43 results
Search Results
2. Business processes management as a tool to enhance intellectual capital in the digitalization era: the new challenges to face
- Author
-
Broccardo, Laura, Vola, Paola, Alshibani, Safiya Mukhtar, and Tiscini, Riccardo
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Improving quality in pastoral care using the Pastoral Care Activity Tracker (PCAT): A feasibility study of a digital tool within an Australian healthcare organization.
- Author
-
Calder, Steve, Andreotta, Matthew, Morris, Thomas, and Atee, Mustafa
- Subjects
PILOT projects ,HEALTH facilities ,SAMPLE size (Statistics) ,DIGITAL technology ,SURVEYS ,QUALITY assurance ,SPIRITUAL care (Medical care) ,EQUIPMENT & supplies - Abstract
Activity reporting of Pastoral Care Coordinators (PCCs) is often inadequate within care settings because of suboptimal analog data collection methods. This study aims to render pastoral care activity reporting more efficient through digitizing data collection in pastoral care settings. A one-year feasibility (pilot) study of a digital tool, the "Pastoral Care Activity Tracker" (PCAT) was conducted between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 at HammondCare, an Australian nonprofit healthcare organization. Feasibility was measured using electronic activity logs collected by the tool and user feedback surveys by PCCs. Of the 43 PCCs working in the organization, 42 (97.7%) used the PCAT tool to complete the logging of 66,298 pastoral care activities (M [SD] = 1,578.5 [827.8] activities per PCC). Most activities were logged successfully (98.3%) and took less than one minute (89.5%). Survey responses (n = 20, 46.6%) indicated many PCCs found the PCAT more convenient (n = 15, 75.0%) and easier to use (n = 10, 50.0%) than paper-based method. PCCs found the PCAT to be feasible, favorable, and easier to use for report generation compared to paper-based methods. The feasibility of the PCAT improved pastoral care activity data capture, as perceived by PCCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. DIGITAL TOOLS USER GROUPS AS A DIGITAL DIVIDE AMONG FINNISH EMPLOYEES.
- Author
-
Alasoini, Tuomo
- Subjects
QUALITY of work life ,DIGITAL divide ,EQUALITY ,SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors - Abstract
Based on Statistics Finland's Quality of Work Life Survey 2018, this paper seeks how Finnish employees' use of digital tools differs from each other, what sociodemographic and work contextrelated factors these differences are connected to, and how differences in usage are reflected in the effects of digitalisation on employees' work. The research identified five user groups. Nearly half of the employees are classified as Skilled Users, which are typically of a young age. Challenges for other groups include deficiencies in digital skills, problems in learning to use digital tools, routine-like usage, low learning demands at work, and a high workload and learning pressure arising from intensive use of digital tools. The results support the sequential and compound digital exclusion arguments derived from previous literature, but do not fully support the stratification argument. The paper shows that among employees there are digital divides of various types. Narrowing these gaps requires different policies and customised solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. An exploratory case study of the use of a digital self-assessment tool of 21st-century skills in makerspace contexts
- Author
-
Miliou, Ourania, Adamou, Maria, Mavri, Aekaterini, and Ioannou, Andri
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Electric Drive Health Assessment.
- Author
-
Lai Tiing, Pantaleon Su, Rosli, Suriatee Saikhol, Abdul Rahman, Muhammad Fiqri, and Abdul Hamid, Mohd Faiz
- Abstract
Electric drives are widely used to regulate the flow of power supply between source to motor either due to Process or Operation requirement and as means to lower motor’s inrush current. The use of AC electric drives is expected to increase due to pressing need to reduce operational cost, increase productivity and energy saving in line with company’s efforts towards electrification. There have been records of failure of electric drives in the past which have caused major production loss within Petroleum Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) operations. Common drives’ failure mechanisms are converter malfunction or electronic component failures, voltage dip susceptibility, insulation degradation and so on which could be avoided through effective preventive maintenance and condition-based monitoring via data analytics. This paper describes a methodology on Electric Drive Health Assessment (EDHA) and as a web-based data analytical tool to assess and monitor electric drives’ key components and parameters that contribute to a drive health index. Based on the drive health index and corresponding risk, operators are able to closely monitor the condition of electric drives in their facility which will prompt them to carry out necessary intervention. EDHA was developed based on PETRONAS installation, operation and maintenance practices, maintenance data and lessons learnt gathered from assets which have been operating for more than 30 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
7. Comparison of Communication Channels for Large-Scale Type 2 Diabetes Risk Screening and Intervention Recruitment: Empirical Study
- Author
-
Miikka Ermes, Leila Karhunen, Ursula Schwab, Kari Jalkanen, Tanja Tilles-Tirkkonen, Janne Martikainen, Jussi Pihlajamäki, Eeva Rantala, Pilvikki Absetz, Marjukka Kolehmainen, Marja Harjumaa, Riia Järvenpää, Reija Männikkö, Kaisa Poutanen, Timo A. Lakka, Jaana Lindström, Emma Aarnio, Tampere University, and Health Sciences
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Diabetes risk ,digital tool ,social media ,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism ,Biomedical Engineering ,Health Informatics ,Logistic regression ,Study recruitment ,Public health campaign ,Social media ,SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being ,prevention ,Health Information Management ,Intervention (counseling) ,Health care ,medicine ,Original Paper ,mobile phone ,communication ,business.industry ,Communication ,Prevention ,screening ,public health campaign ,Type 2 diabetes ,medicine.disease ,3142 Public health care science, environmental and occupational health ,Risk identification ,Computer Science Applications ,Test (assessment) ,risk identification ,Clinical trial ,Gestational diabetes ,study recruitment ,Risk Estimate ,Family medicine ,Screening ,type 2 diabetes ,business ,Mobile phone ,Digital tool - Abstract
Background Clinical trials have shown that type 2 diabetes (T2D) is preventable through lifestyle interventions targeting high-risk people. Nevertheless, large-scale implementation of risk identification followed by preventive interventions has proven to be challenging. Specifically, recruitment of participants into preventive interventions is an important but often overlooked part of the intervention. Objective This study aims to compare the reach and yield of different communication channels to engage people at increased risk of T2D to fill in a digital screening questionnaire, with emphasis on reaching those at most risk. The participants expressing their willingness to participate is the final step in the risk screening test, and we aim to determine which channels had the most participants reach this step. Methods We established a stepwise web-based T2D risk screening tool with automated feedback according to the T2D risk level and, for those who were eligible, an invitation to participate in the StopDia prevention intervention study conducted in a primary health care setting. The risk estimate was based on the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score; history of repeatedly measured high blood glucose concentration; or, among women, previous gestational diabetes. We used several channels to invite people to the StopDia web-based screening tool, and respondents were classified into 11 categories based on the channel through which they reported having learned about StopDia. The demographics of respondents reached via different communication channels were compared using variance analysis. Logistic regression was used to study the respondents’ likelihood of progressing through risk screening steps. Results A total of 33,399 persons started filling the StopDia screening tool. Of these, 86.13% (28,768/33,399) completed the test and named at least one communication channel as the source of information about StopDia. Altogether, 26,167 persons filled in sufficient information to obtain risk estimates. Of them, 53.22% (13,925/26,167) were at increased risk, 30.06% (7866/26,167) were men, and 39.77% (10,136/25,485) had low or middle education levels. Most frequently mentioned channels were workplace (n=6817), social media or the internet (n=6712), and newspapers (n=4784). The proportion of individuals at increased risk was highest among those reached via community pharmacies (415/608, 68.3%) and health care (1631/2535, 64.33%). The communication channel reaching the largest percentage of interested and eligible men (1353/3979, 34%) was relatives or friends. Health care (578/1069, 54.07%) and radio or television (225/487, 46.2%) accounted for the largest proportion of people with lower education. Conclusions Communication channels reaching a large number of people, such as social media and newspapers, were the most effective channels for identifying at-risk people. Personalized approaches increased the engagement of men and less-educated people. Community pharmacies and health care services reached people with a particularly high T2D risk. Thus, communication and recruitment channels should be selected and modified based on the intended target group. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-6574-y
- Published
- 2021
8. Facilitating entry to land sector carbon abatement projects: the LOOC-C tool.
- Author
-
Stitzlein, Cara, Baldock, Jeffrey A., Roxburgh, Stephen H., Mooij, Martijn, Smith, Daniel, and Fitch, Peter
- Subjects
GREENHOUSE gas mitigation ,CARBON nanofibers ,DIGITAL technology ,COMPLEXITY (Philosophy) ,CARBON credits ,GREEN marketing - Abstract
Carbon farming presents an opportunity for the land sector to generate income and transition to more sustainable land management practices. In Australia, establishing a carbon project and earning carbon credits is complex, with project proponents needing to satisfy eligibility requirements and adhere to rigorous measurement, verification, and reporting protocols of approved methods. To address these challenges, a human centered design (HCD) approach was used to deliver a digital solution, serving landowners' needs related to method discovery and reconfiguring how the methodological and scientific complexity of abatement potentials was delivered. The solution, called LOOC-C (pronounced "Look-see"), supports the discovery of abatement methods that are available for a given land area and provides an initial estimate of the potential quantum of carbon sequestered/emitted and the nature of co-benefits associated with each eligible method. Reporting on LOOC-C development and its observed impact demonstrates the role that human centered digital tools have in promoting land management actions that are both sustainable and reasonable to undertake. It equally demonstrates the power of integrating environmental market and user requirements with a robust design methodology. With similar opportunities in environmental markets globally, additional applications of an HCD approach are proposed. In 2012, the Australian government established the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) to reward landowners (via awarding Australian Carbon Credit Units, or ACCUs) for the implementation of management practices that either sequester carbon and/or reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Rigorous eligibility and method requirements are intended to provide confidence in abatement outcomes, but they introduce significant complexity that participants must overcome. 11 years later, uncertainties in the implementation and ACCU generation potential of ERF projects and implications on productivity/co-benefits have limited uptake and the quantum of ACCU generation of land sector enterprises. Digital tools that support the discovery of options and provide estimated potential outcomes, such as the LOOC-C tool described in this paper (), can generate interest and empowerment, helping to initiate decisions toward market participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. A Digital Smartphone-Based Self-administered Tool (R+ Dietitian) for Nutritional Risk Screening and Dietary Assessment in Hospitalized Patients With Cancer: Evaluation and Diagnostic Accuracy Study.
- Author
-
Zhiwen Long, Shan Huang, Jie Zhang, Deng Zhang, Jun Yin, Chengyuan He, Qinqiu Zhang, Huilin Xu, Huimin He, Ho Ching Sun, and Ke Xie
- Subjects
MALNUTRITION ,CANCER patients ,DIETITIANS ,QUALITY of life ,TELEMEDICINE - Abstract
Background: Malnutrition is a common and severe problem in patients with cancer that directly increases the incidence of complications and significantly deteriorates quality of life. Nutritional risk screening and dietary assessment are critical because they are the basis for providing personalized nutritional support. No digital smartphone-based self-administered tool for nutritional risk screening and dietary assessment among hospitalized patients with cancer has been developed and evaluated. Objective: This study aims to develop a digital smartphone-based self-administered mini program for nutritional risk screening and dietary assessment for hospitalized patients with cancer and to evaluate the validity of the mini program. Methods: We have developed the R+ Dietitian mini program, which consists of 3 parts: (1) collection of basic information of patients, (2) nutritional risk screening, and (3) dietary energy and protein assessment. The face-to-face paper-based Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002), the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA-SF), and 3 days of 24-hour dietary recall (3d-24HRs) questionnaires were administered according to standard procedure by 2 trained dietitians as the reference methods. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, ? value, and correlation coefficients (CCs) of nutritional risk screened in R+ Dietitian against the reference methods, as well as the difference and CCs of estimated dietary energy and protein intakes between R+ Dietitian and 3d-24HRs were calculated to evaluate the validity of R+ Dietitian. Results: A total of 244 hospitalized patients with cancer were recruited to evaluate the validity of R+ Dietitian. The NRS-2002 and PG-SGA-SF tools in R+ Dietitian showed high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity (77.5%, 81.0%, and 76.7% and 69.3%, 84.5%, and 64.5%, respectively), and fair agreement (?=0.42 and 0.37, respectively; CC 0.62 and 0.56, respectively) with the NRS-2002 and PG-SGA-SF tools administered by dietitians. The estimated intakes of dietary energy and protein were significantly higher (P<.001 for both) in R+ Dietitian (mean difference of energy intake: 144.2 kcal, SD 454.8; median difference of protein intake: 10.7 g, IQR 9.5-39.8), and showed fair agreement (CC 0.59 and 0.47, respectively), compared with 3d-24HRs performed by dietitians. Conclusions: The identified nutritional risk and assessment of dietary intakes of energy and protein in R+ Dietitian displayed a fair agreement with the screening and assessment conducted by dietitians. R+ Dietitian has the potential to be a tool for nutritional risk screening and dietary intake assessment among hospitalized patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Towards an Inclusive Walking Community—A Multi-Criteria Digital Evaluation Approach to Facilitate Accessible Journeys.
- Author
-
Huang, Xiaoran, White, Marcus, and Langenheim, Nano
- Subjects
COMMUNITIES ,PUBLIC spaces ,MOBILITY of older people ,AGE groups ,OPEN spaces ,OLDER people - Abstract
Half the world's population now lives in cities, and this figure is expected to reach 70% by 2050. To ensure future cities offer equity for multiple age groups, it is important to plan for spatially inclusive features such as pedestrian accessibility. This feature is strongly related to many emerging global challenges regarding health, an ageing population, and an inclusive society, and should be carefully considered when designing future cities to meet the mobility requirements of different groups of people, reduce reliance on cars, and encourage greater participation by all residents. Independent travel to public open spaces, particularly green spaces, is widely considered a key factor that affects human health and well-being and is considered a primary motivation for walking. At the same time, unfavourable steepness and restrictive access points to open spaces can limit accessibility and restrict the activities of older adults or people with mobility impairments. This paper introduces a novel open access proximity modelling web application, PedestrianCatch, that simulates pedestrian catchments for user-specified destinations utilising a crowd-source road network and open topographic data. Based on this tool, we offer a multi-criteria evaluation approach that considers travel speed, time, urban topography, and visualisation modes to accommodate various simulation needs for different urban scenarios. Two case studies are conducted to demonstrate the technical feasibility and flexibility using the proposed evaluation approach, and explain how new renewal strategies can be tested when designing a more inclusive neighbourhood. This evaluation tool is immediately relevant to urban designers, health planners, and disability communities, and will be increasingly relevant to the wider community as populations age, while the corresponding analysis approach has a huge potential to contribute to the pre-design and design process for developing more walkable and accessible communities for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Online Vocal Teaching: The Role of the Traditionally Trained Instructor and the Advantages Offered by the Digital Environment.
- Author
-
ZhiYang Liu and ChaoQian Weng
- Abstract
Copyright of Croatian Journal of Education / Hrvatski Časopis za Odgoj i Obrazovanje is the property of Uciteljski Fakultet u Zagrebu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Effect of using Desmos on high school students' understanding and learning of functions.
- Author
-
Chechan, Batoul, Ampadu, Ernest, and Pears, Arnold
- Subjects
HIGH school students ,LEARNING ,PRIVATE schools ,PRE-tests & post-tests - Abstract
This study examines the effect of using Desmos on students' performance in learning functions. An embedded mixed methods design was applied and involved 98 students from an upper secondary school in Sweden. Students' assessments (pre- and post-test) and opinion polls were the two main data collection instruments. The results show that both groups (experimental and control) experienced a significant improvement in their post-test scores. However, the experimental group had a statistically significant improvement in comparison with that of the control group across the five constructs used in this study. The qualitative data revealed that the majority of the students ascribed a positive effect of the use of Desmos on their general understanding of function concepts, their ability to analyze functions and check their answers through visualization, which are difficult when working using paper and pencil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. iPREDICT: proof-of-concept study to develop a predictive model of changes in asthma control.
- Author
-
Castro, Mario, Zavod, Merrill, Rutgersson, Annika, Jörntén-Karlsson, Magnus, Dutta, Bhaskar, and Hagger, Lynn
- Abstract
Background: The individualized PREdiction of DIsease Control using digital sensor Technology (iPREDICT) program was developed for asthma management using digital technology. Devices were integrated into daily lives of patients to establish a predictive model of asthma control by measuring changes from baseline health status with minimal device burden. Objectives: To establish baseline disease characteristics of the study participants, detect changes from baseline associated with asthma events, and evaluate algorithms capable of identifying triggers and predicting asthma control changes from baseline data. Patient experience and compliance with the devices were also explored. Design: This was a multicenter, observational, 24-week, proof-of-concept study conducted in the United States. Methods: Patients (⩾12 years) with severe, uncontrolled asthma engaged with a spirometer, vital sign monitor, sleep monitor, connected inhaler devices, and two mobile applications with embedded patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires. Prospective data were linked to data from electronic health records and transmitted to a secure platform to develop predictive algorithms. The primary endpoint was an asthma event: symptom worsening logged by patients (PRO); peak expiratory flow (PEF) < 65% or forced expiratory volume in 1 s < 80%; increased short-acting β
2 -agonist (SABA) use (>8 puffs/24 h or >4 puffs/day/48 h). For each endpoint, predictive models were constructed at population, subgroup, and individual levels. Results: Overall, 108 patients were selected: 66 (61.1%) completed and 42 (38.9%) were excluded for failure to respond/missing data. Predictive accuracy depended on endpoint selection. Population-level models achieved low accuracy in predicting endpoints such as PEF < 65%. Subgroups related to specific allergies, asthma triggers, asthma types, and exacerbation treatments demonstrated high accuracy, with the most accurate, predictive endpoint being >4 SABA puffs/day/48 h. Individual models, constructed for patients with high endpoint overlap, exhibited significant predictive accuracy, especially for PEF < 65% and >4 SABA puffs/day/48 h. Conclusion: This multidimensional dataset enabled population-, subgroup-, and individual-level analyses, providing proof-of-concept evidence for development of predictive models of fluctuating asthma control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Deciphering the needs of patients with hereditary breast and ovarian Cancer in the Process of Genetic Counseling to Inform the Development of a Mobile Support App: a qualitative study in Germany
- Author
-
Ammon, Nils, Reichert, Chiara, Kupka, Thomas, Oeltze-Jafra, Steffen, Bergmann, Anke Katharina, Schlegelberger, Brigitte, Wolff, Dominik, and Vajen, Beate
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Challenges and Opportunities for Laser Applications in Electric Vehicle Manufacturing
- Author
-
Demir, Ali Gökhan, Kriegler, Johannes, Fortunato, Alessandro, Caprio, Leonardo, Geiger, Christian, Hille, Lucas, Kick, Michael Karl, Ascari, Alessandro, Liverani, Erica, Zaeh, Michael F., Chaari, Fakher, Series Editor, Gherardini, Francesco, Series Editor, Ivanov, Vitalii, Series Editor, Haddar, Mohamed, Series Editor, Cavas-Martínez, Francisco, Editorial Board Member, di Mare, Francesca, Editorial Board Member, Kwon, Young W., Editorial Board Member, Trojanowska, Justyna, Editorial Board Member, Xu, Jinyang, Editorial Board Member, Carrino, Luigi, editor, Galantucci, Luigi Maria, editor, and Settineri, Luca, editor
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Online poetry writing at school - comparing lower secondary students' experiences between individual and collaborative poetry writing.
- Author
-
Kangasharju, Arja. I., Ilomäki, Liisa, and Toom, Auli
- Subjects
POETRY writing ,WRITING processes ,PSYCHOLOGY of students ,THEMATIC analysis ,EDUCATION research - Abstract
Introduction: This study investigates how seventh-grade students experience online collaborative writing, its support in writing poems, and how collaboratively and individually written poems differ. Methods: The educational design research method was used in this mixedmethods study, which was conducted in natural classroom settings to investigate students' individual and collaborative poetry writing. Results: The quantitative analysis of questionnaires and qualitative thematic analysis of postexperimental interviews show that the students enjoyed collaborative writing more and found it more accessible than individual writing. They experienced that it supported them in writing better poems and increased their writing confidence. They also appreciated the support of teamwork, although individual writing gave them more liberty to explore various aspects of poetry and express their feelings. Discussion: From a pedagogical point of view, the students need to be provided with opportunities for collaborative poetry writing to make the writing process easier and more enjoyable. Online collaborative writing supports the process of poetry writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Evaluation of Patient Experiences with PocDoc, a Web-Based Eye Screening Tool
- Author
-
Chin, Daniel, Boon, Joewee, Rojas-Carabali, William, Choo, Shannon, Cifuentes-González, Carlos, and Agrawal, Rupesh
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Pupils Participation in a Technology-Rich Environment: A Study of Pupil Perspective on Learners' and Teachers' Roles.
- Author
-
Öberg, Johanna and Nouri, Jalal
- Subjects
TEACHER role ,STUDENT participation ,THEMATIC analysis - Abstract
It has been argued that participation as involvement as well as taking part in decision making is a fundamental part of learning. The first large arena for experiencing this for many young people is the school. This paper investigates how 16 pupils at grade eight view their own and their teacher's role when it comes to facilitating participation. The pupils are interviewed the semester after a long researcher led participation project and the interviews are analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis identifies four different types of participation from the pupils' responses. These four types can be connected to passive and active participation as well as participation as involvement and participation as influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Current usage of explainer animations in trials: a survey of the UKCRC registered clinical trial units in the UK.
- Author
-
Barber, Vicki S., Calvert, Clare, Appelbe, Duncan, Sprange, Kirsty, Nollett, Claire, Tanner, Samantha, and Richards, Duncan B.
- Subjects
CLINICAL trials ,MEDICAL research - Abstract
Background: Explainer animations are a means to communicate aspects of clinical trials to participants in a more engaging and accessible way. Delivered well these have the potential to enhance recruitment and retention. The range of media technology used to deliver this material is expanding rapidly but is highly fragmented. Usage of explainer animations across the UK is unknown, the aim of this research was to determine current usage across the 52 registered UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) to understand the current landscape and any barriers that could be preventing wider uptake of this functionality. Methods: A survey link was emailed to all UKCRC CTU Directors and Trial Management Leads to ascertain current usage of explainer animations within their CTU. The survey ran between 01 February 2023 and 07 March 2023. Results: Responses were received from 35 CTUs—representing a response rate of 67%. 24 CTUs (69%) reported that they had created/used at least one explainer animation within their unit, although the usage, cost, length and production activities varied among the units. Conclusions: The survey showed that a high proportion of the UKCRC CTUs have used explainer animations to provide information to participants about clinical studies. For those not using the technology yet, the most common reasons cited were a lack of expertise, lack of resources and costs to produce them. One of the desired outcomes of this project is the creation of a free-to-use library of animations to encourage wider uptake and avoid duplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Validation of PleaseApp: a digital tool for the assessment of receptive pragmatic abilities in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Author
-
Andrés-Roqueta, Clara, Flores-Buils, Raquel, and Igualada, Alfonso
- Subjects
DIGITAL technology ,NEURAL development ,CONFIRMATORY factor analysis ,PSYCHOMETRICS ,FIGURES of speech - Abstract
Background: Pragmatic skills allow children to use language for social purposes, that is, to communicate and interact with people. Most children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) face pragmatic difficulties during development. Nevertheless, pragmatic skills are often only partially assessed because the existing instruments usually focus on specific aspects of pragmatics and are not always adapted to children with communication difficulties. In this sense, digital tools (e.g., apps) are an optimal method to compensate for some difficulties. Moreover, there is a lack of pragmatic tools measuring the receptive domain. Therefore, the present study aims to validate PleaseApp as a digital instrument that measures eight pragmatic skills by presenting the design of the assessment tool and its psychometric properties. Methods: PleaseApp was designed based on previous empirical studies of developmental pragmatics in children with and without NDD. PleaseApp assesses eight receptive pragmatic skills: figurative language, narrative, reference, indirect speech acts, visual and verbal humor, gesture-speech integration, politeness, and complex intentionality. The study involved 150 typically developing children between 5 and 12 years of age. Results: A confirmatory factor analysis proposes an eight-factor model with no underlying factor structure. The eight tests that compose PleaseApp have obtained a model with a good fit and with adequate reliability and validity indices. Discussion: PleaseApp is an objective, valid, and reliable tool for assessing pragmatic skills in children with NDD. In this sense, it helps to assess whether a child has acquired pragmatic skills correctly according to his/her age and clarify the specific problems a child has in eight different components to plan personal and personalized interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Matchmaking for industrial symbiosis: a digital tool for the identification, quantification and optimisation of symbiotic potential in industrial ecosystems
- Author
-
Christos Makropoulos, Nikolaos-Alexandros Kritikos, and Christodoulos Pantazis
- Subjects
industrial symbiosis ,circular economy ,sustainability ,material reclamation ,waste valorisation ,digital tool ,Technology ,Chemical technology ,TP1-1185 - Abstract
Effective waste management is crucial for sustainable industrial operations. This paper introduces a state-of-the-art digital tool designed for the circular economy. Primarily it pinpoints and quantifies symbiotic possibilities between industries with liquid waste streams, emphasising the most lucrative inter-industry connections. In practice, the tool takes in data such as waste stream volumes, material concentrations within these streams, market prices of materials, and industries’ raw material consumption rates. Utilising these, its algorithm identifies and assesses the most profitable material exchanges among the specified industries. This assessment considers the market value of materials and the costs associated with recovering those materials from liquid waste streams. One of the major challenges, the estimation of recovery costs, is addressed using an innovative Sherwood plot analysis. This analysis draws a correlation between a material’s recovery cost and its concentration within a liquid medium. The tool’s output provides a detailed list of potential transactions complemented by illustrative graphs that detail mass flows, profit margins, and environmental advantages for each industry. Collectively, these details offer insights both for individual industries and the industrial ecosystem as a whole. One of the tool’s most significant revelations is its ability to uncover potential “bridges” linking industrial waste streams to resource needs, unearthing previously unnoticed economic and ecological gains. By calculating economic and environmental benefits of “waste” reuse, this tool offers a compelling rationale for the adoption of industrial symbiosis. Ultimately, it uncovers the transformative potential of aligning industrial activities with a balance that fosters both economic growth and ecological responsibility.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Psychometric evaluation of the electronic faces thermometer scale for pain assessment in children 8–17 years old: A study protocol.
- Author
-
Castor, C., Björk, M., Bai, J., Berlin, H., Kristjansdottir, G., Kristjansdottir, O., Hansson, H., Höök, A., Stenström, P., and Nilsson, S.
- Subjects
PAIN measurement ,RESEARCH methodology evaluation ,MEDICAL thermometers ,DIGITAL health ,PSYCHOMETRICS ,CHILDREN - Abstract
It is often a challenge for a child to communicate their pain, and their possibilities to do so should be strengthened in healthcare settings. Digital self‐assessment provides a potential solution for person‐centered care in pain management and promotes child participation when a child is ill. A child's perception of pain assessment differs when it is assessed using digital or analog formats. As we move into the digital era, there is an urgent need to validate digital pain assessment tools, including the newly developed electronic Faces Thermometer Scale (eFTS). This study protocol describes three studies with the overall aim to evaluate psychometric properties of the eFTS for assessing pain in children 8–17 years of age. A multi‐site project design combining quantitative and qualitative methods will be used for three observational studies. Study 1: 100 Swedish‐speaking children will report the level of anticipated pain from vignettes describing painful situations in four levels of pain and a think‐aloud method will be used for data collection. Data will be analyzed with phenomenography as well as descriptive and comparative statistics. Study 2: 600 children aged 8–17 years at pediatric and dental settings in Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and USA will be included. Children will assess their pain intensity due to medical or dental procedures, surgery, or acute pain using three different pain Scales for each time point; the eFTS, the Faces Pain Scale Revised, and the Coloured Analogue Scale. Descriptive and comparative statistics will be used, with subanalysis taking cultural context into consideration. Study 3: A subgroup of 20 children out of these 600 children will be purposely included in an interview to describe experiences of grading their own pain using the eFTS. Qualitative data will be analyzed with content analysis. Our pilot studies showed high level of adherence to the study procedure and rendered only a small revision of background questionnaires. Preliminary analysis indicated that the instruments are adequate to be used by children and that the analysis plan is feasible. A digital pain assessment tool contributes to an increase in pain assessment in pediatric care. The Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions in healthcare supports a thorough development of a new scale. By evaluating psychometric properties in several settings by both qualitative and quantitative methods, the eFTS will become a well‐validated tool to strengthen the child's voice within healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Study protocol for a randomized, controlled, multicentre, pragmatic trial with Rehabkompassen®—a digital structured follow-up tool for facilitating patient-tailored rehabilitation in persons after stroke.
- Author
-
Hu, Xiaolei, Liv, Per, Lundström, Erik, Norström, Fredrik, Lindahl, Olof, Borg, Kristian, and Sunnerhagen, Katharina S.
- Subjects
STROKE ,TRANSCRANIAL direct current stimulation ,QUALITY-adjusted life years ,RESEARCH protocols ,QUALITY of life ,SOCIAL participation - Abstract
Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability among adults worldwide. A timely structured follow-up tool to identify patients' rehabilitation needs and develop patient-tailored rehabilitation regimens to decrease disability is largely lacking in current stroke care. The overall purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel digital follow-up tool, Rehabkompassen®, among persons discharged from acute care settings after a stroke. Methods: This multicentre, parallel, open-label, two-arm pragmatic randomized controlled trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1 will be conducted in Sweden. A total of 1106 adult stroke patients will have follow-up visits in usual care settings at 3 and 12 months after stroke onset. At the 3-month follow-up, participants will have a usual outpatient visit without (control group, n = 553) or with (intervention group, n = 553) the Rehabkompassen® tool. All participants will receive the intervention at the 12-month follow-up visit. Feedback from the end-users (patient and health care practitioners) will be collected after the visits. The primary outcomes will be the patients' independence and social participation at the 12-month visits. Secondary outcomes will include end-users' satisfaction, barriers and facilitators for adopting the instrument, other stroke impacts, health-related quality of life and the cost-effectiveness of the instrument, calculated by incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Discussion: The outcomes of this trial will inform clinical practice and health care policy on the role of the Rehabkompassen® digital follow-up tool in the post-acute continuum of care after stroke. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04915027. Registered on 4 June 2021. ISRCTN registry ISRCTN63166587. Registered on 21 August 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Effectiveness and Usability of Digital Tools to Support Dietary Self-Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.
- Author
-
Adesina, Nurudeen, Dogan, Huseyin, Green, Sue, and Tsofliou, Fotini
- Abstract
Advice on dietary intake is an essential first line intervention for the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Digital tools such as web-based and smartphone apps have been suggested to provide a novel way of providing information on diet for optimal glucose regulation in women with GDM. This systematic review explores the effectiveness and usability of digital tools designed to support dietary self-management of GDM. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, and Scopus using key search terms identified 1476 papers reporting research studies, of which 16 met the specified inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the ErasmusAGE Quality Score or the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018. The findings show that the adoption of digital tools may be an effective approach to support self-management relating to healthy diet, health behaviour, and adherence to therapy in women with GDM as a usable intervention. However, there is a lack of evidence concerning the effectiveness of tools to support the dietary management of GDM. Consideration for ethnic specific dietary advice and evidence-based frameworks in the development of effective digital tools for dietary management of GDM should be considered as these aspects have been limited in the studies reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Learning Mechanisms Explaining Learning With Digital Tools in Educational Settings: a Cognitive Process Framework
- Author
-
Reinhold, Frank, Leuders, Timo, Loibl, Katharina, Nückles, Matthias, Beege, Maik, and Boelmann, Jan M.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Application of an Architect-Friendly Digital Design Approach to the Wind Environment of Campus Dormitory Buildings.
- Author
-
Liu, Qibo, Zhang, Yimeng, Ma, Wendong, and Ren, Juan
- Abstract
Good natural ventilation can improve the comfort of campus dormitories and effectively avoid pollution caused by particle accumulation. Parametric design can effectively address the feedback and connection between building performance analysis and design. This study employs an architect-friendly digital design method based on the Rhino/Grasshopper parametric platform. It takes campus dormitories in the cold region as a case, using parameterized digital tools, such as the Butterfly plugin to simulate wind performance under three influencing factors: building layout, opening position, and building façade (shape and spoiler). Finally, the optimal design that can simultaneously meet the local winter and summer wind environment requirements is selected and validated. In addition, the reasonable design of external balconies and bathrooms in a dormitory can form buffer spaces to achieve effective wind shelter and insulation effects in cold regions. This article describes how to use digital tools to quickly and easily optimize the design of building forms based on wind simulations to promote campus sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Validation study of "Santé-Cerveau", a digital tool for early cognitive changes identification.
- Author
-
Lesoil, Constance, Bombois, Stéphanie, Guinebretiere, Octave, Houot, Marion, Bahrami, Mahsa, Levy, Marcel, Genthon, Rémy, Bozon, Frédérique, Jean-Marie, Heidy, Epelbaum, Stéphane, Foulon, Pierre, Villain, Nicolas, and Dubois, Bruno
- Subjects
EXECUTIVE function ,DIGITAL technology ,TRAIL Making Test ,COGNITIVE testing ,VERBAL memory ,EPISODIC memory ,MONTREAL Cognitive Assessment - Abstract
Background: There is a need for a reliable, easy-to-use, widely available, and validated tool for timely cognitive impairment identification. We created a computerized cognitive screening tool (Santé-Cerveau digital tool (SCD-T)) including validated questionnaires and the following neuropsychological tests: 5 Word Test (5-WT) for episodic memory, Trail Making Test (TMT) for executive functions, and a number coding test (NCT) adapted from the Digit Symbol Substitution Test for global intellectual efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of SCD-T to identify cognitive deficit and to determine its usability. Methods: Three groups were constituted including 65 elderly Controls, 64 patients with neurodegenerative diseases (NDG): 50 AD and 14 non-AD, and 20 post-COVID-19 patients. The minimum MMSE score for inclusion was 20. Association between computerized SCD-T cognitive tests and their standard equivalent was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Two algorithms (a simple clinician-guided algorithm involving the 5-WT and the NCT; and a machine learning classifier based on 8 scores from the SCD-T tests extracted from a multiple logistic regression model, and data from the SCD-T questionnaires) were evaluated. The acceptability of SCD-T was investigated through a questionnaire and scale. Results: AD and non-AD participants were older (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 72.61 ± 6.79 vs 69.91 ± 4.86 years old, p = 0.011) and had a lower MMSE score (Mean difference estimate ± standard error: 1.74 ± 0.14, p < 0.001) than Controls; post-COVID-19 patients were younger than Controls (mean ± SD: 45.07 ± 11.36 years old, p < 0.001). All the computerized SCD-T cognitive tests were significantly associated with their reference version. In the pooled Controls and NDG group, the correlation coefficient was 0.84 for verbal memory, -0.60 for executive functions, and 0.72 for global intellectual efficiency. The clinician-guided algorithm demonstrated 94.4% ± 3.8% sensitivity and 80.5% ± 8.7% specificity, and the machine learning classifier 96.8% ± 3.9% sensitivity and 90.7% ± 5.8% specificity. The acceptability of SCD-T was good to excellent. Conclusions: We demonstrate the high accuracy of SCD-T in screening cognitive disorders and its good acceptance even in individuals with prodromal and mild dementia stages. SCD-T would be useful in primary care to faster refer subjects with significant cognitive impairment (and limit unnecessary referrals) to specialized consultation, improve the AD care pathway and the pre-screening in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Digital Tools—Regulatory Considerations for Application in Clinical Trials
- Author
-
Gelis, Lian, Stoeckert, Isabelle, and Podhaisky, Hans-Peter
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. TecSB: An Open Web Tool of Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Integration in Mexican Buildings.
- Author
-
Godoy-Rangel, Caribay, Rivera-Solorio, Carlos. I., and Gijón-Rivera, Miguel
- Abstract
There is a need for stakeholders in the construction sector to evaluate energy efficiency and renewable energy generation alternatives appliable to buildings at early design stages. In this regard, public and private organizations have developed tools to compare different options. It was observed that when the objective was to create nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB), the number of tools was still scarce. With this aim, this work presents a new, free digital tool that can predict, among others, energy consumption, energy generation, emissions savings, and payback time. For this purpose, different alternatives applicable to the roof, such as phase change material (PCM), insulation, and reflective paint, as well as to window-to-wall ratios (WWR), with four different glass technologies, can be evaluated. Furthermore, four renewable energy systems were available for comparison: the solar thermal collector (ST), photovoltaic (PV), flat hybrid solar collector (PVT), and low-concentration parabolic solar collector (LCPVT). Our tool was developed based on the results of transient dynamic building simulations of both residential and non-residential building models located in the hot semi-arid conditions of Monterrey, Mexico. Among the results, the small impact of using only reflective paint, the need to combine PCM with insulating material to obtain the best energy savings, and the large impact on emissions savings when using an LCPVT stand out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Job Disengagement Among Physical Education Teachers: Insights From a Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey With Path Modeling Analysis.
- Author
-
Chalghaf, Nasr, Wen Chen, Tannoubi, Amayra, Guelmami, Noomen, Puce, Luca, Said, Noureddine Ben, Khalifa, Maher Ben, Azaiez, Fairouz, and Bragazzi, Nicola Luigi
- Subjects
PHYSICAL education teachers ,JOB satisfaction ,ARABIC language ,MENTAL health ,PRIMARY schools - Abstract
Background: Physical education teachers often experience stress and job disengagement. Objective: This study’s aims were as follows: (1) to adapt in the Arabic language and test the reliability and the validity of the work–family conflict (WFC) and family–work conflict (FWC) scales, (2) to develop and assess the psychometric properties of work disengagement among physical education teachers, and (3) to evaluate an explanatory model by presenting the mediating role of perceived stress as a major influencing factor in work disengagement and job satisfaction. Methods: A total of 303 primary and secondary school physical education teachers, comprising 165 (54.5%) men and 138 (45.5%) women participated voluntarily in our study. The measuring instruments are the Work Disengagement Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the WFC scale, the FWC scale, and the 9-item Teacher of Physical Education Job Satisfaction Inventory. Results: The Arabic language versions of the WFC and FWC scales had reasonably adequate psychometric properties, which were justified by confirmatory factor analyses and by the measurement of reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity through the measurement model using SmartPLS software. Similarly, the structural model established with SmartPLS confirmed strong links of the concepts of FWC, WFC, the job satisfaction questionnaire, and perceived stress with work disengagement among teachers of physical education. Conclusions: There is a growing interest in helping teachers cope with the daily pressures of work and family. A positive organizational context is a context with clear values regarding work priorities, which constitutes the basis of a feeling of shared responsibility and professional support. Good conditions can act as protective factors reducing work stress and positively influencing personal well-being, work attitudes, work commitment, and professional efficiency. Additional research on teachers is needed to examine the relationship between perceived work stress and the role of families, along with the extent to which this association can have a significant impact on teachers’ commitment to work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Using Digital Tools for Contact Tracing to Improve COVID-19 Safety in Schools: Qualitative Study Exploring Views and Experiences Among School Staff.
- Author
-
Chantziara, Sofia, L. C., Amberly Brigden, Mccallum, Claire H., and Craddock, Ian J.
- Subjects
CONTACT tracing ,DIGITAL technology ,SCHOOL employees ,QUALITATIVE research ,COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Background: Throughout the pandemic, governments worldwide have issued guidelines to manage the spread and impact of COVID-19 in schools, including measures around social distancing and contact tracing. Whether schools required support to implement these guidelines has not yet been explored in depth. Despite the development of a range of technologies to tackle COVID-19, such as contact-tracing apps and electronic vaccine certificates, research on their usefulness in school settings has been limited. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the needs of school staff in managing COVID-19 and their experiences and perspectives on technological support in relation to contact tracing. School staff are the ones likely to make key implementation decisions regarding new technologies, and they are also the ones responsible for using the new tools daily. Including both management staff and class teachers in the development of school-based technologies can lead to their successful adoption by schools. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with UK school staff, including primary and secondary school teachers and school managers. Thematic analysis, facilitated by NVivo, was used to analyze the data. Two of the authors independently coded 5 (28%) of the interviews and reached a consensus on a coding framework. Results: Via purposive sampling, we recruited 18 participants from 5 schools. Findings showed that primary schools did not perform contact tracing, while in secondary schools, digital seating plans were used to identify close contacts in the classroom and manual investigations were also conducted identify social contacts. Participants reported that despite their efforts, high-risk interactions between students were not adequately monitored. There was a need to improve accuracy when identifying close contacts in common areas where students congregate. Proximity tracking, use of access cards, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) emerged as potential solutions, but there were concerns surrounding false alerts, burden, and security. Conclusions: School staff have found it difficult to monitor and implement social distancing and contact-tracing provisions. There are opportunities for mobile digital technologies and CCTV to support school staff in keeping their students and colleagues safe; however, these must place minimal demands on staff and prioritize security measures. Study findings can help researchers and practitioners who work in different contexts and settings understand what particular challenges are faced by school staff, and inform further research on the design and application of digital solutions for contact tracing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Introducing a new design of digital tool to increase vibration risk assessments: challenges with education-based interventions.
- Author
-
Pettersson, Hans, Graff, Pål, Fornander, Louise, Westerlund, Jessica, Björ, Bodil, and Sjödin, Fredrik
- Subjects
RISK assessment ,DIGITAL technology ,WHOLE-body vibration - Abstract
Objectives. This study aimed to investigate whether introducing a digital risk assessment tool, the Swedish National Vibration Database, would increase the number of risk assessments on hand–arm and whole-body vibration. Employer and safety representatives from companies where vibration exposure is common were invited. Methods. Of the 2953 invited companies, 1916 were selected for educational intervention and the remaining 1037 companies served as a control group with no intervention. For the educational intervention, participating companies were further divided into two groups (group A, n = 26; group B, n = 47) that both received information regarding risk assessment, but group B was also informed about the digital tool. Both groups answered a questionnaire on risk assessment before the intervention and at the follow-up, 6 months later; the control group received the same questionnaire but no education (group C, n = 22). Results. Of the invited companies, only 2% chose to participate and 7% at follow-up. Seventy-eight percent of the participants had made some kind of risk assessment of vibration at follow-up. Conclusion. Due to the low participation rate among invited companies, this study is not able to draw any conclusions on whether the digital tool can be used to increase the number of risk assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Shared Learning Utilizing Digital Methods in Surgery to Enhance Transparency in Surgical Innovation: Protocol for a Scoping Review.
- Author
-
Hoffmann, Christin, Kobetic, Matthew, Alford, Natasha, Blencowe, Natalie, Ramirez, Jozel, Macefield, Rhiannon, Blazeby, Jane M., Avery, Kerry N. L., and Potter, Shelley
- Subjects
MEDICAL education ,DIGITAL health ,TECHNOLOGICAL innovations ,MEDLINE ,OPERATIVE surgery - Abstract
Background: Surgical innovation can lead to important improvements in patient outcomes. Currently, information and knowledge about novel procedures and devices are disseminated informally and in an unstandardized way (eg, through social media). This can lead to ineffective and inefficient knowledge sharing among surgeons, which can result in the harmful repetition of mistakes and delay in the uptake of promising innovation. Improvements are needed in the way that learning in surgical innovation is shared through the development of novel, real-time methods, informed by a contemporary and comprehensive investigation of existing methods. Objective: The aim of this scoping review is to explore the application of existing digital methods for training/education and feedback to surgeons in the context of performing invasive surgical procedures. This work will (1) summarize existing methods for shared learning in surgery and how they are characterized and operationalized, (2) examine the impact of their application, and (3) explore their benefits and barriers to implementation. The findings of this scoping review will inform the development of novel, real-time methods to optimize shared learning in surgical innovation. Methods: This study will adhere to the recommended guidelines for conducting scoping reviews. A total of 6 different searches will be conducted within multiple sources (2 electronic databases, journals, social media, gray literature, commercial websites, and snowball searches) to comprehensively identify relevant articles and data. Searches will be limited to articles published in the English language within the last 5 years. Wherever possible, a 2-stage study selection process will be followed whereby the eligibility of articles will be assessed through the title, abstract, and full-text screening independently by 2 reviewers. Inclusion criteria will be articles providing data on (1) fully qualified theater staff involved in performing invasive procedures, (2) one or more methods for shared learning (ie, digital means for training/education and feedback), and (3) qualitative or quantitative evaluations of this method. Data will be extracted (10% double data extraction by an independent reviewer) into a piloted proforma and analyzed using descriptive statistics, narrative summaries, and principles of thematic analysis. Results: The study commenced in October 2021 and is planned to be completed in 2023. To date, systematic searches were applied to 2 electronic databases (MEDLINE and Web of Science) and returned a total of 10,093 records. The results of this scoping review will be published as open access in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusions: This scoping review of methods for shared learning in surgery is, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive and up-to-date investigation that maps current information on this topic. Ultimately, efficient and effective sharing of information and knowledge of novel procedures and devices has the potential to optimize the evaluation of early-phase surgical research and reduce harmful innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Digital Graphic Follow-up Tool (Rehabkompassen) for Identifying Rehabilitation Needs Among People After Stroke: Randomized Clinical Feasibility Study.
- Author
-
Xiaolei Hu, Jonzén, Karolina, Lindahl, Olof A., Karlsson, Marcus, Norström, Fredrik, Lundström, Erik, and Sunnerhagen, Katharina Stibrant
- Subjects
REHABILITATION ,RANDOMIZED controlled trials ,STROKE patients ,DIGITAL health ,HEALTH outcome assessment - Abstract
Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability among adults, with heavy social and economic burden worldwide. A cost-effective solution is urgently needed to facilitate the identification of individual rehabilitation needs and thereby provide tailored rehabilitations to reduce disability among people who have had a stroke. A novel digital graphic follow-up tool Rehabkompassen has recently been developed to facilitate capturing the multidimensional rehabilitation needs of people who have had a stroke. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a definitive trial to evaluate Rehabkompassen as a digital follow-up tool among people who have had a stroke in outpatient clinical settings. Methods: This pilot study of Rehabkompassen was a parallel, open-label, 2-arm prospective, proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an allocation ratio of 1:1 in a single outpatient clinic. Patients who have had a stroke within the 3 previous months, aged ≥18 years, and living in the community were included. The trial compared usual outpatient visits with Rehabkompassen (intervention group) and without Rehabkompassen (control group) at the 3-month follow-up as well as usual outpatient visit with Rehabkompassen at the 12-month follow-up. Information on the recruitment rate, delivery, and uptake of Rehabkompassen; assessment and outcome measures completion rates; the frequency of withdrawals; the loss of follow-up; and satisfaction scores were obtained. The key outcomes were evaluated in both groups. Results: In total, 28 patients (14 control, 14 Rehabkompassen) participated in this study, with 100 patients screened. The overall recruitment rate was 28% (28/100). Retention in the trial was 86% (24/28) at the 12-month follow-up. All participants used the tool as planned during their follow-ups, which provided a 100% (24/24) task completion rate of using Rehabkompassen and suggested excellent feasibility. Both patient- and physician-participants reported satisfaction with the instrument (19/24, 79% and 2/2, 100%, respectively). In all, 2 (N=2, 100%) physicians and 18 (N=24, 75%) patients were willing to use the tool in the future. Furthermore, modified Rankin Scale as the primary outcome and various stroke impacts as secondary outcomes were both successfully collected and compared in this study. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the high feasibility and adherence of the study protocol as well as the high acceptability of Rehabkompassen among patients who have had a stroke and physicians in an outpatient setting in comparison to the predefined criterion. The information collected in this feasibility study combined with the amendments of the study protocol may improve the future definitive RCT. The results of this trial support the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a large definitive RCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Advance Planning for Technology Use in Dementia Care: Development, Design, and Feasibility of a Novel Self-administered Decision-Making Tool.
- Author
-
Berridge, Clara, Turner, Natalie R., Liu Liu, Karras, Sierramatice W., Amy Chen, Fredriksen-Goldsen, Karen, and Demiris, George
- Subjects
TECHNOLOGY ,DEMENTIA care units ,ALZHEIMER'S disease ,OLDER people ,CAREGIVERS - Abstract
Background: Monitoring technologies are used to collect a range of information, such as one's location out of the home or movement within the home, and transmit that information to caregivers to support aging in place. Their surveilling nature, however, poses ethical dilemmas and can be experienced as intrusive to people living with Alzheimer disease (AD) and AD-related dementias. These challenges are compounded when older adults are not engaged in decision-making about how they are monitored. Dissemination of these technologies is outpacing our understanding of how to communicate their functions, risks, and benefits to families and older adults. To date, there are no tools to help families understand the functions of monitoring technologies or guide them in balancing their perceived need for ongoing surveillance and the older adult's dignity and wishes. Objective: We designed, developed, and piloted a communication and education tool in the form of a web application called Let's Talk Tech to support family decision-making about diverse technologies used in dementia home care. The knowledge base about how to design online interventions for people living with mild dementia is still in development, and dyadic interventions used in dementia care remain rare. We describe the intervention's motivation and development process, and the feasibility of using this self-administered web application intervention in a pilot sample of people living with mild AD and their family care partners. Methods: We surveyed 29 mild AD dementia care dyads living together before and after they completed the web application intervention and interviewed each dyad about their experiences with it. We report postintervention measures of feasibility (recruitment, enrollment, and retention) and acceptability (satisfaction, quality, and usability). Descriptive statistics were calculated for survey items, and thematic analysis was used with interview transcripts to illuminate participants' experiences and recommendations to improve the intervention. Results: The study enrolled 33 people living with AD and their care partners, and 29 (88%) dyads completed the study (all but one were spousal dyads). Participants were asked to complete 4 technology modules, and all completed them. The majority of participants rated the tool as having the right length (>90%), having the right amount of information (>84%), being very clearly worded (>74%), and presenting information in a balanced way (>90%). Most felt the tool was easy to use and helpful, and would likely recommend it to others. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that our intervention to educate and facilitate conversation and documentation of preferences is preliminarily feasible and acceptable to mild AD care dyads. Effectively involving older adults in these decisions and informing care partners of their preferences could enable families to avoid conflicts or risks associated with uninformed or disempowered use and to personalize use so both members of the dyad can experience benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Comparison Between the 24-hour Holter Test and 72-hour Single-Lead Electrocardiogram Monitoring With an Adhesive Patch-Type Device for Atrial Fibrillation Detection: Prospective Cohort Study.
- Author
-
Kwon, Soonil, Lee, So-Ryoung, Choi, Eue-Keun, Ahn, Hyo-Jeong, Song, Hee-Seok, Lee, Young-Shin, Oh, Seil, and Lip, Gregory Y H
- Abstract
Background: There is insufficient evidence for the use of single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring with an adhesive patch-type device (APD) over an extended period compared to that of the 24-hour Holter test for atrial fibrillation (AF) detection.Objective: In this paper, we aimed to compare AF detection by the 24-hour Holter test and 72-hour single-lead ECG monitoring using an APD among patients with AF.Methods: This was a prospective, single-center cohort study. A total of 210 patients with AF with clinical indications for the Holter test at cardiology outpatient clinics were enrolled in the study. The study participants were equipped with both the Holter device and APD for the first 24 hours. Subsequently, only the APD continued ECG monitoring for an additional 48 hours. AF detection during the first 24 hours was compared between the two devices. The diagnostic benefits of extended monitoring using the APD were evaluated.Results: A total of 200 patients (mean age 60 years; n=141, 70.5% male; and n=59, 29.5% female) completed 72-hour ECG monitoring with the APD. During the first 24 hours, both monitoring methods detected AF in the same 40/200 (20%) patients (including 20 patients each with paroxysmal and persistent AF). Compared to the 24-hour Holter test, the APD increased the AF detection rate by 1.5-fold (58/200; 29%) and 1.6-fold (64/200; 32%) with 48- and 72-hour monitoring, respectively. With the APD, the number of newly discovered patients with paroxysmal AF was 20/44 (45.5%), 18/44 (40.9%), and 6/44 (13.6%) at 24-, 48-, and 72-hour monitoring, respectively. Compared with 24-hour Holter monitoring, 72-hour monitoring with the APD increased the detection rate of paroxysmal AF by 2.2-fold (44/20).Conclusions: Compared to the 24-hour Holter test, AF detection could be improved with 72-hour single-lead ECG monitoring with the APD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Towards an Inclusive Walking Community—A Multi-Criteria Digital Evaluation Approach to Facilitate Accessible Journeys
- Author
-
Xiaoran Huang, Marcus White, and Nano Langenheim
- Subjects
inclusive city ,digital tool ,age-friendly ,walkability ,accessibility ,multi-criteria evaluation ,Building construction ,TH1-9745 - Abstract
Half the world’s population now lives in cities, and this figure is expected to reach 70% by 2050. To ensure future cities offer equity for multiple age groups, it is important to plan for spatially inclusive features such as pedestrian accessibility. This feature is strongly related to many emerging global challenges regarding health, an ageing population, and an inclusive society, and should be carefully considered when designing future cities to meet the mobility requirements of different groups of people, reduce reliance on cars, and encourage greater participation by all residents. Independent travel to public open spaces, particularly green spaces, is widely considered a key factor that affects human health and well-being and is considered a primary motivation for walking. At the same time, unfavourable steepness and restrictive access points to open spaces can limit accessibility and restrict the activities of older adults or people with mobility impairments. This paper introduces a novel open access proximity modelling web application, PedestrianCatch, that simulates pedestrian catchments for user-specified destinations utilising a crowd-source road network and open topographic data. Based on this tool, we offer a multi-criteria evaluation approach that considers travel speed, time, urban topography, and visualisation modes to accommodate various simulation needs for different urban scenarios. Two case studies are conducted to demonstrate the technical feasibility and flexibility using the proposed evaluation approach, and explain how new renewal strategies can be tested when designing a more inclusive neighbourhood. This evaluation tool is immediately relevant to urban designers, health planners, and disability communities, and will be increasingly relevant to the wider community as populations age, while the corresponding analysis approach has a huge potential to contribute to the pre-design and design process for developing more walkable and accessible communities for all.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Effectiveness and Usability of Digital Tools to Support Dietary Self-Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review
- Author
-
Nurudeen Adesina, Huseyin Dogan, Sue Green, and Fotini Tsofliou
- Subjects
gestational diabetes mellitus ,lifestyle ,dietary management ,digital tool ,smartphone apps ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,TX341-641 - Abstract
Advice on dietary intake is an essential first line intervention for the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Digital tools such as web-based and smartphone apps have been suggested to provide a novel way of providing information on diet for optimal glucose regulation in women with GDM. This systematic review explores the effectiveness and usability of digital tools designed to support dietary self-management of GDM. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, and Scopus using key search terms identified 1476 papers reporting research studies, of which 16 met the specified inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the ErasmusAGE Quality Score or the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018. The findings show that the adoption of digital tools may be an effective approach to support self-management relating to healthy diet, health behaviour, and adherence to therapy in women with GDM as a usable intervention. However, there is a lack of evidence concerning the effectiveness of tools to support the dietary management of GDM. Consideration for ethnic specific dietary advice and evidence-based frameworks in the development of effective digital tools for dietary management of GDM should be considered as these aspects have been limited in the studies reviewed.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. How is the Digital Transformation Affecting Informal Businesses in the Global South? Early Findings from a Rapid Survey in 16 Countries
- Author
-
Gustale, Eduardo and Cottica, Alberto
- Subjects
informal business ,digital tool ,Global South ,digital tools - Abstract
The informal sector is by far the world’s largest employer. The International Labour Organization estimates that 60% of jobs are informal. The Accelerator Lab Network of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has detected signals that informal businesses are embracing digital tools across the Global South. This is likely to have far-reaching implications in contexts where informal businesses account for a large part of economic activity. On top of the usual (and generally thought to be beneficial) implications in terms of efficiency and access to customers and suppliers, which are common to formal as well as informal businesses, the digitalization of informal businesses offers a new angle on informality itself. The use of digital tools increases their visibility and legibility to the rest of society. For example, you could think of estimating the number of informal businesses in a city or region by counting the number of vendors on Facebook Marketplace for that city or region. From the same data, you could infer the activities they are involved in, and even reach out to them. This could open new ways for development policies to support and include the owners of informal businesses, similarly with how, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millions of people received income support, many of them, for the first time, through digital channels. In this document, we report on the results of a survey on the use of digital tools by informal businesses in the Global South carried out by the UNDP Accelerator Lab Network. It was designed and deployed in 2022, when the COVID-19 pandemic was accelerating the take-up of digital tools by some businesses and their customers. The dataset supporting the paper is available here: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7515227., Version 1.3 adds a sentence at the beginning to highlight the importance of the informal economy, as well as the associated reference.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Assessments of a novel digital follow-up tool Rehabkompassen® to identify rehabilitation needs among stroke patients in an outpatient setting
- Author
-
Xiaolei Hu, Karolina Jonzén, Marcus Karlsson, and Olof A Lindahl
- Subjects
Stroke rehabilitation ,Neurologi ,Health Policy ,digital tool ,Health Informatics ,Computer Science Applications ,usability ,Health Information Management ,Neurology ,follow-up ,eHealth ,outpatient setting ,need assessment ,Sjukgymnastik ,outcome assessment ,Physiotherapy ,feasibility - Abstract
Introduction It remains a huge challenge to identify individual rehabilitation needs in a time-efficient manner for providing patient-tailored rehabilitation during the continuum of stroke care. We have recently demonstrated the usefulness of a paper-version Rehab-Compass as a follow-up tool. The aim of the current study was to develop a digital version of the Rehab-Compass and evaluate its usability and feasibility. Methods The novel digital tool Rehabkompassen® was developed by an iterative and participatory design process. Patients’ rehabilitation needs were visualized by the tool and used before, during, and after the consultation. The usability and feasibility of the tool was assessed by task completion rate, the System Usability Scale, and satisfaction questionnaires among 2 physicians and 24 adult stroke patients in an outpatient clinical setting. Results Rehabkompassen® identified and graphically visualized a panoramic view of the stroke patients’ multidimensional needs in individual- and group levels. The instrument appeared to be feasible and time efficient in clinical use with a 100% overall task completion rate for both patients and physicians. A majority of the patients reported that it was very easy or fairly easy to answer the digital questionnaires and to understand their own digital Rehab-Compass graph. Two physicians reported a high mean score on the System Usability Scale (95/100) and were positive about using the tool in the future. Conclusions The current results indicated that Rehabkompassen® was a feasible, useful, and time-saving follow-up tool for the identification of rehabilitation needs among stroke survivors in the post-acute continuum of care after stroke. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of the digital instrument among stroke patients.
- Published
- 2022
41. Experimental Governance for Sustainable Cities and Climate Action – Case Study ANN (A New Normal) RADAR Hamburg
- Author
-
Knieling, Jörg, Bley, Jens, Hartkop, Kay, and Wildhack, Anna
- Subjects
climate mitigation ,experimental governance ,digital tool ,sustainable city ,living lab - Abstract
In response to the challenges of climate change and other environmental and structural problems, different new forms of urban governance have been developed and tested throughout European cities. Urban Living Labs constitute one form of experimental governance, whereby urban stakeholders develop and test new technologies and ways of living to address the challenges of climate change and urban sustainability. Characteristics of Urban Living Labs in the sense of experimental governance are temporal limitation, spatial selectivity and problem-orientation. Staging urban experimentation requires an evidence-based process to identify suitable urban target locations for urban testbeds. The research project ANN (A new Normal) RADAR addresses this challenge. Through a data-driven evidence base, it aims at identifying areas that have a particular demand and provide ample context for experimental interventions. The underlying research question is in how far experimentation strategies for sustainable urban development and climate mitigation can benefit from digitalisation by enriching the political decision-making process of identifying potential urban testbeds with analysing, processing and visualising available data. This paper describes the ANN RADAR approach and methodology, reflects experiences from pilot application and discusses issues relevant for further research., Mobility, Knowledge and Innovation Hubs in Urban and Regional Development. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2022, 27th International Conference on Urban Development and Regional Planning in the Information Society, 301-309
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Effectiveness and usability of digital tools to support dietary self-management of gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review
- Author
-
Nurudeen Adesina, Huseyin Dogan, Sue Green, and Fotini Tsofliou
- Subjects
lifestyle ,Nutrition and Dietetics ,endocrine system diseases ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,Self-Management ,digital tool ,Mobile Applications ,gestational diabetes mellitus ,Diabetes, Gestational ,Pregnancy ,Diet, Diabetic ,Humans ,TX341-641 ,Female ,Systematic Review ,dietary management ,smartphone apps ,Food Science ,Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic - Abstract
Advice on dietary intake is an essential first line intervention for the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Digital tools such as web-based and smartphone apps have been suggested to provide a novel way of providing information on diet for optimal glucose regulation in women with GDM. This systematic review explores the effectiveness and usability of digital tools designed to support dietary self-management of GDM. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, and Scopus using key search terms identified 1476 papers reporting research studies, of which 16 met the specified inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the ErasmusAGE Quality Score or the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018. The findings show that the adoption of digital tools may be an effective approach to support self-management relating to healthy diet, health behaviour, and adherence to therapy in women with GDM as a usable intervention. However, there is a lack of evidence concerning the effectiveness of tools to support the dietary management of GDM. Consideration for ethnic specific dietary advice and evidence-based frameworks in the development of effective digital tools for dietary management of GDM should be considered as these aspects have been limited in the studies reviewed.
- Published
- 2022
43. Design of a digital tool for the identification of confined spaces
- Author
-
Lucia Botti, Cristina Mora, Emilio Ferrari, and Botti Lucia, Mora Cristina, Ferrari Emilio
- Subjects
Risk assessment support ,Control and Systems Engineering ,General Chemical Engineering ,Confined spaceIdentification ,Occupational health and safety ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,Management Science and Operations Research ,Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality ,Digital tool ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Food Science - Abstract
Statistics on accidents in confined spaces reveal that many workers are injured and killed each year while working in confined spaces. The main cause of accidents and fatalities due to work in confined spaces is related to the lack of awareness about the presence and the risks of such unconventional workplaces. A confined space hazard assessment and risk control program should be implemented prior to access a confined space, aiming to control the risks associated with working in a confined space. This paper introduces a structured procedure and a digital tool for mobile devices, which aim to increase workers’ awareness about the risks of working in confined spaces. The proposed tool investigates four different categories of confinement that characterize confined spaces: geometry, access, internal configuration, and atmosphere. After completing the procedure on the mobile application, the user, e.g. the employer or the company's safety professional, receives a list of potential issues that should be addressed before entering the space. Three case studies show the application of the proposed methodology to three suspected confined spaces.
- Published
- 2022
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.