Assessing reinforcing versus aversive consequences in a real-time secondhand smoke intervention

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Berardi ◽  
John Bellettiere ◽  
Benjamin Nguyen ◽  
Neil E Klepeis ◽  
Suzanne C Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real World ◽  
Secondhand Smoke ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
Control Versus ◽  
Particle Counts ◽  
Post Hoc

Abstract Few studies have examined the relative effectiveness of reinforcing versus aversive consequences at changing behavior in real-world environments. Real-time sensing devices makes it easier to investigate such questions, offering the potential to improve both intervention outcomes and theory. This research aims to describe the development of a real-time, operant theory-based secondhand smoke (SHS) intervention and compare the efficacy of aversive versus aversive plus reinforcement contingency systems. Indoor air particle monitors were placed in the households of 253 smokers for approximately three months. Participants were assigned to a measurement-only control group (N = 129) or one of the following groups: 1.) aversive only (AO, N = 71), with aversive audio/visual consequences triggered by the detection of elevated air particle measurements, or 2.) aversive plus reinforcement (AP, N = 53), with reinforcing consequences contingent on the absence of SHS added to the AO intervention. Residualized change ANCOVA analysis compared particle concentrations over time and across groups. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were also performed. After controlling for Baseline, Post-Baseline daily particle counts (F = 6.42, p = 0.002), % of time >15,000 counts (F = 7.72, p < 0.001), and daily particle events (F = 4.04, p = 0.02) significantly differed by study group. Nearly all control versus AO/AP pair-wise comparisons were statistically significant. No significant differences were found for AO versus AP groups. The aversive feedback system reduced SHS, but adding reinforcing consequences did not further improve outcomes. The complexity of real-world environments requires the nuances of these two contingency systems continue to be explored, with this study demonstrating that real-time sensing technology can serve as a platform for such research.

scholarly journals The Effects of External Motivation and Real-Time Automated Feedback on Speeding Behavior in a Naturalistic Setting

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 218-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian J. Reagan ◽  
James P. Bliss ◽  
Ron Van Houten ◽  
Bryan W. Hilton
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Baseline Period ◽  
Monetary Incentive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Incentive System ◽  
Vehicle Speed ◽  
Alerting System

Objective: In this field experiment, the authors tested an alerting system and a monetary incentive system with the objective of reducing speeding more than 5 mph faster than the posted speed limit. Background: Speeding is a factor in a significant number of traffic fatalities. The systems tested in this project have been evaluated outside but not within the United States. These studies indicated that similar systems led to reductions in speeding. Method: For this study, eight vehicles were instrumented such that vehicle speed and speed limits were linked in real time. A total of 50 participants drove assigned vehicles for 4 weeks. Week 1 was a baseline period; during Week 2 or Week 3, 40 participants experienced the alerting system that issued auditory and visual advisory signals when drivers exceeded the limit by 5 mph or more. Of these 40 individuals, 20 experienced the monetary incentive system during Weeks 2 and 3; Week 4 was a return-to-baseline period. A control group of 10 drivers experienced neither system during the study. Results: Results indicated that the incentive system resulted in significant reductions in driving faster than the posted limit, and the feedback system led to modest changes in speeding. In the condition in which drivers experienced the feedback and incentive, reductions in speeding were similar to those found during the incentive-only condition. Conclusion: The technology tested in this study has potential to benefit traffic safety by reducing the incidence of driving faster than the posted limit, which should lead to a reduction in speed-related crashes. Application: Insurers provide incentive-based discounts on premiums. Combining this technology with such a discount program may improve traffic safety significantly.

scholarly journals Novel Real-Time OEP Phase Angle Feedback System for Dysfunctional Breathing Pattern Training—An Acute Intervention Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3714
Author(s):  
Carol M. E. Smyth ◽  
Samantha L. Winter ◽  
John W. Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Chest Wall ◽  
Phase Angle ◽  
Breathing Pattern ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breathing Patterns ◽  
Breathing Retraining ◽  
Dysfunctional Breathing ◽  
Experimental Group

Dysfunctional breathing patterns (DBP) can have an impact on an individual’s quality of life and/or exercise performance. Breathing retraining is considered to be the first line of treatment to correct breathing pattern, for example, reducing ribcage versus abdominal movement asynchrony. Optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) is a non-invasive 3D motion capture technique that measures the movement of the chest wall. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the use of a newly developed real-time OEP phase angle and volume feedback system, as an acute breathing retraining intervention, could result in a greater reduction of phase angle values (i.e., an improvement in movement synchrony) when compared to real-time OEP volume feedback alone. Eighteen individuals with a DBP performed an incremental cycle test with OEP measuring chest wall movement. Participants were randomly assigned to either the control group, which included the volume-based OEP feedback or to the experimental group, which included both the volume-based and phase angle OEP feedback. Participants then repeated the same cycle test using the real-time OEP feedback. The phase angle between the ribcage versus abdomen (RcAbPhase), between the pulmonary ribcage and the combined abdominal ribcage and abdomen (RCpAbPhase), and between the abdomen and the shoulders (AbSPhase) were calculated during both cycle tests. Significant increases in RcAbPhase (pre: −2.89°, post: −1.39°, p < 0.01), RCpAbPhase (pre: −2.00°, post: −0.50°, p < 0.01), and AbSPhase (pre: −2.60°, post: −0.72°, p < 0.01) were found post-intervention in the experimental group. This indicates that the experimental group demonstrated improved synchrony in their breathing pattern and therefore, reverting towards a healthy breathing pattern. This study shows for the first time that dysfunctional breathing patterns can be acutely improved with real-time OEP phase angle feedback and provides interesting insight into the feasibility of using this novel feedback system for breathing pattern retraining in individuals with DBP.

A Simple and Practical Method for Incorporating Augmented Reality into the Classroom and Laboratory

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Plunkett
Keyword(s):  
Organic Chemistry ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real World ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Virtual Expert ◽  
Video Projection

This manuscript provides two demonstrations of how Augmented Reality (AR), which is the projection of virtual information onto a real-world object, can be applied in the classroom and in the laboratory. Using only a smart phone and the free HP Reveal app, content rich AR notecards were prepared. The physical notecards are based on Organic Chemistry I reactions and show only a reagent and substrate. Upon interacting with the HP Reveal app, an AR video projection shows the product of the reaction as well as a real-time, hand-drawn curved-arrow mechanism of how the product is formed. Thirty AR notecards based on common Organic Chemistry I reactions and mechanisms are provided in the Supporting Information and are available for widespread use. In addition, the HP Reveal app was used to create AR video projections onto laboratory instrumentation so that a virtual expert can guide the user during the equipment setup and operation.

Clinical Impact of Co-medication of Levetiracetam and Clobazam with Proton Pump Inhibitors: A Drug Interaction Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-131
Author(s):  
Bhuvanachandra Pasupuleti ◽  
Vamshikrishna Gone ◽  
Ravali Baddam ◽  
Raj Kumar Venisetty ◽  
Om Prakash Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Proton Pump Inhibitors ◽  
Proton Pump ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Cytochrome P 450

Background: Clobazam (CLBZ) metabolized primarily by Cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme CYP3A4 than with CYP2C19, Whereas Levetiracetam (LEV) is metabolized by hydrolysis of the acetamide group. Few CYP enzymes are inhibited by Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) Pantoprazole, Esomeprazole, and Rabeprazole in different extents that could affect drug concentrations in blood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of these PPIs on the plasma concentrations of LEV and CLBZ. Methods: Blood samples from 542 patients were included out of which 343 were male and 199 were female patients and were categorized as control and test. Plasma samples analyzed using an HPLC-UV method. Plasma concentrations were measured and compared to those treated and those not treated with PPIs. One way ANOVA and games Howell post hoc test used by SPSS 20 software. Results: CLBZ concentrations were significantly 10 folds higher in patients treated with Pantoprazole (P=0.000) and 07 folds higher in patients treated with Esmoprazole and Rabeprazole (P=0.00). Whereas plasma concentration of LEV control group has no statistical and significant difference when compared to pantoprazole (P=0.546) and with rabeprazole and esomeprazole was P=0.999. Conclusion: The effect of comedication with PPIs on the plasma concentration of clobazam is more pronounced for pantoprazole to a greater extent when compared to esomeprazole and rabeprazole. When pantoprazole is used in combination with clobazam, dose reduction of clobazam should be considered, or significance of PPIs is seen to avoid adverse effects.

scholarly journals A Novel Rail-Network Hardware Simulator for Embedded System Programming

Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Balaji M ◽  
Chandrasekaran M ◽  
Vaithiyanathan Dhandapani
Keyword(s):  
Embedded Systems ◽  
Embedded System ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Real World ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Network Simulator ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Rail Network ◽  
Knowledge Enhancement

A Novel Rail-Network Hardware with simulation facilities is presented in this paper. The hardware is designed to facilitate the learning of application-oriented, logical, real-time programming in an embedded system environment. The platform enables the creation of multiple unique programming scenarios with variability in complexity without any hardware changes. Prior experimental hardware comes with static programming facilities that focus the students’ learning on hardware features and programming basics, leaving them ill-equipped to take up practical applications with more real-time constraints. This hardware complements and completes their learning to help them program real-world embedded systems. The hardware uses LEDs to simulate the movement of trains in a network. The network has train stations, intersections and parking slots where the train movements can be controlled by using a 16-bit Renesas RL78/G13 microcontroller. Additionally, simulating facilities are provided to enable the students to navigate the trains by manual controls using switches and indicators. This helps them get an easy understanding of train navigation functions before taking up programming. The students start with simple tasks and gradually progress to more complicated ones with real-time constraints, on their own. During training, students’ learning outcomes are evaluated by obtaining their feedback and conducting a test at the end to measure their knowledge acquisition during the training. Students’ Knowledge Enhancement Index is originated to measure the knowledge acquired by the students. It is observed that 87% of students have successfully enhanced their knowledge undergoing training with this rail-network simulator.

scholarly journals Real-World Experience of the One-Year Efficacy of Rifaximin Add-On to Lactulose Is Superior to Lactulose Alone in Patients with Cirrhosis Complicated with Recurrent Hepatic Encephalopathy in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Ching Chang ◽  
Chien-Hao Huang ◽  
Hsiao-Jung Tseng ◽  
Fang-Chen Yang ◽  
Rong-Nan Chien
Keyword(s):  
Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Real World ◽  
Ammonia Level ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Before And After ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One ◽  
Serum Ammonia

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neuropsychiatric complication of decompensated cirrhosis, is associated with high mortality and high risk of recurrence. Rifaximin add-on to lactulose for 3 to 6 months is recommended for the prevention of recurrent episodes of HE after the second episode. However, whether the combination for more than 6 months is superior to lactulose alone in the maintenance of HE remission is less evident. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the one-year efficacy of rifaximin add-on to lactulose for the maintenance of HE remission in Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a real-world single-center retrospective cohort study to compare the long-term efficacy of rifaximin add-on to lactulose (group R + L) versus lactulose alone (group L, control group). Furthermore, the treatment efficacy before and after rifaximin add-on to lactulose was also analyzed. The primary endpoint of our study was time to first HE recurrence (Conn score ≥ 2). All patients were followed up every three months until death, and censored at one year if still alive. Results and Conclusions: 12 patients were enrolled in group R + L. Another 31 patients were stratified into group L. Sex, comorbidity, ammonia level, and ascites grade were matched while age, HE grade, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were adjusted in the multivariable logistic regression model. Compared with group L, significant improvement in the maintenance of HE remission and decreased episodes and days of HE-related hospitalizations were demonstrated in group R + L. The serum ammonia levels were significantly lower at the 3rd and 6th month in group 1. Concerning changes before and after rifaximin add-on in group R + L, mini-mental status examination (MMSE), episodes of hospitalization, and variceal bleeding also improved at 6 and 12 months. Days of hospitalization, serum ammonia levels also improved at 6th month. Except for concern over price, no patients discontinued rifaximin due to adverse events or complications. The above results provide evidence for the one-year use of rifaximin add-on to lactulose in reducing HE recurrence and HE-related hospitalization for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Therapeutic Smart Feedback System with a Real-Time GUI used after Foot Surgery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Schahrazad Soltane ◽  
Shahad Al-Mutabeq ◽  
Mona Masood ◽  
Rawan Al-Otaibi ◽  
Safiah Abdul Raouf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Foot Surgery

scholarly journals Effect of a Multidomain Lifestyle Intervention on Estimated Dementia Risk

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Alina Solomon ◽  
Ron Handels ◽  
Anders Wimo ◽  
Riitta Antikainen ◽  
Tiina Laatikainen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Hoc Analysis ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Geriatric Intervention ◽  
Prevention Potential ◽  
Post Hoc

We investigated the effect of a multidomain lifestyle intervention on the risk of dementia estimated using the validated CAIDE risk score (post-hoc analysis). The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) is a 2-year randomized controlled trial among 1,260 at-risk older adults (60–77 years). Difference in the estimated mean change in CAIDE score at 2 years in the intervention compared to the control group was –0.16 (95 %CI –0.31 to 0.00) (p = 0.013), corresponding to a relative dementia risk reduction between 6.04–6.50%. This could be interpreted as a reflection of the prevention potential of the intervention.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document