scholarly journals 4183 Micro-consults: An effective tool for meeting statistical support needs in an academic medical research center

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 50-50
Author(s):  
Sandra Taylor ◽  
Susan L. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Statistical Support ◽  
On Line ◽  
General Statistical ◽  
Translational Research Program

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Access to biostatistics expertise is essential for a successful clinical and translational research program. However, demand for statistical support at academic research centers can strain the capacity of biostatistics units. Our objective was to efficiently increase access to statistical expertise. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In cooperation with the Cancer Center Biostatistics Shared Resource, we replaced an informal 1-hour drop-in consultation program with structured office hours to provide statistical support to clinical and translational researchers at the University of California, Davis Medical Center. We doubled office hours to 2 hours per week and established six 20-minute appointments. Two Ph.D. level statisticians staff office hours. Researchers schedule appointments through Acuity Scheduling, a free on-line resource. Availability of the service is advertised monthly by sending an informational flyer to various university listservs. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Prior to implementing the program in 2014, we averaged 91 office hour consults per year. Subsequently, consultations jumped to 171 in 2014 and have averaged 150 per year since then. Office hours attract students, residents, staff and faculty from a wide range of disciplines including the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine and basic science departments. Project types span the clinical and translational spectrum covering lab, animal, clinical and population-level studies. Most consults related to data analysis and interpretation (57%) followed by sample size calculations/study design (29%) and response to reviewers (4%), with general statistical advice as the remainder. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: With 6 micro-consults per week, we can meet with many investigators and triage their statistical support needs. This program has proved very popular and was highly rated in a recent user survey, with several investigators noting that the consults facilitated successful publications and proposals.

What type of information is needed by AYA cancer survivors in Japan?

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23165-e23165
Author(s):  
Chikako Yamaki ◽  
Yuki Nakatani ◽  
Toshiko Sato ◽  
Hikaru Taniguchi ◽  
Tomoko Takayama
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Psychological Pain ◽  
Wide Range

e23165 Background: Cancer patients and survivors in the adolescents and young adults (AYA) generation often have a wide range of unmet needs, which include health related matters, communication problems, relationship difficulties, and life roles. Japanese AYA cancer survivors supposedly have these same unmet needs, but it is not clear which specific types of needs should be provided. The purpose of this study was to explore the support needs of Japanese AYA cancer survivors and to propose what type of information they should be provided. Methods: Eleven AYA cancer survivors and their families participated in group interviews. All participants were recruited from the Cancer-Civil Panel of Center for Cancer Control and Information Services, National Cancer Center Japan (NCC-CIS), which is commissioned by the NCC president to support NCC-CIS activities. Participants were asked about their 1) difficulties and painful issues during their cancer history, 2) information needs to handle those difficulties, and 3) willingness to support AYA patients suffering from cancer. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Three researchers coded the transcripts and constructed the categories to be assessed. Results: Difficulties and painful issues were compiled into four categories: (1) physical and psychological pain that come directly from cancer, (2) uncertainty of the situation and the future, (3) isolation and alienation that come from his/her unique experiences, and (4) distress of facing painful families. Information and support needs included three categories: (1) detailed experiences from the patient’s view, (2) ways to face his/her cancer and life role as a survivor, and (3) role models or companies for sharing the same experiences. All participants expressed the willingness to support someone by the disclosure of their own experiences. Conclusions: Japanese AYA survivors had unmet information needs for both medical and lifelong psycho-social issues. They would like to have information about a variety of personal and subjective experiences in order to recommend possible future solutions. These findings suggest that personal and narrative experiences would support AYA survivors in their efforts to confront their uncertain future with cancer.

Recent Progress and Plans in Computer-Controlled High Resolution Electron Microscopy

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-155
Author(s):  
W.J. de Ruijter ◽  
Peter Rez ◽  
David J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Digital Processing ◽  
High Resolution Electron Microscopy ◽  
Objective Lens ◽  
Linear Filter ◽  
Contrast Transfer Function ◽  
Image Displacement ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
On Line

Digital computers are becoming widely recognized as standard accessories for electron microscopy. Due to instrumental innovations the emphasis in digital processing is shifting from off-line manipulation of electron micrographs to on-line image acquisition, analysis and microscope control. An on-line computer leads to better utilization of the instrument and, moreover, the flexibility of software control creates the possibility of a wide range of novel experiments, for example, based on temporal and spatially resolved acquisition of images or microdiffraction patterns. The instrumental resolution in electron microscopy is often restricted by a combination of specimen movement, radiation damage and improper microscope adjustment (where the settings of focus, objective lens stigmatism and especially beam alignment are most critical). We are investigating the possibility of proper microscope alignment based on computer induced tilt of the electron beam. Image details corresponding to specimen spacings larger than ∼20Å are produced mainly through amplitude contrast; an analysis based on geometric optics indicates that beam tilt causes a simple image displacement. Higher resolution detail is characterized by wave propagation through the optical system of the microscope and we find that beam tilt results in a dispersive image displacement, i.e. the displacement varies with spacing. This approach is valid for weak phase objects (such as amorphous thin films), where transfer is simply described by a linear filter (phase contrast transfer function) and for crystalline materials, where imaging is described in terms of dynamical scattering and non-linear imaging theory. In both cases beam tilt introduces image artefacts.

What do patients want? A qualitative exploration of patients’ needs and expectations regarding online access to their primary care record

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp20X711245
Author(s):  
Gail Davidge ◽  
Caroline Sanders ◽  
Rebecca Hays ◽  
Rebecca Morris ◽  
Helen Atherton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Primary Care Record ◽  
Online Access ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Nhs Health Check ◽  
Patients Wishes

BackgroundPrimary care records have traditionally served the needs and demands of clinicians rather than those of the patient. GP contracts in England state practices must promote and offer registered patients online access to their primary care record and research has shown benefits to both patients and clinicians of doing so. Despite this, we know little about patients’ needs and expectations regarding online access.AimTo explore patients’ views about accessing online primary care records and to find out how patients would like to interact with their records and what support they may need.MethodInterviews and focus groups with a sample of 50 patients from a variety of socio-demographic backgrounds who were either; eligible for the NHS Health Check; had multimorbidities or were carers. Thematic analysis of data identified major themes impacting upon patients’ wishes and needs as well as highlighting population-specific issues.ResultsParticipants highlighted a wide range of views about the benefits and drawbacks of accessing their records online. The majority of participants indicated that they would be more likely to access their online primary care record if improvements were made to the design, reliability and functionality of existing online record services. Carers found accessing online records particularly useful.ConclusionConsultation with patients and carers about their experiences of accessing online records; support needs and preferred functions can provide useful insights to inform the future design of online record services.

scholarly journals A survey of methods for evaluating mini-publics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeuchi Ayano
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Political ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Political Decision ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Political Decision Making

AbstractPublic participation has become increasingly necessary to connect a wide range of knowledge and various values to agenda setting, decision-making and policymaking. In this context, deliberative democratic concepts, especially “mini-publics,” are gaining attention. Generally, mini-publics are conducted with randomly selected lay citizens who provide sufficient information to deliberate on issues and form final recommendations. Evaluations are conducted by practitioner researchers and independent researchers, but the results are not standardized. In this study, a systematic review of existing research regarding practices and outcomes of mini-publics was conducted. To analyze 29 papers, the evaluation methodologies were divided into 4 categories of a matrix between the evaluator and evaluated data. The evaluated cases mainly focused on the following two points: (1) how to maintain deliberation quality, and (2) the feasibility of mini-publics. To create a new path to the political decision-making process through mini-publics, it must be demonstrated that mini-publics can contribute to the decision-making process and good-quality deliberations are of concern to policy-makers and experts. Mini-publics are feasible if they can contribute to the political decision-making process and practitioners can evaluate and understand the advantages of mini-publics for each case. For future research, it is important to combine practical case studies and academic research, because few studies have been evaluated by independent researchers.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Breast Cancer Patients at a Medical Center in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542098391
Author(s):  
Chieh-Ying Chin ◽  
Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Shin-Chung Wu ◽  
Chien-Ting Liu ◽  
Yun-Fang Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more common in medical practice, but little is known about the concurrent use of CAM and conventional treatment. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the types of CAM used and their prevalence in a regional patient cohort with breast cancer (BC). Methods BC patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire survey on the use of CAM in southern Taiwan at an Integrative Breast Cancer Center (IBCC). The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) classification was used to group responses. Over a period of 8 months, all patients receiving treatment for cancer at the IBCC were approached. Results A total of 106 BC patients completed the survey (response rate: 79.7%). The prevalence of CAM use was 82.4%. Patients who were employed, were receiving radiotherapy and hormone therapy, and had cancer for a longer duration were more likely to use CAM ( P < .05). Multivariate analysis identified employment as an independent predictor of CAM use (OR = 6.92; 95% CI = 1.33-36.15). Dietary supplementation (n = 69, 82.1%) was the type of CAM most frequently used, followed by exercise (n = 48, 57.1%) and traditional Chinese medicine (n = 29, 34.5%). The main reason for using CAM was to ameliorate the side effects of conventional therapies. Almost half (46.4%) of these CAM users did not disclose that they were using it in medical consultations with their physicians. Most chose to use CAM due to recommendations from family and friends. Conclusion A large portion of BC patients at the IBCC undergoing anti-cancer treatment courses used CAM, but less than half discussed it with their physicians. Given the high prevalence of CAM, it would be justifiable to direct further resources toward this service so that cancer patients can benefit from a holistic approach to their treatment.

A Wide Range Ge Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for on-Line Measurements of Reactor Cooling Water Activity

1977 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 673-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Lipsett ◽  
I. L. Fowler ◽  
R. J. Dinger ◽  
H. L. Malm
Keyword(s):  
Water Activity ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Cooling Water ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometer ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
On Line

scholarly journals Impact of Mixed Reality Presentation on STEM Engagement and Comprehension: A Pilot Study on Adult Scientists

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Geller ◽  
Jaymie Stein ◽  
Daniel Du ◽  
Jason R. Webb ◽  
Zack Lieberman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Scientific Content ◽  
Presentation Software ◽  
On Line ◽  
Stem Engagement

AbstractCurrent educational presentation software used in STEM education fail to maximize student engagement and comprehension. Mixed reality presentation is one specific type of digital presentation software that has shown to significantly improve student engagement and comprehension. In this paper, we describe a pilot study on adult scientists which evaluates the usage of an integrated mixed reality presentation software in the Zyndo platform as an enhanced alternative to Adobe PDFs. A group of adult scientists (N = 20), with higher education of at least a bachelor’s degree, from an academic research center at Harvard Medical School were randomized and asked to read two articles (one on Immunology and the other on Bioengineering) presented through either the mixed reality presentation or PDFs. Our results indicate that participants improved in nearly all metrics for engagement (ranging from + 4 to 51% improvement depending on engagement metric and subject matter) when viewing the mixed reality presentation over the traditional PDFs for both articles. Specifically, the participants demonstrated improved comprehension of the scientific content and time spent viewing the presentation in a content-dependent manner. Therefore, 3D mixed reality environments can potentially be applied to enhance student learning in STEM fields, particularly Biomedical Engineering in both on-line and in person classroom settings.

scholarly journals Beyond cultural and geographical proximity: delving into the factors that influence the dynamics of academic relationships between students in higher education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
José-Vicente Tomás-Miquel ◽  
Jordi Capó-Vicedo
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Academic Networks ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Specific Stage ◽  
The University ◽  
Proximity Dimensions ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractScholars have widely recognised the importance of academic relationships between students at the university. While much of the past research has focused on studying their influence on different aspects such as the students’ academic performance or their emotional stability, less is known about their dynamics and the factors that influence the formation and dissolution of linkages between university students in academic networks. In this paper, we try to shed light on this issue by exploring through stochastic actor-oriented models and student-level data the influence that a set of proximity factors may have on formation of these relationships over the entire period in which students are enrolled at the university. Our findings confirm that the establishment of academic relationships is derived, in part, from a wide range of proximity dimensions of a social, personal, geographical, cultural and academic nature. Furthermore, and unlike previous studies, this research also empirically confirms that the specific stage in which the student is at the university determines the influence of these proximity factors on the dynamics of academic relationships. In this regard, beyond cultural and geographic proximities that only influence the first years at the university, students shape their relationships as they progress in their studies from similarities in more strategic aspects such as academic and personal closeness. These results may have significant implications for both academic research and university policies.

scholarly journals Personality trait differences across types of entrepreneurs: a systematic literature review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florentine U. Salmony ◽  
Dominik K. Kanbach
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Rural Farmers ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Research Integration

AbstractThe personality traits that define entrepreneurs have been of significant interest to academic research for several decades. However, previous studies have used vastly different definitions of the term “entrepreneur”, meaning their subjects have ranged from rural farmers to tech-industry start-up founders. Consequently, most research has investigated disparate sub-types of entrepreneurs, which may not allow for inferences to be made regarding the general entrepreneurial population. Despite this, studies have frequently extrapolated results from narrow sub-types to entrepreneurs in general. This variation in entrepreneur samples reduces the comparability of empirical studies and calls into question the reviews that pool results without systematic differentiation between sub-types. The present study offers a novel account by differentiating between the definitions of “entrepreneur” used in studies on entrepreneurs’ personality traits. We conduct a systematic literature review across 95 studies from 1985 to 2020. We uncover three main themes across the previous studies. First, previous research applied a wide range of definitions of the term “entrepreneur”. Second, we identify several inconsistent findings across studies, which may at least partially be due to the use of heterogeneous entrepreneur samples. Third, the few studies that distinguished between various types of entrepreneurs revealed differences between them. Our systematic differentiation between entrepreneur sub-types and our research integration offer a novel perspective that has, to date, been widely neglected in academic research. Future research should use clearly defined entrepreneurial samples and conduct more systematic investigations into the differences between entrepreneur sub-types.

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