Correction to: Cluster identification, selection, and description in Cluster randomized crossover trials: the PREP-IT trials

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article

An online general ledger system

In January 1979, the University of California Division of Library Automation (DLA) found itself with the problem of maintaining a timely, ledger. Also at that time, DLA was building a large-scale IBM operating system to support the University of California Online Union Catalog. This system also had all of the computing resources to support a sophisticated general ledger system. So, an obvious issue emerged as to whether it was more cost-effective to buy, or to write from scratch, a general ledger program. Common sense suggested that it ought to be simple to buy such software. However, exhaustive investigation revealed that flexible general ledger systems came as part of a turnkey hardware/software solution. The fact was that the IBM/370 operating system proprietary software was either mostly batch, or otherwise required costly teleprocessing software which was not a part of DLA's intended software inventory. Timesharing was considered too, but even if the right software could have been identified and located, its cost would have been greater than writing the same programs in-house. The unexpected conclusion was that it was cost-justifiable to devote a programmer's time to develop an online general ledger system that would be tailor made to DLA's needs.published or submitted for publicatio

Packet Radio for Library Online Catalogs

The advent of online catalogs in libraries has resulted in a problem that could not have been foreseen when most library buildings were built the need for wiring to transmit data between terminals and the online catalog. This problem is particularly serious in older libraries, where there are insufficient conduits, false ceilings are rare, and one faces the prospect of running cables through marble floors. Installing such wiring can be costly. The experience of the University of California demonstrates that the cost of installing terminals in quantities of eight to ten may range from $8,000 to$12,000, not including staff costs. Even if the wiring for data communications makes up only half of this figure ($4000 to$6000), it is evident that the wiring can cost as much as or more than the terminal itself.published or submitted for publicatio

Automated Turn-Key Systems in the Library: Prospects and Perils

published or submitted for publicatio

Implementing stakeholder engagement to explore alternative models of consent: An example from the PREP-IT trials

Introduction: Cluster randomized crossover trials are often faced with a dilemma when selecting an optimal model of consent, as the traditional model of obtaining informed consent from participant's before initiating any trial related activities may not be suitable. We describe our experience of engaging patient advisors to identify an optimal model of consent for the PREP-IT trials. This paper also examines surrogate measures of success for the selected model of consent. Methods: The PREP-IT program consists of two multi-center cluster randomized crossover trials that engaged patient advisors to determine an optimal model of consent. Patient advisors and stakeholders met regularly and reached consensus on decisions related to the trial design including the model for consent. Patient advisors provided valuable insight on how key decisions on trial design and conduct would be received by participants and the impact these decisions will have. Results: Patient advisors, together with stakeholders, reviewed the pros and cons and the requirements for the traditional model of consent, deferred consent, and waiver of consent. Collectively, they agreed upon a deferred consent model, in which patients may be approached for consent after their fracture surgery and prior to data collection. The consent rate in PREP-IT is 80.7%, and 0.67% of participants have withdrawn consent for participation. Discussion: Involvement of patient advisors in the development of an optimal model of consent has been successful. Engagement of patient advisors is recommended for other large trials where the traditional model of consent may not be optimal