Crowdsourced Knowledge Acquisition

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Sabou ◽  
Arno Scharl ◽  
Michael Föls
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Domain Knowledge ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Noisy Input ◽  
Games With A Purpose ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Acquisition Processes ◽  
Collaboration Platforms

Novel social media collaboration platforms, such as games with a purpose and mechanised labour marketplaces, are increasingly used for enlisting large populations of non-experts in crowdsourced knowledge acquisition processes. Climate Quiz uses this paradigm for acquiring environmental domain knowledge from non-experts. The game’s usage statistics and the quality of the produced data show that Climate Quiz has managed to attract a large number of players but noisy input data and task complexity led to low player engagement and suboptimal task throughput and data quality. To address these limitations, the authors propose embedding the game into a hybrid-genre workflow, which supplements the game with a set of tasks outsourced to micro-workers, thus leveraging the complementary nature of games with a purpose and mechanised labour platforms. Experimental evaluations suggest that such workflows are feasible and have positive effects on the game’s enjoyment level and the quality of its output.

Does Augmented Reality Also Augment Knowledge Acquisition? Augmented Reality Compared to Reading in Learning About the Human Digestive System?

2022 ◽  
pp. 073563312110629
Author(s):  
Joerg Zumbach ◽  
Lena von Kotzebue ◽  
Constanze Pirklbauer
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Domain Knowledge ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Human Digestive System ◽  
Meta Analyses

Augmented Reality (AR) has become an emerging educational technology in classroom practice and science education. While most research and contemporary meta-analyses reveal benefits with regard to knowledge acquisition and motivation of Augmented Reality–based learning environments, most of the studies lack a clear and fair control condition. In this research, we compared an AR-based learning environment with a paper-based learning environment for self-directed learning about the human digestive system. In an experiment, we examined the effects of these two conditions for knowledge acquisition, cognitive load, and experience of flow and immersion. Results reveal significantly higher outcomes in favor of the text-based instruction with regard to conceptual domain knowledge and mental representation of the human digestive system and its involved organs. Positive effects of the AR learning environment are limited to a higher experience of immersion.

scholarly journals A Comparison of the Effect of Two Types of Whole Body Vibration Platforms on Fibromyalgia. A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3007
Author(s):  
José Antonio Mingorance ◽  
Pedro Montoya ◽  
José García Vivas Miranda ◽  
Inmaculada Riquelme
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Whole Body Vibration ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Therapy Program

Whole body vibration has been proven to improve the health status of patients with fibromyalgia, providing an activation of the neuromuscular spindles, which are responsible for muscle contraction. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two types of whole body vibrating platforms (vertical and rotational) during a 12-week training program. Sixty fibromyalgia patients (90% were women) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group A (n = 20), who performed the vibration training with a vertical platform; group B (n = 20), who did rotational platform training; or a control group C (n = 20), who did not do any training. Sensitivity measures (pressure pain and vibration thresholds), quality of life (Quality of Life Index), motor function tasks (Berg Scale, six-minute walking test, isometric back muscle strength), and static and dynamic balance (Romberg test and gait analysis) were assessed before, immediately after, and three months after the therapy program. Although both types of vibration appeared to have beneficial effects with respect to the control group, the training was more effective with the rotational than with vertical platform in some parameters, such as vibration thresholds (p < 0.001), motor function tasks (p < 0.001), mediolateral sway (p < 0.001), and gait speed (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, improvements disappeared in the follow-up in both types of vibration. Our study points out greater benefits with the use of rotational rather than vertical whole body vibration. The use of the rotational modality is recommended in the standard therapy program for patients with fibromyalgia. Due to the fact that the positive effects of both types of vibration disappeared during the follow-up, continuous or intermittent use is recommended.

scholarly journals Management Accounting Systems, Top Management Teams, and Sustainable Knowledge Acquisition: Effects on Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 2132
Author(s):  
Andrés F. Ugalde Vásquez ◽  
David Naranjo-Gil
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Top Management Teams ◽  
Management Teams ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Management Accounting Systems ◽  
Acquisition Processes

Organizations are increasingly aware of the importance of managing the acquisition processes of new and sustainable knowledge, which allows them to increase performance. These knowledge-acquisition processes require top management teams to focus on the external environment to search for sustainable opportunities and initiatives. This spurs top teams to make strategic decisions that require more comprehensive managerial information, which is provided by management accounting systems. Our research analyzes how top management team composition facilitates the acquisition of new knowledge. Our management accounting paper also analyzes the mediating effect of the interactive use of management accounting systems (MASs) and their impact on sustainable firm performance. A survey was conducted among the main manufacturer firms in the Republic of Ecuador. Results were analyzed by using the partial least squares methodology, and they showed a positive effect for the interactive use of management accounting systems on sustainable knowledge-acquisition processes. Results also showed that knowledge acquisition increased firm performance through an interactive use of MASs.

Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions for Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 003435522110432
Author(s):  
Areum Han
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Mental Fatigue ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Meta Analyses

Objective: Mindfulness- and acceptance-based intervention (MABI) is an emerging evidenced-based practice, but no systematic review incorporating meta-analyses for MABIs in stroke survivors has been conducted. The objective of this systematic review was to measure the effectiveness of MABIs on outcomes in people with stroke. Method: Three electronic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, were searched to identify relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Data were extracted and combined in a meta-analysis with a random-effect model to compute the size of the intervention effect. Results: A total of 11 studies met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analyses found a small-to-moderate effect of MABIs on depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.12, 0.66]) and a large effect on mental fatigue (SMD = 1.22, 95% CI = [0.57, 1.87]). No statistically significant effect of MABIs on anxiety, quality of life, and mindfulness was found, but there was a trend in favor of MABIs overall. Conclusions: This meta-analysis found positive effects of MABIs on depressive symptoms and mental fatigue in stroke survivors, but future high-quality studies are needed to guarantee treatment effects of MABIs on varied outcomes in stroke survivors.

scholarly journals Efficacy of a perceptual and visual-motor skill intervention program for students with dyslexia

CoDAS ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natália Fusco ◽  
Giseli Donadon Germano ◽  
Simone Aparecida Capellini
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Dyslexia ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Perceptual Skills ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Group I ◽  
Visual Motor ◽  
Motor Skill Intervention

Purpose: To verify the efficacy of a perceptual and visual-motor skill intervention program for students with dyslexia. Methods: The participants were 20 students from third to fifth grade of a public elementary school in Marília, São Paulo, aged from 8 years to 11 years and 11 months, distributed into the following groups: Group I (GI; 10 students with developmental dyslexia) and Group II (GII; 10 students with good academic performance). A perceptual and visual-motor intervention program was applied, which comprised exercises for visual-motor coordination, visual discrimination, visual memory, visual-spatial relationship, shape constancy, sequential memory, visual figure-ground coordination, and visual closure. In pre- and post-testing situations, both groups were submitted to the Test of Visual-Perceptual Skills (TVPS-3), and the quality of handwriting was analyzed using the Dysgraphia Scale. Results: The analyzed statistical results showed that both groups of students had dysgraphia in pretesting situation. In visual perceptual skills, GI presented a lower performance compared to GII, as well as in the quality of writing. After undergoing the intervention program, GI increased the average of correct answers in TVPS-3 and improved the quality of handwriting. Conclusion: The developed intervention program proved appropriate for being applied to students with dyslexia, and showed positive effects because it provided improved visual perception skills and quality of writing for students with developmental dyslexia.

scholarly journals Neuromodulation for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Buhagiar ◽  
Melinda Fitzgerald ◽  
Jason Bell ◽  
Fiona Allanson ◽  
Carmela Pestell
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Brain

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) results from an external force to the head or body causing neurophysiological changes within the brain. The number and severity of symptoms can vary, with some individuals experiencing rapid recovery, and others having persistent symptoms for months to years, impacting their quality of life. Current rehabilitation is limited in its ability to treat persistent symptoms and novel approaches are being sought to improve outcomes following mTBI. Neuromodulation is one technique used to encourage adaptive neuroplasticity within the brain.Objective: To systematically review the literature on the efficacy of neuromodulation in the mTBI population.Method: A systematic review was conducted using Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES and EBM Review. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis reporting guidelines were used and a narrative review of the selected studies was completed. Fourteen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria which were published in English, investigating an adult sample and using a pre- and post-intervention design. Studies were excluded if they included non-mild TBI severities, pediatric or older adult populations.Results: Thirteen of fourteen studies reported positive reductions in mTBI symptomatology following neuromodulation. Specifically, improvements were reported in post-concussion symptom ratings, headaches, dizziness, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, general disability, cognition, return to work and quality of life. Normalization of working memory activation patterns, vestibular field potentials, hemodynamics of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and excessive delta wave activity were also seen. The studies reviewed had several methodological limitations including small, heterogenous samples and varied intervention protocols, limiting generalisability. Further research is required to understand the context in which neuromodulation may be beneficial.Conclusions: While these positive effects are observed, limitations included unequal representation of neuromodulation modalities in the literature, and lack of literature describing the efficacy of neuromodulation on the development or duration of persistent mTBI symptoms. Better clarity regarding neuromodulation efficacy could have a significant impact on mTBI patients, researchers, clinicians, and policy makers, facilitating a more productive post-mTBI population. Despite the limitations, the literature indicates that neuromodulation warrants further investigation. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020161279.

Innovative Utilization of a Borate Additive in Magnesium Production to Decrease Environmental Impact of Fluorides from Pidgeon Process

2013 ◽  
Vol 690-693 ◽  
pp. 378-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Lan Han ◽  
Qi Xing Yang ◽  
Lan Er Wu ◽  
Chun Du
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Magnesium Production ◽  
First Time ◽  
Pidgeon Process

The present authors have utilized, for the first time, H3BO3as an additive in pilot scale experiments of Mg production using Pidgeon process. The results from the experiments revealed positive effects of H3BO3on both quantity and quality of the Mg metal crowns. Besides acting as a catalyzer for MgO reduction, H3BO3stabilized also β-Ca2SiO4in the Mg slag. Based on these results, H3BO3may be adopted as an innovative additive replacing fluorite in the Mg production, to enhance sustainability and environmental soundness for the Pidgeon process in China.

scholarly journals Cross-cultural adaptation of the German version of the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease scale - Nursing Home version (QoL-AD NH)

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1399-1400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Nikolaus Dichter ◽  
Eva-Maria Wolschon ◽  
Gabriele Meyer ◽  
Sascha Köpke
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Us ◽  
Dementia Research ◽  
Almost All

Dementia is a chronic and currently incurable syndrome. Therefore, quality of life (QoL) is a major goal when caring for people with dementia (Gibson et al., 2010) and a major outcome in dementia research (Moniz-Cook et al., 2008). The measurement of QoL, especially proxy-rating, is challenging because of the proxy-perspective (Pickard and Knight, 2005), reliability (Dichter et al., 2016), validity (O'Rourke et al., 2015), and responsiveness (Perales et al., 2013). Probably due to these challenges, it has not been possible to show positive effects for QoL in almost all non-pharmacological interventions for people with dementia (Cooper et al., 2012). One recommended (Moniz-Cook et al., 2008) and frequently used instrument is the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease scale (QoL-AD), which was originally developed in the US for community-dwelling people with dementia. The QoL-AD consists of 13 items based on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from “1”=poor to “4”=excellent (Logsdon et al., 1999). The original instrument has been adapted for people living in nursing homes (NH) by Edelmann et al. (2005).

scholarly journals Once-a-day Tadalafil administration improves the spermogram parameters in fertile patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Corvasce ◽  
Giuseppe Albino ◽  
Teresa Leonetti ◽  
Agnese Filomena Buonomo ◽  
Ettore Cirillo Marucco
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Type A ◽  
Daily Treatment ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
Average Increase ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Semen Volume

Objectives: We explored the safety of Tadalafil once-daily treatment for 12 week and its effects on semen quality in a clinical subpopulation of men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). Patients and Methods: Twenty-seven men, between 19 and 35 years, unaware of their fertility status, suffering from psychogenic ED were enrolled. The examination of the seminal fluid was performed twice before administration of Tadalafil and twice after three months of continuous daily administration of Tadalafil 5 mg. The volume of the seminal fluid, the concentration of sperm, the concentration of sperm with type “a+b” motility, the concentration of sperm with type “a” motility, the concentration of normal sperm were taken into consideration. The results before treatment with Tadalafil (T0) and after 3 months of treatment (T3m) were compared. Results: The administration of once-daily Tadalafil 5mg, brings to an average increase of the total number of sperm cells, both total and fast motility (type a) and the percentage of nemasperms, and to an average increase of semen volume of only 0.41 ml. These quantitative and qualitative improvements of the seminal fluid resulted statistically significant as regard motility, nemasperm percentage and seminal fluid volume. No unespected safety findings were observed. Conclusions: Tadalafil administration improves the quality of sperm cells and seminal fluid: in particular motility, percentage of nemasperms and volume of seminal fluid. We emphasize the safety of the once-daily treatment with tadalafil 5mg and the positive effects on spermatogenesis.

scholarly journals Comparison of Quality of Life between Active and Inactive Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hassan Dashty Khavidaki ◽  
Mahmood Kamali Zarch ◽  
Naser Mohammadi Ahmadabadi ◽  
Haider Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cement Manufacturing

Introduction: Numerous important factors such as physical and mental condition affect the quality of life Job stress is one of the key factors in decreasing productivity in organizations. Given the positive effects of physical activity on quality of life, this study aimed to compare the quality of life between active and inactive workers (case study). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional comparative study.190 tile and cement-manufacturing workers who were eligible for the study were selected completely voluntarily, based on a convenience sampling. Of these, according to Beck questionnaire, 88 were selected in inactive and 64 in active groups; Weir and Sherborn questionnaire was used for assessing the quality of life (SF-36). For analysis the data, independent T-test and SPSS 23 software were used for analysis (P≤0.05). Results: The results showed that physical, psychological and quality of life components in the active group of cement factory workers were (p = 0.012) (p = 0.001) (p = 0.005) and tile workers (p = 0.012) (P = 0.005) (p = 0.014) was a significant and more compare to the inactive group, but there was no significant difference between active and inactive workers of the two tile and cement factories. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the positive role of exercise and physical activity on the quality of life of people working in cement and tile factories. It seems easier physical activity and sports are related to the quality of life of workers and have nothing to do with the workplace.  

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