Supporting Self-Management and Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder with the Beta PolarUs App: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Quality of life (QoL) is increasingly recognised as a key outcome of self-management interventions for bipolar disorder (BD). Mobile phone applications (apps) can increase access to evidence-based self-management strategies and provide real-time support. However, while individuals with lived experience desire support with monitoring and improving broader health domains, existing BD apps largely target mood symptoms only. Further, evidence from the broader mHealth literature has shown that the desires and goals of end-users are not adequately taken into account during app development, and as a result engagement with mental health apps is suboptimal. To capitalise on the potential of apps to optimise wellness in BD, there is a need for interventions developed in consultation with real-world users that are designed to support QoL self-monitoring and self-management. Objective: This mixed methods pilot study is designed to evaluate the beta version of the newly developed PolarUs app, which aims to support QoL self-monitoring and self-management in people with BD. Developed using a community-based participatory research framework, the PolarUs app builds on the web-based adaptation of a BD-specific QoL self-assessment measure, and integrates material from a web-based portal providing information on evidence-informed self-management strategies in BD. OBJECTIVE The primary objectives of this project are to: (1) evaluate PolarUs app feasibility (via behavioral usage metrics); (2) evaluate PolarUs impact (via the Brief Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorders, QoL.BD scale, our primary outcomes measure); and (3) explore engagement with the PolarUs app (via both quantitative and qualitative methods). METHODS Study participants will be North American residents (N=150) aged 18-65 years with a DSM-5 diagnosis of BD-I, BD-II or BD not otherwise specified (NOS) as assessed by a structured diagnostic interview. An embedded mixed-methods research design will be adopted; qualitative interviews with a purposefully selected sub-sample (~n=30) of participants will be conducted to explore in more depth feasibility, impact and engagement with the PolarUs app over the 12-week study period. RESULTS At the time of publication of this protocol, the development of the beta version of the PolarUs app is complete. Participant enrollment is expected to begin in February 2022. Data collection is expected to be completed by December 2022. CONCLUSIONS Beyond contributing knowledge on the feasibility and impacts of a novel app to support QoL and self-management in BD, this study is also expected to provide new knowledge on engagement with mHealth apps. Furthermore, it is expected to function as a case study of successful co-design between individuals living with BD, clinicians who specialise in the treatment of BD, and BD researchers, providing a template for future use of community-based participatory research frameworks in mHealth intervention development. Results will be used to further refine the PolarUs app and inform the design of a larger clinical trial.

Standardised Data on Initiatives – STARDIT: Beta Version

BackgroundThere is currently no standardised way to share information across disciplines about initiatives, including fields such as health, environment, basic science, manufacturing, media and international development. All problems, including complex global problems such as air pollution and pandemics require reliable data sharing between disciplines in order to respond effectively. Current reporting methods also lack information about the ways in which different people are involved in initiatives, making it difficult to collate and appraise data about the most effective ways to involve different people. ObjectiveSTARDIT (Standardised Data on Initiatives) was created to help everyone in the world find and understand information about collective human actions, which are referred to as ‘initiatives’. STARDIT enables multiple categories of data to be reported in a standardised way across disciplines, facilitating appraisal of initiatives and aiding synthesis of evidence for the most effective ways for people to be involved in initiatives. MethodSTARDIT is the first open access web-based data-sharing system which standardises the way that information about initiatives is reported across diverse fields and disciplines, including information about which tasks were done by which stakeholders. STARDIT data is licensed as public domain (CC0) and integrated into Wikidata; it works across multiple languages and is both human and machine readable. Reports can be updated throughout the lifetime of an initiative, from planning to evaluation, allowing anyone to be involved in reporting impacts and outcomes. STARDIT development is guided by participatory action research paradigms, and has been co-created with people from multiple disciplines around the world in multiple ways, working with Indigenous people, cancer patients, health researchers, environmental researchers, economists, librarians and academic publishers. ResultsOver 100 people from multiple disciplines have been involved in co-designing STARDIT. STARDIT reports have been created for peer-reviewed research in multiple journals and other research projects. A working Beta version was publicly released in February 2021 (ScienceforAll.World/STARDIT).

Pharmacists’ Readiness to Receive, Recommend and Administer COVID-19 Vaccines in an African Country: an online multiple-practice settings survey in Nigeria

BackgroundWithout a cure, vaccination is the most reliable means of combating COVID-19 pandemic, since non-pharmacological measures could not prevent its spread, as evidenced in the emergence of a second wave. This study assessed the readiness of pharmacists to receive, recommend and administer COVID-19 vaccines to clients in Nigeria.Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which responses were collected from pharmacists in Nigeria through Google Form link. A 21-item questionnaire was developed and validated for the study. The link was shared on the WhatsApp groups of eligible respondents. The response was downloaded into Microsoft Excel (2019) and cleared of errors. This was uploaded into KwikTables (Beta Version 2021) for data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to describe the data. Chi-squared test was used to determine the relationship between all the responses and the practice areas of the pharmacists.ResultsA total of 509 pharmacists responded to the study, but 507 indicated their areas of practice. The highest response of 247(48.7%) was obtained from hospital pharmacists, then community pharmacists; 157(31.0%). Hospital and community pharmacists accounted for 96 and 66 of the 191(37.7%) pharmacists that would probably accept the vaccine (p=0.126). The Pfizer-bioNTech vaccine was the preferred brand for 275(54.2%) respondents. Healthcare Professionals>Elderly>General Populace>Children was the order of roll-out recommended by 317(62.5%). Adverse-effect-following-immunization was the concern of 330(65.1%) pharmacists. Age was a factor in their likelihood of recommending the COVID-19 vaccine to clients (p=0.001).Conclusion This study established that most pharmacists are willing to accept to be vaccinated against COVID-19, recommend and administer it to other citizens. They were impressed by the effectiveness and cost of some of the vaccines, but were concerned about their possible adverse effects. The pharmacists would want the authorities to consider strategies that will make the vaccines accessible to all citizens.

1548 Refining the Usability of a Novel Visual Field Assessment App

Introduction A validated visual field chart designed as a simpler adjunct to formal perimeters is being developed into an app. The app aims to empower patients with pituitary tumours to independently assess their central 25˚ visual field with intra-app instructions and share their results with their clinician. NHSx marked usability as an assessment criterion for validating health apps. This study aims to explore and improve the usability of the beta-version of the app. Method Qualitative methods were employed through observation and semi-structured interviews. Recruitment was through convenience sampling. Participants experienced the app solely based on the intra-app information. Meanwhile, a researcher observed the process. Then, qualitative feedback was generated through semi-structured interviews. Observational data was coded and quantified. Thematic analysis was employed to identify common themes and/or categories of the qualitative feedback. Results 15 participants between 24-58(mean 33.7, SD 10.8) years were recruited. Observational data revealed that 1/15 adhered to all 3 written instructions; 3/15 utilised the hand span distance guidance provided. Participants’ responses on feedback for improvements were coded and categorised. Suggested additional features for improvement – a run-through introduction to the app, a video example of how to conduct the test, a practice run, an option for audio instruction and an option to change font size and type. Suggested additional instructions were to focus on the black dot and remember what you were seeing with the red dots. Conclusions Qualitative methods identified aspects of the app requiring improvements. Participants feedback will be utilised to improve the app.

HASH FUNCTIONS SUPPORTING MECHATRONIC DESIGN EVOLUTION

Both industry and science point out the need to integrate PLM and ALM since products evolve from mechatronic to smart products. This paper investigates data management tasks fulfilled when creating or improving design. Particularly, the differences and commonalities in design evolution management of the software and hardware disciplines are considered.This paper introduces a beta version of a hash function based tool, applying the software management mechanism on mechanical revision management.

Computerized Sunnybrook facial grading scale (SBface) application for facial paralysis evaluation

Background The Sunnybrook facial grading scale is a comprehensive scale for the evaluation of facial paralysis patients. Its results greatly depend on subjective input. This study aimed to develop and validate an automated Sunnybrook facial grading scale (SBface) to more objectively assess disfigurement due to facial paralysis.Methods An application compatible with iOS version 11.0 and up was developed. The software automatically detected facial features in standardized photographs and generated scores following the Sunnybrook facial grading scale. Photographic data from 30 unilateral facial paralysis patients were randomly sampled for validation. Intrarater reliability was tested by conducting two identical tests at a 2-week interval. Interrater reliability was tested between the software and three facial nerve clinicians.Results A beta version of the SBface application was tested. Intrarater reliability showed excellent congruence between the two tests. Moderate to strong positive correlations were found between the software and an otolaryngologist, including the total scores of the three individual software domains and composite scores. However, 74.4% (29/39) of the subdomain items showed low to zero correlation with the human raters (κ<0.2). The correlations between the human raters showed good congruence for most of the total and composite scores, with 10.3% (4/39) of the subdomain items failing to correspond (κ<0.2).Conclusions The SBface application is efficient and accurate for evaluating the degree of facial paralysis based on the Sunnybrook facial grading scale. However, correlations of the software-derived results with those of human raters are limited by the software algorithm and the raters’ inconsistency.

Visualising plural mappings of science for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysts are rapidly developing methods to map publications to SDGs in the face of policy demands. However, as reported by Armitage et al. (2020), a high degree of inconsistency is found when comparing the bibliometric corpora obtained with different approaches. These inconsistencies are not due to minor technical issues, but instead they represent different interpretations of SDGs. Given the variety of understandings regarding the relationship between research and SDGs, we propose that bibliometrics analysts should not assume that there is one single, preferred or consensus way of mapping SDGs to publications. We propose instead that, since different stakeholders have contrasting views about the relationships between science and SDGs, the contribution of bibliometrics should be to provide a plural landscape for stakeholders to explore their own views. We describe here the beta-version of an interactive platform that allows stakeholders to scrutinise in a global map of science the clusters potentially related to SDGs.

Conceptual Framework for Digitization of Depreciation Policy

The articles object is a process of accounting and information support for the formation of depreciation policy. The purpose of this article is to develop a conceptual framework for a common accounting and information space of depreciation policy. First, the authors consider the benefits of total digitalization of the organization and methodological support of depreciation policy process and make some assumptions related to the concept of enterprise’s economic data protection. Since the scientific challenge is how to effectively monitor and quickly adjust depreciation policy, the authors have chosen methods to analyze the relations between business, government regulation, and economic data security. In the course of the research, a survey of 376 enterprises of Zaporizhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine was conducted. To identify impact of the enterprise size on the availability of information about individual indicators, they are grouped according to the selected system of taxation (simplified and general). In addition, the survey results and monitoring of the beta version of depreciation policy's information portal were presented. It was also concluded that the accounting indicators can be used to quickly adjust the depreciation policy at the state level.

Designing a Cancer Prevention Collaborative Goal Setting Application for Primary Care Patients: An Iterative, Patient-led Process (Preprint)

BACKGROUND There remains a need to engage at-risk primary care populations in cancer prevention behaviors, yet primary care physicians often lack the time or resources to discuss these behaviors with their patients. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the content, usability, and acceptability of a mobile application that leverages insights from goal-setting and social networks literature to facilitate cancer prevention goal setting, tracking, and sharing between Non-Hispanic Black primary care patients and their social ties. METHODS We recruited participants from two primary care clinics in Philadelphia using non-probabilistic purposive sampling. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 5 to 7 participants over three weeks to solicit feedback on paper mock-ups of the application, iteratively adapting these mock-ups after each set of interviews. Thereafter, and informed by initial feedback, we created an electronic beta-version of the application and sought acceptability and usability feedback from a different set of participants. Then we conducted content analysis of all user responses to search for unifying themes on acceptability and usability of both the initial mock-ups and beta-version of the application. We further assessed application usability using questions derived from the System Usability Scale (SUS). RESULTS Thirty-three Non-Hispanic Black primary care patients participated in the study. The mean age was 49 (SD ± 13) and 79% identified as female. Semi-structured interviews revealed three primary generalizable insights from our target population: 1) the framing of each goal and its relevance to cancer impacted the likelihood the goal would be chosen; 2) participants thought that sharing health goals with others facilitates health behaviors; and 3) most participants found it motivating to see other users’ goal progress, while still collaborating with these users on their health goals. An overarching insight that permeated across each theme was the participants’ desire to customize and personalize the app. Usability testing revealed that 100% of participants found the application easy to use and 76% of participants reported they would like to use this application frequently. CONCLUSIONS Cancer prevention in the modern era must include options that are accessible to all, but this does not mean that all options must be universal. This study’s iterative process led to the development of a cancer prevention mobile application that Non-Hispanic Black primary care patients deemed usable and acceptable and yielded a number of noteworthy insights about what intended end-users value in setting and accomplishing health goals.