a novel secure-agent-based trustworthy virtual private cloud model named SATVPC was proposed for the integrated and open cloud computing environment. Through the introduction of secure-agent technology, SATVPC provides an independent, safe and trustworthy computing virtual private platform for multi-tenant systems. In order to meet the needs of the credibility of SATVPC and mandate the trust relationship between each task execution agent and task executor node suitable for their security policies, a new dynamic composite credibility evaluation mechanism was presented, including the credit index computing algorithm and the credibility differentiation strategy. The experimental system shows that SATVPC and the credibility evaluation mechanism can ensure the security of open computing environments with feasibility. Experimental results and performance analysis also show that the credit indexes computing algorithm can evaluate the credibilities of task execution agents and task executor nodes quantitatively, correctly and operationally.

Control algorithms for a unified power quality conditioner based on three-level converters

This work is focused on improvements on the control algorithms of a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) that employs two three-level neutral-point-clamped converters. The applied control strategy is based on instantaneous power definitions (active and non-active currents), together with a robust synchronizing circuit Phase-Locked-Loop (PLL), to detect the phase angle of the fundamental positive-sequence component of the system voltage. With this control strategy, the shunt conditioner is able to compensate unbalances and harmonics in the load currents, and to correct the power factor, whereas the series conditioner is able to compensate problems related to the system voltages, like sags, swells, unbalances, and distortions. In other words, the UPQC, with the proposed control strategy, consists in a universal solution capable to mitigate most power quality problems in an electrical installation. The back-to-back connection of three-level converters in the UPQC requires a special control algorithm to ensure adequate dc-link voltage regulation and capacitor-voltage equalization. A trustworthy model of the UPQC employing three-level neutral-point-clamped converters, connected in a three-phase three-wire system, was investigated in order to verify the performance of the UPQC with the improved controller. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Trustworhty Model for Reliable Cloud Service Discovery

computing is a new model for delivering new applications and services. Its adoption is gaining ground because most of the services provided by the cloud are of low cost and readily available for use. Despite many promises by the cloud service providers, users remain much concerned about the general risk associated with the adoption of the cloud. The availability of many cloud service providers on one hand promotes competition in the cloud market and gives end users more freedom to choose the best cloud provider however it became a tedious and time consuming task for potential cloud users to evaluate and compare the available cloud offerings in the market. Hence, discovering a reliable service is a daunting task. This research proposed a trustworthy model for reliable cloud service discovery.

Cluster System: An Innovative Network for Teacher Development

This paper focuses on cluster system, an innovative network for teacher development in South African context. Research revealed that many teacher development programmes have been unsatisfactory because they were not based on research and thus did not yield their intended results. The purpose of this study was to investigate how cluster systems could enhance teacher development. An interpretive research with grounded theory included qualitative approach using Guba's model of trustworthiness of the respondents. The findings indicated that a framework based on research theories could assist in the effective implementation of clusters that would result in teacher development.

The Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making model for Web Software Trustworthiness

The evaluation of web software trustworthiness is an urgent issue to tackle in the background of internet and information society. In this paper ,the Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making model for Web Software Trustworthiness (WST-MAGDM) is established: first, the ISO/IEC 0126 and web software attributes diagram is chose as the basic models and the simple web software trustworthy model as the contrast model, then ,the model is improved by using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to questionnaire survey; second, the model is the foundation for building the web software comprehensive evaluation index system and evaluation grading criterion; finally, combing subjective and objective weighting methods in group decision-making, this paper can evaluate web software trustworthiness. Selecting planning-deployed internet banking from a bank in China can provide reference for enterprise decision-maker according to the decision rule set.

Challenges in Building a Trustworthy Network

An open challenge in trustworthy computing is the development of a trustworthy network since network plays an essential role of current computing infrastructure (e.g., grid computing, cloud computing, etc.). In order to have a trustworthy network, security, privacy, and reliability must be protected on every major network component. For instance, if there is no trusted mechanism to enforce security protection of every data transaction on major network components, a network cannot be relied on performing trustworthy computing. It has been observed that trustworthy network cannot be practically achieved if there is no trusted integration of major network components. In this paper, we discuss the challenges in building a trustworthy network and develop a trustworthy network model that is both scalable and interoperable with existing and future network architectures.