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Results for “Knowledge Sources”

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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

HIV-related knowledge and risk behaviors of street youth in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The Street Youth Study Group.

Individual interviews were conducted with 379 youth who work and/or live on the streets of a large Brazilian city to assess HIV-related knowledge, sources of information, risk behaviors, and prevention beliefs and strategies. Respondents demonstrated high levels of factual knowledge about HIV transmission (84% correct) coupled with high levels of misconceptions about casual transmission (53% correct) and intermediate levels of knowledge about prevention (64% correct). Only 54% of the respondents had heard about AIDS recently, and 37.5% said they talked to someone about AIDS. The most common sources of information about HIV/AIDS were the mass-media and friends. Over half the sample reported taking precautions to reduce their risk of HIV infection; however, the proportion of youth taking effective precautions was low. Among the 247 youth (65% of the sample) who had initiated sexual activity, lifetime condom use was reported by 18%, and condom use at last intercourse by 10%. Youth with higher levels of knowledge were more likely to report behavior changes to avoid HIV infection. These findings underscore the urgent need for prevention programs tailored to street youth in developing countries.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1993

Funding for research.

With the exception of pharmaceutical companies, all the funding organisations have a standard application and information form outlining the areas of research they wish to encourage and fund. Many of the organisations advertise nationally, indicating closing dates and contact numbers for further information. It is important to contact fund administrations to gain feedback on the direction of your project while it is still being drafted. This article has nominated just a few of the funding sources available to general practice related researchers. It is simply a matter of becoming familiar with the variety of sources and the types of projects that they fund. By applying only to common knowledge sources such as GPEP, researchers are ignoring the availability of alternate funding sources that may be even more appropriate to their project.

Australia↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of WordNet as a source of lay knowledge for molecular biology and genetic diseases: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVES: While several sources of biomedical knowledge are available, these resources are often highly specialized and usually not suitable for a lay audience. This paper evaluates whether concepts needed for molecular biology and genetic diseases are present in WordNet, the electronic lexical database. METHODS: Terms for four broad categories of concepts (phenotype, molecular function, biological process, and cellular component) were extracted from LocusLink and mapped to WordNet. All terms from the Gene Ontology database (gene products and ontology concepts) were also mapped to WordNet in order to evaluate its global coverage of the domain. Additionally, we tested two methods for improving the mapping of genetic disease names to WordNet. RESULTS: The coverage of concepts ranged from 0% (gene product symbols) to 2.8% (cellular components). Removing specialization markers from the terms and using synonyms significantly increased the rate of mapping of genetic disease names to WordNet. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the most common single gene disorders are present in WordNet, as well as many high-level concepts in Gene Ontology. Therefore, WordNet is likely to be a useful source of lay knowledge in the framework of a consumer health information system on genetic diseases.

Databases, Genetic↗

PubMed2000

Mediation services with health information sources.

OBJECTIVES: To design and implement mediators dedicated to access various kinds of information sources in the framework of the project ARIANE. METHOD: Mediators are dynamically built thanks to three components: pieces of knowledge issued from the UMLS knowledge sources and from a catalog of information sources, processes that translate a query into the syntax of a target source, and communication services provided by operating systems. RESULTS: A scenario details the complete mediation process with an indexed web site. CONCLUSION: This approach mixes knowledge and software engineering. It benefits from services provided by operating systems and allows scalability and reusability of software components.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Qualitative concept development: implications for nursing research and knowledge.

TOPIC: Qualitative concept development. The purpose of this article is to analyze existing and emerging qualitative concept development approaches and discuss implications for nursing research and knowledge. SOURCE: Literature. CONCLUSIONS: Concept development is necessary to insure the ongoing emergence of nursing theory and knowledge. Investigators are urged to use empirical data and advanced qualitative research methods to move concept development forward. Although an inductive process is inherent to qualitative investigations, it is apparent that iterative movement between inductive and deductive approaches is needed to carry out concept development studies. Concepts used in nursing are complex and challenging to define. For this reason, concept development is a rigorous and time-intensive process, which requires commensurate financial and time commitments.

Concept Formation↗

PubMed2002

Creating knowledge repositories from biomedical reports: the MEDSYNDIKATE text mining system.

MEDSYNDIKATE is a natural language processor for automatically acquiring knowledge from medical finding reports. The content of these documents is transferred to formal representation structures which constitute a corresponding text knowledge base. The system architecture integrates requirements from the analysis of single sentences, as well as those of referentially linked sentences forming cohesive texts. The strong demands MEDSYNDIKATE poses to the availability of expressive knowledge sources are accounted for by two alternative approaches to (semi)automatic ontology engineering. We also present data for the knowledge extraction performance of MEDSYNDIKATE for three major syntactic patterns in medical documents.

Confidence Intervals↗

PubMed1996

An expert system for the detection of cervical cancer cells using knowledge-based image analyzer.

Analyzing for abnormalities of cell images in the cervix uteri provides a basis for reducing deaths and morbidity from cervical cancer through detection of potentially cancerous cells, provision of prompt advice and opportunities for follow-up and treatments. However, cytopathology is usually based on subjective interpretation of morphological features. Arbitrary criteria have to be devised for their classifications. Subjective interpretations of such criteria are likely to result in diagnostic shifts and consequently disagreement occurs between different interpreters. This article presents a novel approach to the composition of segmentation and diagnosis processes for biomedical image analysis. A prototype expert system has been developed to provide an objective and reliable tool to gynaecologists. Special image analyzing techniques are used and a set of knowledge sources is designed. The expert system employs a robust control strategy which minimizes the amount of domain-specific control knowledge. It has been proved to work effectively in the detection of cervical cancer.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMed2003

Accuracy of collateral source reports in very mild to mild dementia of the Alzheimer type.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the reporting accuracy of collateral sources (knowledgeable informants) regarding very mild and mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and to identify characteristics associated with collateral source accuracy. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of initial visits of individuals enrolled in a longitudinal study of healthy aging and Alzheimer disease. SETTING: Urban Alzheimer disease research center. PARTICIPANTS: Pairs of 515 individuals with very mild (n = 203) or mild (n = 312) DAT and their collateral sources. MEASUREMENTS: Collateral sources were asked separately during a semistructured interview by experienced clinicians to report current ability of the individual with DAT in memory, orientation, and judgment and problem solving. The clinical performance of the individuals with DAT in these domains was compared with these predictions. RESULTS: Collateral sources were consistently and significantly accurate in reporting the cognitive capabilities of individuals with very mild and mild DAT. Although all types of collateral sources performed significantly better than chance, individual variables that correlated with collateral source accuracy included spousal relationship; living with the individual with DAT; frequent exposure to the individual; and age, education level, sex and dementia severity of the individual with DAT. CONCLUSION: Collateral sources are accurate in reporting the cognitive capabilities of individuals with DAT, even in the very mild stage of dementia.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

A pragmatic implementation of medical temporal reasoning for clinical medicine.

In most development tools for knowledge-based systems object-property-value-triples are the basic ontological representation. We have extended this approach for temporal reasoning by replacing the values with time-objects. A time-object is a combination of a value with a time-point or a time-interval. By preserving the object-property-value-triples basic artificial intelligence techniques can be applied without modifications in the temporal case. The greater complexity of temporal inferences is compensated by a blackboard control architecture enabling small knowledge-sources. The control of the strategic reasoning is in accordance with the select and test model. A prototype of a knowledge-based advisor for the acute radiation syndrome has been implemented and partially evaluated. Due to the affected proliferative tissues it is a strongly time-oriented medical domain.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Caring as being in nursing: unique or ubiquitous.

The purpose of this column is to explore ambiguities concerning the concept of caring as being in nursing and to consider if caring is unique to nursing or ubiquitous, present not only within other health disciplines, but as a potential choice for each person. Clarification is sought through an exploration of four pathways for thinking about caring as being--artistic endeavors, moving beyond self in caring relationships and spirituality, creating caring environments through caring-healing consciousness, and soulful caring consciousness. It is proposed that caring as being is an essential, but not necessarily unique, knowledge source within nursing.

Altruism↗

PubMed1998

Towards interoperability of information sources within a hospital Intranet.

Information is usually available in heterogeneous data format and various legacy sources. Interoperability appears to be a major approach for applications to access information. The project ARIANE is devoted to provide end-users with an easy to use and natural access to information databases. In this frame we defined actors able to operate the mediation between end-users and information servers: a "broker" which selects appropriate resources and "mediators" which access data suppliers. We have implemented a web-oriented stand-alone prototype accessing three types of information sources: a bibliographical server, a SQL database server and a hypertext server. Both broker and mediators exploit the Unified Medical Language System knowledge sources, especially the Information Sources Map which allows a way to identify information servers.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1999

Demographic and attitudinal variables related to high-risk behaviors in Asian males who have sex with other men.

Although AIDS is spreading rapidly in minority communities, little is known about attitudes, knowledge, and behavior related to AIDS and HIV in the Asian community. The purpose of this study was to examine these variables in a sample of gay Asian males, as well as to investigate the relationship between knowledge, sources of information, culturally influenced attitudes and high-risk behaviors in this population. Results from a sample of 60 young Asian men who self-identified as "having sex with other men" indicated they were generally knowledgeable about methods of transmission and prevention, and appeared linked to a large information network that included informal sources such as peers and formal sources. However, significant percentages held culturally biased views of AIDS, such as believing race of partner or one's own gender role in the sexual encounter determined level of risk; and one third of the sample did not use condoms regularly. Having been tested for HIV was associated with holding less traditional cultural beliefs and a higher sexual activity level. Open communication about safer sexual practices was associated with monogamous as opposed to multiple relationships and with decreased tendency to engage in alcohol-related unprotected sex. Variance in overall risk was predicted by demographic variables such as education, age, and level of sexual activity, rather than by the attitudinal factors measured. Limitations of this exploratory study include a time-limited subject recruitment period and consequent small sample size, a homogeneous sample weighted toward young, well-educated, and middle-class respondents, and the exclusion of non-English speaking individuals. Nevertheless, study findings suggest that educational outreach targeting Asians who have sex with other men needs to address inaccurate cultural beliefs about HIV/AIDS, emphasize consistent condom use, and encourage models of open communication with partners about safer sexual practices.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Indexing guidelines: applications in use of pulmonary artery catheters and pressure ulcer prevention.

In a busy clinical environment, access to knowledge must be rapid and specific to the clinical query at hand. This requires indices which support easy navigation within a knowledge source. We have developed a computer-based tool for trouble-shooting pulmonary artery waveforms using a graphical index. Preliminary results of domain knowledge tests for a group of clinicians exposed to the system (N = 33) show a mean improvement on a 30-point test of 5.33 (p < 0.001) compared to a control group (N = 19) improvement of 0.47 (p = 0.61). Survey of the experimental group (N = 25) showed 84% (p = 0.001) found the system easy to use. We discuss lessons learned in indexing this domain area to computer-based indexing of guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

PubMed2000

Using bioinformatics in gene and drug discovery.

Bioinformatics has, out of necessity, become a key aspect of drug discovery in the genomic revolution, contributing to both target discovery and target validation. The author describes the role that bioinformatics has played and will continue to play in response to the waves of genome-wide data sources that have become available to the industry, including expressed sequence tags, microbial genome sequences, model organism sequences, polymorphisms, gene expression data and proteomics. However, these knowledge sources must be intelligently integrated.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Knowledge acquisition, synthesis, and validation: a model for decision support systems.

BACKGROUND: Decision tools such as clinical decision support systems must be built on a solid foundation of nursing knowledge. However, current methods to determine the best evidence do not include a broad range of knowledge sources. As clinical decision support systems will be designed to assist nurses when making critical decisions, methods need to be devised to glean the best possible knowledge. AIMS: This paper presents a comprehensive knowledge development process to develop a nursing clinical decision support system. DISCUSSION: The Nurse Computer Decision Support Project (N-CODES) is developing a prototype for a prospective decision support system. The prototype is being constructed on rules and cases generated by the best available evidence. To accommodate the range of decisions made in practice, different types of evidence are necessary. The process incorporates procedures to uncover, evaluate, and assimilate information to develop the knowledge domain for a clinical decision support systems. Both formal and practice-based knowledge are included. The model contains several innovative approaches including the use of clinical experts and a network of practicing clinicians. CONCLUSION: These strategies will assist scientists and practitioners interested in determining the best evidence to support clinical decision support systems.

Decision Making↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge of severe acute respiratory syndrome among community physicians, nurses, and emergency medical responders.

INTRODUCTION: The preparedness levels of front-line clinicians including physicians, nurses, emergency medical responders (EMRs), and other medical staff working in clinics, offices and ambulatory care centers must be assessed, so these personnel are able to deal with communicable and potentially lethal diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). In order to determine the knowledge of these clinicians, a survey of their understanding of SARS and their use of educational resources was administered. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to physicians, nurses, and EMRs attending conferences on SARS in the summer of 2003. Questions related to information sources, knowledge of SARS, and plans implemented in their workplace to deal with it. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (10.1 Program, SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois). RESULTS: A total of 201 community healthcare providers (HCPs) participated in the study. A total of 51% of the participants correctly identified the incubation period of SARS; 48% correctly identified the symptoms of SARS; and 60% knew the recommended infection control precautions to take for families. There was little difference in knowledge among the physicians, nurses, and EMRs evaluated. Media outlets such as newspapers, journals, television, and radio were reported as the main sources of information on SARS. However, there appears to be a growing use of the Internet, which correlated best with the correct answers on symptoms of SARS. Fewer than one-third of respondents were aware of a protocol for SARS in their workplace. A total of 60% reported that N-95 masks were available in their workplace. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the need for more effective means of education and training for front-line clinicians, as well as the institution of policies and procedures in medical offices, clinics, and emergency services in the community.

Community Health Services↗

PubMed2001

Integrating local and scientific knowledge: an example in fisheries science.

Attempting to predict the spatial dynamics fish stocks, as required for management, is an ominous task given our incomplete understanding of biological and ecological mechanisms underpinning behavioral responses of fish. Large gaps still exist in our basic scientific knowledge. Nonetheless, the knowledge of fishers and fishery managers is not incorporated into our scientific analyses, even though such information is rich in observation since knowledge of fish behavior and distribution is a prerequisite for their profession. Combining such observations with more conventional scientific studies and theoretical interpretations provides a means by which we may bridge some gaps in our knowledge. Presented here is an example of how both local and scientific knowledge can be integrated in a heuristic model. The model, CLUPEX, is developed in the framework of a fuzzy logic expert system and uses linguistic statements written in natural language to capture and combine knowledge sources in the form of IF... THEN rules. The rules are inferred from interviews with experts and fishery professionals including fishers, fishery managers, scientists, and First Nations people. The knowledge base, comprised of the set of rules, is flexible in the sense that it can easily be modified to add additional information or change current information. Using input pertaining to biotic and abiotic environmental conditions, CLUPEX uses the rules to provide quantitative and qualitative predictions on the structure, dynamics and mesoscale distribution of shoals of migratory adult herring during different life stages of their annual life cycle.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Comparison of two knowledge bases on the detection of drug-drug interactions.

This paper describes a drug ordering decision support system that helps with the prevention of adverse drug events by detecting drug-drug interactions in drug orders. The architecture of the system was devised in order to facilitate its use attached to physician order entry systems. The described model focuses in issues related to knowledge base maintenance and integration with external systems. Finally, a retrospective study was performed. Two knowledge bases, developed by different academic centers, were used to detect drug-drug interactions in a dataset with 37,237 drug prescriptions. The study concludes that the proposed knowledge base architecture enables content from other knowledge sources to be easily transferred and adapted to its structure. The study also suggests a method that can be used on the evaluation and refinement of the content of drug knowledge bases.

Artificial Intelligence↗