10,013 research outputs found
Towards Novel Nonparametric Statistical Methods and Bioinformatics Tools for Clinical and Translational Sciences
No full textAs the field of functional genetics and genomics is beginning to mature, we become confronted with new challenges. The constant drop in price for sequencing and gene expression profiling as well as the increasing number of genetic and genomic variables that can be measured makes it feasible to address more complex questions. The success with rare diseases caused by single loci or genes has provided us with a proof-of-concept that new therapies can be developed based on functional genomics and genetics. Common diseases, however, typically involve genetic epistasis, genomic pathways, and proteomic pattern. Moreover, to better understand the underlying biologi-cal systems, we often need to integrate information from several of these sources. Thus, as the field of clinical research moves toward complex diseases, the demand for modern data base systems and advanced statistical methods increases. The traditional statistical methods implemented in most of the bioinformatics tools currently used in the novel field of genetics and functional genomics are based on the linear model and, thus, have shortcomings when applied to nonlinear biological systems. The previous work on partially ordered data (Wittkowski 1988; 1992), when combined with theoretical results (Hoeffding 1948) and computational strategies (Deuchler 1914) has opened a new field of nonparametric statistics. With grid technology, new tools are now feasible when screening for interactions between genetics (Wittkowski, Liu 2002) and functional genomics (Wittkowski, Lee 2004). Having more complex study designs and more specific methods available increases the demand for decision support when selecting appropriate bioinformatics tools. With the advent of rapid prototyping systems for Web based database application, we have recently begun to complement previous work on knowledge based systems with graphical Web-based tools for acquisition of DESIGN and MODEL knowledge.Biostatistics Bioinformatics NIH NCRR ROADMAP
WISDOM: Supporting Biomedical Research Through a System for Web-based Interactive Study Design, Operation and Management
No full textIT-Tools für die Auswertung multivariater Daten in der klinischen Forschung und Diagnostik
No full textExploiting tacit knowledge through knowledge management technologies
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to examine the contributions and suitability of the available knowledge management (KM) technologies, including the Web 2.0 for exploiting tacit knowledge. It proposes an integrated framework for extracting tacit knowledge in organisations, which includes Web 2.0 technologies, KM tools, organisational learning (OL) and Community of Practice (CoP). It reviews a comprehensive literature covering overview of KM theories, KM technologies and OL and identifies the current state of knowledge relating to tacit knowledge exploitation. The outcomes of the paper indicate that Internet and Web 2.0 technologies have stunning prospects for creating learning communities where tacit knowledge can be extracted from people. The author recommends that organisations should design procedures and embed them in their Web 2.0 collaborative platforms persuading employees to record their ideas and share them with other members. It is also recommended that no idea should be taken for granted in a learning community where tacit knowledge exploitation is pursued. It is envisaged that future research should adopt empirical approach involving Complex Adaptive Model for Tacit Knowledge Exploitation (CAMTaKE) and the Theory of Deferred Action in examining the effectiveness of KM technologies including Web 2.0 tools for tacit knowledge exploitation
Diagnostic value of hepatocellular nodule vascularity after microbubble injection for characterizing malignancy in patients with cirrhosis
No full textOBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of hepatocellular nodule vascularity after microbubble injection for characterization of malignancy in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
After sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble injection, the vascularity of 236 hepatocellular nodules (1-5 cm in diameter) in 215 patients with cirrhosis (151 men, 64 women; mean age, 62 +/- 11 [SD] years) was evaluated by consensus of three reference radiologists. The relation between nodule vascularity in the arterial (10-40 seconds from injection) and portal venous (45 seconds to microbubble disappearance) phases and dimension of malignancy was evaluated by multivariate U statistical analysis. Two blinded independent reviewers using reference criteria classified nodules as benign or malignant after review of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced sonograms.
RESULTS:
The final diagnoses were 96 malignant (84 hepatocellular carcinoma, 12 tumors not hepatocellular carcinoma) and 140 benign nodules (57 regenerative and 13 dysplastic nodules, 70 other benign lesions). Nodule hypervascularity during the arterial phase and hypovascularity during the portal venous phase (odds ratio, 27.78) and nodule diameter greater than 2 cm combined with hypervascularity during the arterial phase and isovascularity or hypervascularity during the portal venous phase (odds ratio, 3.3) were related to the presence of malignancy. Contrast-enhanced sonography improved diagnostic accuracy (unenhanced sonography vs contrast-enhanced sonography, 32% vs 71% for reviewer 1 and 22% vs 66% for reviewer 2; p < 0.05, McNemar test) even though hypervascular nodules 2 cm or smaller (malignant, n = 2; benign, n = 40) that appeared isovascular or hypervascular during the portal venous phase were misclassified.
CONCLUSION:
Assessment of hepatocellular nodule vascularity after microbubble injection allowed characterization of malignancy, but characterization was limited for hypervascular nodules 2 cm or less in diameter
Distance and mean citation for first-last author relationship in three resolutions (100 m, 1 km, and 1000 km).
No full text<p>Distance and mean citation for first-last author relationship in three resolutions (100 m, 1 km, and 1000 km).</p
Onderzoek naar oorzaak schade dijkvak Westhoek - Zwarte Haan (km 13,000 - km 19,800) te Friesland
No full textIn 2004 is er schade geconstateerd aan de asfaltbekleding op de dijk tussen Westhoek en Zwarte Haan. Deze schade heeft zich in het afgelopen jaar progressief voortgezet. De asfaltdijkbekleding op de dijk tussen Westhoek en Zwarte Haan is aangelegd in 1972 - 1973. De lengte van het tracé bedraagt 6,8 km. De ligging van het onderzochte dijktraject (km 13,000 - 19,800) is in bijlage 1 weergegeven. De bekleding sluit aan de onderzijde aan op een bekleding van los gestorte klinkers die gepenetreerd zijn met asfaltmastiek. De bekleding heeft een dikte van circa 0,25 m en loopt in de onderste 2 m in een scheg naar een dikte van circa 0,50 m. Het asfaltbeton is aangelegd op een onderlaag van zand. Onder het zand bevindt zich de oorspronkelijke dijkkern van slecht doorlatende grond.Asfaltbekledinge
Investigation of Dempster Highway Sinkholes: km 82 and Two Moose Lake
No full textThis report presents the results of a project that aims to understand and, if possible, recommend actions to remediate the issues caused by the formation of sinkholes at km 82 and km 102-103 of the Dempster Highway. At km 82, this has resulted in sudden collapse of the
right-hand side driving surface of the highway. Major sinkholes have been repaired at this location on at least two occasions (June 2014 and Aug 2014) and the culvert at the site was replaced in October 2014. Undated photos suggest earlier sinkholes have formed at this location (SRK Consulting, 2014). Subsidence was also repaired in August 2015. At km 102-103, there has been general subsidence and sinkhole formation along the left-hand side of the road. Subsidence between km 102 and 103 has been regularly repaired as part of routine highway
maintenance and is therefore not documented. At this site, Two-Moose Lake is now encroaching on the road embankment.Repor
Experimental validation of nonlinear Fourier transform-based Kerr-nonlinearity identification over a 1600km SSMF link
No full textRecently, a nonlinear Fourier transform-based Kerr-nonlinearity identification algorithm was demonstrated for a 1000 km NZDSF link with accuracy of 75%. Here, we demonstrate an accuracy of 99% over 1600 km SSMF. Reasons for improved accuracy are discussed.Accepted Author ManuscriptTeam Sander Wahl
Potential for leverage between the quality management and knowledge management professional communities : an intellectual capital mapping
No full textThis research describes the problems facing two important professional communities,
Quality Management (QM) and Knowledge Management (KM), which face multiple
challenges in their efforts to impact the organisations in which they operate and
contribute significantly to their performance and financial results. The two
communities are positioned at very different points in their maturity life cycle. While
QM is an aging community that is trying to regain its relevancy, the KM community is
still in its infancy, and is struggling to mature. Many practitioners and academics
consider both to be "over promising and under delivering".
The aim of this research is to explore how the two communities can enhance their
effectiveness. As a theoretical framework the author used the concept of Intellectual
Capital, which is usually used in the context of formal organisations, and applied it to
the case of professional communities. The hypothesis states that the two
communities have complementary Intellectual Capitals, i. e. that the intangible assets
of each can be shared and exchanged through different patterns of interaction. An
investigation was conducted into whether the flows of such intangible assets between
Quality Management (QM) and Knowledge Management (KM) can increase their
organisational effectiveness.
The research surveyed the scientific as well as professional literature and classified
the evidence on QM/KM interactions into twelve patterns that cover the spectrum,
from complete ignorance of each other to full co-operation.
Two case studies are explored, where explicit efforts to encourage flows of
Intellectual Capital were demonstrated, one at a company level and the other at a
national level.
A unique methodology and visual tool, to map the Intellectual Capital of professional
communities, was developed and used to draw a generic map of the complementary
ICs of QM and KM and the potential flows between them, as perceived by a diverse
body of experts from both communities.
Finally, a series of (computer aided) focus groups were held with professionals.
Based on triangulation of the data between the 14 expert interviews, 2 in-depth case
studies, 68 focus group attendees and the literature, the following contributions to
knowledge were identified:
0 Creation of a new scheme to classify interactions between professional
communities.
O The application of the Intellectual Capital concept to professional
communities.
Q New insights into the situation of QM and KM communities using the
framework of Intellectual Capital, and the complementary nature of their
intangible assets.
Q New perspective on flows of Intellectual Capital between different entities
(in this case professional communities) as a way to increase the
effectiveness of both.
QA new methodology to self-assess and map Intellectual Capital
- …
