Asynchronous Communication Research Articles

Talk2Care: Facilitating Asynchronous Patient-Provider Communication with Large-Language-Model

Despite the plethora of telehealth applications to assist home-based older adults and healthcare providers, basic messaging and phone calls are still the most common communication methods, which suffer from limited availability, information loss, and process inefficiencies. One promising solution to facilitate patient-provider communication is to leverage large language models (LLMs) with their powerful natural conversation and summarization capability. However, there is a limited understanding of LLMs' role during the communication. We first conducted two interview studies with both older adults (N=10) and healthcare providers (N=9) to understand their needs and opportunities for LLMs in patient-provider asynchronous communication. Based on the insights, we built an LLM-powered communication system, Talk2Care, and designed interactive components for both groups: (1) For older adults, we leveraged the convenience and accessibility of voice assistants (VAs) and built an LLM-powered conversational interface for effective information collection. (2) For health providers, we built an LLM-based dashboard to summarize and present important health information based on older adults' conversations with the VA. We further conducted two user studies with older adults and providers to evaluate the usability of the system. The results showed that Talk2Care could facilitate the communication process, enrich the health information collected from older adults, and considerably save providers' efforts and time. We envision our work as an initial exploration of LLMs' capability in the intersection of healthcare and interpersonal communication.

Distributed model predictive control for asynchronous multiagent systems with self‐triggered coordinator

AbstractThis paper investigates a distributed model predictive control strategy for asynchronous nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs) with external disturbances via self‐triggered generators and prediction horizon regulators. First, a shrinking constraint related to the error between the actual state and the predicted state is introduced into the optimal control problem to enhance the robustness of the system. Then, the triggering interval and the corresponding prediction horizon are determined by altering the expression of the Lyapunov function, thus achieving a trade‐off between control performance and energy loss. By implementing the proposed algorithm, the coordination objective of the MASs is achieved under asynchronous communication. Finally, the recursive feasibility and closed‐loop stability are proven successively. An illustrative example is conducted to demonstrate the merits of the presented approach.

Co-construction during online learning: cognitive presence through asynchronous video discussion

This study explores cognitive presence (CP) during remote learning by applying content analysis to English language learners’ (ELLs) asynchronous video discussions. The study draws on the framework of Community of Inquiry (CoI) and a four-phase inquiry called the Practical Inquiry Model (PIM). ELLs participated in weekly video discussions over the course of a semester using Flip, a video-based asynchronous computer-mediated communication (ACMC) tool. The data for this study include main reflection videos (N = 137) and peer-response videos (N = 153), and the content analysis provided an understanding to develop deeper learning and co-constructing meaning and knowledge. The findings offer a critical reflection on using asynchronous video discussion for co-constructing knowledge and enhancing social interaction.

Mastering Real-Time Data Processing Applications : Optimization Strategies for Peak Performance

This comprehensive article explores strategies for optimizing real-time data processing applications in the era of big data and distributed systems. It examines the growing demand for real-time analytics across industries and organizations' challenges in maintaining low latency and scalability. The article discusses key optimization techniques, including leveraging the Akka framework's actor model and supervision strategies, implementing efficient data ingestion through stream processing and partitioning, utilizing caching strategies, employing robust monitoring and auto-scaling mechanisms, ensuring fault tolerance through checkpointing and graceful degradation, and adopting asynchronous communication patterns. Throughout the article, real-world case studies and performance metrics demonstrate the significant improvements these strategies can bring to system throughput, latency, and resilience in various sectors such as finance, e-commerce, telecommunications, and manufacturing.

AI-driven telemedicine: Optimizing daily dietary recommendations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the imperative of physical distancing has underscored the necessity for telemedicine solutions. Traditionally, telemedicine systems have operated synchronously, requiring scheduled appointments. This study introduces an innovative telemedicine system integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable asynchronous communication between physicians and patients, eliminating the need for appointments and providing round-the-clock access from any location. The AI-Telemedicine system was developed utilizing Google Sheets and Google Forms. Patients can receive dietary recommendations from the AI acting as the physician and submit self-reports through the system. Physicians have access to patients’ submitted reports and can adjust AI settings to tailor recommendations accordingly. The AI-Telemedicine system for patients requiring daily dietary recommendations has been successfully developed, meeting all nine system requirements. System privacy and security are ensured through user account access controls within Google Sheets. This AI-Telemedicine system facilitates seamless communication between physicians and patients in situations requiring physical distancing, eliminating the need for appointments. Patients have round-the-clock access to the system, with AI serving as a physician surrogate whenever necessary. This system serves as a potential model for future telemedicine solutions.

Heterogeneous multi-task allocation algorithm based on multi-round distributed auction

Aiming at the distributed decision-making needs of different combat tasks such as multi-machine collaborative detection, attack, and evaluation, a multi-round distributed auction algorithm for heterogeneous tasks with time constraints is established. The algorithm flexibly solves the distributed collaborative task allocation problem with complex constraints between drones with different capabilities. In the distributed task allocation framework, each drone can realize distributed asynchronous computing and asynchronous communication, and can ensure good solution efficiency and accuracy. The task allocation principle is mainly based on the nearest allocation, while taking into account the target value and time constraints, realizing the priority allocation of important targets under limited resources and making the total journey as short as possible. Simulation results show that: given any number of drones and targets and the configuration of drone combat capabilities, the heterogeneous multi-round distributed auction algorithm can obtain good allocation results.

Examining English learning students’ experiences related to home language use in a Physical Science and Language Development classroom

Research suggests that by allowing English Learner (EL) students to use their home languages in science class, they can better express their thinking and build content knowledge through underlying crosslinguistic awareness between languages. However, EL students’ educational backgrounds and home languages are incredibly varied. In this case study, we employ grounded theory to explore students' perceptions of their experiences in the context of a Physical Science and Language Development class [10]. We use a phenomenological approach to describe how the students experience their home language within this model of a science and language development class. Observation data, online video assignments, and small group, semi-structured interviews were used to find themes related to experiences of using home language in science class. The findings indicate varied student perspectives on the use of their home languages in science class. Some students preferred to use class time to practice using English, while others found value in using their home languages to help better understand science concepts. Student ideologies regarding English-only or multilingual practices for EL students varied. The findings also indicated that providing an opportunity for EL students to use their home languages in an asynchronous online communication platform outside of class was an effective strategy to allow time for students to practice English during science class, yet provide an opportunity to translate between home languages and English.

Asynchronous visible light communication and positioning system based on a multi-carrier orthogonal coding mechanism

This paper presents an asynchronous visible light communication and positioning (VLCP) system leveraging the multi-carrier orthogonal coding mechanism (MC-OCM) based on complete complementary (CC) codes. Utilizing the superior correlation properties of CC codes, our system first achieves interference-free transmission from multiple access interference and inter-symbol interference, thus simultaneously enhancing the accuracy of data transmission and receiver location in asynchronous code division multiplexing-based VLCP systems. Numerical results confirm the proposed VLCP system’s superiority, featuring an average BER below the FEC standard and an average PE less than 3 cm in challenging system settings with asynchronous transmission and multipath propagation.

Asynchronous Session-Based Concurrency: Deadlock-freedom in Cyclic Process Networks

We tackle the challenge of ensuring the deadlock-freedom property for message-passing processes that communicate asynchronously in cyclic process networks. Our contributions are twofold. First, we present Asynchronous Priority-based Classical Processes (APCP), a session-typed process framework that supports asynchronous communication, delegation, and recursion in cyclic process networks. Building upon the Curry-Howard correspondences between linear logic and session types, we establish essential meta-theoretical results for APCP, most notably deadlock freedom. Second, we present a new concurrent $\lambda$-calculus with asynchronous session types, dubbed LASTn. We illustrate LASTn by example and establish its meta-theoretical results; in particular, we show how to soundly transfer the deadlock-freedom guarantee from APCP. To this end, we develop a translation of terms in LASTn into processes in APCP that satisfies a strong formulation of operational correspondence.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Communication for Developing Foreign Language Speaking Skills

Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Communication for Developing Foreign Language Speaking Skills

Practices of critical challenges during requirements implementation in global software development:A systematic literature review

Context: Finding practices of critical challenges are essential in global software development (GSD).Practices of different challenges have discussed in literature in dispersed form that need a proper method to make them useful.Objective: To find out the practices of critical challenges in GSD. New practices helps team to work collaboratively with new products and features and to improve the overall quality of the development process. Some challenges have different background with unique practices which can be find out through a proper process. Method: Systematic literature review (SLR) is used to find out the practices of critical challenges in GSD.Result: Some common practices are ‘Use of synchronous and asynchronous communication technologies’, ‘Use of modern tools and technologies for GSD’, ‘Frequent/regular agile meetings’, ‘Role of effective management’, ‘Process maturity’, ‘Role of liaison’ and ‘Clear roles and responsibilities of duty’.

The Benefits of Computer Conferences in Distance Education: An Assessment

This study examined the positive influence of computer conferencing on distance education, particularly its capacity to foster a sense of community, collaboration, and interaction among learners. The study employed semi-structured interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis to investigate the experiences of students, instructors, and educational technologists of Delar College of Education through a qualitative research design. The primary findings indicated that asynchronous communication provides convenience and flexibility, whereas synchronous communication enables immediate engagement and dynamic discussions. Additionally, computer conferencing facilitates the interchange of information at a rapid pace, reduces feelings of isolation, and facilitates the development of diverse learning environments by facilitating detailed discussions through sub-conferences. The research identified substantial advantages of computer conferencing, but it also emphasized potential constraints, including the necessity for effective facilitation and technological dependence. The research emphasizes the transformative potential of computer conferencing in improving the distance education experience. Keywords: Educational Technology, Computer Conferencing, Interaction, Collaboration Distance Education, Online Learning, Qualitative Study

Profile Analysis of Hourly, Daily, and Weekly Student Access to Online Asynchronous Courses

Recent global events have led to an increase in the delivery of higher education in an asynchronous online format. These changes have impacted students’ ability to schedule their lives around their education. This study investigates trends in student access to online asynchronous courses. This study utilized learning analytics data from the learning management system for thirty-eight online asynchronous communication courses taught by twelve different faculty members at a large research university in the southwestern United States. A total of 1,384 students were involved in the study. Profile Analyses indicate clear non-linear trends for time of day, day of the week, and week of the semester in student course access. Results indicate those trends vary significantly from a no-effect condition by level of course and gender of student across multiple courses.

Applying cognitive walkthrough methodology to improve the usability of an equity-focused implementation strategy

BackgroundOur research team partnered with primary care and quality improvement staff in Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (CHCs) to develop Partnered and Equity Data-Driven Implementation (PEDDI) to promote equitable implementation of evidence-based interventions. The current study used a human-centered design methodology to evaluate the usability of PEDDI and generate redesign solutions to address usability issues in the context of a cancer screening intervention.MethodsWe applied the Cognitive Walkthrough for Implementation Strategies (CWIS), a pragmatic assessment method with steps that include group testing with end users to identify and prioritize usability problems. We conducted three facilitated 60-min CWIS sessions with end users (N = 7) from four CHCs that included scenarios and related tasks for implementing a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intervention. Participants rated the likelihood of completing each task and identified usability issues and generated ideas for redesign solutions during audio-recorded CWIS sessions. Participants completed a pre-post survey of PEDDI usability. Our research team used consensus coding to synthesize usability problems and redesign solutions from transcribed CWIS sessions.ResultsUsability ratings (scale 0–100: higher scores indicating higher usability) of PEDDI averaged 66.3 (SD = 12.4) prior to the CWIS sessions. Scores averaged 77.8 (SD = 9.1) following the three CWIS sessions improving usability ratings from “marginal acceptability” to “acceptable”. Ten usability problems were identified across four PEDDI tasks, comprised of 2–3 types of usability problems per task. CWIS participants suggested redesign solutions that included making data fields for social determinants of health and key background variables for identifying health equity targets mandatory in the electronic health record and using asynchronous communication tools to elicit ideas from staff for adaptations.ConclusionsUsability ratings indicated PEDDI was in the acceptable range following CWIS sessions. Staff identified usability problems and redesign solutions that provide direction for future improvements in PEDDI. In addition, this study highlights opportunities to use the CWIS methodology to address inequities in the implementation of cancer screening and other clinical innovations in resource-constrained healthcare settings.

Home Care Nurses at the Heart of the Communication Web: Communication Synchronicity and Effects on the Psychosocial Work Environment

This qualitative study explores how communication practice affects Swedish home care nurses’ psychosocial work environment. Data consisted of interviews and field observations, analyzed from the perspective of Media Synchronicity Theory and the Job-Demand-Control-Support model. Individual home care nurses were found to manage an interorganizational communication web. The results indicated that this web could have a protective function for the nurses. Synchronous communication was found important to control the work situation. Nevertheless, asynchronous communication was enforced when communicating with other health care organizations. This reduced the level of control for the nurses. However, when possible, the nurses also arranged their communication practice to gain control. Thus, local optimization for one group could result in suboptimization for others. We conclude that communication practice should be designed holistically and promote synchronous communication to foster well-functioning interprofessional teamwork and to create a healthy psychosocial work environment for both home care nurses and their collaborators.

Design and implementation of an asynchronous online course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in computational genomics.

As genomics technologies advance, there is a growing demand for computational biologists trained for genomics analysis but instructors face significant hurdles in providing formal training in computer programming, statistics, and genomics to biology students. Fully online learners represent a significant and growing community that can contribute to meet this need, but they are frequently excluded from valuable research opportunities which mostly do not offer the flexibility they need. To address these opportunity gaps, we developed an asynchronous course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) for computational genomics specifically for fully online biology students. We generated custom learning materials and leveraged remotely accessible computational tools to address 2 novel research questions over 2 iterations of the genomics CURE, one testing bioinformatics approaches and one mining cancer genomics data. Here, we present how the instructional team distributed analysis needed to address these questions between students over a 7.5-week CURE and provided concurrent training in biology and statistics, computer programming, and professional development. Scores from identical learning assessments administered before and after completion of each CURE showed significant learning gains across biology and coding course objectives. Open-response progress reports were submitted weekly and identified self-reported adaptive coping strategies for challenges encountered throughout the course. Progress reports identified problems that could be resolved through collaboration with instructors and peers via messaging platforms and virtual meetings. We implemented asynchronous communication using the Slack messaging platform and an asynchronous journal club where students discussed relevant publications using the Perusall social annotation platform. The online genomics CURE resulted in unanticipated positive outcomes, including students voluntarily discussing plans to continue research after the course. These outcomes underscore the effectiveness of this genomics CURE for scientific training, recruitment and student-mentor relationships, and student successes. Asynchronous genomics CUREs can contribute to a more skilled, diverse, and inclusive workforce for the advancement of biomedical science.

Understanding Older Adults' Experiences With a Digital Health Platform in General Practice: Qualitative Interview Study.

In our aging population, primary care is under pressure to remain accessible to all. Effective use of digital health care could potentially lower general practitioners' (GPs) workload. Some general practices are already implementing a digital health platform as a primary method to contact their patients. However, it is unknown how older people experience this novel way to communicate with their GP. The aim of this study was to study the experiences of patients aged 65 years and older in general practices who use digital health as a primary communication tool. The secondary aims were to identify barriers and facilitators for the use of digital health care and whether a practice focus on digital health influences older patients' choice to enlist. We invited all patients aged 65 years and older at 2 general practices in Amsterdam that work with a novel digital health platform. We used purposive sampling to select a heterogeneous group of patients in terms of age, sex, level of education, digital literacy, and experiences with the digital app of their general practice. We conducted 18 semistructured interviews from May through July 2023. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. We generated three themes: (1) experiences of older people with digital health care in general practice, (2) impact of individual factors on digital health experiences, and (3) reasons for choosing a digitally oriented general practice. Participants reported both positive and negative experiences. The main perceived advantages of the digital health platform were increased accessibility, direct GP contact without an intermediary, and saving time through asynchronous communication. The disadvantages mentioned were log-in difficulties and problems with the automated explanatory questionnaire. Individual factors such as age, digital literacy, and expectations of general practice care seemed to impact people's experiences and could act as barriers or facilitators for using digital health. Reasons for older patients to enlist at a general practice were mainly practical. The digital orientation of the practice hardly played a role in this choice. Older patients in general practice see benefits to using a digital health platform that offers 2-way chat-based communication between the patient and GP. We found that individual factors such as skills, norms and values, attitudes toward digitalization, and expectations of general practice care impacted older patients' experiences with digital health care. For many older participants, the digital profile of the general practice did not play a role in their choice to enlist. Further improvement of digital health platforms will be necessary to ensure digital health for all in general practice.

Asynchronous Code Division Multiplexing-Based Visible Light Positioning and Communication Network Using Successive Interference Cancellation Decoding.

In the evolving landscape of sixth-generation wireless communication, the integration of visible light communication (VLC) and visible light positioning (VLP), known as visible light positioning and communication (VLPC), emerges as a pivotal technology. This study addresses the challenges of asynchronous code division multiplexing (ACDM) in VLPC networks, focusing on the enhancement of data transmission quality and positioning accuracy. Firstly, we propose an orthogonal pseudo-random code (OPRC) for ACDM-based VLP systems. Leveraging its excellent correlation properties, VLP signals preserve orthogonality even amidst asynchronous transmissions, achieving sub-centimeter average positioning errors. Next, by combining OPRC with successive interference cancellation decoding (SICD), we propose an enhanced ACDM-based VLPC system that utilizes OPRC for improved signal orthogonality and SICD for progressive elimination of multiple access interference (MAI) among VLPC signals. The results show substantial improvements in bit-error rate (BER) and positioning error (PE), approaching the performance levels observed in synchronized VLPC systems. Specifically, the SICD-OPRC scheme reduces average BER to 4.3 × 10-4 and average PE to 2.7 cm, demonstrating its robustness and superiority in complex asynchronous scenarios.

Develop an RS-485 Protocol for Arduino Boards Applied To Networked Real Time Control Systems

The Arduino microprocessor boards such as Mega 2560, UNO R3, Leonardo, Micro, and Nano are simple and low-cost tools for real-time measurement and control applications. These Arduino boards cannot be used in distributed systems because they lack the networking capabilities to transfer data across units. In this study, an RS-485 protocol for Arduino boards that operate in Master-Slave networks was developed. Network operations could be carried out independently on the main thread program, and devices in the network could react quickly to information received. This was made possible by the asynchronous serial communication feature and a high-speed timer provided in Arduino boards. The networks designed in this study were applied to an electric vehicle model with all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering capabilities for supermaneuverability as well as a saltwater intrusion early warning system installed in a river entry. The results showed that highly reliable and stable network operations could be achieved, thus extending the usage of popular Arduino boards for networked real-time applications.

Optimizing Gender Equality Messages on the Mubadalah.id Website

This qualitative study aims to measure the optimization of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) on content containing gender equality values ​​on the mubadalah.id website. This research focuses on the editorial team's and writers' efforts to use SEO on the mubadalah.id website using Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) theory to optimize asynchronous communication. The values ​​of gender equality are seen from the perspective of Qira'ah Mubadalah, which has three indicators, namely a perspective (minzhar) that humanizes humans, a way of reading (qira'ah) reference texts by placing men and women as subjects and whole human beings, and ways of grouping (qa'idah) experiences, mutuality, or cooperation between men and women. This research uses interview and digital observation methods. The results show that mubadalah.id has a comprehensive SEO strategy, but there is still room for improvement in its implementation.