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International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 23-26, 2000 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / With wireless communications becoming the rule rather than the exception, satellite operators need tools to effectively monitor increasingly large and complex satellite constellations. Visual data monitoring increases the monitoring capacity of satellite operators by several orders of magnitude, enabling them to track hundreds of thousands of parameters in real-time on a single screen. With this powerful new tool, operators can proactively address potential problems before they become customer complaints.

Background and Objectives: Sharing of interim results by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) with non-DSMB members is an important issue that can affect trial integrity. The objective of this dissertation was to determine the views of the stakeholders on what kind of interim results can or should be shared by the DSMB, why, and with whom among those responsible for the conduct of a trial. Methods: We first conducted a systematic search of the literature to assess views and current evidence on sharing interim results. Secondly, we conducted two cross-sectional surveys aimed at those involved in trials to solicit their views on what type of interim results should be shared by the DSMB with non-DSMB members, with whom and under what circumstances. Thirdly, we assessed for any potential association of demographic factors with the sharing of certain interim results and their perceived usefulness, using regression analysis. Results: Mixed views exist in the literature on interim result sharing practices. Evidence from the surveys conducted resulted in the following findings. What to share: Based upon the survey results from our cross-sectional survey (Chapter 4), the interim control event rate (IControlER), the adaptive conditional power (ACP) and the unconditional conditional power (UCP) should not be shared. Most respondents from this survey thought the interim combined event rate (ICombinedER) could be shared provided proper conditions and provisions are in place. However, based on our cross-sectional scenario-based survey (Chapter 3), it was demonstrated that the ICombinedER, when shared at interim, is compatible with three possible interim results (Drug X doing better than placebo, worse than placebo or performing the same as placebo). Why share or not share: Respondents indicate that the ICombinedER can be shared because it does not unmask relative effects between groups, and keeps the steering committee (SC) informed about the trial’s progress; however, with the condition that sharing this type of result should be specified a priori including for what purpose and be at the DSMB’s discretion, especially if the control group rate is known from the literature. However, it is important to note that the ICombinedER, demonstrated with evidence from our cross-sectional scenario-based survey (Chapter 3), is compatible with three possible interim results and should not be shared because it has low usefulness and is flawed due to multiple interpretations. The IControlER and the ACP should not be shared because they are unmasking of interim results. It was mentioned that ICombinedER is usually known by the SC and sponsor making it easy to determine group rates if the IControlER is known. The UCP should not be shared because it is a technical measure that is potentially misleading of interim results. With whom to share: Survey results from Chapter 4 indicated that the ICombinedER can be shared with the SC and that the IControlER, the ACP, and the UCP should not be shared with any non-DSMB members by the DSMB. However, evidence from Chapter 3 also indicates that the ICombinedER should not be shared with any non-DSMB member. Factors associated with sharing: Having experience with greater than 15 trials with private industry sponsorship was found to be associated with not sharing the IControlER and an increase in perceived usefulness in sharing the ACP. Though some other demographic factors were found to be associated with sharing the ICombinedER and the UCP, they were sensitive to missing data upon our sensitivity analysis and will require more validation. Conclusions: Though mixed views exist within an extensive literature review on interim result sharing practices, survey evidence from this dissertation suggests that the ICombinedER, IControlER, the ACP and the UCP should not be shared with any non-DSMB member. The IControlER and ACP can be unmasking of interim results and the UCP is a technical measure that is potentially misleading. We agree with this reasoning. The majority of respondents from the survey in Chapter 4 indicated that the ICombinedER can be shared with the SC because it does not unmask relative effects between groups, however it was also stipulated that sharing this measure should be specified a priori and for what purpose and be at the DSMB’s discretion, especially if the control group rate is known from the literature. Even though the majority from our second survey in Chapter 4 indicate sharing the ICombinedER with the SC, we do not recommend sharing the ICombinedER at interim with any non-DSMB member because, as demonstrated with evidence from our cross-sectional scenario-based survey in Chapter 3, this measure is compatible with three possible interim results potentially leading to the introduction of trial bias at interim by those privy this interim measure and their interpretation. Based on the findings from the survey from Chapter 4, there appears to be a lack of awareness in how sharing the ICombinedER is flawed, of low usefulness, and potentially dangerous. The perceived desire to have this measure shared seems misguided. Experience with greater than 15 trials with private industry sponsorship was found to be associated with not endorsing the sharing the IControlER and an increase in perceived usefulness in sharing the ACP by the DSMB at interim. In regards to implications for future research, this characteristic should be further evaluated to see if this subgroup has insight into interim trial management practices that protect from trial bias. Results from this research have implications for practice and guidelines concerning trial design and protocols, and DSMB charters. These results can also help assess the need for proper safeguards around sharing an interim result when deemed appropriate by the DSMB and under their discretion, that prevent the introduction of bias that could alter the final trial results generated. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Im Bereich des wissenschaftlichen Rechnens nimmt die Anzahl von Programmläufen (Jobs), die von einem Benutzer ausgeführt werden, immer weiter zu. Dieser Trend resultiert sowohl aus einer steigenden Anzahl an CPU-Cores, auf die ein Nutzer zugreifen kann, als auch durch den immer einfacheren Zugriff auf diese mittels Portalen, Workflow-Systemen oder Services. Gleichzeitig schränken zusätzliche Abstraktionsschichten von Grid- und Cloud-Umgebungen die Möglichkeit zur Beobachtung von Jobs ein. Eine Lösung bietet das jobzentrische Monitoring, das die Ausführung von Jobs transparent darstellen kann. Die vorliegende Dissertation zeigt zum einen Methoden mit denen eine skalierbare Infrastruktur zur Verwaltung von Monitoring-Daten im Kontext von Grid, Cloud oder HPC (High Performance Computing) realisiert werden kann. Zu diesem Zweck wird sowohl eine Aufgabenteilung unter Berücksichtigung von Aspekten wie Netzwerkbandbreite und Speicherkapazität mittels einer Strukturierung der verwendeten Server in Schichten, als auch eine dezentrale Aufbereitung und Speicherung der Daten realisiert. Zum anderen wurden drei Analyseverfahren zur automatisierten und massenhaften Auswertung der Daten entwickelt. Hierzu wurde unter anderem ein auf der Kreuzkorrelation basierender Algorithmus mit einem baumbasierten Optimierungsverfahren zur Reduzierung der Laufzeit und des Speicherbedarfs entwickelt. Diese drei Verfahren können die Anzahl der manuell zu analysierenden Jobs von vielen Tausenden, auf die wenigen, interessanten, tatsächlichen Ausreißer bei der Jobausführung reduzieren. Die Methoden und Verfahren zur massenhaften Analyse, sowie zur skalierbaren Verwaltung der jobzentrischen Monitoring-Daten, wurden entworfen, prototypisch implementiert und mittels Messungen sowie durch theoretische Analysen untersucht. / An increasing number of program executions (jobs) is an ongoing trend in scientific computing. Increasing numbers of available compute cores and lower access barriers, based on portal-systems, workflow-systems, or services, drive this trend. At the same time, the abstraction layers that enable grid and cloud solutions pose challenges in observing job behaviour. Thus, observation and monitoring capabilities for large numbers of jobs are lacking. Job-centric monitoring offers a solution to present job executions in a transparent manner. This dissertation presents methods for scalable infrastructures that handle monitoring data of jobs in grid, cloud, and HPC (High Performance Computing) solutions. A layer-based organisation of servers with a distributed storage scheme enables a task sharing that respects network bandwidths and data capacities. Additionally, three proposed automatic analysis techniques enable an evaluation of huge data quantities. One of the developed algorithms is based on cross-correlation and uses a tree-based optimisation strategy to decrease both runtime and memory usage. These three methods are able to significantly reduce the number of jobs for manual analysis from many thousands to a few interesting jobs that exhibit outlier-behaviour during job execution. Contributions of this thesis include a design, a prototype implementation, and an evaluation for methods that analyse large amounts of job-data, as well for the scalable storage concept for such data.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / The Interactive Analysis and Display System (IADS) provides the test engineer with enhanced test-data processing, management and display capabilities necessary to perform critical data monitoring in near real-time during a test mission. The IADS provides enhanced situational awareness through a display capability designed to increase the confidence of the engineer in making clearance decisions within a Mission Control Room (MCR) environment. The engineer achieves this confidence level through IADS’ real-time display capability (every data point) and simultaneous near real-time processing capability consisting of both time and frequency domain analyses. The system displays real-time data while performing interactive and automated near real-time analyses; alerting the engineer when displayed data exceed predefined threshold limits. The IADS provides a post-test capability at the engineer’s project area desktop, with a user interface common with the real-time system. The IADS promotes teamwork by allowing engineers to share data and test results during a mission and in the post-test environment. The IADS was originally developed for the government’s premier flight test programs. IADS has set the standard for MCR advancements in data acquisition and monitoring and is currently being integrated into all the existing MCR disciplines.

A rapidly growing topic of great interest is the adaptation of benchtop analytical instrumentation for use in outdoor harsh environments. Some of the areas that stand to benefit from field instrumentation development include government agencies involved with the preservation of the environment and institutions responsible for the safety of the general public. Detection systems are at the forefront of the miniaturization movement as the interest in analyte identification and quantitation appears to only be accessible through the use of analytical instrumentation. Mass spectrometry is a distinguished analytical technique known for its ability to detect the mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios of gas-phase ions of interest. Although these systems have been routinely limited to research lab-based analysis, there has been considerable development of miniaturized and portable mass spectrometry systems. Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) is becoming a common method of sample introduction that is subject to significant development. MIMS allows for minimal sample preparation, continuous sampling, and excludes complicated analyte introduction techniques. Sampling is accomplished using a semipermeable membrane that allows selective analyte passage into the vacuum of the mass spectrometer. MIMS is becoming the preeminent choice of homeland security and environmental monitoring applications with increasing opportunities for the future development of specialized systems. The steadfast development of miniaturized mass spectrometry systems with efficient operation capabilities for a variety of applications gives promise to the further development of MIMS technology as well as other analytical instrumentation.

This work deals with the design and implementation of a system for parallel execution of tasks in the Knowledge Technology Research Group. The goal is to create a web application that allows to control their processing and monitor runs of these tasks including the use of system resources. The work first analyzes the current method of parallel data processing and the shortcomings of this solution. Then the work describes the existing tools including the problems that their test deployment revealed. Based on this knowledge, the requirements for a new application are defined and the design of the entire system is created. After that the selected parts of implementation and the way of the whole system testing is described together with the comparison of the efficiency with the original system.

M. Tech. (Department of Process Control and Computer System, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology. / Personal health record system (PHRS) is a tool that is used in maintaining the health and wellness of an individual as well as helping with illness of an individual. PHRS gives the individual access to a wide range of credible health information, data, and knowledge. Individuals can use that access to improve their health and manage their diseases. Patients with chronic illness can track and manage their health in conjunction with their health provider, this will promote early intervention when they encounter an abnormality or complications. Continuous monitoring and storing of health information has been a challenge for patients and health providers. Personal health data monitoring and retrieval system for health providers was designed and implemented. The main aim of this study was to develop an accurate, secure and flexible personal health data monitoring and retrieval system for health providers (PHRS). This was achieved. The research showed that when a patient health information (Electrocardiogram (ECG) and temperature) was monitored, the heartbeat (ECG) sensor output the value as an analog value to the signal processing (NodeMCU) which was then converted to a digital value. The temperature sensor used in this research is a digital sensor which lowers the amount of ADC conversion that was done. The digital values are displayed on LCD, its send to a personal health data storage system which was designed for health information storage purposes. It also sends the value to a retrieval system which is an android application that is connected to the data storage system to display health information to the health providers from a remote location. Personal health data storage and the retrieval system are secure due to the Message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) protocol used in the application layer. The MQTT protocol is secure due to the secure socket layer (SSL) which is an encryption based on presentation layer embedded inside the MQTT protocol. After the comparison of the software simulation and the prototype test, the differences in the value for the heartbeat and temperature sensor indicate 0.04 BPM and 0.04 oC which shows the accuracy of the sensing circuit. Personal health data monitoring and retrieval system developed is applicable and useful to multiple entities in and around South Africa such as; Ministry of health, hospitals, sport and recreations.