Biomedical subjects

P Hallock

Publications and source records attributed to P Hallock.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Conceptual database modeling: a method for enabling end users (radiologists) to understand and develop their information management applications.

As medical technology advances at a rapid pace, clinicians become further and further removed from the design of their own technological tools. This is particularly evident with information management. For radiologists, clinical histories, patient reports, and other pertinent information require sophisticated tools for data handling. However, as databases grow more powerful and sophisticated, systems require the expertise of programmers and information technology personnel. The radiologist, the clinician end-user, must maintain involvement in the development of system tools to insure effective information management. Conceptual database modeling is a design method that serves to bridge the gap between the technological aspects of information management and its clinical applications. Conceptual database modeling involves developing information systems in simple language so that anyone can have input into the overall design. This presentation describes conceptual database modeling, using object role modeling, as a means by which end-users (clinicians) may participate in database development.

Database Management Systems↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular identification of algal endosymbionts in large miliolid foraminifera: 1. Chlorophytes.

Large miliolid foraminifers bear various types of algal endosymbionts including chlorophytes, dinoflagellates, rhodophytes, and diatoms. Symbiosis plays a key role in the adaptation of large foraminifera to survival and growth in oligotrophic seas. The identity and diversity of foraminiferal symbionts, however, remain largely unknown. In the present work we use ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences to identify chlorophyte endosymbionts in large miliolid foraminifera of the superfamily Soritacea. Partial 18S and complete Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences were obtained from symbionts of eight species representing all genera of extant chlorophyte-bearing Soritacea. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences confirms the previous fine structure-based identification of these endosymbionts as belonging to the genus Chlamydomonas. All foraminiferal symbionts form a monophyletic group closely related to Chlamydomonas noctigama. The group is composed of seven types identified in this study, including one previously morphologically described species, Chlamydomonas hedleyi. Each of these types can be considered as a separate species, based on the comparison of genetic differences observed between other established Chlamydomonas species. Several foraminiferal species share the same symbiont type, but only one species, Archaias angulatus, was found to bear more than one type.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Conceptual database modeling for understanding and developing information management applications.

In response to rising health care costs and changing expectations concerning the quality of health care, information management is becoming increasingly important in the practice of medicine; more specifically, it is beginning to effect significant changes in radiology practice and patient care. Radiologic applications of information management include reporting diagnostic information generated from film interpretation as well as tracking utilization patterns of different imaging modalities and the variability of clinical outcomes, documenting the type of information sought by and provided to clinicians, and evaluating departmental quality standards and performance goals. Conceptual database modeling enables radiologists to understand and participate in the development of information systems, thereby improving the likelihood of successful results. In object-role modeling, groups of relevant objects and roles are identified and used to create elementary facts that form the "building blocks" for information models. The resultant models can easily be communicated, reviewed, and revised, allowing decreased development time and optimizing inclusion of relevant features in the target relational database. Increasing the amount of clinical and management input in the development process may help information systems better meet user needs, become accepted and more often used, and ultimately succeed.

Databases, Factual↗