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10.2196/29494 ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e29494
Author(s):  
Mohanraj Thirumalai ◽  
Nashira Brown ◽  
Soumya Niranjan ◽  
Sh'Nese Townsend ◽  
Mary Anne Powell ◽  
...  

Background Increased physical activity (PA) levels are associated with reduced risk and improved survival for several cancers; however, most Americans engage in less than the recommended levels of PA. Using interactive voice response (IVR) systems to provide personalized health education and counseling may represent a high-reach, low-cost strategy for addressing physical inactivity and cancer disparities in disproportionately burdened rural regions. However, there has been a paucity of research conducted in this area to date. Objective The aim of this study is to design, develop, and test the usability of an IVR system aimed at increasing PA levels in the rural Alabama Black Belt. Methods A pilot version of the IVR system was used to assess initial feasibility and acceptability. Detailed exit interviews were conducted to elicit participant feedback, which helped inform the development of a substantially upgraded in-house IVR system. This refined IVR system was then subjected to a sequential explanatory mixed methods evaluation. Participating rural county coordinators and research staff (N=10) tested the usability of the IVR system features for 2 weeks and then completed the System Usability Scale and qualitative semistructured interviews. Results The study sample comprised mostly African American people, women, rural county coordinators, and research staff (N=10). Participants rated the IVR system with a mean score of 81 (SD 5) on the System Usability Scale, implying excellent usability. In total, 5 overarching themes emerged from the qualitative interviews: likes or dislikes of the intervention, barriers to or facilitators of PA, technical difficulties, quality of calls, and suggestions for intervention improvement. Message framing on step feedback, call completion incentives, and incremental goal-setting challenges were areas identified for improvement. The positive areas highlighted in the interviews included the personalized call schedules, flexibility to call in or receive a call, ability to make up for missed calls, narration, and PA tips. Conclusions The usability testing and feedback received from the rural county coordinators and research staff helped inform a final round of refinement to the IVR system before use in a large randomized controlled trial. This study stresses the importance of usability testing of all digital health interventions and the benefits it can offer to the intervention.


Author(s):  
Enrique Orduña-Malea

Author publication guidelines (APG) are created by scientific journals to instruct authors when submitting manuscripts for publication. These documents include formal elements that articles must comply with for submission (e.g., format of references, document layout, word limit, and structure), as well as ethical aspects related to the scientific research or journal editorial policies. Despite the importance of these documents for research management, their clarity and quality vary among journals, causing frustration for research staff and financial expense for publishers. The objective of this study is to propose generic recommendations for publication guidelines and to classify the informative elements to be included in these documents. Resumen Las guías de publicación (GP) son documentos elaborados por las revistas con el fin de instruir a los autores a la hora de enviar un manuscrito para su publicación. A tal fin incluyen desde aspectos formales que deben cumplir los documentos para su envío (formato de las referencias bibliográficas, extensión, estructura, etc.) hasta información relativa a aspectos éticos del trabajo científico o políticas editoriales de las revistas. Pese a la importancia de estos documentos para la gestión de la investigación, su claridad y calidad son muy desiguales entre publicaciones, generando frustración al personal investigador y gastos económicos a las editoriales. El objetivo de este trabajo es proponer un decálogo de recomendaciones genéricas para la elaboración de guías de publicación, así como establecer una taxonomía de elementos informativos a incluir en estos documentos.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-63
Author(s):  
Jasreen Gill ◽  
Aaron Cook ◽  
Anja Kathrin Jaehne ◽  
Sheri Renaud ◽  
Jacqueline Day ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 988-989
Author(s):  
Leena Almasri ◽  
Barbara Carlson ◽  
Julie Myers ◽  
Rebecca Koszalinski ◽  
Melissa Franklin ◽  
...  

Abstract Recruiting nursing home residents as participants in research is challenging. In early 2021, Covid-19 cases rose rapidly in nursing homes, prompting the rapid deployment of infectious disease protocols and ultimately, facility lockdowns to control the spread of the virus. By September, 2020, many research projects were delayed or cancelled, and future research was jeopardized. During this period, as well as prior to and after the administration of the COVID vaccine, we enrolled residents in a complex protocol involving administration of two Shingles vaccines (0- and 90 days) and three separate blood samples. Here, we present the strategies we used to recruit 216 residents, from 23 homes, over a 9-month period. We faced many challenges. Our research staff faced weekly COVID-19 antigen tests prior to entering the facility, adhering to strict protocols on travel, as well as packaging of materials that entered and left the facility. N95 masks and face shields further made it difficult to communicate with residents. For homes, COVID protocols required residents to be transported to specified areas to meet with research staff. Daily monitoring of COVID and Shingrix vaccine symptoms became part of daily care. To minimize resident harm and interruption of workflow in nursing homes, we utilized principles of stakeholder engagement, healthcare leadership, infectious disease/immunology, and staff (research and nursing homes) empowerment. In the face of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic, we have gained the trust and commitment of these facilities; thus, establishing a sustainable partnership that is prepared for what comes next.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 103-103
Author(s):  
Brianna Morgan ◽  
Liza Behrens ◽  
Sonia Talwar ◽  
Emily Summerhayes ◽  
Mary Ersek ◽  
...  

Abstract We partnered with a national for-profit nursing home (NH) organization to test the acceptability and use of an advance care planning (ACP) website for people living with dementia using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Concurrently, the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted NHs and halted in-person research. We will present challenges, opportunities, and adaptations in site engagement, recruitment, and data collection. Initially, NHs were overwhelmed by pandemic efforts and research staff were unable to enter sites. We capitalized on time and available resources by beta-testing the website in a comparable population and designing surveys to elicit COVID-19’s impact on ACP. Once able, NH staff took on recruitment and data collection efforts intended for research staff. We supported NHs by pivoting to remote data collection, providing technology on site, and offering flexible communication. Flexibility is key in supporting site engagement, recruitment, and data collection and has implications for designing pragmatic RCTs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias Garcia-Pelegrin ◽  
Fay Clark ◽  
Rachael Miller (Harrison)

Animal cognition covers various mental processes including perception, learning, decision-making and memory, and animal behavior is often used as a proxy for measuring cognition. Animal cognition/behavior research has multiple benefits; it provides fundamental knowledge on animal biology and evolution but can also have applied conservation and welfare applications. Zoos provide an excellent yet relatively untapped resource for animal cognition research, because they house a wide variety of species - many of which are under threat - and allow close observation and relatively high experimental control compared to the wild. Multi-zoo collaboration leads to increased sample size and species representation, which in turn leads to more robust science. However, there are salient challenges associated with zoo-based cognitive research, which are subject-based (e.g., small sample sizes at single zoos, untrained/unhabituated subjects, site effects) and human-based (e.g., time restrictions, safety concerns, and perceptions of animals interacting with unnatural technology or apparatus). We aim to increase the understanding and subsequent uptake of animal cognition research in zoos, by transparently outlining the main benefits and challenges. Importantly, we use our own research (1) a study on novelty responses in hornbills, and (2) a multi-zoo collaboration called the ManyBirds project to demonstrate how challenges may be overcome. These potential options include using drop and go apparatuses that require no training, close human contact or animal separation. This article is aimed at zoo animal care and research staff, as well as external researchers interested in zoo-based studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 10767
Author(s):  
Otso Pietikäinen ◽  
Perttu Hämäläinen ◽  
Jaakko Lehtinen ◽  
Antti J. Karttunen

Virtual reality provides a powerful way to visualize the three-dimensional, atomic-level structures of molecules and materials. We present new virtual reality software for molecular modeling and for testing the use of virtual reality in organic chemistry education. The open-source software, named VRChem, was developed primarily for building, visualizing and manipulating organic molecules using a head-mounted virtual reality system. The design goal of the VRChem software was to create an easy-to-use and entertaining user experience for molecular modeling in virtual reality. We discuss the design and implementation of VRChem, together with real-life user experiences collected from students and academic research staff.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3038-3038
Author(s):  
Sherif M. Badawy ◽  
Lisa DiMartino ◽  
Donald Brambilla ◽  
Ana Baumann ◽  
Ebony Burns ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic blood disorder, which disproportionately impacts Black individuals. Hydroxyurea therapy prevents SCD-related complications; yet it is underutilized, which contributes to further health inequities. Mobile health (mHealth) apps for patients and providers have the potential to improve hydroxyurea adherence. Our objective was to use the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on implementation and effectiveness of patient and provider hydroxyurea (HU) mHealth apps (InCharge Health app and HU Toolbox app, respectively) in two large academic medical centers. Methods: Patient-level data (n=46) were collected between 11/2019-7/2020. Adherence was measured by calculating Percentage of Days Covered (PDC) from prescription records over 24 weeks before implementing the mHealth apps and during 12 and 24 weeks of implementation. As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce virus spread, both sites temporarily suspended non-emergent clinical activities. During implementation, Site A clinics shut down for approximately 2 months (3/2020-5/2020) and Site B clinics for 7 months (3/2020-10/2020). To better understand contextual factors associated with mHealth implementation, we purposively sampled participants according to app use level (high vs low) and conducted semi-structured interviews with adult SCD patients, providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants), administrators, and research staff between 6/2020 and 3/2021. Results: A total of 46 patients participated and contributed to the PDC hydroxyurea adherence data. Mean change in PDC, adjusted for baseline PDC, was greater at Site A than at Site B (12-weeks: difference = 16.59%, p=.01, Figure 1A; 24-weeks: difference = 15.08%, p=.01, Figure 1B). Eleven patients (mean age 26.2 years old, 64% males, 100% Black, 73% HbSS, 45% low app users) and 11 providers (mean age 36.7 years old, 73% females, 36% Black, 54.5% physicians, average 8 years in practice, 36% low app users) completed the semi-structured interviews across the 2 sites. Site B was more affected during the COVID-19 pandemic where patients had difficulty obtaining hydroxyurea and other challenges related to reaching their providers and clinic setting for non-urgent or emergent reasons. In addition, participants with lower baseline hydroxyurea adherence level, as measured by PDC, had a more remarkable improvement in their PDC values at 12 weeks (Figure 1C) and 24 weeks (Figure 1D) Additional qualitative data focused on the implementation process were collected from 3 administrators, and 4 research staff. Among patients, both high and low app users reported the pandemic was a barrier to getting needed care (e.g., difficulty getting to hospital/clinic) and obtaining hydroxyurea; this was particularly a concern among low app users at Site B. Among providers, all but 2 high app users reported the pandemic did not impact app use, but nearly all low users perceived the pandemic to be a barrier to using the provider app because fewer patients came to clinic for maintenance SCD visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low users also reported the pandemic would negatively impact continued use of the app. Administrators and research staff also said reduced in-person clinic visits were a barrier to app implementation. Conclusions: mHealth apps are promising tools for improving hydroxyurea adherence among adolescents and adults with SCD. Contextual data show that some patients who experienced challenges accessing healthcare during COVID-19 pandemic have also experienced challenges navigating mHealth implementation. A focus on removing barriers to mobile apps use during care disruptions will likely improve patient and provider mHealth apps implementation, and ultimately, reduce health inequities for this vulnerable population. Our findings suggest that strategies such as including an mHealth facilitator has the potential to help addressing some of these implementation challenges. Note: Sherif Badawy and Lisa DiMartino are co-first authors with equal contribution Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Badawy: Sanofi Genzyme: Consultancy; Bluebird Bio Inc: Consultancy; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc: Consultancy. Shah: Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy; CSL Behring: Consultancy; Emmaus: Consultancy; GBT: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; GLG: Consultancy; Guidepoint Global: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Hankins: Bluebird Bio: Consultancy; UpToDate: Consultancy; Vindico Medical Education: Consultancy; Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (05) ◽  
pp. 569-578
Author(s):  
RALUCA MARIA AILENI ◽  
LAURA CHIRIAC ◽  
RAZVAN ION RADULESCU

This paper presents an overview of training/learning tools for advanced textile research centres in Morocco and Jordan. Within the Erasmus+ FOSTEX project, the main courses necessary for the training of researchers and students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs in Morocco and Jordan and who will work within the advanced research centres have been identified and selected. Starting from good European practices on learning, teaching, research and testing services, several courses have been structured that offer knowledge on international conformity certification, standardization, quality management, testing/inspection, labelling, integration of technical specifications, testing physical-mechanical, colour resistance testing, tests specific to instrumental analysis and development of advanced materials. In order to improve the skills of human resources (research staff, masters and doctoral students), the Erasmus+ FOSTEX consortium has developed an extensive toolkit of learning-training, thematic workshops and services appropriate to the equipment purchased by partners in Morocco and Jordan for research centres in the field of advanced textiles.


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