The characteristics of breast cancer research using big data analysis techniques: recurrence gene study or utilization behavior of hospital but sample statistic error

Breast cancer is a major cause of female death, and various big data analysis methods have been applied to breast cancer. This study lists cases in which big data analysis was applied to breast cancer research. In addition, statistics and percentages from each specific sample were proposed. However, research on the use of big data has a blind spot that relies on sample characteristics. Therefore, before sampling big data, statistical inference should be discussed more precisely through pre-examination and sample statistical errors should be reduced by professional statistical evaluation of the analysis method.

What factors predict physicians' utilization behavior of contrast-enhanced ultrasound? Evidence from the integration of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Technology Acceptance Model using a structural equation modeling approach

Background The promotion of early diagnosis is undoubtedly effective in reducing the burden of disease. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a diagnostic technology for liver cancer, but its implementation faces some challenges. Understanding the influencing factors of CEUS utilization is crucial for its successful implementation. However, such research is rare. The aims of this study were to investigate the status of CEUS utilization and its predictors in China. Methods Through multistage random sampling, a cross-sectional study design was conducted among physicians in charge of direct use of CEUS working at liver disease-related departments of sampled health institutions. To access the potential influencing factors of physicians' CEUS utilization, a structured questionnaire was developed based on the theoretical model, which was developed by integration of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Structural equation modeling was used to verify the proposed hypotheses, and analyze the relationship and mechanism between the factors. Results A total of 309 physicians were enrolled. The mean score of utilization behavior was 2.04 (SD = 1.07), and 37.22% above the mean. The favorable fitting results demonstrated that the integration of TAM and TPB was an acceptable model. SEM results also identified physicians’ intentions to use CEUS was directly associated with utilization behavior (β = 0.287, P < 0.001). Attitude (β = 0.272, P < 0.001), subjective norm (β = 0.172, P = 0.013), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.491, P < 0.001) and perceived usefulness (β = 0.108, P = 0.027) significantly influenced physicians’ intentions. Besides, subjective norm (β = 0.065, P = 0.021), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.141, P = 0.003), and perceived ease of use (β = 0.022, P = 0.033) indirectly affected physicians’ CEUS utilization. Conclusions The findings provide a reference for understanding the factors associated with physicians' utilization of CEUS. Additionally, the proposed measures such as building innovative and incentive environment, providing high quality and adequate training, etc., will help promote the utilization of CEUS, thereby increasing the detection rate of liver cancer, and improving the survival rate and the quality of life for liver cancer patients.

Laypeople’s Online Health Information Search Strategy and Utilization for Health-Related Problems: Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

BACKGROUND With the increase of utilizing the Internet to search health information for health-related problems, there is a necessary for health care professionals to better understand how their patients search and utilize the online health information which may influence their medical decision-making. OBJECTIVE The purposes of this study were to explore laypeople’s online health information search strategies and examine the relations between their search strategies and utilization behavior of online health information. METHODS Two scales namely “match” and “elaboration” were utilized to measure patients’ basic search strategy (i.e., simple approach) and advanced search strategy (i.e., metacognitive and integrative approach), respectively. In addition, the “consultation” scale was employed to evaluate participants’ utilization of online health information to consult doctors and others. A total sample of 253 outpatients without university education were purposely selected and surveyed. The participants were outpatients at a university-affiliated teaching hospital. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted with structural equation modeling (SEM) to validate the instruments. In addition, the hierarchical regression analysis was employed to examine the correlations between variables and execute the interaction and curvilinear analysis. RESULTS The results of regression analysis showed both elaboration search strategy (ꞵ = 0.61, p < 0.001) and match strategy (ꞵ = 0.29, p < 0.001) were positively correlated to consultation on online health information with doctors and others. In addition, the interaction and curvilinear analyses indicated that there were significant interaction effect between elaboration and match on consultation (ꞵ = -0.34, p < 0.001) and significant curvilinear relationship between match and consultation (ꞵ = -0.12, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increasing patients’ exposure to online health information through both simple search approach (i.e., match strategy) and complex search approach (i.e., elaboration strategy) may lead them to appropriately utilize the information to consult doctors and others. However, the elaboration approach was more recommended rather than match approach since the former may result in more desirable utilization behavior of online health information. The results of this study may help healthcare professionals better understand how to communicate with their patients through the online health information.

PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION SOURCES IN MEETING INFORMATION NEEDS OF RICE GROWERS IN NEPAL

A study was done to assess the effectiveness of different information sources in meeting information needs and utilization behavior of rice growers in western midhills of Nepal, taking 101 sample households. Survey design with a structured questionnaire was used for data collection under the pragmatic paradigm of social research. The study showed that 30 percent of farmers were high information seekers while about 59 percent were utilizing information highly implying that most farmers were using the information highly though they don't seek information by themselves. Input management and climatic information were highly sought and utilized. Though fellow and contact farmers were the more used source of information, however, respondents felt that extension personnel and agro-vets were more credible. An assessment of the effective index showed that fellow farmers were highly effective followed by extension personnel and agro-vets while social media and ICTs were least effective. There was a significant positive correlation between information variables and education, ethnicity, number of crops grown and accessibility to information sources. However, poor accessibility of farmers to these sources was a major problem. Thus, a suitable information delivery system accessible to most farmers according to their time and needs should be designed regarding rice cultivation.

Design quality in building behavioral intention through affective and cognitive involvement for e-learning on smartphones

PurposeThis study examines the effect of design quality (i.e. appearance, navigation, information and interactivity) on cognitive and affective involvement leading to continued intention to use the online learning application.Design/methodology/approachWe assume that design quality potentially contributes to enhance the individual's involvement and excitement. An experimental prototype is developed for collecting data used to verify and validate the proposed research model and hypotheses. A partial-least-squares approach is used to analyze the data collected from the participants (n = 662).FindingsCommunication, aesthetic and information quality revealed to be strong determinants of both cognitive and affective involvement. However, font quality and user control positively influence cognitive involvement, while navigation quality and responsiveness were observed as significant indicators of affective involvement. Lastly, cognitive and affective involvement equally contribute to determining the continued intention to use.Research limitations/implicationsThis study will draw the attention of designers and practitioners towards the perception of users for providing appropriate and engaging learning resources.Originality/valuePrevalent research in the online context is focused primarily on cognitive and utilization behavior. However, these works overlook the implication of design quality on cognitive and affective involvement.

Assessing Influence Mechanism of Green Utilization of Agricultural Wastes in Five Provinces of China through Farmers’ Motivation-Cognition-Behavior

Using the theory of motivation, and the theory of planned behavior, this study establishes the “motivation-cognition-behavior” model of green utilization of agricultural waste from the perspective of farmers. In the motivational dimension, eight motivational factors were determined in three sub-dimensions of extrinsic motivation. In the cognitive dimension, three sub-dimensions of subjective norms, behavioral attitude, and perceived behavioral control are also determined. In the behavioral dimension, two sub-dimensions of utilization intention and utilization behavior are specified. Methodologically, a questionnaire on the green utilization of agricultural waste of 704 peasant households in five provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Sichuan was administered. With the help of the structural equation model, the influence path and the internal mechanism was then analyzed. It is shown that: (1) in relation to the “motivational dimension → cognitive dimension,” extrinsic motivation significantly promotes the cultivation of farmers’ subjective norms, in which positive broken windows theory has a positive effect. In contrast, negative broken windows theory has a negative one. In intrinsic motivation, the behavior attitude of farmers is negative. In the response analysis, farmers can realize that their ability, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and response cost all have a positive impact on farmers’ perceived behavioral control. (2) In relation of the “cognitive dimension → behavioral dimension,” behavioral attitude slightly hinders utilization intention, while subjective norms and perceived behavioral control all contribute to a stronger utilization intention; the utilization intention maintains a positive correlation with the utilization behavior.