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In Canada, formal structures for advancing engineering education research (EER), including graduate programmes, funding, and career pathways, are uncommon. However, an active informal EER community exists. Using the Identity Trajectory Framework, we designed an exploratory basic interpretive qualitative study to learn how 21 graduate students experienced EER in Canada. EER's dualist internal identity and lack of external identity, credibility, and structural support create a feedback loop of uncertainties for graduate students trying to navigate EER. This inhibits the healthy development of EER as an academic discipline, and thereby, the healthy development of EER graduate students. If we want to successfully support graduate students in developing their identity as EER researchers, we need institutional structures. Understanding how graduate students experience EER in Canada is important to understand how to build capacity here and in other locales where the field is newly developing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the perception of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) among physicians and patients and the acceptance of using SLT as first-line treatment for glaucoma. Exploratory descriptive qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with glaucoma specialists and patients in two eye hospital of Zhejiang and Guangdong Provinces, China. Data were analyzed using the thematic analysis framework approach. 11 glaucoma specialists and 12 glaucoma patients were interviewed. Four themes were identified in the data: Physicians' preferences for treatment types, patient views on treatment types, decision-making during the physician-patient encounter and feasibility of SLT as a first-line therapy. Advantages of SLT include safety and repeatability with limited side effects. However, concerns about the durability of the effect of the treatment were often mentioned by both physicians and patients. Some factors such as practice preference, personal motivation and patient characteristics may influence treatment choice. Most patients lack knowledge about SLT and hold high expectations of their treatments. Physicians report insufficient evidence supporting the use of SLT as first line therapy. Physicians report the need for locally relevant, evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of SLT in the treatment of glaucoma. SLT was suggested as the first-line treatment of glaucoma due to its reliable efficacy and potential advantage. Results from our study offer important insight into barriers of increasing the uptake of SLT, which also provides some guidance for the use of SLT in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the introduction of large commercial industrial laboratories at the end of the nineteenth century, many types of experiments were institutionalized that do not aim at testing hypotheses. This paper builds a typology of experiments in techno-science, by analysing more than two hundred and fifty real-life technical projects. This resulted in four testing types (tests of hypotheses, of designs, of means-end knowledge, and of models or software), three determining types (developing working principles, preferred actions, and determining values of variables or relationships between variables) and one trial-and-error type of pure exploration. The typology is developed by working back and forth between thick descriptions of the experiments including their goals, and the development of six criteria of differentiation, to wit: determining versus testing; measurement scales of (in)dependent variables; intrinsic versus instrumental value of the outcomes; proximate function of the outcome; distant role of the outcome in the embedded project; the descriptive or normative character of the proximate or distant outcomes. The typology opens up inspiring methodological and philosophical research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent emotional difficulties in the perinatal period and there is agreement that early intervention is an important strategy to prevent long-lasting effects on mother and child. Literature has recently shown that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is able to measure not only depression but also anxiety. To investigate the factorial structure of the EPDS in Italian-speaking new mothers. 416 women attending vaccination services between 2 and 4 months postpartum filled in the EPDS. Exploratory (EFA) and Confirmatory (CFA) analyses were carried out. The EFA on the first part of the sample (n = 208) showed a two-factor structure. The CFAs on the second sample of mothers (n = 208) provided support for the 'EPDS-4A', with items 3,4,5,6 belonging to the Anxiety factor and items 1,2,7,8,9,10 to the Depression factor. The fit for the model was good: χ2/df = 1.41, p <.001; GFI =.99; CFI =.99; TLI =.88; RMSEA =.04. A two-factor structure of the EPDS was confirmed suggesting that the EPDS can be used to screen for both depression and anxiety for Italian mothers in the postnatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media networks are increasingly important tools for crisis communication and the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) provides a unique opportunity to explore the role of social media in crisis communication. The goal of this research is to better understand how from political leaders adapt their communication strategy to on-the-ground changes during a crisis and how the communication of crisis-relevant information on social media affects the public's perception of the response effort. We achieve this through an analysis of pandemic data from The Covid Tracking Project at The Atlantic, survey data from the Covid States Project, and pandemic-relevant Twitter statuses posted by US state governors. Our results show that governors alter their communication patterns and tone after developments in the pandemic and that such changes in communication patterns are accompanied by subsequent changes in public perception of the governor's response to the pandemic. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present a computational approach to identifying melodic patterns in a dataset of 145 MusicXML scores with the aim of contributing to centonization theory in the Moroccan tradition of Arab-Andalusian Music – a theory in development by expert performer and researcher of this tradition, Amin Chaachoo. Central to his work is the definition of a set of characteristic patterns, or centos, for each ṭab', or melodic mode. We apply three methods: TF-IDF, Maximally General Distinctive Patterns (MGDP) and the Structure Induction Algorithm (SIA) to identify characteristic patterns at the level of ṭab'. A substantial number of the centos proposed by Chaachoo are identified and new melodic patterns are retrieved. A discussion with Chaachoo about the obtained results promoted the elicitation of other categories of recurrent patterns in the tradition different from the centos, contributing to a deeper musicological knowledge of the tradition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, based in the body of strategic orientation literature, identifies and explores the practices of innovativeness, proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness that make up the strategic orientation implemented by subsistence entrepreneurs to improve business performance. A factor analysis was carried out using the data of 101 entrepreneurs, small artisanal business owners who operate in the subsistence markets in Oaxaca, Mexico. The results show that subsistence entrepreneurs notably engage in innovative and proactive practices, and, to a lesser extent, competitive aggressiveness. The research concludes that a combination of innovativeness with proactiveness is the most viable option for improving performance, whereas competitive aggressiveness impedes its development. Even so, however, it is still implemented by subsistence businesses in order to conserve their market share. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents an exploratory study on the knowledge and importance of integrating Lean Education in curricula from the Academy perspective. The study was based on the analysis of participants' outcomes of workshops settled in international conferences. These workshops were used to promote Lean Education as a fundamental content and competency to be taught to the new professionals, independently of their future activity. Having in their DNA Lean content and competency, professionals will be thinkers adopting whole system-thinking, a sustainable conscious and ethical behaviour prepared to face Fourth industrial revolution demands. The authors believe that Lean Education provides such competencies to the new professionals and have been settling and operationalized such workshops in different contexts, involving more than 100 participants (mainly, academics) with teaching responsibilities in training the future workforce. Workshops outcomes were obtained from participants' active discussions and through a satisfaction assessment questionnaire filled by all participants at the end of the workshop. Results show that Lean Education is valuable by academics (more than 50% of the participants gave a high score to the practicality, value, and timeliness of the workshop contents). Nevertheless, a small percentage (12%) knows what Lean Education is or teaches Lean in the classes (10%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracking technologies that monitor exercise and health have grown in popularity, while online communities have emerged to encourage healthier lifestyles. Runners display high engagement levels with these technologies, however, studies are inconclusive about the effectiveness of these tools, and half of tracking device owners stop use within 3 months. This exploratory study analyses the engagement practices of UK-based long distance runners with tracking technologies and online communities in order to explore how these provide social support for runners. Data were derived from nine interviews. Findings identify distinct use practices associated with social networking sites, running club online communities and tracking applications. Social support is not as prominent as social comparison, identity formation, motivation and information gathering for runners. The nature of the community, co-present connections between individuals and running experience have implications for engagement and support practices, while emotional attachment to data represents an opportunity for development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restaurants are always seeking to better understand customer decisions. Mothers are of significance to restaurants as they have a direct influence on others, primarily children and spouses. This study focuses on what affects the restaurant food choices of “Moms” (a woman with at least one child 10 years or under). Three categories of factors were uncovered: externalities which occur outside of the restaurant environment, concurrencies which occur in the restaurant at the point of purchase, and confirming factors which cause an item to be confirmed or rejected after the purchase intention has formed. This article examines the externalities category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy (CE) proposes an economic framework based on circular flows of products and materials. Transition towards a CE is underway, therefore, understanding the nature and state of this transition is important for creating effective policies and business strategies. Some studies have focused on specific contexts and pockets of good practice. This exploratory, survey-based study of 77 companies investigates the shift towards the CE using a taxonomy of practices and barriers. Results show that firms favour practices related to resource and energy utilisation efficiency, while practices related to investment recovery, green purchasing and customer cooperation are less prevalent. Eco-design and internal environmental management practices have a medium level of implementation. The significant upfront investment cost, lack of awareness or sense of urgency were identified as implementation barriers. Results suggest the CE is driven by economic not environmental considerations, and the deployment of practices remains within a firm rather than across the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on mortality among elderly population in rural Malaysia according to studies and National Registration Department database with a higher death rate of abused victims for problems related to respiration, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic diseases.

The article discusses the effect of a cognitive-behavioral approach intervention that is also family-based on elder abuse. Topics include a description of the Family-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Social Work (FBCBSW), an explanation of the randomized clinical trial using the Domestic-Elder-Abuse Questionnaire (DEAQ), and an analysis of the results. Also mentioned are analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Wilcoxon test.

Objective: To investigate patients who called the emergency medical services (EMS) for primary healthcare (PHC) problems. Design: A retrospective and exploratory patient record study from an EMS perspective, comparing two groups: those who were potential candidates for PHC and those who were not. All data were gathered from EMS and hospital records. Settings: The study was completed at the EMS and five hospital areas in the western region of Sweden. Subjects: The patients (n = 3001) who called the EMS in 2011. Data were missing for 10%. Main outcome measures: The frequency and the clinical characteristics of the patients who called the EMS and were actually potential candidates for PHC. Results: Of a total of 2703 patients, a group of 426 (16%) were assessed as potential candidates for PHC and could thus be treated at a level of care other than the emergency department. Patients who were classified as suitable for PHC were found at all priority levels and within all symptom groups, but were younger and healthier than the other group. Conclusion: Numerous patients seeking help from the EMS do not end up at the most appropriate level in the healthcare system. Implications: In the EMS, guidelines are needed to enable pre-hospital emergency nurses to assess and triage patients to the most appropriate level of healthcare.Key pointsPatients calling the emergency medical services do not always end up at an appropriate level of healthcare.In total, 16% of patients were identified by the Swedish emergency medical services as potential candidates for primary healthcare.These patients were younger and healthier than those needing care at the emergency department.They were found at all priority levels and within all symptom groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ICT-based enterprises (ICT-BEs) are businesses that produce ICT products, provide ICT processing technologies, or offer ICT support services. Most ICT-BEs grow in particular niche fields of ICT use by offering services that are well tailored to meet the needs of a specific target market. This however is usually short lived, as alternative technologies are developed each day and availed globally within a few months, while the rate of adoption and diffusion of technology is dependent on other factors other than the ICT itself. In most cases technology diffusion is rather slow and uneven at first, but accelerates rapidly once a critical mass of individuals has adopted the technology. This raises the question of how ICT-BEs can cushion themselves against sudden and unpredictable ICT trends, which may lead to existing customers abandoning a technology for any new alternative technology. The study examines the impact of rapid ICT trends on ICT entrepreneurship in the liberalized and globalized Kenyan ICT market. The study is based on qualitative data, collected through four descriptive case studies selected from micro and small enterprises offering ICT solutions. Findings reveal that rapid changes in ICT trends and early adopters' switching behavior negatively affect the survival of an ICT-BE, while customer satisfaction and entrepreneurial creativity positively influence the survival and success of an ICT-BE. The study provides practitioners, budding ICT entrepreneurs, and policy-makers with essential lessons on how ICT trends affect the growth and survival of ICT-BEs and how to mitigate these negative effects and therefore remain in business. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Latent growth modeling is often conducted using a confirmatory approach whereby specific structures of individual change (e.g., linear, quadratic, exponential, etc.) are fit to the observed data, the best fitting model is chosen based on fit statistics and theoretical considerations, and parameters from this model are interpreted. This confirmatory approach is appropriate when a strong theory guides the model fitting process. However, this approach is often also used when there is not a strong theory to guide the model fitting process, which might lead researchers to misrepresent or miss key change characteristics present in their data. We discuss Tuckerized curves (Tucker, 1958, 1966) as an exploratory way of modeling change processes based on principal components analysis and propose an exploratory approach to latent growth modeling whereby minimal constraints are imposed on the structure of within-person change. These methods are applied to longitudinal data on cortisol response during a controlled experimental manipulation and height changes from early childhood through adulthood collected from 2 different studies. We highlight the additional insights gained, some of the benefits, limitations, and potential extensions of the exploratory growth curve approach and suggest there is much to be gained from using such models to generate new and potentially more precise theories about change and development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The concepts of brand love and brand attachment have received great attention in branding and consumer behavior research lately. However, the focus of these studies has mainly been the understanding of brands from an affect-based perspective in terms of emotions rather than exploring the consumers' perceptions themselves. This study explores the consumers' perceptions of likeability as an outcome of a firms' branding strategy. Based on forty four in-depth interviews this study submits a conceptualization of brand likeability from the consumers' point-of-view. The concept of brand likeability constitutes three dimensions and 10 sub-dimensions, expanding our knowledge of the construct. The study posits a crucial link between increased positivity and appeal as key in the understanding of the brand likeability concept. Specifically, the exploration of the brands' personification constitutes attractiveness, integrity, and extraversion. The psychological factors which determine the likeability are identified as positive inferences, reference points, and attachment and love. The functional factors which help a brand induce likeability are identified as good services, increased communication, and convenience and smoothness. Lastly, the study finds that fairness is an attribute that affects all dimensions. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Safety signals observed in early-phase clinical trials can have profound implications for the development of new medical products. It is difficult to interpret the occurrence of safety signals in small clinical trials, where formal inferential procedures may be impractical. We advocate wider use of simple Bayesian methods to explore and understand safety signals from small clinical trials. We describe a new web-based application, BayesWeb.com, that makes such exploratory Bayesian methods accessible to subject-matter experts. We illustrate the use of this software with an example from a hypothetical phase I trial for a Factor VIII product for patients with hemophilia A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clinical research program for drug development often consists of a sequence of clinical trials that may begin with uncontrolled and nonrandomized trials, followed by randomized trials or randomized controlled trials. Adaptive designs are not infrequently proposed for use. In the regulatory setting, the success of a drug development program can be defined to be that the experimental treatment at a specific dose level including regimen and frequency is approved based on replicated evidence from at least two confirmatory trials. In the early stage of clinical research, multiplicity issues are very broad. What is the maximum tolerable dose in an adaptive dose escalation trial? What should the dose range be to consider in an adaptive dose-ranging trial? What is the minimum effective dose in an adaptive dose-response study given the tolerability and the toxicity observable in short term or premarketing trials? Is establishing the dose-response relationship important or the ability to select a superior treatment with high probability more important? In the later stage of clinical research, multiplicity problems can be formulated with better focus, depending on whether the study is for exploration to estimate or select design elements or for labeling consideration. What is the study objective for an early-phase versus a later phase adaptive clinical trial? How many doses are to be studied in the early exploratory adaptive trial versus in the confirmatory adaptive trial? Is the intended patient population well defined or is the applicable patient population yet to be adaptively selected in the trial due to the potential patient and/or disease heterogeneity? Is the primary efficacy endpoint well defined or still under discussion providing room for adaptation? What are the potential treatment indications that may adaptively lead to an intended-to-treat patient population and the primary efficacy endpoint? In this work we stipulate the multiplicity issues with adaptive designs encountered in regulatory applications. For confirmatory adaptive design clinical trials, controlling studywise type I error and type II error is of paramount importance. For exploratory adaptive trials, we define the probability of correct selection of design features, e.g., dose, effect size, and the probability of correct decision for drug development. We assert that maximizing these probabilities would be critical to determine whether the drug development program continues or how to plan the confirmatory trials if the development continues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) draft guidance on adaptive design randomized clinical trials provides in-depth consideration of the difficulties that unblinded adaptation of clinical trial design might introduce. We provide extended discussion of these difficulties, with focus on the problems that the adaptive designs pose in the scientific interpretation of randomized clinical trial results, for regulatory authorities as well as for patients and caregivers who wish to make evidence-based decisions regarding the choice of treatment. We consider implications in adequate and well-controlled studies of the use of unblinded measures of treatment effect to make adaptive selection/modification of treatments, adaptive selection of primary endpoints, adaptive modification of maximal sample size, adaptive modification of randomization ratios, and adaptive modification of target populations (adaptive enrichment), and then we consider the special topic of seamless phase 2-3 designs. We examine the extent to which the adaptive designs do not meet the goals of having greater efficiency, being more likely to identify truly effective treatments, being more informative, and providing greater flexibility. We fully support the FDA's continued requirement of adequate and well-controlled confirmatory studies, complete with prospective, detailed specification of the entire randomized clinical trial design in a way that allows accurate and precise estimation of treatment effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of a survey on the critical success factors (CSFs) of web-based supply-chain management systems (WSCMS). An empirical study was conducted and an exploratory factor analysis of the survey data revealed five major dimensions of the CSFs for WSCMS implementation, namely (1) communication, (2) top management commitment, (3) data security, (4) training and education, and (5) hardware and software reliability. The findings of the results provide insights for companies using or planning to use WSCMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cartographic visualisation tools aid exploration, but they are designed for, and used exclusively by, experts. A democratised visualisation tool will include second-generation users, and these non-specialists might also want to use the available computer technology to visualise their geographical data. In this paper, we argue that democratised GIS should have a functionality similar to visualisation tools and we forward our opinion on how these can be developed in order to do so. Our emphasis is on interactivity regarding representation methods and on elaborating principles for implementing map type selection in interfaces for democratised GISs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]