1,681 research outputs found
Security and confidentiality approach for the Clinical E-Science Framework (CLEF)
Objectives: CLEF is an MRC sponsored project in the E-Science programme that aims to establish methodologies and a technical infrastructure for the next generation of integrated clinical and bioscience research. Methods: The heart of the CLEF approach to this challenge is to design and develop a pseudonymised repository of histories of cancer patients that can be accessed by researchers. Robust mechanisms and policies have been developed to ensure that patient privacy and confidentiality are preserved while delivering a repository of such medically rich information for the purposes of scientific research. Results: This paper summarises the overall approach adopted by CLEF to meet data protection requirements, including the data flows, pseudonymisation measures and additional monitoring policies that are currently being developed. Conclusion: Once evaluated, it is hoped that the CLEF approach can serve as a model for other distributed electronic health record repositories to be accessed for research
Security and confidentiality approach for the Clinical E-Science Framework (CLEF)
CLEF is an MRC sponsored project in the E-Science programme that aims to
establish policies and infrastructure for the next generation of integrated clinical and
bioscience research. One of the major goals of the project is to provide a
pseudonymised repository of histories of cancer patients that can be accessed by
researchers. Robust mechanisms and policies are needed to ensure that patient
privacy and confidentiality are preserved while delivering a repository of such
medically rich information for the purposes of scientific research. This paper
summarises the overall approach adopted by CLEF to meet data protection
requirements, including the data flows and pseudonymisation mechanisms that are
currently being developed. Intended constraints and monitoring policies that will
apply to research interrogation of the repository are also outlined. Once evaluated, it
is hoped that the CLEF approach can serve as a model for other distributed
electronic health record repositories to be accessed for research
X-Ray Spectral Variability of PKS 2005-489 During the Spectacular November 1998 Flare
We report on monitoring of the BL Lac object PKS 2005-489 by the Rossi X-ray
Timing Explorer (RXTE) in October-December 1998. During these months, the
source underwent a spectacular flare; at its peak on November 10, its 2-10 keV
flux was , over 30 times
brighter than in quiescence. During the rising phase, the X-ray spectrum of PKS
2005-489 hardened considerably, reaching near maximum. During the declining phase, the X-ray spectrum
steepened rapidly, reaching , then became somewhat harder
towards the end of December (). While such behavior has been
seen before, the simplicity, magnitude and duration of this flare allowed us to
study it in great detail. We argue that this flare was caused by either the
injection of particles into the jet or {\it in situ} particle acceleration, and
that the spectral steepening which followed the flare maximum was the result of
synchrotron cooling. Contrary to other recently observed blazar flares (e.g.,
Mkn 501, 3C 279, PKS 2155-304), our results do not imply a major shift in the
location of the synchrotron peak during this flare.Comment: ApJ Letters in press, 6 pages, 2 figures Corrected reference
Mg-Ni-H films as selective coatings: tunable reflectance by layered hydrogenation
Unlike other switchable mirrors, Mg2NiHx films show large changes in
reflection that yield very low reflectance (high absorptance) at different
hydrogen contents, far before reaching the semiconducting state. The resulting
reflectance patterns are of interference origin, due to a self-organized
layered hydrogenation mechanism that starts at the substrate interface, and can
therefore be tuned by varying the film thickness. This tunability, together
with the high absorptance contrast observed between the solar and the thermal
energies, strongly suggests the use of these films in smart coatings for solar
applications.Comment: Three two-column pages with 3 figures embedded; RevTE
Six questions on the construction of ontologies in biomedicine
(Report assembled for the Workshop of the AMIA Working Group on Formal Biomedical Knowledge Representation in connection with AMIA Symposium, Washington DC, 2005.)
Best practices in ontology building for biomedicine have been frequently discussed in recent years. However there is a range of seemingly disparate views represented by experts in the field. These views not only reflect the different uses to which ontologies are put, but also the experiences and disciplinary background of these experts themselves. We asked six questions related to biomedical ontologies to what we believe is a representative sample of ontologists in the biomedical field and came to a number conclusions which we believe can help provide an insight into the practical problems which ontology builders face today
Image-Processing Techniques for the Creation of Presentation-Quality Astronomical Images
The quality of modern astronomical data, the power of modern computers and
the agility of current image-processing software enable the creation of
high-quality images in a purely digital form. The combination of these
technological advancements has created a new ability to make color astronomical
images. And in many ways it has led to a new philosophy towards how to create
them. A practical guide is presented on how to generate astronomical images
from research data with powerful image-processing programs. These programs use
a layering metaphor that allows for an unlimited number of astronomical
datasets to be combined in any desired color scheme, creating an immense
parameter space to be explored using an iterative approach. Several examples of
image creation are presented.
A philosophy is also presented on how to use color and composition to create
images that simultaneously highlight scientific detail and are aesthetically
appealing. This philosophy is necessary because most datasets do not correspond
to the wavelength range of sensitivity of the human eye. The use of visual
grammar, defined as the elements which affect the interpretation of an image,
can maximize the richness and detail in an image while maintaining scientific
accuracy. By properly using visual grammar, one can imply qualities that a
two-dimensional image intrinsically cannot show, such as depth, motion and
energy. In addition, composition can be used to engage viewers and keep them
interested for a longer period of time. The use of these techniques can result
in a striking image that will effectively convey the science within the image,
to scientists and to the public.Comment: 104 pages, 38 figures, submitted to A
- …