scholarly journals An empirical study of data visualization techniques in PACS design

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 247-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinu Dragan ◽  
Veljko Petrovic ◽  
Dusan Gajic ◽  
Zarko Zivanov ◽  
Dragan Ivetic

The paper presents an empirical study of multidimensional visualization techniques. The study is motivated by the problem of decision making in PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) design. A comprehensive survey of visualizations used in literature is performed and these survey results are then used to produce the final set of considered visualizations: tables (as control), scatterplots, parallel coordinates, and star plots. An electronic testing tool is developed to present visualizations to three sets of experimental subjects in order to determine which visualization technique allows users to make the correct decision in a sample decision making problem based on real-world data. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrates that visualizations show better results in decision support than tables. Further, when number of dimensions is large, 2D parallel coordinates show the best results in accuracy. The contribution of the presented research operates on two levels of abstraction. On the object level, it provides useful data regarding the relative merits of visualization techniques for the considered narrow use-case, which can then be generalized to other similar problem sets. On the meta level above, it contributes an enhanced methodology to the area of empirical visualization evaluation methods.

2021 ◽  
pp. 875529302110354
Author(s):  
Haoyi Xiu ◽  
Takayuki Shinohara ◽  
Masashi Matsuoka ◽  
Munenari Inoguchi ◽  
Ken Kawabe ◽  
...  

After an earthquake occurs, field surveys are conducted by relevant authorities to assess the damage suffered by buildings. The field survey is essential as it ensures the safety of residents and provides the necessary information to local authorities for post-disaster recovery. In Japan, a primary (mandatory) exterior survey is conducted first, and a secondary (voluntary) interior survey is performed subsequently if the residents request a reinvestigation. However, a major challenge associated with field surveys is the substantial time cost of determining the damage grades. Moreover, an interior survey is performed only after receiving the reinvestigation request from occupants, which further delays the decision-making process. In addition, the risk of incorrect damage estimation during the exterior survey must be considered because underestimating the damage can endanger the residents. Therefore, in this study, a three-part analysis (Parts I–III), where each part corresponds to a distinct stage of the standard damage assessment procedure, was performed to characterize the relationship between the building parameters and damage grades at different stages. To further explore the possibility of accelerating decision-making, predictive modeling was performed in each part. The Part I results indicate that estimating the final damage grade for all buildings immediately after the exterior survey is similar to treating the exterior survey results as the final ones. The Part II results show that buildings that potentially require an interior survey can be predicted with reasonable accuracy after the exterior survey. In buildings for which reinvestigations have been requested, Part III demonstrates that the risk of underestimation in the exterior survey can be predicted reliably.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 239784732110222
Author(s):  
David Thorne ◽  
Roman Wieczorek ◽  
Toshiro Fukushima ◽  
Han-Jae Shin ◽  
Robert Leverette ◽  
...  

During a Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) meeting, the in vitro toxicity testing Sub-Group (IVT SG) met to discuss the evolving field of aerosol exposure research. Given the diversity of exposure parameters and biological endpoints being used, it was considered a high priority to investigate and contextualise the responses obtained. This is particularly driven by the inability to compare between studies on different exposure systems due to user preferences and protocol differences. Twelve global tobacco and contract research companies met to discuss this topic and formulate an aligned approach on how this diverging field of research could be appropriately compared. Something that is becoming increasingly important, especially in the light of more focused regulatory scrutiny. A detailed and comprehensive survey was conducted on over 40 parameters ranging from aerosol generation, dilution and data analysis across eight geographically independent laboratories. The survey results emphasise the diversity of in vitro exposure parameters and methodologies employed across the IVT SG and highlighted pockets of harmonisation. For example, many of the biological protocol parameters are consistent across the Sub-Group. However, variables such as cell type and exposure time remain largely inconsistent. The next steps for this work will be to map parameters and system data against biological findings and investigate whether the observed inconsistencies translate into increased biological variability. The results from the survey provide improved awareness of parameters and nuances, that may be of substantial benefit to scientists in intersecting fields and in the development of harmonised approaches.


2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242110225
Author(s):  
Calvin Cheung ◽  
Christopher Bourne ◽  
Rick Varma

Mycoplasma genitalium ( M.genitalium) is associated with urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, proctitis and epididymitis. Its treatment is complicated by antimicrobial resistance. To assess clinicians’ adherence to M.genitalium diagnostic testing recommendations for syndromic presentations, as well as resistance-guided management of M.genitalium at Sydney Sexual Health Centre, we reviewed patients presenting between August and December 2018. 349/372 (94%) syndromic presentations were tested for M.genitalium with 16% M.genitalium test positivity and 81% macrolide resistance. 16/27 (59%) macrolide-sensitive infections and 65/77 (84%) macrolide-resistant infections received resistance-guided treatment. Tests of cure (TOCs) were unnecessarily ordered for 82% macrolide-sensitive cases, while 88% macrolide-resistant cases were correctly ordered TOCs. Co-existing STIs at the time of macrolide-sensitive ( p = 0.30) or macrolide-resistant M.genitalium ( p = 0.94) diagnosis did not significantly affect adherence to treatment guidelines. This study confirms the expected prevalence of M.genitalium and macrolide resistance in syndromic presentations while our real-world data highlight the decision-making challenges involved with managing M.genitalium, offering insights for further research.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Klimek ◽  
Dejan Baltic ◽  
Martin Brunner ◽  
Alexander Degelsegger-Marquez ◽  
Gerhard Garhöfer ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED Real-world data (RWD) collected in routine healthcare processes and transformed to real-world evidence (RWE) has become increasingly interesting within research and medical communities to enhance medical research and support regulatory decision making. Despite numerous European initiatives, there is still no cross-border consensus or guideline determining which quality RWD must meet in order to be acceptable for decision making within regulatory or routine clinical decision support. An Austrian expert group led by GPMed (Gesellschaft für Pharmazeutische Medizin, Austrian Society for Pharmaceutical Medicine) reviewed drafted guidelines, published recommendations or viewpoints to derive a consensus statement on quality criteria for RWD to be used more effectively for medical research purposes beyond registry-based studies discussed in the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guideline for registry-based studies


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