Validation and usability of AIDMED  - telemedical system for cardiological  and pulmonary diseases

A study was carried out in six beet sugar factories in France during the 2012/13 sugar campaign. The objective was to assess the optimal dosage of formaldehyde solutions at specific process stages and in different existing factory set-ups in order to obtain the desired effect on microbial populations, without interference with the quality of the products. In addition harmlessness regarding consumer health was to be demonstrated. A series of experiments was conducted resulting in new data allowing refreshment of common knowledge and references existing regarding the use of formaldehyde solutions in the sugar industry. The effectiveness and convenience for controlling microbiological activity in beet sugar manufacture was assessed. Formaldehyde reduces sugar losses and protects in-process products without harming their further use, such as for ethanol production.

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Stuttering mHealth Applications: A Qualitative Rubric Assessment (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25914 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Fazwa M. Fadzilah ◽

Noreen Izza Arshad ◽

Izuddin Zainal-Abidin ◽

Hui Min Low ◽

Ahmad Kamil Mahmood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Evidence ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Standard Form ◽

Mobile App ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Evaluation Instrument ◽

Collective Effort ◽

Speech Therapists

BACKGROUND Mobile applications (apps) that offer a variety of techniques to improve stuttering have been flourishing in the digital marketplace. In evidence-based clinical practice, speech therapists will recommend audio-enriched mobile apps to individuals with stuttering problems based on empirical research evidence. Unfortunately, many stuttering mobile apps available in the market are developed without a substantial research base. Hence, speech therapists necessitate a guideline which they could use to assess the quality of a stuttering mobile app before recommending the app to stutterers. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to develop a rubric for assessing the quality of the stuttering mobile app in assisting speech therapists to make informed recommendations METHODS The rubric was initially developed based on a set of criteria reviewed from the literature. Online surveys and focused group discussion were then conducted for results verification. RESULTS The outcome of this study is a rubric designed with four categories and 18-evaluative dimensions tailored to analyze the quality of stuttering mobile apps. The stuttering mobile app assessment rubric presented in the serve multiple purposes, including an evaluation instrument, providing guidelines for developing stuttering mobile apps and for creating a standard form that can be shared with professionals to facilitate a collective effort. CONCLUSIONS This rubric also offers a guidance to steer drive the future development of stuttering mobile apps that are evidence-based, and theoretically grounded

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A mobile app for tracking non-motor symptoms of people with Parkinson’s disease: A usability study

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3284 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 890-890

Author(s):

JuHee Lee ◽

Yujin Suh ◽

Yielin Kim

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Tracking System ◽

Smart Phone ◽

Telephone Counseling ◽

Mobile App ◽

Motor Symptoms ◽

Hand Tremor ◽

Non Motor Symptoms

Abstract Smart phone-based technology for people with Parkinson’s disease has been developed worldwide. Unmonitored non-motor symptoms decrease quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease, so the needs for technology to manage non-motor symptoms are increasing. The technology is needed to detect subtle changes in non-motor symptoms by healthcare professional. There is no mobile app which manage comprehensive symptoms of Parkinson’s disease including non-motor symptoms. It is necessary to develop a new tracking system that can effectively manage non-motor symptoms as well as motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. We developed a prototype of mobile app for Android smartphones, with cooperation with Mazelone company. we also have shaped functions for monitoring of motor symptoms and medication adherence. It also provided a section for caregivers to use on behalf of people with Parkinson’s disease who have difficulty to use app due to hand tremor. Through Delphi technique, we obtained content validity from eight medical and nursing experts on the contents of the application. We provided regular telephone counseling to improve and encourage their app usage. Fifteen participants used the app for 6 weeks. To evaluate usability of mobile app, we provided constructed questionnaire and conducted individual telephone interview. A mobile app for tracking non-motor symptoms demonstrated high usability and satisfaction. We learned lessons about facilitators and barriers when implementing an app such as perception and acceptance of mobile technology. The mobile app will improve continuum of care. Future studies need to improve the contents and refine technical approach for people with Parkinson’s disease.

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A Machine Vision Rapid Method to Determine the Ripeness Degree of Olive Lots

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21092940 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 2940

Author(s):

Luciano Ortenzi ◽

Simone Figorilli ◽

Corrado Costa ◽

Federico Pallottino ◽

Simona Violino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Vision ◽

Nearest Neighbors ◽

Calibration Method ◽

Mobile App ◽

Harvest Time ◽

Automatic Assessment ◽

K Nearest Neighbors ◽

Olive Ripeness ◽

Olive Ripening

The degree of olive maturation is a very important factor to consider at harvest time, as it influences the organoleptic quality of the final product, for both oil and table use. The Jaén index, evaluated by measuring the average coloring of olive fruits (peel and pulp), is currently considered to be one of the most indicative methods to determine the olive ripening stage, but it is a slow assay and its results are not objective. The aim of this work is to identify the ripeness degree of olive lots through a real-time, repeatable, and objective machine vision method, which uses RGB image analysis based on a k-nearest neighbors classification algorithm. To overcome different lighting scenarios, pictures were subjected to an automatic colorimetric calibration method—an advanced 3D algorithm using known values. To check the performance of the automatic machine vision method, a comparison was made with two visual operator image evaluations. For 10 images, the number of black, green, and purple olives was also visually evaluated by these two operators. The accuracy of the method was 60%. The system could be easily implemented in a specific mobile app developed for the automatic assessment of olive ripeness directly in the field, for advanced georeferenced data analysis.

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Construction of first-class university course based on artificial intelligence and neural network algorithm

Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems ◽

10.3233/jifs-189506 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Yingli Duan

Keyword(s):

Neural Network ◽

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Vocational Training ◽

Network Algorithms ◽

Teaching Efficiency ◽

Neural Network Algorithm ◽

Solid Foundation ◽

University Level ◽

University Course

Curriculum is the basis of vocational training, its development level and teaching efficiency determine the realization of vocational training objectives, as well as the quality and level of major vocational academic training. Therefore, the development of curriculum is an important issue. And affect the school’s teaching capacity building. The analysis of the latest developments in the main courses shows that there are some deviations or irrationalities in the curriculum in some colleges and universities, and the general problems of understanding the latest courses, such as lack of solid foundation in curriculum setting, unclear direction of objectives, unclear reform ideas, inadequate and systematic construction measures, lack of attention to the quality of education. This paper explains the rules for the establishment of first-level courses, clarifies the ideas and priorities of architecture, and explores strategies for building university-level courses using knowledge of artificial intelligence and neural network algorithms in order to gain experience from them.

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Is digital always better? Comparing two English print dictionaries with their digital counterparts

International Journal of Lexicography ◽

10.1093/ijl/ecaa016 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Emma Ferrett ◽

Stefan Dollinger

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Mobile App ◽

User Friendliness ◽

Digital Medium ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Oxford University ◽

Relevant Question ◽

Market Leader ◽

Oxford University Press

Abstract In this paper we discuss advantages and disadvantages of e-dictionaries over print dictionaries in order to answer one increasingly relevant question: is digital always better? We compare the e-content from Oxford University Press and Merriam-Webster flagship dictionaries against their most recent print counterparts. The resulting data shows that the move from print to digital, against popular perception, results in a loss of lexicographical detail and scope. After assessing the user-friendliness of the e-dictionaries’ sites in both desktop and mobile app formats, we conclude that Merriam-Webster currently utilizes the digital medium somewhat better, while Oxford University Press is the current market leader in collaborations with tech giants such as Google. Most crucially, however, both companies have yet to devise and implement optimal ways to balance advertising noise and lexicographical content. Finally, we compare the virtual popularity of e-dictionaries according to their social media efforts and product partnerships. The greatest problem e-dictionaries currently face is that content does routinely change in unspecified and even undocumented ways. Despite these significant disadvantages, the convenience of mobile online accessibility appears to outweigh the concern with the reliability and quality of content.

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THE RULE OF COMBINING A PRIORI AND EXPERIMENTAL INFORMATION IN THE TASKS OF MANAGING TESTS OF COMPLEX TECHNICAL PRODUCTS ACCORDING TO THE BERNOULLI SCHEME

Vestnik komp iuternykh i informatsionnykh tekhnologii ◽

10.14489/vkit.2020.12.pp.003-013 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 3-13

Author(s):

Yu. I. Buryak ◽

A. A. Skrynnikov

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

A Priori ◽

Field Tests ◽

Experimental Information ◽

Full Scale ◽

Testing Complex ◽

Series Of Experiments ◽

Full Scale Tests ◽

Technical Products

The article is devoted to the substantiation of the procedure for testing complex technical systems to assess the probability of performing the task, taking into account a priori data obtained from the results of modeling, field tests of components and prototypes, operation of analogues, etc. The conditions for the formation of a combined sample consisting of field experiments and experiments counted on the results of modeling are justified. Data uniformity is checked using the Student's criterion. The minimum volume of full-scale tests is determined by the requirement of equality of the amount of Fischer information about the estimated parameter obtained during full-scale tests and at the expense of a priori data A strategy for conducting field experiments is proposed, in which the required quality of evaluating the probability of completing the task is achieved with the minimum possible number of field experiments. At the first stage, a series of experiments with a volume equal to half of the required sample size is performed. At the second stage, the experiments are conducted sequentially with an assessment after each experiment of the requirements for the amount of information about the evaluated parameter and for the uniformity of data. Experiments are terminated when the specified requirements are met, and then a combined sample is formed, which is used to evaluate the probability of the system performing the task. A model example is considered. The estimation of the gain in the number of experiments performed at different probability values was carried out.

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Improving the Perception of Patient-Centered Wellness in a Virtual Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice ◽

10.1891/jdnp-d-20-00078 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. JDNP-D-20-00078

Author(s):

Sybilla Myers ◽

Christopher Kennedy

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Decision Making ◽

Shared Decision Making ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Well Being ◽

Mobile App ◽

Shared Decision ◽

Patient Centered ◽

The Social

BackgroundPerceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is fundamental to well-being and is a meaningful way to measure physical and mental health.Local ProblemNo standard method exists for measuring perceived HRQOL during the COVID-19 pandemic in participants as they attempt to improve their self-determined wellness goals. An implementation plan that considers the social distancing limitations imposed can be used to predict an individual’s likelihood of long-term success.MethodsDuring the four, 2-week plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles, the Social Cognitive Theory model informed the implementation of the four core interventions. To guide iterative changes, the data was analyzed through Excel and run charts.InterventionsThe four core interventions were the shared decision-making tool (SDMT), health mobile app tool (HMAT), wellness tracker tool (WTT), and the team engagement plan.ResultsAmong 28 participants, perceived quality of life increased by 70%, engagement in shared decision-making increased to 82%, app use and confidence increased to 85%, and goal attainment reached 81%.ConclusionsThe SDMT, health app, and wellness tracker created a methodical plan of accountability for increasing participant wellness. The contextual barrier of the COVID-19 pandemic added a negative wellness burden which was mitigated by creating a patient-centered culture of wellness.

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P–478 Quality of life assessment in women undergoing assisted reproduction. A study of FertiQol and HADS

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

N Figueras-Puigderrajols ◽

A Ballesteros ◽

D Guerra

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Mobile App ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Gamete Donation

Abstract Study question The present study aims to explore infertility-related psychosocial outcomes, including fertility quality of life (QoL), as well as anxiety and depression levels, in women diagnosed with infertility. Summary answer Differences on fertility-related QoL appeared when comparing treatment types (gamete donation vs own gamete). Furthermore, statistically significant associations were found between QoL and anxious-depressive symptomatology. What is known already Those who wish to have children and do not achieve their objective just like other peers can see their goals and expectations with pessimism, generating concern and a series of negative emotions. Several psychological implications of infertility have been described, such as increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, decreased self-esteem, mood and hope, or poor relationship adjustment. The emotional impact of infertility in people’s life cycle can be so strong that reducing it only to biological aspects would lead to a dangerous situation of neglect. For this reason, QoL assessment in ART becomes an important need. Study design, size, duration FertiQol stands as the most widely used tool to assess infertility-related QoL, overcoming the limitations of other instruments that only target specific medical conditions. The present is a multi-site cross-sectional study over patients with infertility (n = 104), aiming to explore their fertility-QoL, as well as their anxiety and depression levels, which are symptoms that have been previously associated.Questionnaire administration, and sociodemographic and medical data gathering took place between January 2019 and December 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants were 104 female patients (M.age= 39.8) undergoing or expecting a fertility treatment. The FertiQol Spanish version was administered through mobile app, and its paper version distributed at medical/psychological appointments. QoL was self-reported through FertiQol, assessing the influence of infertility problems in various areas (e.g. impact on self-esteem, emotions, general health, family, partners, social relationships, work, life projects...). Additionally, HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) was provided as a measurement of anxiety and depression levels. Main results and the role of chance Regarding treatments, 50.6% of participants were currently undergoing gamete donation while 44.3% were undergoing treatments that involved using their own gametes. After comparing QoL between these treatment types, results showed that patients who underwent egg donation, compared to those who used their own eggs, reported statistically significantly lower scores of QoL in the Social Subscale (p = .03), but not in the other psychological outcomes. Also, statistically significant negative correlations were found between HADS and all core FertiQol subscales (p< .05). Results are consistent with previous studies showing similar associations between fertility QoL and anxiety and depression, as well as with increased psychological negative implications of gamete donation. The majority of participants reported non-pathological scores of anxiety and depression when considering the cut off value of 8 for HADS, thus suggesting the presence of a relatively healthy sample. The number of treatments that patients had previously taken and the years of infertility were not associated with any of the psychological variables. Limitations, reasons for caution Some limitations to consider are presence of co-morbid diagnosis, differences in medication, or patient’s cultural backgrounds.Also, conclusions should be interpreted cautiously since the design doesn’t allow causal inferences. Further investigations should consider a continuous assessment to explore changes in psychological well-being at different points of intervention, specially with gamete donation. Wider implications of the findings: The great advantage we’ve seen so far when using FertiQol is the possibility to identify more accurately the true impact on other aspects of patient’s well-being besides the emotional area.ART professionals, including psychologists and counselors,will have more information within a small amount of time about QoL when using this tool. Trial registration number 1503-BCN–019-DG

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Two concepts of community in the Niger Delta

Journal of Place Management and Development ◽

10.1108/jpmd-01-2017-0003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 254-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nwamaka Okeke-Ogbuafor ◽

Tim Gray ◽

Selina Stead

Keyword(s):

Sense Of Place ◽

Niger Delta ◽

Quantitative Data ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Strong Sense ◽

Content Type ◽

Solid Foundation ◽

Attachment To Place ◽

Poor Communities

Purpose This paper aims to understand what two apparently contrasting concepts of communality and place attachment say about the quality of community life in the Niger Delta. Design/methodology/approach The research for this paper relied on extensive qualitative and quantitative data: qualitative data were collected from five oil-rich and three oil-poor communities across Ogoniland, while quantitative data were collected from four of these communities. Thematic content analysis was used to interpret the qualitative data, while the quantitative data were analysed through Excel. Findings Most participants from both oil-rich and oil-poor communities strongly reject a social sense of communality and strongly endorse a geographical sense of place. Practical implications The wider implication of this finding is that proponents of community development (CD) have a choice between either the cynical option of noting that Ogoni’s strong sense of place means that they will tolerate limited CD, or the noble option of noting that Ogoni’s strong sense of place is a solid foundation on which to build sustainable CD by empowering citizens to create their own future. Originality/value The originality of this study is twofold. First, it shows the complexity of people’s sense of community encompassing widely different and possibly contradictory elements. Second, it reveals the strength and persistence of people’s attachment to place despite its physical shortcomings.

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