Showing papers on "Electronic data published in 2015"

The Implication of Using NVivo Software in Qualitative Data Analysis: Evidence-Based Reflections

Abstract: For a long time, electronic data analysis has been associated with quantitative methods. However, Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) are increasingly being developed. Although the CAQDAS has been there for decades, very few qualitative health researchers report using it. This may be due to the difficulties that one has to go through to master the software and the misconceptions that are associated with using CAQDAS. While the issue of mastering CAQDAS has received ample attention, little has been done to address the misconceptions associated with CAQDAS. In this paper, the author reflects on his experience of interacting with one of the popular CAQDAS (NVivo) in order to provide evidence-based implications of using the software. The key message is that unlike statistical software, the main function of CAQDAS is not to analyse data but rather to aid the analysis process, which the researcher must always remain in control of. In other words, researchers must equally know that no software can analyse qualitative data. CAQDAS are basically data management packages, which support the researcher during analysis.

System for instant messaging the sender and recipients of an e-mail message

Abstract: Systems and techniques for transferring electronic data between users of a communications system include a host system structured and arranged to receive and deliver messages of various types between users of the communications system. The host system includes an instant messaging network; a mail gateway; and a configuring network in communication with both the instant messaging network and the mail gateway. The instant messaging network enables instant messaging communication between users of the communications system and has the capability to monitor whether a certain user is capable of receiving an instant message at a particular moment. The mail gateway receives and delivers e-mail messages to users of the communications system. The configuring network is dedicated to automatically configuring instant messaging communication between an intended recipient of an e-mail message and the sender of the e-mail message.

Machine Learning Approaches for Predicting Radiation Therapy Outcomes: A Clinician's Perspective

Abstract: Radiation oncology has always been deeply rooted in modeling, from the early days of isoeffect curves to the contemporary Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC) initiative. In recent years, medical modeling for both prognostic and therapeutic purposes has exploded thanks to increasing availability of electronic data and genomics. One promising direction that medical modeling is moving toward is adopting the same machine learning methods used by companies such as Google and Facebook to combat disease. Broadly defined, machine learning is a branch of computer science that deals with making predictions from complex data through statistical models. These methods serve to uncover patterns in data and are actively used in areas such as speech recognition, handwriting recognition, face recognition, "spam" filtering (junk email), and targeted advertising. Although multiple radiation oncology research groups have shown the value of applied machine learning (ML), clinical adoption has been slow due to the high barrier to understanding these complex models by clinicians. Here, we present a review of the use of ML to predict radiation therapy outcomes from the clinician's point of view with the hope that it lowers the "barrier to entry" for those without formal training in ML. We begin by describing 7 principles that one should consider when evaluating (or creating) an ML model in radiation oncology. We next introduce 3 popular ML methods--logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN)--and critique 3 seminal papers in the context of these principles. Although current studies are in exploratory stages, the overall methodology has progressively matured, and the field is ready for larger-scale further investigation.

Technology with No Human Responsibility

Abstract: A major thrust of Richard De George’s book, The Ethics of Information Technology and Business (2003), was to draw attention to the ethical challenges for business as business practices were being reconfigured as a result of the introduction of computing and information technology. The topics on which he focused and his analysis are still relevant a decade later. Today privacy issues are pervasive. Intellectual and other kinds of property rights in electronic data and devices continue to challenge courts of law and legislative bodies. E-business is now the norm as most businesses are online in some form or another. The nature of work continues to change as new technologies are introduced; the new technologies change what workers do, when, where, and how they do it, and the extent to which they are monitored. As De George himself wrote, he was addressing a rapidly moving target, and the target—changes in the way business is done due to changes in computing and information technology—continues to move. The starting place for De George’s analysis in The Ethics of Information Technology and Business is a critique of what he refers to as the myth of amoral computing and information technology (MACIT). This myth, he claims, blinds us to the powerful changes taking place as a result of computing and information technology. Despite increased awareness today of many of the issues identified by De George, the business community and the public still seem to hold some version of the MACIT. That is, the belief that technological choices are amoral is fairly common even in the face of blatant evidence to the contrary, evidence indicating that technological choices have moral consequences. De George agrees with at least part of the MACIT; he acknowledges that it ‘‘like all myths, partially reveals and partially hides reality.’’ He writes:

Secure processing of data

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-interpretable data representing executable instruction sets and/or other products for the processing of data for the secure creation, administration, manipulation, processing, and storage of electronic data useful in the processing of payment transactions and other secure data processes. Some embodiments provides secure means for the authorization of sensitive and other data processes subject to controlled access. Such processes include the creation, administration, authorization, virtualization, storage, and other manipulation or processing of electronic data representing characteristics of, instructions for, and information associated with consumer, business, and other payment accounts, and other forms of secure payment elements, such as payment tokens; and data useful in processing transactions using such accounts and elements. Information associated with particular payment means, such as accounts or payment tokens, can be stored in a data set, usually secure, sometimes referred to as a virtual or electronic wallet, or a secure payment token.

The outcome of intraoral onlay block bone grafts on alveolar ridge augmentations: a systematic review

Abstract: Aim: The purpose of this study was to systematically review clinical studies examining the survival and success rates of implants placed with intraoral onlay autogenous bone grafts to answer the following question: do ridge augmentations procedures with intraoral onlay block bone grafts in conjunction with or prior to implant placement influence implant outcome when compared with a control group (guided bone regeneration, alveolar distraction, native bone or short dental implants.)? Material and Method: An electronic data banks and hand searching were used to find relevant articles on vertical and lateral augmentation procedures performed with intraoral onlay block bone grafts for dental implant therapy published up to October 2013. Publications in English, on human subjects, with a controlled study design –involving at least one group with defects treated with intraoral onlay block bone grafts, more than five patients and a minimum follow-up of 12 months after prosthetic loading were included. Two reviewers extracted the data. Results: A total of 6 studies met the inclusion criteria: 4 studies on horizontal augmentation and 2 studies on vertical augmentation. Intraoperative complications were not reported. Most common postsurgical complications included mainly mucosal dehiscences (4 studies), bone graft or membrane exposures (3 studies), complete failures of block grafts (2 studies) and neurosensory alterations (4 studies). For lateral augmentation procedures, implant survival rates ranged from 96.9% to 100%, while for vertical augmentation they ranged from 89.5% to 100%. None article studied the soft tissues healing. Conclusions: Survival and success rates of implants placed in horizontally and vertically resorbed edentulous ridges reconstructed with block bone grafts are similar to those of implants placed in native bone, in distracted sites or with guided bone regeneration. More surgical challenges and morbidity arise from vertical augmentations, thus short implants may be a feasible option. Key words:Alveolar ridge augmentation, intraoral bone grafts, onlay grafts, block grafts, dental implants.

Advances in data center thermal management

Abstract: With the increase in electronic traffic, heat generated by electronic equipment, and the concomitant costs of powering cooling systems in electronic data centers are increasing continually. Various research groups working in academic institutions, research laboratories and industries have been applying a variety of tools to study and improve performance of data centers. This paper reviews recent contributions to the state of knowledge in data center thermal management. First, we review numerical and experimental studies on the most common air-cooled raised floor plenum type data centers. We then summarize published research on rack layout, efficiency and performance metrics for data centers, dynamic control and life cycle analyses, and validation of numerical models. Finally, we review some recently proposed cooling strategies and numerical optimization efforts. We find that the research carried out on thermal management of data centers has helped improve performance in many instances (such as rear door water cooled heat exchanger type rack), and has helped establish some physics-based criteria for data center designers. Based on the trends observed in this review, we expect further improvements to all aspects of data center design and operation in the near future, with a focus on real-time measurement & control, model validation and heuristics based optimization. In addition, some significant changes such as thermal energy storage and smart-grid capabilities are also expected to be incorporated into data center control strategies.

Frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonization and infection in patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia: different patterns in patients with acute myelogenous and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency, risk factors, and outcomes for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization and infection in patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia. DESIGN Retrospective clinical study with VRE molecular strain typing. SETTING A regional referral center for acute leukemia. PATIENTS Two hundred fourteen consecutive patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia between 2006 and 2012. METHODS All patients had a culture of first stool and weekly surveillance for VRE. Clinical data were abstracted from the Intermountain Healthcare electronic data warehouse. VRE molecular typing was performed utilizing the semi-automated DiversiLab System. RESULTS The rate of VRE colonization was directly proportional to length of stay and was higher in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Risk factors associated with colonization include administration of corticosteroids (P=0.004) and carbapenems (P=0.009). Neither a colonized prior room occupant nor an increased unit colonization pressure affected colonization risk. Colonized patients with acute myelogenous leukemia had an increased risk of VRE bloodstream infection (BSI, P=0.002). Other risk factors for VRE BSI include severe neutropenia (P=0.04) and diarrhea (P=0.008). Fifty-eight percent of BSI isolates were identical or related by molecular typing. Eighty-nine percent of bloodstream isolates were identical or related to stool isolates identified by surveillance cultures. VRE BSI was associated with increased costs (P=0.0003) and possibly mortality. CONCLUSIONS VRE colonization has important consequences for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia undergoing induction therapy. For febrile neutropenic patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, use of empirical antibiotic regimens that avoid carbapenems and include VRE coverage may be helpful in decreasing the risks associated with VRE BSI.

Method and apparatus for discovering trending terms in speech requests

Abstract: Systems and processes are disclosed for discovering trending terms in automatic speech recognition. Candidate terms (e.g., words, phrases, etc.) not yet found in a speech recognizer vocabulary or having low language model probability can be identified based on trending usage in a variety of electronic data sources (e.g., social network feeds, news sources, search queries, etc.). When candidate terms are identified, archives of live or recent speech traffic can be searched to determine whether users are uttering the candidate terms in dictation or speech requests. Such searching can be done using open vocabulary spoken term detection to find phonetic matches in the audio archives. As the candidate terms are found in the speech traffic, notifications can be generated that identify the candidate terms, provide relevant usage statistics, identify the context in which the terms are used, and the like.

Multicentre study of abdominal aortic aneurysm measurement and enlargement

Abstract: Background No effective treatment is currently available to prevent progression of small and medium-sized abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Identification of drugs with sufficient promise to justify large expensive randomized trials remains challenging. One potentially useful strategy is to look for associations between commonly used drugs and AAA enlargement in appropriately adjusted observational studies. Methods Potential AAA measurements were identified from abdominal imaging reports in the electronic data files of three medical centres from 1995 to 2010. AAA measurements were extracted manually and patients with an aneurysm of 3 cm or larger, who had at least two measurements over an interval of at least 6 months, were identified. Other data were obtained from the electronic data files (demographics, co-morbidities, smoking status, drug use) to conduct a propensity analysis of the associations of drugs and other factors with AAA enlargement. Results From 52 962 abdominal imaging studies, 5362 patients with an AAA of 3 cm or more were identified, of whom 2428 had at least two measurements over at least 6 months. Mean AAA follow-up was 3·4 years and the mean AAA enlargement rate was 2·0 mm per year. Propensity analysis demonstrated no significant association of AAA enlargement with statins, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. Diabetes was associated with a reduction in AAA enlargement of 1·2 mm per year (P = 0·008), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with increased enlargement (0·5 mm per year; P = 0·050). Moderate AAA measurement variation and substantial terminal digit preference were also observed, but the digit preference became less pronounced after 2000. Conclusion This study confirms the negative association of diabetes with AAA progression. There was no evidence that commonly used cardiovascular drugs affect AAA enlargement.

Implementing a national approach to universal child and family health services in Australia: professionals' views of the challenges and opportunities.

Abstract: Australia has a well-accepted system of universal child and family health (CFH) services. However, government reports and research indicate that these services vary across states and territories, and many children and families do not receive these services. The aim of this paper was to explore professionals' perceptions of the challenges and opportunities in implementing a national approach to universal CFH services across Australia. Qualitative data were collected between July 2010 and April 2011 in the first phase of a three-phase study designed to investigate the feasibility of implementing a national approach to CFH services in Australia. In total, 161 professionals participated in phase 1 consultations conducted either as discussion groups, teleconferences or through email conversation. Participants came from all Australian states and territories and included 60 CFH nurses, 45 midwives, 15 general practitioners (GPs), 12 practice nurses, 14 allied health professionals, 7 early childhood education specialists, 6 staff from non-government organisations and 2 Australian government policy advisors. Data were analysed thematically. Participants supported the concept of a universal CFH service, but identified implementation barriers. Key challenges included the absence of a minimum data set and lack of aggregated national data to assist planning and determine outcomes; an inconsistent approach to transfer of information about mothers and newborns from maternity services to CFH nursing services or GPs; poor communication across disciplines and services; issues of access and equity of service delivery; workforce limitations and tensions around role boundaries. Directions for change were identified, including improved electronic data collection and communication systems, reporting of service delivery and outcomes between states and territories, professional collaboration, service co-location and interprofessional learning and development.

Practical Corpus Linguistics: An Introduction to Corpus-Based Language Analysis

Abstract: This is the first book of its kind to provide a practical and student-friendly guide to corpus linguistics that explains the nature of electronic data and how it can be collected and analyzed. Designed to equip readers with the technical skills necessary to analyze and interpret language data, both written and (orthographically) transcribed Introduces a number of easy-to-use, yet powerful, free analysis resources consisting of standalone programs and web interfaces for use with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux Each section includes practical exercises, a list of sources and further reading, and illustrated step-by-step introductions to analysis tools Requires only a basic knowledge of computer concepts in order to develop the specific linguistic analysis skills required for understanding/analyzing corpus data.

Palliative care in dementia: literature review of nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards pain assessment

Abstract: Background Pain is prevalent among older people, yet is often under-recognised and undertreated in people with dementia. The nurse has a central role in identifying and appropriately assessing pain in order to provide effective treatment. Research however suggests there are significant deficits in this area. Aim To explore the evidence on nurses' knowledge and attitudes to pain assessment in older people with dementia. Design A systematic narrative review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2014. Data sources: Seven electronic data bases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Wiley, Pubmed, ProQuest and OVID) were searched and articles focusing on nurses knowledge and attitudes on pain assessment towards people with dementia. Methods Research participants within the studies reviewed were to include registered nurses involved in the assessment and management of pain in older adults with dementia from across all healthcare settings (e.g. dementia units, nursing homes, community and acute settings). Re...

Three-month validation of a turbuhaler electronic monitoring device: implications for asthma clinical trial use

Abstract: Background Electronic monitoring of inhaled asthma therapy is suggested as the 'gold standard' for measuring patterns of medication use in clinical trials. The SmartTurbo (Adherium (NZ) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand) is an electronic monitor for use with a turbuhaler device (AstraZeneca, UK). The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the SmartTurbo in recording Symbicort actuations over a 12-week period of use. Methods Twenty SmartTurbo monitors were attached to the base of 20 Symbicort turbuhalers. Bench testing in a research facility was undertaken on days 0, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 21, 28, 56 and 84. Patterns of 'low-use' (2 sets of 2 actuations on the same day) and 'high-use' (2 sets of 8 actuations on the same day) were performed. The date and time of actuations were recorded in a paper diary and compared with data uploaded from the SmartTurbo monitors. Results 2800 actuations were performed. Monitor sensitivity was 99.9% with a lower 97.5% confidence bound of 99.6%. The positive predictive value was 99.9% with a 97.5% lower confidence bound of 99.7%. Accuracy was not affected by whether the pattern of inhaler use was low or high, or whether there was a delay in uploading the actuation data. Conclusions The SmartTurbo monitor is highly accurate in recording and retaining electronic data in this 12-week bench study. It can be recommended for use in clinical trial settings, in which quality control systems are incorporated into study protocols to ensure accurate data acquisition.

Electrical power unit for a work surface

Abstract: An electrical power or electronic data unit includes an outer housing and an inner housing that is insertable into the outer housing. The outer housing has an outer front face panel defining an outer receptacle opening and the inner housing has an inner rear housing portion plus an inner front face portion defining an inner receptacle opening aligned with the outer receptacle opening. A circuit board substrate is positioned inside the inner housing with an electrical contact mounted to the board substrate and aligned with and accessible through the inner and outer receptacle openings. A contact support extends rearwardly from the inner front face portion adjacent the inner receptacle opening, the contact support serving to limit movement of the electrical contact during insertion of a plug or prong into engagement with the electrical contact.

Challenges Associated With Using Large Data Sets for Quality Assessment and Research in Clinical Settings

Abstract: The rapidly expanding use of electronic records in health-care settings is generating unprecedented quantities of data available for clinical, epidemiological, and cost-effectiveness research. Several challenges are associated with using these data for clinical research, including issues surrounding access and information security, poor data quality, inconsistency of data within and across institutions, and a paucity of staff with expertise to manage and manipulate large clinical data sets. In this article, we describe our experience with assembling a data-mart and conducting clinical research using electronic data from four facilities within a single hospital network in New York City. We culled data from several electronic sources, including the institution's admission-discharge-transfer system, cost accounting system, electronic health record, clinical data warehouse, and departmental records. The final data-mart contained information for more than 760,000 discharges occurring from 2006 through 2012. Using categories identified by the National Institutes of Health Big Data to Knowledge initiative as a framework, we outlined challenges encountered during the development and use of a domain-specific data-mart and recommend approaches to overcome these challenges.