Direct data collection

There has been a push for direct data collection (DDC) as an alternative to remote data capture (RDC). In this approach most of the required clinical data are acquired directly from existing patient record systems such as MRI machines, ECG, EEG, TTM, laboratories, and other measurement equipment. This approach eliminates the need for paper transcription and reentry to another system. It promises error-free and resource-efficient data capture, which allows early locking of the database and therefore potentially earlier product launch [30]. 

This system includes a computer with interface for electronic scale or balance for direct data collection. Any electronic balance with RS-232 interface can be connected to the system. A record of test data is produced by color plotter. Fifteen sieves and pan can be handled. 

Each TESTxx.EXE file contains one to three CSV text files, TESTxx.CSV, TESTxxW.CSV, and TESTxxG.CSV, where xx is the test number. The first file, that with no W or G suffix, is the data collected by the data acquisition system in the control room at the HSC all of the tests on the site include this file. The second file, that with a W ( W is for wind) suffix, is wind speed and direction data collected by 2-m meteorological towers during the tests. The final file, that with a G ( G is for gas) suffix, is applicable only to the Silicone Health Council (SHC) test series and contains gas concentration information. Each of these files is structured in a similar fashion. The values in the first row are the tag names for each data channel. After the first row, each row in a file is a record of the recorded values at the time denoted by the timestamp located in the first column. A indicates that the data acquisition system did not record a valid value for that sensor at that time. 

In describing the various mechanical properties of polymers in the last chapter, we took the attitude that we could make measurements on any time scale we chose, however long or short, and that such measurements were made in isothermal experiments. Most of the experimental results presented in Chap. 3 are representations of this sort. In that chapter we remarked several times that these figures were actually the result of reductions of data collected at different temperatures. Now let us discuss this technique our perspective, however, will be from the opposite direction taking an isothermal plot apart. 

Constmction and checking of caUbrated curves Direct data acquisition from chromatographs Data collection for analytical instmments Entry of instmmental readings Manual results entry... 

In the presence of 6-iodo-l-phenyl-l-hexyne, the current increases in the cathodic (negative potential going) direction because the hexyne catalyticaHy regenerates the nickel(II) complex. The absence of the nickel(I) complex precludes an anodic wave upon reversal of the sweep direction there is nothing to reduce. If the catalytic process were slow enough it would be possible to recover the anodic wave by increasing the sweep rate to a value so fast that the reduced species (the nickel(I) complex) would be reoxidized before it could react with the hexyne. A quantitative treatment of the data, collected at several sweep rates, could then be used to calculate the rate constant for the catalytic reaction at the electrode surface. Such rate constants may be substantially different from those measured in the bulk of the solution. The chemical and electrochemical reactions involved are... 

The use of a measurement generally dictates the circumstances of data collection. For example, to provide a best estimate of plume transport direction, hour by hour, of a release from a 75-m stack, a wind vane at the 100-m level of a tower will probably provide more representative wind direction measurements than a vane at 10 m above ground. If the release has buoyancy so that it rises appreciably before leveling off, even the 100-m measurement may not be totally adequate. 

Decisions affecting the future direction of the organization and its products and services are made from information gleaned through market research. Should this information be grossly inaccurate, over optimistic or pessimistic the result may well be the loss of many customers to the competition. It is therefore vital that objective data is used to make these decisions. The data can be primary data (data collected for the first time during a market research study) or secondary data (previously collected data). However, you need to be cautious with secondary data, as it could be obsolete or have been collected on a different basis than needed for the present study. 

In collecting the data care should be taken to avoid data paralysis (see Part 2 Chapter 14). The various quality tools can be used to prioritize the identified problems and corresponding decisions. As with all data collection tasks, you should show a direct correlation between what you are collecting and the goals to be achieved and all conclusions should lead to positive action, otherwise the effort has been futile. 

Another publication produced by the Center for Chemical Process Safety, Guidelines for Investigating Chemical Process Incidents (CCPS, 1992d), is directed at achieving similar objectives but from a differing perspective and with differing emphasis. Both sources of information can be used in a complementary manner to improve the quality of data collection and incident analysis in the CPI. 

Data collected during these process variable scans indicate that more C02 than expected was being formed (Figure 4). Selectivity to C02 reached a maximum of 5-10% at about 90-95% conversion. At higher conversions, the C02 level is reduced by reverse shift and subsequent methanation of CO or by direct methanation of C02. This selectivity to C02 can be eliminated by cofeeding small amounts of C02 (3-5%). Since multiple C02 absorbers are required in the commercial SNG plant, one or more could be relocated downstream of the methanation step. This could offer some economic advantages since C02 absorption would now occur at higher concentration and pressure and at lower total gas flow. 

Analysis of the chromatogram is carried out Interactively with the operator directing the flow of analysis from the computer keyboard, or in the automatic mode immediately after data collection to an extent specified using SETUP. Automatic analysis may also be applied to a series of chromatograms at any time by putting the run numbers or names of the files in the run number file. Before the next set of data collections, the programs check that the number in the run number file is the latest run number for all the files on the disk. 

Analysis of the data collected by Hill et al. illustrates how a four parameter problem can be reduced to one involving only two parameters by appropriately formulating the problem. In addition an approach to fitting models directly to triad fraction data is shown. Our analysis confirms the conclusion made by Hill et al. that a penultimate effect does exist for both styrene and acrlyonitrile. 

Paper Data Collection with Centralized Batch Data Entry Paper Data Collection with Direct Data Transfer to Centralized DMS... 

Electronic-based data collection and management systems rely heavily on computer hardware and software at both the participating sites and the coordinating centers. The hallmark of the electronic-based data collection and management systems is the elimination of paper data collection forms. Instead of recording data on paper forms, data collectors enter data directly into a computer system where an electronic data record is generated for each form. The method of data transfer to the central location depends on the type of the electronic-based data collection and management system. 

The use of wireless computer systems has gain popularity in data collection for clinical trials. They have been used as a substitute for normal paper-based patient diaries (Koop et al. [19]) to increase data quality and shorten the time needed to close the database. They have also been used for mobile interviewing [20] and for bedside data collection [21]. In patient-directed data entry, subjects are given handheld computers to answer the trial s questions (Clarke et al. [22]). 

Decisions made in the design of field study data collection directly and indirectly affect analytical method development. Each sampling matrix will require specific procedures, and methods need to be developed with a view to the nature and scope of field monitoring programs that are or may be required. 

Models are generally built from either fundamental knowledge about a system or empirical data collected from a system. Models based on fundamental knowledge attempt to directly predict actual plant behavior. Therefore, they can be especially useful for those operating situations that have not been previously observed. However, accurate fundamental models are... 

To construct the reference model, the interpretation system required routine process data collected over a period of several months. Cross-validation was applied to detect and remove outliers. Only data corresponding to normal process operations (that is, when top-grade product is made) were used in the model development. As stated earlier, the system ultimately involved two analysis approaches, both reduced-order models that capture dominant directions of variability in the data. A PLS analysis using two loadings explained about 60% of the variance in the measurements. A subsequent PCA analysis on the residuals showed that five principal components explain 90% of the residual variability. 

Future needs in support of model validation and performance testing must continue to be in the area of coordinated, well-designed field data collection programs supplemented with directed research on specific topics. The FAT workshop produced a listing of the field data collection and research needs for the air, streams/lakes/estuaries, and runoff/unsaturated/saturated soil media categories, as follows ... 

The Wilhelmy hanging plate method (13) has been used for many years to measure interfacial and surface tensions, but with the advent of computer data collection and computer control of dynamic test conditions, its utility has been greatly increased. The dynamic version of the Wilhelmy plate device, in which the liquid phases are in motion relative to a solid phase, has been used in several surface chemistry studies not directly related to the oil industry (14- 16). Fleureau and Dupeyrat (17) have used this technique to study the effects of an electric field on the formation of surfactants at oil/water/rock interfaces. The work presented here is concerned with reservoir wettability. 

We have kept the data collection computer and its software simple and economical. The computing power and peripherals needed to provide high quality plotting and data reduction are available on a 32-bit minicomputer that supports a number of our projects. The floppy discs from the data collection process can be read directly into the data reduction computer. Special menus have been set up to facilitate plotting of the data on a high speed color raster display or on a high-quality multicolor pen plotter. 

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