Development Conference Research Articles

Utilization of dental sessions at APAN conferences for education and community development

The dental profession always expands its capabilities and contributes to advances in the quality of health services through scientific advancements and knowledge dissemination. Since 2016, the Faculty of Dental Medicine at Airlangga University has collaborated with the Telemedicine Development Center of Asia (TEMDEC) at Kyushu University Hospital to organize a webinar at a session on the Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN). The session was a dental session, which was originally designed to promote remote medical education. This program aims to improve the quality of dental education and is conducted regularly, twice a year. After the COVID-19 pandemic ended in 2021, we innovated to expand this program from online to hybrid-based, so that audiences could also attend in person. With adequate promotion, the number of audiences increases rapidly. We are also expanding the benefits of this program beyond improving the quality of dental education; it also provides knowledge dissemination and empowers Indonesian dentists. Thus, this program also delivers community development as an additional essential output. This paper summarizes all activities of dental sessions at APAN conferences and shows how they also produce other outputs in accordance with institutional performance targets, including strengthening collaboration between connected institutions and the resultant outcome in terms of inbound staff, outbound staff, and outbound students.

Challenges and directions in epilepsy diagnostics and therapeutics: Proceedings of the 17th Epilepsy Therapies and Diagnostics Development conference.

Substantial efforts are underway toward optimizing the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of seizures and epilepsy. We describe preclinical programs in place for screening investigational therapeutic candidates in animal models, with particular attention to identifying and eliminating drugs that might paradoxically aggravate seizure burden. After preclinical development, we discuss challenges and solutions in the design and regulatory logistics of clinical trial execution, and efforts to develop disease biomarkers and interventions that may be not only seizure-suppressing, but also disease-modifying. As disease-modifying treatments are designed, there is clear recognition that, although seizures represent one critical therapeutic target, targeting nonseizure outcomes like cognitive development or functional outcomes requires changes to traditional designs. This reflects our increasing understanding that epilepsy is a disease with profound impact on quality of life for the patient and caregivers due to both seizures themselves and other nonseizure factors. This review examines selected key challenges and future directions in epilepsy diagnostics and therapeutics, from drug discovery to translational application.

Multi-Layer Digital Services Increase Developers’ Requirements to Agriculture IoT Platforms

Highlights Digital ecosystems in agriculture enable a new class of digital services that span over several layers of the IoT stack. This work defines digital ecosystems in agriculture based on IoT layers and utilized technologies. An example for a multi-layer digital service is developed, deployed, and tested using the NEVONEX Ecosystem. Surveys reveal software providers require more platform functionalities and early iteration testing on real farms. Abstract. In recent years, digital platforms in agriculture went through a phase of acquisitions and consolidation, where big players like agrochemical companies (Agrichems) and agricultural equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worked on expanding their technology stacks to build strategic portfolios of digital service offerings. To operate farm equipment efficiently, a combination of platforms and technologies is often needed, leading to the emergence of digital Agri-ecosystems. With the rising implementation of IoT technology, digital Agri-ecosystems enable multi-layer digital services and break down established categories (cloud-based and embedded). Content providers and developers creating those digital services face three options: aggregated cloud APIs (application programming interfaces), engineering service providers with proprietary technology stacks, and dedicated IoT ecosystems offering agnostic end-to-end workflows for development and deployment (first known example: NEVONEX). It is not yet fully understood how using an end-to-end IoT ecosystem changes developer requirements in comparison to existing solutions. Therefore, in this study, an example of a multi-layer digital service is developed and tested. Expert interviews (n = 21) explore relevant developer experiences and requirements. A consecutive survey (n = 30; NEVONEX developer conference) validates the findings. Results show that IoT- ecosystems speed up development and deployment cycles, save resources, and improve interoperability in operations. Engineering service providers remain very important players. Partner management, communication, abstraction of interfaces, testing infrastructure, and early end-user input are required by developers. In conclusion, IoT- ecosystems are beneficial for multi-layer digital service development; however, to fully satisfy developers and content providers, adjustments to platform functionalities and better testing opportunities on real farms are needed. Keywords: Automation, Digital Ecosystem, Farm equipment, NEVONEX

Scientific consensus-building to promote the link between science and public policy

Consensus, defined as the position on which most scientists specialized in a given field agree at a given time, is a key aspect in increasing the readability, credibility and, ultimately, the use of scientific knowledge in public (evidence-based health policy). This article presents several methods aiming at developing scientific consensus between experts, such as the conventional or rapid Delphi approach, the nominal group technique, the RAND-UCLA appropriateness method and the consensus development conference. These methods are used to synthesize expert judgements when uncertainties persist in the literature - each with its own specificities in terms of duration, number of steps and expert participants enlisted, as well as the ways in which they are involved.

지역단위 지속가능발전 추진 실태 진단: 충남 13개 시·군을 대상으로

This study aims to assess the state of implementation of institutionalization related to regional sustainable development from the perspectives of sustainable development and cooperative governance. To this end, we surveyed 13 cities and counties in Chungnam-do, examining relevant ordinances, implementation systems such as means and foundations, and the status of sustainable development councils, and conducted in-depth interviews with key activists to understand the current situation at close range. The research findings reveal, first, that many ordinances lack explicit provisions regarding the effectiveness and certain key clauses. Second, none of the cities and counties have properly established implementation systems, including means and infrastructure, for sustainable development. Third, the sustainable development conferences, which are practically leading regional sustainable development, face significant challenges in terms of human resources, budget, and fulfilling their designated functions and roles. Taken together, we find that the institutionalization of sustainable development is weak and the enabling environment is very poor. A lack of awareness and will to act by local governments is cited as a key cause. In this regard, the study suggests strengthening the private sector as a social pressure measure to stimulate local government change and innovation, and proposes to put it on the agenda.

International scientific cooperation: the case of the Economic and Social Development (ESD) conference

The article analyses scientific conferences as an instrument of international cooperation. The aim is to identify the characteristics and factors influencing the growth of the international scientific conferences. Specifically, it presents the concept and model of the Economic and Social Development (ESD) conference and examines scientific cooperation within this conference between 2012 and 2022. The article draws on data sourced from the ESD conference organiser and the Web of Science database. Between 2012 and 2022, a total of 92 conferences were held across six continents in 26 countries. The WoS database indexed 1,465 articles authored by individuals from 91 countries. The lengthy waiting times for conferences to be indexed in the WoS database have led organisers to seek out additional benefits for participants.

Osteoporosis and Vertebral Column.

Osteoporosis is an age-related metabolic disease which has a significant impact on bone health and overall quality of life. It is gaining importance as a major medical consideration with the rapid increase in geriatric population globally. It increases the risk of vertebral fractures, progressive spinal deformities and neurological complications, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Increase in life expectancy and advancement of medical technology has led to an increase in the proportion of geriatric patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures. It is becoming vital to adequately evaluate, investigate and treat osteoporosis before planning spinal surgery, especially spinal fusions and instrumentation. Historically, osteoporosis was considered a contraindication to spine surgery adding to the burden of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and mortality. Conversely, osteoporotic patients who underwent spine surgery were not adequately optimized, leading to an increase in failure and complication rates. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and the biomechanics of an osteoporotic spine with knowledge of current standards of treatment of osteoporosis facilitate the timely and adequate management of this disease. Advances in surgical and anaesthetic techniques facilitate successful surgeries on high-risk elderly and osteoporotic patients with multiple comorbidities allowing for a significantly high predictability for long-term positive outcomes.This article discusses the biomechanics of the osteoporotic spine, the diagnosis and management of osteoporotic patients with spinal disease, and the new treatments, recommendations, surgical indications, strategies and advances in instrumentation in patients with osteoporosis who require spinal surgery. In this article, the authors aim to provide a generalized overview for better understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying osteoporosis in the vertebral column. This review provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for overall health and management of spine patients with pathologies, either caused by or compounded with osteoporosis. An overview of current techniques, strategies and technologies designed to address the challenges associated with spine surgery in osteoporotic patients is also outlined. Content for this article has been sourced from routinely cited articles available via PubMed, from National Institute of Health consensus development conference, from the recommendations by World Health Organization technical report series, from previous articles by the authors and from the protocols established by the authors in their clinical practice based on experience and detailed case reviews.

Designing bespoke professional learning and development by being purposeful and open-ended, offering space, and playing

This article draws on doctoral research into conferences for teacher professional learning and development (PLD). It outlines the literature on teacher PLD, and describes the process by which the collective, game-like activity, Plan D, was designed and prototyped. Plan D affords teachers the opportunity to design their own, bespoke, PLD experience: a “d.conference’. The emerging findings from the research suggest that Plan D can support teachers to design PLD that interrupts “business as usual” (BAU), taken-for-granted assumptions about how to plan PLD for colleagues. Further, the research suggests that Plan D interrupts BAU through creating four conditions for collective knowledge co-creation, or knowledge-ing. These four conditions are: being purposeful; being open-ended; offering opportunities to play; and offering time and space. Designing effective PLD is emergent from, and contingent on, positive school culture and group dynamics.

A75Strengthening simulation quality assurance through the ‘Sim QA bundle’

The All Wales Simulation-Based Education and Training Strategy 2022 – 2027 specifies as one of its aims to promote quality assured simulation-based education and training across healthcare in Wales underpinned by standards and evaluated to ensure best practice in safe learning environments [1]. The Simulation Team at Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has been working closely with the simulation community in Wales to identify their needs through iterative consultation during meetings, focussed discussions and webinars. In 2021 stakeholders agreed that HEIW would promote the application of the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH) standards [2] and professional regulatory and statutory body standards relevant to SBET. Since then, a number of quality assurance tools as well as faculty development opportunities have been developed in order to embed these standards into simulation faculty development programmes and cascade their routine inclusion into everyday SBET practice. Quality assurance (QA) resources developed by the Simulation Team at HEIW between August 2021 and February 2023 were packaged as the ‘Sim QA Bundle’ ( HEIW Simulation Quality Assurance Bundle The ‘Sim QA Bundle’ consists of four components: Faculty development and continuous professional development (CPD): available resources include free access to the Essential Faculty Development Course, regular webinars, workshops and conferences. Content development: guidance provided includes a standardized scenario scripting template, with links to relevant literature. Content delivery: a standardized approach to debriefing has been developed which is supported by education opportunities and cognitive aids. Evaluation tools: generic evaluation forms have been designed to assess the learners’ experience, faculty perspectives and adherence to standards. The Simulation Quality Assurance Bundle provides a wide range of resources available to simulation practitioners in order to promote and support the delivery of high-quality simulation-based education and training across the healthcare workforce in Wales. Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable.

Enabling technologies of health and safety practices in the fourth industrial revolution: Nigerian construction industry perspective

Globally, different approaches have been applied to improve workplace safety practices due to the complexities of construction activities that pose different dangers to workers’ safety and wellbeing. This study uses Lagos, Nigeria, as a case study and investigates awareness of 4IR technologies in H&S practices among construction professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. A quantitative research approach was developed to retrieve a structured survey questionnaire from construction stakeholders in the study area. Retrieved data was analysed in three stages: data reliability and validity, descriptive statistics, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The descriptive analysis findings and the Kruskal–Wallis H test revealed no significant difference in professionals’ awareness of 4IR technologies in H&S practices in the construction project delivery in Lagos, Nigeria. The findings of the EFA returned four-factor components of H&S practices enabling technologies in the Era of 4IR as data and robotic technologies, process-based automation, output communication technologies, and wearable hazard detectives’ technologies. This study recommends innovative strategies from the professional bodies through academic and professional development (workshops, training, conferences, and seminars) to improve knowledge of 4IR technologies in H&S practices among professionals.

Co-creating an educational resource to promote the uptake of Skin-to-Skin Contact in Saudi Arabia

AimThis paper focuses on the co-creation approach to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate educational interventions to promote the uptake of skin-to-skin contact. BackgroundSkin-to-skin contact is beneficial to mothers and newborns, but it is rarely practised in Saudi Arabia. Co-creation involving service users to develop evidence-based resources about skin-to-skin contact relevant to the target population is an approach increasingly used to improve health outcomes. MethodA three-step method was used to develop the educational intervention including: (1) a systematic scoping review to identify the evidence-based information for education regarding skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby post-birth; (2) Co-creation of the resources using the Knowledge to Action Framework. The resource was developed collaboratively with academic staff from Australia and health care staff from Saudi hospital; and (3) Finalisation of the educational materials through a consensus development conference and Implementation. FindingsThe systematic scoping review generated useful information about the gaps in knowledge and barriers to skin-to-skin practice. Information was tailored and translated according to the needs of the Saudi population. A variety of educational materials including pamphlets, a PowerPoint presentation and a short video were co-created with the help of the stakeholders. Consensus was reached when 93% (87–100%) of the participants agreed about the mode of delivery and appropriateness of the PowerPoint and 100% agreed on the e-pamphlets and video. DiscussionThe skin-to-skin online educational resource was created by integrating co-creation principles and the Knowledge to Action framework with the aim of developing and customizing a culturally appropriate intervention using the best available evidence. By engaging in co-creation stakeholders gained a sense of ownership and were more willing to adopt and implement the intervention.

Cultural and linguistic appropriateness of a web-based breastfeeding educational resource for Saudi women: Consensus development conference approach

AimThe purpose of this study was to investigate the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the content, images and layout of the web-based breastfeeding educational resource for Saudi women using a consensus development approach. BackgroundAlthough the World Health Organization highly recommends exclusive breastfeeding, there is a decline in breastfeeding rates in Saudi Arabia, especially during hospital stay. The combining of health professional support with e-technology tools has been proposed as a method to increase exclusive breastfeeding. However, the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of an e-technology-based approach has not been explored in Saudi women. MethodsAfter developing a content draft of the web-based breastfeeding educational resource specific to Saudi culture, an online consensus development conference was organised with ten participants including two university researchers and eight health care providers to investigate the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the educational content. The participants from Saudi Arabia were Saudi mothers who had breastfeeding experiences and were key maternity health professionals employed at the Maternity and Children Hospital of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The SQUIRE checklist was used in the reporting of this study. ResultsFeedback received prior to the meeting showed that 81% of the content was acceptable and minor changes were required. Changes were made to the content based on the suggestions and feedback received. The consensus group accepted all the changes and the content was finalised. ConclusionsThe online consensus development conference was found to be a very convenient way to decide on the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the content of the web-based breastfeeding educational resource allowing the participation of experts from different countries; this was considered a critical step in ensuring the successful implementation of the intervention.

Interpersonal skills as correlate of career development among librarians in academic libraries in South-South Nigeria

This study examined interpersonal skills as correlate of career development of librarians in academic libraries in South - South, Nigeria. Correlational survey design was adopted to conduct the study. The population of the study is 301 comprising of librarians in south-south, Nigeria. There was no sampling. Questionnaire was used as the method of data collection Data collected were analyzed using inferential statistics. For the research questions, analysis was done using Pearson Product Moment correlational coefficient (PPMC) and point biserial correlation coefficient (r) while multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The study revealed among others that; There is a high positive relationship between interpersonal skills of librarians and their career development in academic libraries, and there exist a significant relationship between interpersonal skills of librarians and their career development in academic libraries and it revealed low negative relationship between work experience of librarians and their career development in academic libraries and there is a significant relationship between work experience of librarians and their career development in academic libraries. High possessions of interpersonal skills increase librarian’s career development significantly in academic libraries in South-South Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others; that library management should engage librarians in a lot of interpersonal skills and communication in the course of their job, the university management should train librarians while on the job, and their skills need to be updated through training and development program, orientation, induction, inventory, conferences, workshop and seminars in order to enhance their interpersonal skills and research.

Learning English vocabulary through playing games: the gamification design of vocabulary learning applications and learner evaluations

ABSTRACT Mobile-assisted language learning is a growing feature of contemporary language learning, and their distinct gamification design produces new and increasingly popular contexts for language learning. This paper explores the gamification features of the two most popular EFL vocabulary learning applications widely used by Asian learners – BaiCiZhan and Perfect Lingo. Their gamified designs are analysed based on the ‘mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics’ (MDA) model developed by Hunicke, LeBlanc, and Zubek [2004. MDA: A formal approach to game design and game research. Proceedings of the Game Developers Conference, San Jose, CA, USA, 23 November 2004. https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/∼hunicke/MDA.pdf] and Ruhi’s [2015. Level up your strategy: towards a descriptive framework for meaningful enterprise gamification. Technology Innovation Management Review 5, no. 8: 5–16. do:10.22215/timreview/918] descriptive framework for gamification applications. It further explores learners’ attitudes towards features of the gamified designs via observations and interviews. The research concludes that such mobile vocabulary learning applications are found more helpful when they present words in a multimodal way, contain more meaningful practice, adopt social interaction and reward learners with in-kind incentives. It is hoped that the study will contribute to the improvement of educational gamified applications for EFL vocabulary learning and language learning in general.

XVIII International Research and Development Conference “Novel Polymeric Composites. Mikitaev Readings” dedicated to the 80th anniversary of birth of Abdulakh Kasbulatovich Mikitaev

XVIII International Research and Development Conference “Novel Polymeric Composites. Mikitaev Readings” dedicated to the 80th anniversary of birth of Abdulakh Kasbulatovich Mikitaev

Delivery after a previous cesarean section reviewed.

At the start of the 20th century, cesarean section (CS) was uncommon in obstetrics. By the end of the century, CS rates had increased dramatically worldwide. Although the explanation for the increase is multifactorial, a major driver in the ongoing escalation is the increase in women who are delivered by repeat CS. This is due, in part, to the fact that there has been a sharp fall in vaginal birth after CS (VBAC) rates as fewer women are offered a trial of labor after CS (TOLAC), due principally to fears of a catastrophic intrapartum uterine rupture. This paper reviewed international VBAC policies and trends. A number of themes emerged. The risk of intrapartum rupture and its associated complications is low and may sometimes be overestimated. Individual maternity hospitals in both developed and developing countries are inadequately resourced to safely supervise a TOLAC. Efforts to mitigate the risks of TOLAC by careful patient selection and good clinical practices may be underutilized. Given the serious short-term and long-term consequences of rising CS rates for women and for maternity services generally, a review of TOLAC policies worldwide should be prioritized and consideration given to convening a Global Consensus Development Conference on Delivery after CS.

The Early Internet's Do-or-Die Moments: A Handful of Demos Shaped Today's Networked World

New Technologies are often introduced through spectacle: Think of the historic demonstrations carried out by Faraday, Edison, Morse, and Bell, or more recently, by Steve Jobs onstage in his black turtleneck at Macworld 2007, holding the first iPhone. Indeed, hyped-up product announcements at industry events like the Consumer Electronics Show (now CES) and the Game Developers Conference have become regular features of the digital world.

Establishing Entrustable Professional Activities for Entry-Level Dietitians in Teaching Hospitals in Taiwan

<p>可信賴專業活動(entrustable professional activities, EPAs)是將多種核心能力整合成專業任務，可應用於醫療職場教學訓練，以信賴等級作為能力進展依據，供臨床工作授權參考。此專案針對接受衛福部二年期營養師訓練課程之新進營養師，建置教學醫院新進營養師EPAs。來自全國教學醫院臨床營養及營養學專家，以名義團體法進行共識及投票，建置七項EPA任務及其對應核心能力架構。EPAs任務為「住院病人常見疾病營養照護」、「門診病人常見慢性疾病營養照護」、「重症單位營養照護」、「醫院膳食盤餐督餐作業」、「盤餐膳食設計與食材成本管理」、「疾病飲食營養團體衛教」及「住宿型長照機構個案營養照護」。EPAs建立可將能力進展轉化為臨床營養工作授權，促進營養醫療照護品質提升。</p> <p> </p><p>Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) involve the integration of a variety of core competencies into professional practice tasks, and they can be applied for learning and training in the medical workplace. Supervision levels can help guide the development of competencies and are referenced for clinical work authorization. This paper describes the development of EPAs for entry-level dietitians in a postgraduate clinical training program established by the Ministry of Health and Welfare at teaching hospitals in Taiwan. Clinical instructors in dietetics and nutrition experts from across Taiwan were invited to participate in a consensus development conference, and the nominal group technique was employed to develop profession-specific EPAs. This project established seven EPAs, namely, nutritional care for inpatients with common diseases, nutritional care for outpatients with common chronic diseases, nutritional care in critical care units, hospital plate-meal preparation and supervision, meal design and cost management, group education for disease-specific nutrition, and nutritional care in residential long-term-care institutions. The establishment of EPAs can help transform such competencies into criteria for the authorization of clinical nutrition work in teaching hospitals and may enhance the quality of nutritional medical services.</p> <p> </p>

Open Access Publishing for English Language Learners

Open access publishing for English language learners reinforces the notion that valuable perspectives can be shared with the academic community before attaining an idealized threshold of English language proficiency. This report offers a description of three case studies that illustrate how open access repositories can be used to provide publishing opportunities for English language learners and stimulate interest in academic writing. Historical background on open scholarship publishing is included, along with implications for policy. The report expands on a panel discussion presented by the authors at the 2023 EnglishUSA Professional Development Conference.

A complex puzzle realized: US achieves one-millionth organ transplant: Decades of visionary scientists, skilled surgeons, and courageous patients have made this miraculous milestone a reality

A complex puzzle realized: US achieves one-millionth organ transplant: Decades of visionary scientists, skilled surgeons, and courageous patients have made this miraculous milestone a reality