Ethical Principle in Research

CONFIDENTIALITY IN CLINICAL RESEARCH

According to National Institute of Health policy regarding confidentiality, The Privacy Rule is a Federal regulation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 that governs the protection of individually identifiable health information. It is discouraged from submitting information considered proprietary unless it is deemed essential for proper evaluation.

Since the investigator will only publishes general demographic data not including the name of the participant in his research, I think it is acceptable to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the subject. These demographic data are needed to further understand by the reader about demographic differences in intervention effect of a clinical trial. It is true that the investigator needs to protect the subject’ privacy and confidentiality. If these data are essential to further understand and evaluate a research study as long as there is no breach of privacy or confidentiality, the research study is acceptable and follows the ethical principle. No name and picture of the subject were mentioned and as long as no linked to individual identity, so I guess no violation.

MINIMIZING EXPOSURE OF POPULATION TO MERCURY

Definitely yes, it is require a data and safety-monitoring plan. This research has related with mercury which has a toxic effect to human subject. The primary concern of the investigator should be the safety of the human subject. Also to the safety of the researcher or investigator to study and experiment in a residents or community highly exposed to high levels of mercury. We need to protect the safety and welfare of the human subject and the researcher as well.

This research study is very essential and helpful for the future and better community. So I think the study must be well prepared and systematically planned to make this research a successful one. Protecting the safety issues require a good data and good safety-monitoring plan to identify potential risks in the course of the study or minimizing the risks. Also, it will be helpful in monitoring in the course of the ongoing study the unexpected or negative events might happen or experienced by the participants. There should obtain an informed consent from participants with transparency and honesty about the risk and benefits and what to expect in the study. If in case, there will be a serious risks happen or will happen, the researcher or investigator must stop his research.

MIGRAINE INTERVENTION TRIAL

Yes, there is no violation in principle of justice with the study design using women three times as men as the human subject. It is the right or free will of the researcher to choose to what he is preferred to make a research study including the human subject. As long as he think and has good faith that his decision is needed and appropriate to his research study.

It is also indicated in the given situation that the researcher has reference/site that women are three times more likely to experience migraine than men that might be his reason on making women three times than men. That might be getting more accurate findings because he is guided with other study or related literature to support his study.   

ROBOTS TO SOLVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION

RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

INTRODUCTION:

Technology and innovations is vital in today’s world. It aims to make everything’s easier and provide a better life. A positive advancement that could be used as the solution to problem in our life.

            Traffic congestion is one of our major problems in the Philippines. Why not the advancement in technology applies to relieve or solve this problem we are facing? The use of ROBOT equipped with surveillance cameras and program of Intelligent Transportation System might be helpful to reduce the traffic jam in EDSA or reduce the road accidents and traffic mess in Metro-Manila.

RELATED LITERATURE:

1.      ROBOCOPS BEING USED AS TRAFFIC POLICE IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC IN CONGO. March 2015.

According to the article, the used of robocops as traffic police gave positive outcomes to help the hectic traffic.

“There are certain drivers who don’t respect the traffic police. But with the robot it will be different. We should respect the robot,” taxi driver Poro Zidane told AFP.

“We’re very happy about it,” he said, his taxi packed with passengers as drivers around him honked their horns in a desperate bid to cut through the traffic jam.

“These robots will be an important asset for the police,” he told AFP.

These are some quotes in the article that the use of robocops in their place is successful and very helpful. A solar-powered aluminum robots direct traffic equipped with rotating chest and surveillance cameras and lights have been set up to watch over the roads to  reduce road deaths.

2.      High Tech solution to traffic jam by Arturo Swetchners, 2011

According to this article, technology is being used to reduce road accidents and crimes in North Carolina. They are putting surveillance cameras in every road and a monitor chip to signal policemen if any unusual things happen such as accidents and crime. The 2010 data shows that there are 352 crime reported and 564 accidents in a certain area of North Carolina. Their study is to know the effectiveness of the technology to solve the high crime rate and accidents in 15 streets in North Carolina. They install surveillance cameras and monitoring device. The study took 1 year and 6 months in the making. Conclusion reveals that it is really helpful with the main data they gathered of 2012 with 124 crimes and 284 accidents in 15 streets in North Carolina that almost half of the number was reduced.

3.      SMART traffic sign stop collision by American Technion Society dated July 30, 2007

Summary of the article: Researchers have developed a "smart" traffic sign that helps drivers make correct decisions and avoid collisions at traffic intersections that lack traffic signals. The device consists of two cameras mounted on a pole at the intersection - one facing the main road and the other the secondary road. A computer located below constantly processes data it receives from the cameras. When a collision risk is identified, flashing lights on two yield signs at the intersection are activated to alert approaching drivers.

In this article, the device was being tested in 4-way urban section in Tel Aviv because the intersection has limited visibility and has difficult in determining the main and secondary road. The researcher aims to reduce the accidents and near accidents in the intersection using this SMART TRAFFIC sign. With the effectiveness of the research study and importance of this, the national safety authority is financing the research, with assistance from the Tel Aviv transportation division. Another proof that advanced technology is very useful.

4.      Scientists investigate using artificial intelligence for next-generation traffic control by University of Southampton dated August 24, 2012.

Researchers are investigating the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for controlling traffic lights. The development of artificial intelligence-based approaches to junction control is one of many new and promising technologies that can make better use of existing urban and road capacity, while reducing the environmental impacts of road traffic.

The research has used computer games and simulations what makes good traffic control with 30 volunteer drivers tried to negotiate the junction. The researcher aim used artificial intelligence to provide significant benefits in improving traffic flow, space utilization, reducing journey times and improving fuel efficiency.

5.      ROBOT (AI) WITH WIFI AND GPS SIGNALS AS ALARM TOOL by Hendrich Drovenski dated 2011.

This article is about a research study of using a robot with artificial intelligence with Wi-Fi and GPS to alarm drivers about traffic condition of the next 3 kilometer ahead. The robot will give information and signal to the driver if the traffic condition of the next 3 kilometers is heavy moderate or light thus informing the driver if he can go or take an alternative route. It also give information if in the next 3 kilometers has accident or occlusion in the road so not to filled the area.

The article said that according to this study of putting robots in different area of Texas showed a big help in time saving and not to trap in an accident area or traffic jam.

METHODOLOGY:

 The research study is aim to reduce the traffic jam in Metro-Manila by making use of advancement of technology in a form of ROBOT equipped with a surveillance cameras and program of Intelligent Transportation System. Intelligent Transportation System is a program designed with a real-time traffic information provision; route/navigation system; adaptive signal control; cooperative collision avoidance system; and intelligent speed adaptation.

10 top areas in Metro-Manila having traffic jam, from LTO data, will be given each robot. 50 randomly selected passengers will be given a survey tool and 50 drivers (any vehicle – private and non-private) randomly selected will be given also a survey tool. Survey tool primarily evaluates the effects of placing the robot in the area, its effectiveness in solving the traffic jam. Data of road accidents from LTO and municipality of Metro-Manila will be a source of evaluation.

Robots with surveillance cameras and Intelligent Transportation System will be secure with cage and alarm device from theft in the street. It is placed in the road where there is a near police station.

            Robots with this technology provide a way to solve traffic jam. The robot has a monitor in his chest where information about traffic can be seen. It has a real-time information provision where time and date and weather are there. Route/navigation system gives signal to driver for the alternative route if the cooperative collision avoidance system signals us that there is a huge traffic or heavy traffic in the next 2-3 kilometers caused by accidents or other matter that can be trace with this system. Navigation system also give you direction if you really tracking the right path of your destination. Surveillance cameras are helpful as evidence and witness to a certain accident or event. Thus crime rate might also decrease.

            Technology nowadays is a current trend in the whole world. And using this technology to make thing work easier is a good way for a better way of living.