title: A Predictive Model for the Parallel Processing of Digital Libraries

authors: Thompson, John Matthew

subjects: Digital Library

abstract: The computing world is facing the problem of a seemingly exponential increase in the amount of raw digital data, and the speed at which it is being collected, is eclipsing our ability to manage it manually. Combine this with the increasing expectations of a growing number of experienced computer users—including real-time access and a demand for expensive-to-process file types such as multimedia—and it is not hard to understand why managing data of this scale and providing timely access to useful information requires specialized algorithms, techniques, and software.

Digital libraries are being used to help address these challenges. Drawing upon knowledge learned through traditional library science, digital libraries excel in providing structured user access to a wide variety of documents. They increasingly include tools for managing, moderating, and marking up these documents. Furthermore, they often feature phases where documents are independently processed and so can benefit from the application of parallel processing techniques—the focus of this thesis. Whether a digital library collection can benefit from parallel processing depends on considerations such as document type, processing cost per document, number of documents, and file-system input/output.

To aid in deciding when to apply parallel processing techniques to digital libraries, this thesis explores the creation a model for predicting key outcomes of leveraging such techniques. It does so by implementing parallel processing in three distinct open-source digital library tools, undertaking experiments designed to measure key processing features (such as processing time versus number of compute nodes), and applying machine learning techniques to these features in order to derive a predictive model.

The model created predicts parallel processing performance at 96% accuracy (adjusted r-squared) for a number of exemplar collection types. The result is a generally applicable tool for estimating the benefits of applying parallel processing to a wide range of digital collections.

text: A Predictive Model for the Parallel Processing of Digital Libraries The computing world is facing the problem of a seemingly exponential increase in the amount of raw digital data, and the speed at which it is being collected, is eclipsing our ability to manage it manually. Combine this with the increasing expectations of a growing number of experienced computer users—including real-time access and a demand for expensive-to-process file types such as multimedia—and it is not hard to understand why managing data of this scale and providing timely access to useful information requires specialized algorithms, techniques, and software.

Digital libraries are being used to help address these challenges. Drawing upon knowledge learned through traditional library science, digital libraries excel in providing structured user access to a wide variety of documents. They increasingly include tools for managing, moderating, and marking up these documents. Furthermore, they often feature phases where documents are independently processed and so can benefit from the application of parallel processing techniques—the focus of this thesis. Whether a digital library collection can benefit from parallel processing depends on considerations such as document type, processing cost per document, number of documents, and file-system input/output.

To aid in deciding when to apply parallel processing techniques to digital libraries, this thesis explores the creation a model for predicting key outcomes of leveraging such techniques. It does so by implementing parallel processing in three distinct open-source digital library tools, undertaking experiments designed to measure key processing features (such as processing time versus number of compute nodes), and applying machine learning techniques to these features in order to derive a predictive model.

The model created predicts parallel processing performance at 96% accuracy (adjusted r-squared) for a number of exemplar collection types. The result is a generally applicable tool for estimating the benefits of applying parallel processing to a wide range of digital collections.

year: 2015

title: Factors Affecting Caregiver Outcomes

authors: Calder, Nicole

subjects: caregiver

abstract: Research in the area of caregiving has tended to focus on the impact of the caregiving experience itself without consideration of continued psychological distress for caregivers after institutionalisation or death. Seven caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's Dementia (mostly spousal) were interviewed about their experiences of caregiving and their emotional well-being after placement of their loved one into a residential care facility or death. The  nature of the carers relationship with their loved one (e.g.  highly dependent), lack of social supports, inactivity and a poor experience of transition into care seemed to be factors relating to poorer outcomes for these caregivers. Utilisation of social supports, involvement in pleasant events, adequate preparation and information relating to the disease and collaboratively planned transition into care played protective roles for the remaining carers who reported decreased levels of anxiety, guilt, depression and stress post-institutionalisation/death. The implications of the current research for practise, policy change and prevention are extensive and suggest that risk factors may be identifiable and thus poorer mental health outcomes in caregivers preventable. A need for greater support to be made available to caregivers is necessary.

text: Factors Affecting Caregiver Outcomes Research in the area of caregiving has tended to focus on the impact of the caregiving experience itself without consideration of continued psychological distress for caregivers after institutionalisation or death. Seven caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's Dementia (mostly spousal) were interviewed about their experiences of caregiving and their emotional well-being after placement of their loved one into a residential care facility or death. The  nature of the carers relationship with their loved one (e.g.  highly dependent), lack of social supports, inactivity and a poor experience of transition into care seemed to be factors relating to poorer outcomes for these caregivers. Utilisation of social supports, involvement in pleasant events, adequate preparation and information relating to the disease and collaboratively planned transition into care played protective roles for the remaining carers who reported decreased levels of anxiety, guilt, depression and stress post-institutionalisation/death. The implications of the current research for practise, policy change and prevention are extensive and suggest that risk factors may be identifiable and thus poorer mental health outcomes in caregivers preventable. A need for greater support to be made available to caregivers is necessary.

year: 2008

title: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Te Rau Puawai support team and staff perspectives

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori students

abstract: To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
The Te Rau Puawai support team were identified as an important source of support
for bursars particularly the support provided by the coordinator and administrator.
This report documents the perspectives of four members of the telephone support
team (including the coordinator), and individual interviews held with the coordinator
and the administrator in addressing the objectives of the evaluation.

text: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Te Rau Puawai support team and staff perspectives To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
The Te Rau Puawai support team were identified as an important source of support
for bursars particularly the support provided by the coordinator and administrator.
This report documents the perspectives of four members of the telephone support
team (including the coordinator), and individual interviews held with the coordinator
and the administrator in addressing the objectives of the evaluation.

year: 2002-05-01