482 research outputs found
Synthetic Data Generation using Benerator Tool
Datasets of different characteristics are needed by the research community
for experimental purposes. However, real data may be difficult to obtain due to
privacy concerns. Moreover, real data may not meet specific characteristics
which are needed to verify new approaches under certain conditions. Given these
limitations, the use of synthetic data is a viable alternative to complement
the real data. In this report, we describe the process followed to generate
synthetic data using Benerator, a publicly available tool. The results show
that the synthetic data preserves a high level of accuracy compared to the
original data. The generated datasets correspond to microdata containing
records with social, economic and demographic data which mimics the
distribution of aggregated statistics from the 2011 Irish Census data.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 10 reference
Ontology-Based Quality Evaluation of Value Generalization Hierarchies for Data Anonymization
In privacy-preserving data publishing, approaches using Value Generalization
Hierarchies (VGHs) form an important class of anonymization algorithms. VGHs
play a key role in the utility of published datasets as they dictate how the
anonymization of the data occurs. For categorical attributes, it is imperative
to preserve the semantics of the original data in order to achieve a higher
utility. Despite this, semantics have not being formally considered in the
specification of VGHs. Moreover, there are no methods that allow the users to
assess the quality of their VGH. In this paper, we propose a measurement
scheme, based on ontologies, to quantitatively evaluate the quality of VGHs, in
terms of semantic consistency and taxonomic organization, with the aim of
producing higher-quality anonymizations. We demonstrate, through a case study,
how our evaluation scheme can be used to compare the quality of multiple VGHs
and can help to identify faulty VGHs.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, presented in the Privacy in Statistical
Databases Conference 2014 (Ibiza, Spain
Application of the COM-B model to barriers and facilitators to chlamydia testing in general practice for young people and primary care practitioners: a systematic review
Background
Chlamydia is a major public health concern, with high economic and social costs. In 2016, there were over 200,000 chlamydia diagnoses made in England. The highest prevalence rates are found among young people. Although annual testing for sexually active young people is recommended, many do not receive testing. General practice is one ideal setting for testing, yet attempts to increase testing in this setting have been disappointing. The Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Model of Behaviour (COM-B model) may help improve understanding of the underpinnings of chlamydia testing. The aim of this systematic review was to (1) identify barriers and facilitators to chlamydia testing for young people and primary care practitioners in general practice and (2) map facilitators and barriers onto the COM-B model.
Methods
Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies published after 2000 were included. Seven databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications which examined barriers and facilitators to chlamydia testing in general practice. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Data (i.e., participant quotations, theme descriptions, and survey results) regarding study design and key findings were extracted. The data was first analysed using thematic analysis, following this, the resultant factors were mapped onto the COM-B model components. All findings are reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Results
Four hundred eleven papers were identified; 39 met the inclusion criteria. Barriers and facilitators were identified at the patient (e.g., knowledge), provider (e.g., time constraints), and service level (e.g., practice nurses). Factors were categorised into the subcomponents of the model: physical capability (e.g., practice nurse involvement), psychological capability (e.g.: lack of knowledge), reflective motivation (e.g., beliefs regarding perceived risk), automatic motivation (e.g., embarrassment and shame), physical opportunity (e.g., time constraints), social opportunity (e.g., stigma).
Conclusions
This systematic review provides a synthesis of the literature which acknowledges factors across multiple levels and components. The COM-B model provided the framework for understanding the complexity of chlamydia testing behaviour. While we cannot at this juncture state which component represents the most salient influence on chlamydia testing, across all three levels, multiple barriers and facilitators were identified relating psychological capability and physical and social opportunity. Implementation should focus on (1) normalisation, (2) communication, (3) infection-specific information, and (4) mode of testing. In order to increase chlamydia testing in general practice, a multifaceted theory- and evidence-based approach is needed
Brucella dissociation is essential for macrophage egress and bacterial dissemination
It has long been observed that smooth Brucella can dissociate into rough mutants that are cytotoxic to macrophages. However, the in vivo biological significance and/or mechanistic details of Brucella dissociation and cytotoxicity remain incomplete. In the current report, a plaque assay was developed using Brucella strains exhibiting varying degrees of cytotoxicity. Infected monolayers were observed daily using phase contrast microscopy for plaque formation while Brucella uptake and replication were monitored using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Visible plaques were detected at 4â5 days post infection (p.i.) with cytotoxic Brucella 16MÎmanBA at an MOI of 0.1. IFA staining demonstrated that the plaques consisted of macrophages with replicating Brucella. Visible plaques were not detected in monolayers infected with non-cytotoxic 16MÎmanBAÎvirB2 at an MOI of 0.1. However, IFA staining did reveal small groups of macrophages (foci) with replicating Brucella in the monolayers infected with 16MÎmanBAÎvirB2. The size of the foci observed in macrophage monolayers infected with rough Brucella correlated directly with cytotoxicity measured in liquid culture, suggesting that cytotoxicity was essential for Brucella egress and dissemination. In monolayers infected with 16M, small and large foci were observed. Double antibody staining revealed spontaneous rough mutants within the large, but not the small foci in 16M infected monolayers. Furthermore, plaque formation was observed in the large foci derived from 16M infections. Finally, the addition of gentamicin to the culture medium inhibited plaque formation, suggesting that cell-to-cell spread occurred only following release of the organisms from the cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Brucella-induced cytotoxicity is critical for Brucella egress and dissemination
Does the law of copyright in the UK and Ireland conflict with the creative practices of Irish traditional musicians? A study of the impact of law on a traditional music network
PhDEMBARGOED UNTIL 01/06/2014The objective of this thesis is to investigate whether copyright law has the potential to affect the creative practices of Irish traditional musicians. By outlining the central tenets of copyright law, including both economic and moral rights, the thesis aims to identify the crucial issues that are relevant to the relationship between copyright and music. As described over the course of this thesis, Irish traditional music is typically created and performed in an environment within which free-sharing and musical borrowing are encouraged. By dissecting the crucial issues of conflict between copyright and Irish traditional music, the thesis attempts to discover whether any potential solutions can be found within the law to resolve these conflicts. In order to do this, empirical research is undertaken, so that the perspectives of a number of Irish traditional musicians can be assessed in relation to both the potential conflicts and the potential solutions. This thesis aims to evaluate six things:
- The coherence of the notion of âoriginalityâ under copyright in relation to the practices of Irish traditional music
- The suitability of the notion of âauthorshipâ of musical works under copyright in relation to the network of Irish traditional musicians
- The suitability of the notion of âjoint authorshipâ of musical works under copyright in relation to the collective forms of authorship present in the network of Irish traditional musicians
- The potential for the doctrine of infringement to interfere with the practices of Irish traditional musicians
- The applicability of moral rights in the context of Irish traditional music
- The suitability of the copyright licensing model in relation to the practices of the Irish traditional music network
EMPATHIC DESIGN: RESEARCH STRATEGIES
This paper explores the role of empathy within new product development from the perspective of human-centred design. The authors have developed a range of empathic design tools and strategies that help to identify authentic human needs.  For products and services to be effective, they need to satisfy both functional and emotional needs of individuals. In addition, the individual user needs to feel that the product and/or service has been designed âjust for themâ, otherwise they may misuse, underuse or abandon the product/service. This becomes critical with a product such as a Zimmer frame (walker), when it fails to resonate with the patient due to any stigma the patient may perceive, and thus remains unused. When training young designers to consider the wider community (people unlike themselves) during the design process, it has proven extremely valuable to take them outside their comfort zones, by seeking to develop empathy with the end user for whom they are designing. Empathic modelling offers designers the opportunity to develop greater insight and understanding, in order to support more effective design outcomes. Sensitising designers to the different ways that individuals complete daily tasks has helped to diminish the gap between themselves and others (e.g. people with disabilities). The authors intend for this paper to resonate with health care providers. Human-centred design can help to refocus the designer, by placing the individual end userâs needs at the heart of their decision-making.
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