Comparison of Virtual Reality Visualizations With Traditional Visualizations in Hotel Settings

2020 ◽  
pp. 109634802095706
Author(s):  
Lisa Slevitch ◽  
Tilanka Chandrasekera ◽  
Meghan Drew Sealy
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Nonparametric Tests ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
South Central ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Time Periods

The objective of the current study was to investigate how virtual reality (VR) visualizations compare with traditional visualizations such as two-dimensional (2D) photos as a marketing tool for hotel websites. The specific research question was “How do VR visualizations compare with 2D photos in terms of (1) affective responses, (2) attitudinal/behavioral responses, and (3) cognitive load—that is, task efforts and experiences associated with technology?” A quasi-experimental study was conducted over two time periods with independent sample pools. A boutique hotel lobby and a guest room were captured in 2D and VR formats. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two types of visualizations. The sample comprised 84 university undergraduate students from the South-Central United States. Nonparametric tests were used to test the proposed hypotheses. There was a statistically significant difference between two visual conditions for several variables—that is, pleasure, satisfaction, word of mouth, and so on. However, those differences were not always consistent between the two time periods. Overall findings suggest that the use of VR visualizations as a promotional tool might not be more effective than traditional photos. Limitations of the study include using students as a proxy for the general population of travelers, small sample size, self-reported measures, and narrow conditional scope. Those limitations should be addressed in future studies.

scholarly journals The Peer Assisted Teaching Model for Undergraduate Research at a HBCU

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Liyun Wu ◽  
Marilyn W. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Computer Anxiety ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Mentoring Programs ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Professional Goals ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Doctoral Candidates

Despite wide application of research skills in higher education, undergraduate students reported research and computer anxiety, and low association between research and their professional goals. This study aims to assess whether peer-assisted mentoring programs would promote positive changes in undergraduates’ attitudes toward research. Using a quasi-experimental one-group, pretest-posttest research design, the study assessed changes in attitudes by having doctoral candidates mentor undergraduate students during a summer statistics camp. Findings from paired-samples t-test indicated that students became familiar with the twelve statistical concepts upon completion, gained more positive affect related to statistics and an increase in their positive attitude about statistical skills, whereas they had lower scores prior to it. Notwithstanding the small sample size, these data indicate that including a peer assisted statistics camp in the academic curriculum would be beneficial for undergraduate students and increase their knowledge about research and statistics. 

scholarly journals NI-19 Use of 11C-methionine PET for decision of discontinuation of adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. ii14-ii14
Author(s):  
Takaaki Beppu ◽  
Yuichi Sato ◽  
Toshiaki Sasaki ◽  
Kazunori Terasaki ◽  
Kuniaki Ogasawara
Keyword(s):  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Standardized Uptake Value ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Diffuse Astrocytoma ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Met Pet

Abstract Background: The aim was to clarify whether positron emission tomography with 11C-methyl-L-methionine (met-PET) is useful to decide on discontinuation of TMZ-adjuvant therapy in patients with residual diffuse astrocytic tumor. Methods: Subjects were 44 patients with residual tumor comprising 17 with IDH1-mutant diffuse astrocytoma (DA), 13 with IDH1-mutant anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), and 14 with IDH1-wild glioblastoma (GB). All patients received TMZ-adjuvant chemotherapy (median, 12 courses), and whether to discontinue or continue TMZ-adjuvant chemotherapy was decided on the basis of the tumor-to-normal ratio in standardized uptake value from met-PET (T/N); patients with T/N < 1.6 immediately discontinued TMZ, and patients with T/N > 1.6 were either to continued or discontinued TMZ. Progression-free survival (PFS) was compared between patients with T/N > 1.6 and T/N < 1.6 in each tumor type. Median observation period was 434 days after met-PET scanning. Results: The number of patient who underwent recurrence was 10 in DA, 7 in AA, and 11 in GB. All patients showing T/N > 1.6 underwent tumor recurrence. PFS was significantly longer in patients with T/N < 1.6 than T/N > 1.6 in DA and AA (p < 0.01 in both types), but was no significant difference between 2 groups in GB (p = 0.06). Sixteen of 17 patients (94%) in DA and AA showed recurrence from residual tumor, whereas 4 of 11 patients (36%) in GB showed recurrent tumor at remote regions which were different from residual tumor. Conclusions: The present study suggested that met-PET is beneficial to decide to discontinue adjuvant chemotherapy with TMZ in patients with residual tumors of DA and AA, but not useful for patients with GB. Reasons for unsuccessful results in GB might have been small sample size, failure of establishing the cut off value in T/N, recurrences at remote regions where not be assessed by met-PET.

scholarly journals 1611. Evaluating Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy of Daptomycin in Combination with a Beta-Lactam for the Treatment of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) Bacteremia

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S799-S800
Author(s):  
Nerea Irusta ◽  
Ana Vega ◽  
Yoichiro Natori ◽  
Lilian M Abbo ◽  
Lilian M Abbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Related Mortality

Abstract Background In-vitro studies have shown synergistic bactericidal activity with daptomycin (DAP) plus β-lactam antimicrobials against vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE). There is a paucity of data regarding clinical outcomes with this combination in VRE bloodstream infections (BSI). The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of DAP plus a β-lactam with in-vitro activity vs. other therapies for treatment of VRE BSI. Methods IRB-approved, single-center, retrospective study of patients with VRE BSI from 01/2018-09/2019. Patients were excluded if < 18 years old, pregnant, or incarcerated. The primary outcome was time-to-microbiological clearance. Secondary outcomes included infection-related mortality, 30-day all-cause mortality, and incidence of recurrent BSI within 30 days of index culture. Targeted DAP doses were ≥ 8mg/kg and based on MIC. Factors associated with significance for outcomes, via univariate analysis, were evaluated with multivariable logistic regression (MLR), removed in a backward-step approach. Results A total of 85 patients were included, 23 of which received DAP plus a β-lactam. The comparator arm included linezolid or DAP monotherapy. Patients with combination therapy had significantly higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (p=0.013) and numerically higher Pitt Bacteremia scores (PBS) (p=0.087) (Table 1). There was no difference seen in the primary outcome (Table 2). Secondary outcomes are provided in Table 2. The presence of polymicrobial infection and higher PBS were significantly associated with infection-related mortality (p=0.008 and p=0.005, respectively) by MLR. A Mann Whitney U test indicated that presence of infection-related mortality was greater for patients with higher MICS (U=20.5, p=0.06). The presence of an underlying source may be related to recurrence of BSI (p=0.075). Table 1: Patient Characteristics Table 2. Primary and Secondary Outcomes Conclusion We did not find a significant difference in time-to-microbiological clearance, although patients treated with DAP and a β-lactam had higher CCI and PBS. These results are limited by retrospective design, small sample size, and potential selection bias. Prospective randomized studies are needed to further validate these findings. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Perioperative Outcomes Following Kidney-Pancreas Transplantation in Alberta, Canada: Research Letter

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205435812110293
Author(s):  
Danielle E. Fox ◽  
Robert R. Quinn ◽  
Paul E. Ronksley ◽  
Tyrone G. Harrison ◽  
Hude Quan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Postoperative Care ◽  
Pancreas Transplantation ◽  
Type I Diabetes ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Perioperative Outcomes ◽  
Type I ◽  
Patient Safety Indicators ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation (SPK) has benefits for patients with kidney failure and type I diabetes mellitus, but is associated with greater perioperative risk compared with kidney-alone transplantation. Postoperative care settings for SPK recipients vary across Canada and may have implications for patient outcomes and hospital resource use. Objective: To compare outcomes following SPK transplantation between patients receiving postoperative care in the intensive care unit (ICU) compared with the ward. Design: Retrospective cohort study using administrative health data. Setting: In Alberta, the 2 transplant centers (Calgary and Edmonton) have different protocols for routine postoperative care of SPK recipients. In Edmonton, SPK recipients are routinely transferred to the ICU, whereas in Calgary, SPK recipients are transferred to the ward. Patients: 129 adult SPK recipients (2002-2019). Measurements: Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database (CIHI-DAD) were used to identify SPK recipients (procedure codes) and the outcomes of inpatient mortality, length of initial hospital stay (LOS), and the occurrence of 16 different patient safety indicators (PSIs). Methods: We followed SPK recipients from the admission date of their transplant hospitalization until the first of hospital discharge or death. Unadjusted quantile regression was used to determine differences in LOS, and age- and sex-adjusted marginal probabilities were used to determine differences in PSIs between centers. Results: There were no perioperative deaths and no major differences in the demographic characteristics between the centers. The majority of the SPK transplants were performed in Edmonton (n = 82, 64%). All SPK recipients in Edmonton were admitted to the ICU postoperatively, compared with only 11% in Calgary. There was no statistically significant difference in the LOS or probability of a PSI between the 2 centers (LOS for Edmonton vs Calgary:16 vs 13 days, P = .12; PSIs for Edmonton vs Calgary: 60%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50-0.71 vs 44%, 95% CI = 0.29-0.59, P = .08). Limitations: This study was conducted using administrative data and is limited by variable availability. The small sample size limited precision of estimated differences between type of postoperative care. Conclusions: Following SPK transplantation, we found no difference in inpatient outcomes for recipients who received routine postoperative ICU care compared with ward care. Further research using larger data sets and interventional study designs is needed to better understand the implications of postoperative care settings on patient outcomes and health care resource utilization.

scholarly journals Playing SAFMEDS and Its Influence on the Vocabulary Learning of Hotel Department Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Hardianti Hardianti ◽  
Haryanto Atmowardoyo ◽  
Kisman Salija
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Core Material ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Vocational High School ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High School Classroom

Playing Say All Fast Minute Every Day Shuffled (SAFMEDS), a set of cards containing details in both sides of the cards, has successfully helped many training of fluency and vocabulary development abroad (Quigley (2004); Kubina, Yurich, Durica, & Healy (2015); Beverly, Huge, & Hastings (2016)). However, none of them conducted their researches in the context of vocative education, and focused on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) or English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Thus, by intentionally opening the chance of adapting and transforming SAFMEDS to be applied in vocational high school classroom, the researcher conducted this study to find out whether or not there was any significant difference between the use of SAFMEDS and wordlist in vocabulary learning of two hotel department classrooms, and what are the aspects of vocabulary that might be highly influenced by SAFMEDS itself. This study was conducted purposively in the second grade of hotel department of SMK Negeri 3 Luwuk in the first term of 2017/2018 academic year. An English vocabulary test was administered to collect quantitative data by focusing on playing SAFMEDS containing hotel department terminologies as the core material. Through quasi-experimental research design, the analysis of quantitative data showed that there was a significant difference between the mean score of the students who were learning vocabulary by using SAFMEDS and the mean score of the students who were learning vocabulary by using wordlist. As for the second research question, the researcher found that the aspect of vocabulary which was dominantly affected by the use of SAFMEDS was the aspect of vocabulary in term of form.

A debate about implementing immersive technology for higher education: Pre-study examining the usability of virtual reality for lectures

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-571
Author(s):  
Matej Hopp ◽  
Sandra Pfiel ◽  
René Mario Schuster ◽  
Florian Tiefenbacher ◽  
Michael Reiner
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences

BACKGROUND: As the COVID-pandemic has shown, the need for innovative (digitalized) solutions is in high demand across almost every field of interest. The implementation of advanced technologies in higher education provides an intriguing opportunity to expand its scope by reaching new audiences as well as ensuring a high quality of learning outcome. OBJECTIVE: In this article we tried to examine if virtual reality can be a suitable option by placing lectures into a virtual setup. METHODS: First, we explored the theoretical background if and how virtual reality has been adapted for usage in higher education. We then asked five lecturers from the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems to test a virtual environment (Mozilla Hubs) and evaluate the platform for their teaching purposes. RESULTS: Among one of the results was, that 80 percent would recommend using the platform for lectures to their colleagues. Due to the small sample size the findings need to be further evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: In the foreseeable future virtual reality will become a valuable teaching assistance in higher education. Findings show that the response rate when training with virtual reality applications is much higher than to common studying methods.

scholarly journals Nutritional Support and Clinical Outcome of Severe and Critical Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangfeng Yue ◽  
Min Li ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Xinyi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Intake ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Nutrition Support ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Critical Patients

Background: In 2020, a novel coronavirus has spread throughout the world. More than four hundred thousand people have died of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, most of which were severe and critical patients. No effective antiviral treatment has been verified thus far. Nutrition support has become one of the important treatments for severe and critical patients.Methods: In this retrospective study, 26 severe patients and 22 critical patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled. We recorded the diet and nutritional treatments in severe and critical patients. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of severe and critical patients were also collected.Results: Average calorie intake of severe patients (19.3 kcal/kg/d) was higher than critical patients (15.3 kcal/kg/d) (P = 0.04). Protein intake was similar in the two groups (0.65 and 0.62 g/kg per day, respectively; P = 0.29). There was no significant difference in the median duration of viral shedding between the severe and critical patients (P = 0.354).Conclusions: A permissive underfeeding strategy that restricts non-protein calories but preserves protein intake is feasible for critical patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Viral shedding duration of critical patients was the same as severe patients who received standard feeding. Nevertheless, evidence of the conclusion is not sufficient because of small sample size. To show the real clinical benefit of permissive low-calorie and adequate protein intake in critical SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients, a large and pragmatic randomized controlled trial is needed.

scholarly journals Survival of patients with melanoma metastatic brain metastases in the era of novel systemic therapies in Cardiff, Wales

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv13-iv13
Author(s):  
Joseph Pasquale ◽  
Joanita Ocen ◽  
James Powell ◽  
Satish Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Brain Lesion ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Simultaneous Treatment ◽  
Local Progression ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Retrospective Nature ◽  
The Uk

Abstract The incidence of malignant melanoma (MM) is increasing in the UK; it’s projected to rise by 7% by 2035. MM has high predisposition to developing brain metastases (BM) with 50–60% of patients being affected. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and surgery, key interventions in managing patients with BM, have been shown to improve survival outcomes of patients. Patients’ prognosis and survival has also significantly improved with the advent of novel therapies in the last few years. It was noted that the Cardiff Neuro-Oncology multidisciplinary team were receiving increasing amount of referrals for consideration of surgery or SRS in patients with MM. 106 MDT referrals were retrospectively reviewed. 31 patients had surgery, 20 patients had SRS and the remaining 54 patients had WBRT. There was no significant difference in the patient distribution. The majority of patients had 1 brain lesion in both groups (in similar proportions). The 12 month survival for the surgical cohort was 65% for immunotherapy group, 55%- targeted therapy and 30%- no therapy. For the SRS group the 12 month survival for immunotherapy was 45%, targeted therapy- 40% and 20%- no therapy. The median OS for surgery versus SRS was 8 and 7 months respectively. The results suggest that simultaneous treatment with surgery or SRS in conjunction with SACT does improve survival. Interpretation of results will have to be taken with caution due to the retrospective nature and the small sample size. Going forward, we will delve deeper and review local progression rates and SACT timing/sequencing in our practice.

scholarly journals Acupuncture for Chronic Pain-Related Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Fushui Liu ◽  
Jianyu You ◽  
Qi Li ◽  
Ting Fang ◽  
Mei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Cure Rate ◽  
Significant Difference

Objectives. Acupuncture has been widely used to relieve chronic pain-related insomnia (CPRI). However, the efficacy of acupuncture for CPRI is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for CPRI. Methods. Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if acupuncture was compared to sham acupuncture or conventional drug therapies for treating CPRI. Two reviewers screened each study and extracted data independently. Statistical analyses were conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. Results. A total of nine studies involving 944 patients were enrolled. The pooled analysis indicated that acupuncture treatment was significantly better than control group in improving effective rate (OR = 8.09, 95%CI = [4.75, 13.79], P < 0.00001) and cure rate (OR = 3.17, 95%CI = [2.35, 4.29], P < 0.00001), but subgroup analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture in improving cure rate (OR =10.36, 95% CI [0.53, 201.45], P=0.12) based on one included study. In addition, meta-analysis demonstrated that acupuncture group was superior to control group in debasing PSQI score (MD = -2.65, 95%CI = [-4.00, -1.30], P = 0.0001) and VAS score (MD = -1.44, 95%CI = [-1.58, -1.29], P < 0.00001). And there was no significant difference in adverse events (OR =1.73, 95%CI = [0.92, 3.25], P =0.09) between the two groups. Conclusions. Acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for CPRI, and this treatment can be recommended for the management of patients with CPRI. Due to the low quality and small sample size of the included studies, more rigorously designed RCTs with high quality and large sample size are recommended in future.

scholarly journals Interfraction Variation and Dosimetric Changes in Patients With Cervical Cancer Treated With Intracavitary Brachytherapy

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jayson L. Co ◽  
Maureen R. Bojador ◽  
Michael Benedict A. Mejia ◽  
Teresa T. Sy Ortin ◽  
Domingo E. Ganzon
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Dwell Time ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Intracavitary Brachytherapy ◽  
Source Position ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Planning Software ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose Intracavitary brachytherapy is integral in the treatment of cervical cancer. Because of interfraction variation, the current standard is replanning with every fraction. This study aimed to determine whether there was a difference in relative dosimetry if the source position and dwell time of the first fraction were applied to subsequent fractions. Materials and Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of charts and films from 2007 to 2012. Eligible cases were patients with cervical cancer treated with brachytherapy with the same dose prescription to point A. Replanning was done on the first set of orthogonal plates. Source position and dwell time were subsequently applied to the remaining fractions using actual films. Results Twenty-nine patients were included in this study. The results showed that cervical, rectal, and bladder dose between the actual plan and the hypothetical plan were not statistically different. In the hypothetical plan, the source activity and dwell time of the first plan were applied to the orthogonal films of the subsequent fractions and showed no significant difference in all dose points. Conclusion The results of this study showed proof of concept of the safety of using the source position and dwell time of the first plan for subsequent fractions. Until further studies are performed (also using three-dimensional planning software), the concept should be considered investigational because of the small sample size of the study. Until such research is performed, it is still strongly recommended that replanning be performed with every fraction whenever it is feasible.

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