unit test and refactor database.py

Updates to ``tests/framework/test_database.py`` and ``framework/database.py``.

- Replaced ``test_database.py`` ``unittest`` references with ``pytest`` references
- Removed test methods that checked the return type of database functions
- Added test methods that checked the return values of database functions
- Modified database functions to handle python strings properly
- Added bound values to the add_presentation and update_presentation database functions.
- Removed dummy record inserted by default.

Related gh484
Yes. I believe the test here is supposed to cover when both updates occur together at a similar time period. I intended it to be a DAMP test. Should I remove it instead or update the docstring?