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ITC/USA 2005 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-First Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2005 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / There are increasing demands, particularly from government agencies, to perform uncertainty analysis in order to assign accuracy bounds to telemetered data from environmental measuring transducers (pressure, acceleration, force, strain, temperature, etc.). Several requirements must be fulfilled before measurement uncertainty analysis is justified. These requirements include good measurement system design practices such as adequate low- and high-frequency response and data-sampling rates, appropriate anti-aliasing filter selection^(1), proper grounding and shielding, and many more. In addition, there are applications (e.g., flight test) in which the environment of the transducer varies with time and/or location. In these applications, it is a requisite that data-validation be performed to establish that an individual transducer responds only to the environmental stimulus that it is intended to measure. Without this validation component designed into the telemetry system, assigned accuracy bounds can be totally meaningless. This paper presents examples and describes techniques for data validation of signals from environmental measuring transducers.

With the explosion in usage of big data, stakes are high for companies to develop workflows that translate the data into business value. Those data transformations are continuously updated and refined in order to meet the evolving business needs, and it is imperative to ensure that a new version of a workflow still produces the correct output. This study focuses on the validation of big data in a real-world scenario, and implements a validation tool that compares two databases that hold the results produced by different versions of a workflow in order to detect and prevent potential unwanted alterations, with row-based and column-based statistics being used to validate the two versions. The tool was shown to provide accurate results in test scenarios, providing leverage to companies that need to validate the outputs of the workflows. In addition, by automating this process, the risk of human error is eliminated, and it has the added benefit of improved speed compared to the more labour-intensive manual alternative. All this allows for a more agile way of performing updates on the data transformation workflows by improving on the turnaround time of the validation process.

ITC/USA 2010 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Sixth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 25-28, 2010 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California / A few years ago XidML was introduced as an open XML standard for capturing the meta-data associated with flight test instrumentation (FTI). This meta-data schema was broken down into elements for Parameter (name, range, units, offset-binary), Instrument (name, serial number, misses-to loss), Package (bits per word, words per minor-frame, rate) and Link (name, type) and so on. XidML remains one of the only published schema for FTI meta-data and with XidML 3.0 many simplifications have been introduced along with support for nested tree structures and a single instrument schema allowing anyone to define the validation for instruments from any vendor. This paper introduces the XidML schema and describers the benefits of XidML 3.0 in particular. It begins by giving a brief description of what XidML is and describes its history and motivation. The paper then outlines the main differences between XidML-3.0 and earlier versions, and how the XidML schema has been further refined to meet the challenges faced by the FTI community. As an example of usage the FTIManager software developed at Eurocopter will be briefly presented in order to illustrate the XidML ability to describe a multi-vendor FTI configuration.

Traditional hydrological model inputs are often deemed inadequate in areas where stations are sparse, such as the northern extents of the Canadian Prairie basins. The Canadian Precipitation Analysis (CaPA) combines GEM (Global Environmental Multi-scale model) data and available observation data to provide enhanced precipitation estimates. The CaPA analysis has recently been extended to produce high-resolution precipitation data over the Canadian Prairies, encompassing the Nelson-Churchill River Basin. Manitoba Hydro and other water practitioners in Manitoba have expressed interest in potentially using CaPA precipitation as hydrological model forcing for Prairie watersheds. A three step validation approach was designed and applied to assess CaPA for hydrologic modelling applications in the Nelson-Churchill River basin. Results of validation show that the quality of CaPA data varies among regions and seasons, with CaPA proving beneficial in both data-sparse regions and winter seasons most prominently. Overall, CaPA shows promise for water resource application in the Canadian Prairies.

Os sistemas de integração de dados que usam a arquitetura de data warehouse (DW) têm se tornado cada vez maiores e mais difíceis de gerenciar devido à crescente heterogeneidade das fontes de dados envolvidas. Apesar dos avanços tecnológicos e científicos, os projetos de DW ainda são muito lentos na geração de resultados pragmáticos. Este trabalho busca responder à seguinte questão: como pode ser reduzida a complexidade do desenvolvimento de sistemas de DW que integram dados provenientes de sistemas transacionais heterogêneos? Para isso, apresenta duas contribuições: 1) A criação de diretrizes metodológicas baseadas em ciclos de modelagem conceitual e análise de dados para guiar a construção de um sistema modular de integração de dados. Essas diretrizes foram fundamentais para reduzir a complexidade do desenvolvimento do projeto internacional Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study-II (REDS-II), se mostrando adequadas para serem aplicadas em sistemas reais. 2) O desenvolvimento de um método de validação de lotes de dados candidatos a serem incorporados a um sistema integrador, que toma decisões baseado no perfil estatístico desses lotes, e de um projeto de sistema que viabiliza o uso desse método no contexto de sistemas de DW. / Data integration systems that use data warehouse (DW) architecture are becoming bigger and more difficult to manage due to the growing heterogeneity of data sources. Despite the significant advances in research and technologies, many integration projects are still too slow to generate pragmatic results. This work addresses the following question: how can the complexity of DW development for integration of heterogeneous transactional information systems be reduced? For this purpose, we present two contributions: 1) The establishment of methodological guidelines based on cycles of conceptual modeling and data analysis to drive construction of a modular data integration system. These guidelines were fundamental for reducing the development complexity of the international project Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study-II (REDS-II), proving suited to be applied in real systems. 2) The development of a validation method of data batches that are candidates to be incorporated into an integration system, which makes decisions based on the statistical profile of these batches, and a project of a system that enables the use of this method in DW systems context.

Os sistemas de integração de dados que usam a arquitetura de data warehouse (DW) têm se tornado cada vez maiores e mais difíceis de gerenciar devido à crescente heterogeneidade das fontes de dados envolvidas. Apesar dos avanços tecnológicos e científicos, os projetos de DW ainda são muito lentos na geração de resultados pragmáticos. Este trabalho busca responder à seguinte questão: como pode ser reduzida a complexidade do desenvolvimento de sistemas de DW que integram dados provenientes de sistemas transacionais heterogêneos? Para isso, apresenta duas contribuições: 1) A criação de diretrizes metodológicas baseadas em ciclos de modelagem conceitual e análise de dados para guiar a construção de um sistema modular de integração de dados. Essas diretrizes foram fundamentais para reduzir a complexidade do desenvolvimento do projeto internacional Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study-II (REDS-II), se mostrando adequadas para serem aplicadas em sistemas reais. 2) O desenvolvimento de um método de validação de lotes de dados candidatos a serem incorporados a um sistema integrador, que toma decisões baseado no perfil estatístico desses lotes, e de um projeto de sistema que viabiliza o uso desse método no contexto de sistemas de DW. / Data integration systems that use data warehouse (DW) architecture are becoming bigger and more difficult to manage due to the growing heterogeneity of data sources. Despite the significant advances in research and technologies, many integration projects are still too slow to generate pragmatic results. This work addresses the following question: how can the complexity of DW development for integration of heterogeneous transactional information systems be reduced? For this purpose, we present two contributions: 1) The establishment of methodological guidelines based on cycles of conceptual modeling and data analysis to drive construction of a modular data integration system. These guidelines were fundamental for reducing the development complexity of the international project Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study-II (REDS-II), proving suited to be applied in real systems. 2) The development of a validation method of data batches that are candidates to be incorporated into an integration system, which makes decisions based on the statistical profile of these batches, and a project of a system that enables the use of this method in DW systems context.

L’explosion récente du nombre de centenaires dans les pays à faible mortalité n’est pas étrangère à la multiplication des études portant sur la longévité, et plus spécifiquement sur ses déterminants et ses répercussions. Alors que certains tentent de découvrir les gènes pouvant être responsables de la longévité extrême, d’autres s’interrogent sur l’impact social, économique et politique du vieillissement de la population et de l’augmentation de l’espérance de vie ou encore, sur l’existence d’une limite biologique à la vie humaine. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous analysons la situation démographique des centenaires québécois depuis le début du 20e siècle à partir de données agrégées (données de recensement, statistiques de l’état civil, estimations de population). Dans un deuxième temps, nous évaluons la qualité des données québécoises aux grands âges à partir d’une liste nominative des décès de centenaires des générations 1870-1894. Nous nous intéressons entre autres aux trajectoires de mortalité au-delà de cent ans. Finalement, nous analysons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents d’un échantillon de semi-supercentenaires (105 ans et plus) nés entre 1890 et 1900 afin de se prononcer sur la composante familiale de la longévité. Cette thèse se compose de trois articles. Dans le cadre du premier, nous traitons de l’évolution du nombre de centenaires au Québec depuis les années 1920. Sur la base d’indicateurs démographiques tels le ratio de centenaires, les probabilités de survie et l’âge maximal moyen au décès, nous mettons en lumière les progrès remarquables qui ont été réalisés en matière de survie aux grands âges. Nous procédons également à la décomposition des facteurs responsables de l’augmentation du nombre de centenaires au Québec. Ainsi, au sein des facteurs identifiés, l’augmentation de la probabilité de survie de 80 à 100 ans s’inscrit comme principal déterminant de l’accroissement du nombre de centenaires québécois. Le deuxième article traite de la validation des âges au décès des centenaires des générations 1870-1894 d’origine canadienne-française et de confession catholique nés et décédés au Québec. Au terme de ce processus de validation, nous pouvons affirmer que les données québécoises aux grands âges sont d’excellente qualité. Les trajectoires de mortalité des centenaires basées sur les données brutes s’avèrent donc représentatives de la réalité. L’évolution des quotients de mortalité à partir de 100 ans témoigne de la décélération de la mortalité. Autant chez les hommes que chez les femmes, les quotients de mortalité plafonnent aux alentours de 45%. Finalement, dans le cadre du troisième article, nous nous intéressons à la composante familiale de la longévité. Nous comparons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires décédés entre 1995 et 2004 à celle de leurs cohortes de naissance respectives. Les différences de survie entre les frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires sous observation et leur génération « contrôle » s’avèrent statistiquement significatives à un seuil de 0,01%. De plus, les frères, sœurs, pères et mères des semi-supercentenaires ont entre 1,7 (sœurs) et 3 fois (mères) plus de chance d’atteindre 90 ans que les membres de leur cohorte de naissance correspondante. Ainsi, au terme de ces analyses, il ne fait nul doute que la longévité se concentre au sein de certaines familles. / The recent rise in the number of centenarians within low mortality countries has led to multiple studies conducted on longevity, and more specifically on its determinants and repercussions. Some are trying to identify genes that could be responsible for extreme longevity. Others are studying the social, economic and political impact of the rise in life expectancy and population aging, or questioning themselves about the existence of a biological limit to the human life span. In this thesis, we first study the demographic situation of centenarians from Quebec using aggregated data (census data, vital statistics, and population estimations). Then, we evaluate the quality of Quebec data at the oldest ages using the death records of centenarians belonging to the 1870-1894 birth cohorts. We are particularly interested in the mortality trajectories beyond 100 years old. Finally, we analyze the survival of siblings and parents of a semi-supercentenarians (105 years and over) sample in order to assess the familial component of longevity. The thesis is divided into three articles. In the first article, we study the evolution of the centenarian population from the 1920s in Quebec. With demographic indicators such as the centenarian ratio, the survival probabilities and the maximal age at death, we try to demonstrate the remarkable progress realised in old age mortality. We also analyze the determinants of the increase in the number of centenarians in Quebec. Among the factors identified, the improvement in late mortality is the main determinant of the increase of the number of centenarians in Quebec. The second article deals with the validation of the ages at death of French-Canadian centenarians born in Quebec between 1870-1894. The validation results confirm that Quebec data at the highest ages at death are of very good quality. Therefore, the measure of centenarian mortality based on all death records is representative of the true trends. The evolution of age-specific life table death rates beyond 100 years old assesses the mortality deceleration at the highest ages. Among men and women, the death rates reach a plateau at around 45%. Finally, in the third article, we study the familial predisposition for longevity. We compare the survival probabilities of siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians deceased between 1995 and 2004 to those of their birth cohort-matched counterparts. The survival differences between the siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians and their respective birth cohorts are statistically significant at a 0,01% level of significance. The siblings and parents have a 1,7 to 3 times greater probability of survival from age 50 to 90 then members of their respective birth cohorts. These findings support the existence of a substantial familial component to longevity.

INTRODUÇÃO: Disfunções do assoalho pélvico incluem uma variedade de condições interrelacionadas, tais como prolapso de órgãos pélvicos (POP) e distúrbios urinários e defecatórios. Comumente, tais afecções são concomitantes, o que pode causar incômodo de forma significativa. Inúmeros questionários com foco nessas disfunções têm sido desenvolvidos e estão sendo utilizados em pesquisas, fornecendo informações importantes; porém, como geralmente possuem múltiplos itens, são muito complexos para serem utilizados na prática clínica. O \"Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire\" (PFBQ) foi delineado de forma a simplificar a identificação e o grau de incômodo relacionados a problemas comuns do assoalho pélvico, podendo ser usado na prática diária e para fins de pesquisa. Trata-se de um questionário de nove itens que avalia sintomas relacionados à incontinência urinária, urgência e frequência urinárias, dificuldade miccional, prolapso de órgãos pélvicos, evacuação obstruída, incontinência fecal e dispareunia. OBJETIVOS: Os objetivos foram validar uma versão do PFBQ adaptada para o português, assim como adapta-lo culturalmente para a língua portuguesa brasileira, atualizá-lo, e avaliar suas propriedades: confiabilidade, validade e capacidade de detectar mudanças. MÉTODOS: O PFBQ foi traduzido para o português (\"Forward Translation\") por dois tradutores independentes (sendo um deles um tradutor juramentado). Após consenso, essa versão foi traduzida para o inglês (\"Backward Translation\") por um terceiro tradutor independente. O questionário foi então testado por profissionais da saúde e em uma amostragem de 10 pacientes. Após estas etapas, a versão final do questionário foi obtida. Testes de validade foram então aplicados: confiabilidade interna, confiabilidade teste-reteste, validade dos itens e capacidade de resposta às mudanças. O PFBQ foi correlacionado com dados obtidos durante a anamnese, diários miccional e defecatório e exame pélvico, incluindo o \"Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification\" (POP-Q). Para avaliar a confiabilidade teste-reteste, cada paciente respondeu o PFBQ dentro de 1 semana a 10 dias. A capacidade de resposta às mudanças foi avaliada nas pacientes que completaram o questionário antes e após o tratamento. RESULTADOS: Entre fevereiro de 2014 e agosto de 2015, foram incluídas no estudo 147 pacientes com média de idade de 60,49 anos. As principais queixas foram: 12,2% incontinência urinária de esforço, 19% incontinência urinária mista, 6,1% perda urinária por urgência, 26,5% incontinência fecal, 18,4% evacuação obstruída e 17,7% POP (estádio 3 ou 4). O PFBQ demonstrou boa confiabilidade ( = 0,625, ICC = 0,981). Cada item do questionário apresentou concordância quase perfeita entre as avaliações (k = 0,895-1,00). O PFBQ correlacionou-se com o estadiamento do prolapso (p < 0,01), número de episódios de incontinência urinária e fecal (? = 0,791, p < 0,001; p = 0,780, p < 0,001) e evacuação obstruída (p = 0,875, p < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES O \"Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire\" em português é uma ferramenta confiável e válida que pode ser utilizada para a identificação e avaliação da gravidade/incômodo de vários sintomas do assoalho pélvico / INTRODUCTION Pelvic floor disorders include a variety of interrelated conditions, such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and urinary and defecatory dysfunction. Commonly, patients have concomitant pelvic disorders, which can significantly cause distress. Numerous surveys focusing on pelvic floor abnormalities have been developed and are being used, mainly in research settings. These instruments are mostly multi-item, and despite providing a rich source of information, are thus difficult to use in a clinical setting. Shorter questionnaires have been also validated, although most of them are specific for each disorder. Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) was designed to identify the presence and degree of bother related to common pelvic floor problems, and can be used in clinical practice and for research purposes. It is a nine-item questionnaire that includes symptoms and bother related to urinary incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency, dysuria, pelvic organ prolapse, obstructed defecation, fecal incontinence, and dyspareunia. OBJECTIVE We aimed to update and validate a cross-culturally adapted version of the PFBQ in Portuguese. METHODS Translation and validation of the PFBQ was performed as follows: After conceptual analysis of the original questionnaire in English, the PFBQ was translated into Portuguese (\"Forward Translation\") by two independent translators (one certified translator). After a consensus was obtained, this version of the questionnaire was translated back into English (\"Backward Translation\") by an independent translator. The questionnaire was pilot tested on health care professionals and on 10 patients who were questioned about form and clarity of the questions. The final version of the questionnaire was obtained. Validity tests were then applied and included internal reliability, test-retest reliability, validity of the items and responsiveness to change. PFBQ was correlated with a structured clinical interview, bladder and fecal diaries and pelvic exam, including \"Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification\" (POP-Q) examination. To assess test-retest reliability, each patient fulfilled a second copy of the PFBQ within 7 to 10 days. Responsiveness to change was accessed in patients who completed the questionnaire before and after treatment. RESULTS A total of 147 patients of a mean age 60,49 years were enrolled in the study between February 2014 and August 2015. Chief complains were as follows: 12,2% of patients had stress urinary incontinence, 19% mixed urinary incontinence, 6,1% detrusor instability, 26,5% fecal incontinence, 18,4% obstructed defecation and 17,7% had POP (stage 3 or 4). PFBQ demonstrated good reliability (alpha = 0,625; ICC = 0,981). There was a strong agreement beyond chance observed for each question (k = 0,895-1,00). PFBQ correlated with stage of prolapse (p < 0,01), number of urinary and fecal incontinence episodes ( = 0,791, p < 0,001; p = 0,780, p < 0,001), and obstructed defecation ( p =0,875, p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONS The PFBQ is a reliable and valid tool that can be easily used for the identification and severity/bother assessment of various pelvic floor symptoms

INTRODUÇÃO: Disfunções do assoalho pélvico incluem uma variedade de condições interrelacionadas, tais como prolapso de órgãos pélvicos (POP) e distúrbios urinários e defecatórios. Comumente, tais afecções são concomitantes, o que pode causar incômodo de forma significativa. Inúmeros questionários com foco nessas disfunções têm sido desenvolvidos e estão sendo utilizados em pesquisas, fornecendo informações importantes; porém, como geralmente possuem múltiplos itens, são muito complexos para serem utilizados na prática clínica. O \"Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire\" (PFBQ) foi delineado de forma a simplificar a identificação e o grau de incômodo relacionados a problemas comuns do assoalho pélvico, podendo ser usado na prática diária e para fins de pesquisa. Trata-se de um questionário de nove itens que avalia sintomas relacionados à incontinência urinária, urgência e frequência urinárias, dificuldade miccional, prolapso de órgãos pélvicos, evacuação obstruída, incontinência fecal e dispareunia. OBJETIVOS: Os objetivos foram validar uma versão do PFBQ adaptada para o português, assim como adapta-lo culturalmente para a língua portuguesa brasileira, atualizá-lo, e avaliar suas propriedades: confiabilidade, validade e capacidade de detectar mudanças. MÉTODOS: O PFBQ foi traduzido para o português (\"Forward Translation\") por dois tradutores independentes (sendo um deles um tradutor juramentado). Após consenso, essa versão foi traduzida para o inglês (\"Backward Translation\") por um terceiro tradutor independente. O questionário foi então testado por profissionais da saúde e em uma amostragem de 10 pacientes. Após estas etapas, a versão final do questionário foi obtida. Testes de validade foram então aplicados: confiabilidade interna, confiabilidade teste-reteste, validade dos itens e capacidade de resposta às mudanças. O PFBQ foi correlacionado com dados obtidos durante a anamnese, diários miccional e defecatório e exame pélvico, incluindo o \"Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification\" (POP-Q). Para avaliar a confiabilidade teste-reteste, cada paciente respondeu o PFBQ dentro de 1 semana a 10 dias. A capacidade de resposta às mudanças foi avaliada nas pacientes que completaram o questionário antes e após o tratamento. RESULTADOS: Entre fevereiro de 2014 e agosto de 2015, foram incluídas no estudo 147 pacientes com média de idade de 60,49 anos. As principais queixas foram: 12,2% incontinência urinária de esforço, 19% incontinência urinária mista, 6,1% perda urinária por urgência, 26,5% incontinência fecal, 18,4% evacuação obstruída e 17,7% POP (estádio 3 ou 4). O PFBQ demonstrou boa confiabilidade ( = 0,625, ICC = 0,981). Cada item do questionário apresentou concordância quase perfeita entre as avaliações (k = 0,895-1,00). O PFBQ correlacionou-se com o estadiamento do prolapso (p < 0,01), número de episódios de incontinência urinária e fecal (? = 0,791, p < 0,001; p = 0,780, p < 0,001) e evacuação obstruída (p = 0,875, p < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES O \"Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire\" em português é uma ferramenta confiável e válida que pode ser utilizada para a identificação e avaliação da gravidade/incômodo de vários sintomas do assoalho pélvico / INTRODUCTION Pelvic floor disorders include a variety of interrelated conditions, such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and urinary and defecatory dysfunction. Commonly, patients have concomitant pelvic disorders, which can significantly cause distress. Numerous surveys focusing on pelvic floor abnormalities have been developed and are being used, mainly in research settings. These instruments are mostly multi-item, and despite providing a rich source of information, are thus difficult to use in a clinical setting. Shorter questionnaires have been also validated, although most of them are specific for each disorder. Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) was designed to identify the presence and degree of bother related to common pelvic floor problems, and can be used in clinical practice and for research purposes. It is a nine-item questionnaire that includes symptoms and bother related to urinary incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency, dysuria, pelvic organ prolapse, obstructed defecation, fecal incontinence, and dyspareunia. OBJECTIVE We aimed to update and validate a cross-culturally adapted version of the PFBQ in Portuguese. METHODS Translation and validation of the PFBQ was performed as follows: After conceptual analysis of the original questionnaire in English, the PFBQ was translated into Portuguese (\"Forward Translation\") by two independent translators (one certified translator). After a consensus was obtained, this version of the questionnaire was translated back into English (\"Backward Translation\") by an independent translator. The questionnaire was pilot tested on health care professionals and on 10 patients who were questioned about form and clarity of the questions. The final version of the questionnaire was obtained. Validity tests were then applied and included internal reliability, test-retest reliability, validity of the items and responsiveness to change. PFBQ was correlated with a structured clinical interview, bladder and fecal diaries and pelvic exam, including \"Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification\" (POP-Q) examination. To assess test-retest reliability, each patient fulfilled a second copy of the PFBQ within 7 to 10 days. Responsiveness to change was accessed in patients who completed the questionnaire before and after treatment. RESULTS A total of 147 patients of a mean age 60,49 years were enrolled in the study between February 2014 and August 2015. Chief complains were as follows: 12,2% of patients had stress urinary incontinence, 19% mixed urinary incontinence, 6,1% detrusor instability, 26,5% fecal incontinence, 18,4% obstructed defecation and 17,7% had POP (stage 3 or 4). PFBQ demonstrated good reliability (alpha = 0,625; ICC = 0,981). There was a strong agreement beyond chance observed for each question (k = 0,895-1,00). PFBQ correlated with stage of prolapse (p < 0,01), number of urinary and fecal incontinence episodes ( = 0,791, p < 0,001; p = 0,780, p < 0,001), and obstructed defecation ( p =0,875, p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONS The PFBQ is a reliable and valid tool that can be easily used for the identification and severity/bother assessment of various pelvic floor symptoms