1,511 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
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
"Dark Matter" in Accretion Disks
Using Spitzer Space Telescope photometric observations of the eclipsing,
interacting binary WZ Sge, we have discovered that the accretion disk is far
more complex than previously believed. Our 4.5 and 8 micron time series
observations reveal that the well known gaseous accretion disk is surrounded by
an asymmetric disk of dusty material with a radius approximately 15 times
larger than the gaseous disk. This dust ring contains only a small amount of
mass and is completely invisible at optical and near-IR wavelengths, hence
consisting of "dark matter". We have produced a model dust ring using 1 micron
spherical particles with a density of 3 g/cm and with a temperature profile
ranging from 700-1500K. Our discovery about the accretion disk structure and
the presence of a larger, outer dust ring have great relevance for accretion
disks in general, including those in other interacting binary systems, pre-main
sequence stars, and active galaxies.Comment: 34 pages, 8 figures (3 in color). Accepted to Ap
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
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