WPH Office of Academic Computing (OAC)

WebDataXPress (WDX) is a proprietary program developed by the Office of Academic Computing (OAC). The WDX system is compatible with all major web browsers and is used to securely collect self-reports and clinician-rated assessments in over 125 research projects. Moreover, our library boasts over 2,500 different assessment forms that are commonly used by researchers and can easily be implemented into new projects. Contact OAC to receive a quote for your specific project.

WebDataXPress (WDX) services we offer include the following:

• Customized online recruitment, screening, and consent forms
• Free, customizable, web-based data entry system which interfaces directly with your SQL database
• HIPAA compliant and pre-approved by the IRB
• Secure and encrypted with “one-way” data entry
• Used throughout the Department of Psychiatry in both research and clinical settings
• Compatible with mobile devices with intuitive design and formatting
• Comprehensive data tracking and auditing – absolutely no data lost
• Seamless restoration of assessment progress if connection is lost, data entry is interrupted, or anything else limits progress
• Easily implemented and customizable “pestering” system that prompts participant one time for missing data
• Dynamic branching, verbiage, and navigation based on previously collected data (not limited to gender, marital status, or age)
• WDX demonstration is available at: www.wdxdemo.org

The following slideshow illustrates some of the customizations that can be done with WebDataXpress:

WDX Demo Site

WDX Demo Site

WDX Demo - Shading

Questions on WDX forms can be customized with shading in any color

The OAC interactive texting system is used for research participant data collection and communication. All that is required is an existing mobile phone, eliminating the burden of additional applications to install or maintain. Contact OAC to receive a quote for your specific research project.

Interactive texting services we offer include the following:

• “Text for Info” – research participant recruitment tool with staff email alerts
• Over 150 incoming requests per month and growing!
• Research staff can “converse” with recruits using the same text phone number via an online web browser interface
• Automated appointment reminders to research participants and real-time alerts to staff
• Exceptionally convenient for studies that include an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) component
• Assessments selected by the research team served at specific scheduled times or initiated by the participant
• Links sent via text are anonymous and masked such that participants are not required to input a username or password, yet the system will logically recognize the participant
• Want to try out the OAC Texting System? Text OAC DEMO to 412-214-7735

Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs) are handled flawlessly within the WDX system. Coupled with our prompt text messaging system, the OAC can deliver highly customizable texts and assessment batteries to research participants. With all the strengths of the WDX and text messaging systems, the OAC is equipped to handle a wide array of different EMA or sleep diary studies. The OAC is also capable of accommodating e-mail alerts for EMAs. Contact OAC to receive a quote for your specific research project.

EMA services we offer include the following:

• Customized online recruitment, screening, and consent forms
• “Text for Info” – research participant recruitment tool with staff email alerts
• Easily customizable messages via text or e-mail, depending on participant preference
• Capable of sending as many prompts per day as required
• Can randomize the time at which a prompt is sent within defined windows of time
• Implemented with the ability to schedule prompt times based on participant wake and sleep times

Data is the raw material of research and quality research depends on data integrity, timeliness, and accuracy. OAC has developed innovative techniques to ensure datasets meet the needs of your research projects. Contact OAC to receive a quote for your specific research project.

Database development services we offer include the following:

• Design and maintenance of SQL server databases using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
• Numerous rigorous tools to support data integrity: Foreign Keys, Constraints, Table Triggers
• Thorough training and support in SQL Server, T-SQL, and Microsoft Access
• Double data entry systems for paper-based forms
• Comprehensive data change logs that track insert, update, and delete operations for each record, which are logged and safely stored
• Automated email and text alerts driven via the database
• Research participant appointment or assessment reminders
• Staff alerts for any event (e.g., suicidal ideation, form or battery completion, and overdue forms)
• Microsoft Access forms, reports, and file versioning, which allows for seamless updates
• Clinical Research Management System that includes study design, subject recruitment, screening, consent, scheduling, and follow-ups
• PowerShell programming for data transfers
• Parsing and cleaning data
• Scheduled tasks such as automated data transfers and data archiving

Sometimes turn-key solutions are not enough, especially for dynamic research projects. OAC builds reliable custom programs to meet every challenging situation. Contact OAC to receive a quote for your specific research project. 

Custom applications for Windows and Linux operating systems 

• Signal processing 
• Time Series Data (TSD) processing, aggregating, and rendering 
• Third-party software data transfers 

E-Prime, MATLAB, Python, C#, C++, VB, and Java applications 

• Custom hardware interfaces 
• Stimuli and response tracking 
• Data conversion systems, data editing using a graphic user interface and tracking, report generation, process logging, as well as interfaces with multiple database systems to allow many avenues of data mining   
• Connectivity with external hardware and the trigger/response interface 
• Data driven scheduling systems 
• On-line spectral reports 
• Real-time clinical reports and file upload systems for video files 

BIOPAC, Mindware BioNex, and Mindware Mobile 

• Real-time physiology data-acquisition hardware platforms, both discrete and integrated
  

The OAC has a dedicated systems infrastructure team that supports enterprise servers used for research purposes. These systems are available for all departmental research faculty and staff. Contact OAC to discuss your specific compute and data processing needs.

Server administration services we offer include the following:

• Support for Windows and Linux servers that are used exclusively for research customers
• Dell PowerEdge, HPE ProLiant, and Silicon Mechanics enterprise servers are supported
• Provide secure SQL Server infrastructure to store sensitive research participant information 
• Maintain and manage SAN storage for virtualized server infrastructure 
• Ensure that all departmental servers have the latest security updates installed 
• Provide application monitoring and alert notifications for customers  
• Server collocation services are available upon request

The Department of Psychiatry has a dedicated server located at the Center for Research Computing (CRC.) Instructions on how to access the system are located on the Psychiatry Web Portal. This service is available at no additional cost for departmental research faculty and staff.

Research often requires specialized and dedicated Linux workstation due to unique compute and storage requirements. This service is available at no additional cost for departmental research faculty and staff.

Linux support services we offer include the following:

• Provide Linux workstation hardware support for research customers 
• Dell Precision (with Ubuntu pre-installed) and workstations from Silicon Mechanics are supported 
• Our team has experience installing, configuring, and supporting Ubuntu and Red Hat operating systems 
• Apache Guacamole service is available for remote workstation access 
• Support for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

OAC offers several solutions to securely backup and store departmental research data. These services are available for departmental research faculty and staff. Contact OAC to discuss your specific data storage needs.

Data storage and backup services we offer include the following:

• Veeam for departmental server and application data backups to LTO tapes
• Encrypt and securely store departmental research data backups
• Provide departmental file shares to research customers
• Offer consultation for cloud storage options

The OAC has a dedicated PC support team that installs, configures, and supports standard endpoint computing devices for the department. This service is available at no additional cost for departmental research faculty and staff.

PC support services we offer include the following:

• Support for Windows and macOS devices on the PITT or UPMC network 
• Assist research faculty and staff with the purchasing and ordering of departmental computers    
• Dell business models (OptiPlex, Latitude, and Precision) and Apple hardware are supported 
• Coordinate the disposal of outdated equipment and ensure that hard drives are securely erased 
• Assist researchers with specialized software installation and configuration 
• Setup kiosks for research subject recruitment and pre-appointment assessments 
• Provide support for computers that interface with specialized laboratory equipment (microscopes, PCR, bioanalyzers, etc.) 
• Provide support for departmental vLANs, wired Ethernet, and wireless networks 
• Research software installation and support includes MATLAB, SAS, SPSS, and E-Prime