Landmark NeAT project delivered
The first of the federally funded NeAT projects to complete all deliverables has finished. The National eResearch Architecture Taskforce (NeAT) identifies opportunities to develop and implement eResearch methods, tools and services, and embed these into research communities.
The Intersect team (including Andrey Chernyshov and Carlos Aya above) has completed work on the project for the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF), which is a national grid of Australian university-based microscopy and microanalysis centres.
The new tool, the Data Management System (DMS) helps researchers using high-end microscopy and microanalysis instruments manage large datasets. This follows on from the successful delivery in June 2010 of the web based Technique Finder which aids researchers to find appropriate techniques to assist their research and obtain information regarding access.
The DMS addresses the needs of an increasing number of AMMRF users facing the demands of a new wave of data intensive instruments and software. AMMRF supports over 3,000 users per year, and although just a small percentage currently uses high throughput instruments, it is expected that the DMS user base will grow considerably over time. More at http://www.intersect.org.au/ammrf-platforms-collaboration
WOMBAT project kicks off
Intersect has begun work on an electronic data collection tool in collaboration with the Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research at the UNSW. The Work Observation Method by Activity Timing (WOMBAT) measures clinicians’ complex patterns of work and communication which traditional paper-based data collection methods are unable to capture.
The WOMBAT allows observers to accurately record the tasks a doctor or nurse carries out during a time period. Information captured includes who the target is interacting with, what task they are performing, for how long, tasks conducted in parallel (multi-tasking) and interruptions.
Observers will use a portable device running an Android application, uploading data to a web application. The Web application will enable administrators to extract and view the data collected by observers. It will allow the study components to be configured and transferred back onto the tablet.
Intersect is developing software and user interface designs for the tablet devices. The final deliverable will enable efficient, accurate and reliable data collection, and capture greater degrees of work complexity than current approaches.
Caretrack Australia project complete
The Caretrack Australia project is complete and in the final stage of user testing. The project team has built an offline data collection system and central database with web app for managing data about treatment received by patients with 26 common conditions. Conditions include diabetes, depression, alcohol dependence, obesity and a range of cancers.
Caretrack Australia is part of a National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) funded program for improving the safety and aptness of healthcare.
NCRIS responses due 4 May
Feedback on the 2011 NCRIS roadmap discussion paper is due 4 May. You are encouraged to respond, on research-discipline areas as well as eResearch infrastructure issues. This roadmap will inform federal budget planning into 2012 (and beyond), when many existing NCRIS initiatives will complete. http://www.innovation.gov.au
DMS set for re-use
Because the AMMRF Data Management System is the only metadata repository solution that offers efficient web data access, its core is being considered as back-end for a number of other data capture projects. It is expected that with these projects, the DMS Core will have a potential user base of around 10,000 in a year’s time.
ANDS community day is nigh
A 2 day event for people involved in ANDS funded projects in NSW and the ACT is set for 17 – 18 May. The event will provide an opportunity for project participants to share information and discuss any project-specific challenges faced and potential solutions. By invitation
http://ands.org.au/events/community/nsw170511.html
New appointment
Glenn Satchell has joined Intersect’s infrastructure team. Glenn has been working at Sirca for the past year and will work on the PHRN-i project for the next six months.
Recruiting
Intersect seeks casual or undergraduate testers. Please send CV and academic transcript to donna (at) intersect.org.au
Kind regards
Leonie Hellmers