Managing information quality in e-Science using semantic Web technology

We outline a framework for managing information quality (IQ) in e-Science, using ontologies, semantic annotation of resources, and data bindings. Scientists define the quality characteristics that are of importance in their particular domain by extending an OWL DL IQ ontology, which classifies and organises these domain-specific quality characteristics within an overall quality management framework. RDF is used to annotate data resources, with reference to IQ indicators defined in the ontology. Data bindings — again defined in RDF — are used to represent mappings between data elements (e.g. defined in XML Schemas) and the IQ ontology. As a practical illustration of our approach, we present a case study from the domain of proteomics

A.: Managing Information Quality in e-Science Using Semantic Web Technology

Abstract. We outline a framework for managing information quality (IQ) in e-Science, using ontologies, semantic annotation of resources, and data bindings. Scientists define the quality characteristics that are of importance in their particular domain by extending an OWL DL IQ ontology, which classifies and organises these domain-specific quality characteristics within an overall quality management framework. RDF is used to annotate data resources, with reference to IQ indicators defined in the ontology. Data bindings — again defined in RDF — are used to represent mappings between data elements (e.g. defined in XML Schemas) and the IQ ontology. As a practical illustration of our approach, we present a case study from the domain of proteomics.

Spatio-temporal histograms

Abstract. This paper presents a framework for building and continuously maintaining spatio-temporal histograms (ST-Histograms, for short). ST-Histograms are used for selectivity estimation of continuous pipelined query operators. Unlike traditional histograms that examine and/or sample all incoming data tuples, ST-Histograms are built by monitoring the actual selectivities of the outstanding continuous queries. ST-Histograms have three main features: (1) The ST-Histograms are built with (almost) no overhead to the system. We use only feedback (i.e., the actual selectivity) from the existing continuous queries. (2) Rather than wasting system resources in maintaining accurate histograms for the whole spatial space, we only maintain accurate histograms for that part of the space that is relevant to the current existing queries. The rest of the space has less accurate histograms. (3) The ST-Histograms are equipped with a periodicity detection procedure that predicts the future execution of the continuous queries. Hence, the query processing engine can continuously adapt the continuous query pipeline to reflect this prediction. Experimental results based on a real implementation inside a data stream management system show a superior performance of ST-Histograms in terms of providing accurate operator selectivity estimations with no extra overhead.

Patient-centred screening for primary immunodeficiency, a multi-stage diagnostic protocol designed for non-immunologists: 2011 update

Members of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) and other colleagues have updated the multi-stage expert-opinion-based diagnostic protocol for non-immunologists incorporating newly defined primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs). The protocol presented here aims to increase the awareness of PIDs among doctors working in different fields. Prompt identification of PID is important for prognosis, but this may not be an easy task. The protocol therefore starts from the clinical presentation of the patient. Because PIDs may present at all ages, this protocol is aimed at both adult and paediatric physicians. The multi-stage design allows cost-effective screening for PID of the large number of potential cases in the early phases, with more expensive tests reserved for definitive classification in collaboration with a specialist in the field of immunodeficiency at a later stage

Use of eculizumab in children with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation associated thrombotic microangiopathy-a multicentre retrospective PDWP and IEWP EBMT study

Terminal complement blockade by humanised monoclonal antibody eculizumab has been used to treat transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) in recent years. This retrospective international study conducted by the Paediatric Diseases (PDWP) and Inborn Error Working Party (IEWP) of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) describes outcome and response of 82 paediatric patients from 29 centres who developed TA-TMA and were treated with eculizumab between January 2014 and May 2019. The median time from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to TA-TMA manifestation was 92 days (range: 7-606) and from TA-TMA diagnosis to the start of eculizumab treatment 6 days (range: 0-135). Most patients received eculizumab weekly (72%, n = 55) with a standard weight (kg)-based dose (78%, n = 64). Six months from beginning of eculizumab therapy, the cumulative incidence of TA-TMA resolution was 36.6% (95% CI: 26.2-47) and the overall survival (OS) was 47.1% (95% CI: 35.9-57.5). All 43 patients with unresolved TA-TMA died. The cause of death was HSCT-related in 41 patients. This study also documents poor outcome of patients without aGvHD and their frequent concomitant viral infections. Considering recent publications, intensified eculizumab dosing and complement monitoring could potentially improve upon outcomes observed in this study.Transplantation and immunomodulatio