Deconstructing the STAR File Format

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Gryk
Keyword(s):  
Data Transfer ◽  
Model Structure ◽  
File Format ◽  
Star Model ◽  
Electronic Data ◽  
Independent Manner

The STAR (Self-defining Text Archival and Retrieval) file format for electronic data transfer and archiving was introduced in 1991 [ Hall, 1991 ]. This format was designed to be extensible and flexible to handle all types of data in a machine independent manner. As a file format, STAR encompasses both a model (structure) for the information contained within the file as well as a syntax for defining the layout of the information within the file (serialization). This manuscript reports on an attempt to decompose the model from the layout and in doing so, both highlight differences between variants and versions of STAR as well as propose a simple alternate serialization of the STAR model in XML.

scholarly journals Implementation of Digital Signature Using Hybrid Cryptosystem

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.4) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Leela K ◽  
Smitha Vinod
Keyword(s):  
Digital Signature ◽  
Hash Function ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Security Level ◽  
Electronic Data ◽  
Hybrid Encryption ◽  
Asymmetric Cryptography

Security is a major concern when it comes to electronic data transfer. Digital signature uses hash function and asymmetric algorithms to uniquely identify the sender of the data and it also ensures integrity of the data transferred. Hybrid encryption uses both symmetric and asymmetric cryptography to enhance the security of the data. Digital Signature is used to identify the owner of the document but it does not hide the information while transferring the document. Anyone can read the message. To avoid this, data sent along with the signature should be secured. In this paper, Digital signature is combined with hybrid encryption to enhance the security level. Security of the data or the document sent is achieved by using hybrid encryption technique along with digital signature. 

scholarly journals Using REDCap to track stakeholder engagement: A time-saving tool for PCORI-funded studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-114
Author(s):  
Sabina B. Gesell ◽  
Jacqueline R. Halladay ◽  
Laurie H. Mettam ◽  
Mysha E. Sissine ◽  
B. Lynette Staplefoote-Boynton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Data Capture ◽  
Electronic Data Capture ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Electronic Data ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Pragmatic Clinical Trials ◽  
Cluster Randomized

AbstractBackground:Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) is a secure, web-based electronic data capture application for building and managing surveys and databases. It can also be used for study management, data transfer, and data export into a variety of statistical programs. REDcap was developed and supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Program and is used in over 3700 institutions worldwide. It can also be used to track and measure stakeholder engagement, an integral element of research funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Continuously and accurately tracking and reporting on stakeholder engagement activities throughout the life of a PCORI-funded trial can be challenging, particularly in complex trials with multiple types of engagement.Methods:In this paper, we show our approach for collecting and capturing stakeholder engagement activities using a shareable REDCap tool in one of the PCORI’s first large pragmatic clinical trials (the Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services) to inform other investigators planning cluster-randomized pragmatic trials. Benefits and challenges are highlighted for researchers seeking to consistently monitor and measure stakeholder engagement.Conclusions:We describe how REDCap can provide a time-saving approach to capturing how stakeholders engage in a PCORI-funded study and reporting how stakeholders influenced the study in progress reports back to PCORI.

scholarly journals Electronic data collection in a multi-site population-based survey: EN-INDEPTH study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne M. Thysen ◽  
◽  
Charlotte Tawiah ◽  
Hannah Blencowe ◽  
Grace Manu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Electronic Data ◽  
Electronic Data Collection ◽  
Design And Implementation

Abstract Background Electronic data collection is increasingly used for household surveys, but factors influencing design and implementation have not been widely studied. The Every Newborn-INDEPTH (EN-INDEPTH) study was a multi-site survey using electronic data collection in five INDEPTH health and demographic surveillance system sites. Methods We described experiences and learning involved in the design and implementation of the EN-INDEPTH survey, and undertook six focus group discussions with field and research team to explore their experiences. Thematic analyses were conducted in NVivo12 using an iterative process guided by a priori themes. Results Five steps of the process of selecting, adapting and implementing electronic data collection in the EN-INDEPTH study are described. Firstly, we reviewed possible electronic data collection platforms, and selected the World Bank’s Survey Solutions® as the most suited for the EN-INDEPTH study. Secondly, the survey questionnaire was coded and translated into local languages, and further context-specific adaptations were made. Thirdly, data collectors were selected and trained using standardised manual. Training varied between 4.5 and 10 days. Fourthly, instruments were piloted in the field and the questionnaires finalised. During data collection, data collectors appreciated the built-in skip patterns and error messages. Internet connection unreliability was a challenge, especially for data synchronisation. For the fifth and final step, data management and analyses, it was considered that data quality was higher and less time was spent on data cleaning. The possibility to use paradata to analyse survey timing and corrections was valued. Synchronisation and data transfer should be given special consideration. Conclusion We synthesised experiences using electronic data collection in a multi-site household survey, including perceived advantages and challenges. Our recommendations for others considering electronic data collection include ensuring adaptations of tools to local context, piloting/refining the questionnaire in one site first, buying power banks to mitigate against power interruption and paying attention to issues such as GPS tracking and synchronisation, particularly in settings with poor internet connectivity.

scholarly journals MRCZ – A proposed fast compressed MRC file format and direct detector normalization strategies

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. McLeod ◽  
Ricardo Diogo Righetto ◽  
Andy Stewart ◽  
Henning Stahlberg
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Correlated Noise ◽  
File Format ◽  
A Posteriori ◽  
Fast Marching ◽  
Science Field ◽  
Knock Out

AbstractThe introduction of high-speed CMOS detectors is fast marching the field of transmission electron microscopy into an intersection with the computer science field of big data. Automated data pipelines to control the instrument and the initial processing steps are imposing more and more onerous requirements on data transfer and archiving. We present a proposal for expansion of the venerable MRC file format to combine integer decimation and lossless compression to reduce storage requirements and improve file read/write times by >1000 % compared to uncompressed floating-point data. The integer decimation of data necessitates application of the gain normalization and outlier pixel removal at the data destination, rather than the source. With direct electron detectors, the normalization step is typically provided by the vendor and is not open-source. We provide robustly tested normalization algorithms that perform at-least as well as vendor software. We show that the generation of hot pixels is a highly dynamic process in direct electron detectors, and that outlier pixels must be detected on a stack-by-stack basis. In comparison, the low-frequency bias features of the detectors induced by the electronics on-top of the active layer, are extremely stable with time. Therefore we introduce a stochastic-based approach to identify outlier pixels and smoothly filter them, such that the degree of correlated noise in micrograph stacks is reduced. Both a priori and a posteriori gain normalization approaches that are compatible with pipeline image processing are discussed. The a priori approach adds a gamma-correction to the gain reference, and the a posteriori approach normalized by a moving average of time-adjacent stacks, with the current stack being knocked-out, known as the KOMA (knock-out moving average) filter. The combination of outlier filter and KOMA normalization over ~25 frames can reduce the correlated noise in movies to nearly zero. Sample libraries and a command-line utility are hosted at github.com/em-MRCZ and released under the BSD license.

The Opportunities for a National Cyber Strategy and Social Media in the Rhizome Networks

2019 ◽  
pp. 76-96
Author(s):  
Aki-Mauri Huhtinen ◽  
Tommi Kangasmaa ◽  
Arto Hirvelä
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Cyber Security ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Security Strategy ◽  
Strategic Communications ◽  
Electronic Data ◽  
Military Capability ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
The Government ◽  
Written Word

Securing society is a central task of the state. In the present day as well as in the future, knowledge and information are ever more closely tied to electronic data transfer. Finland's published Cyber Security Strategy depicts how the government safeguards electronic data transfer, that is, information security against different threat and risk scenarios. Cyber Security Strategy was introduced 2013 and has provided guidance to all governmental actors how to implement security activities to be able to respond to increased security threats in networks. Visuality has increasing importance in strategic communications, not least because it is faster than the written word and globally distributed via social media. Relatedly, camera drones are becoming increasingly important tools in the security economy, especially when it comes to enhancing military capability through combat cameras. The main challenge facing society is that the cyber domain in general, and social media in particular, is moving out of the control of the nation-state.

The Opportunities of National Cyber Strategy and Social Media in the Rhizome Networks

2019 ◽  
pp. 923-936
Author(s):  
Aki-Mauri Huhtinen ◽  
Arto Hirvelä ◽  
Tommi Kangasmaa
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Cyber Security ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Strategic Communication ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Strategic Communications ◽  
Electronic Data ◽  
Phenomenological Perspective ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Standards

Securing the society is a central task of the state. In the present day, as well as in the future, knowledge and information are evermore closely tied to electronic data transfer. Finland's newly published Cyber Security Strategy depicts how the government safeguards electronic data transfer, that is, information security against different threat and risk scenarios. Cyberspace has a human element and a technological element. It is a way to influence and affect society. It may be used to influence minds or to attack the physical world, for example by disrupting traffic control. But cyberspace cannot exist without people. The cyberspace offers the platform so called strategic communication. Strategic communication is a concept that unites the efforts of governmental organisations to influence people in support of national interests. Formal organisations and institutions are often seen as being opposed or resistant to change. Social Media and the cyber domain can offer many opportunities but also unknown threats and risks. In this paper we argue that securing an organisation is a living and continuously changing process. Deleuze and Guattari (1983) present the concept of a rhizome, meaning a dynamic weed formation which, opposed to the arboreal and hierarchical structure of the tree, involves spontaneous, unpredictable and distant connections between heterogeneous elements (Linstead & Thanem 2007, 1484) Strategic Communication is the focus of a heated discussion in the military field: How can militaries be credible and uphold the high standards of democracy within the asymmetric and complex battlefield? To be credible one must act according to what is said. The challenge is that the scene is global in the information age. The act, the actor, the scene, the purpose – all are exposed to a global audience through cyberspace on a very short notice. The most effective way of showing the scene and actors is an audiovisual product. Examples of this come from all conflict zones. Militaries are establishing Youtube channels and supplying material from intense fighting and frontline action. The solution for supporting the organisation's own arguments has been the Combat Camera capability, in other words media-trained soldiers who are where the main effort is happening. Within the spirit of strategic communication, the cyber strategy itself is one way to operationalise cyber security by announcing measures to be taken against cyber attacks. In this article the authors reflect on the Finnish Cyber Strategy and Strategic Communications from a phenomenological perspective.

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