Digital Method Research Articles

Advancing pre-clinical surgical education by using intuitive short videos

BackgroundThe ever-expanding field of surgery requires novel tools to teach surgical pathologies and their management. Basic knowledge must already be acquired on a pre-graduate level at medical school. The SARS-CoV-19 pandemic has pushed students to explore digital online platforms to complement their medical education. This study aimed to assess the utility of short educational videos and the importance of digital learning methods to teach abdominal surgery.MethodsA literature review was performed for a thorough understanding of educational videos. Short videos were then created covering different topics of abdominal surgery. To evaluate the utility of such videos, three consecutive cohorts of medical students were compared. The first cohort comprised students studying without the videos (V0), whereas the second and third cohorts had access to the videos (V1, V2). Between the three groups, the general demand for videos, subjective study habits, and objective examination scores were compared. In the V1 and V2 group, satisfaction and engagement regarding the videos were also assessed.ResultsThis study included 746 medical students over a three-year period, with similar demographics. The demand for videos was high (90% in V0, 88% in V1 and V2 each) in all three groups. In total, 23 short videos were produced. Students recognized the benefits of videos in understanding the basics of surgical pathologies and their management. On average, 95.5% of the students found that videos were successful in summarizing the lectures’ key points. Moreover, 96.5% found that the videos helped them to better recall the lecture content. A median overall improvement of 12.5% between V0 and V1 examination results was observed.ConclusionsThis study emphasizes the importance of implementing innovative teaching methods in modern medical education. Students expressed a strong demand for short educational videos. In the future, this project could expand to other surgical and non-surgical specialties.

Impact of the Cashless Policy on Buying Behavior of Customers in Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between cashless transactions and consumer buying behavior in Nigeria, focusing on Point of Sale (POS) transactions, mobile banking transactions, and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions. An ex-post facto research design was adopted, with three hypotheses formulated and tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Secondary data were collected from financial transaction records and consumer spending reports from 2010 to 2023. A sample of relevant financial institutions and consumer transaction databases was utilized. The data were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression with E-Views version 10. The results revealed that POS and ATM transactions had a negative but significant relationship with consumer buying behavior, whereas mobile banking transactions exhibited a negative and insignificant relationship. These findings suggest that while digital payment methods are available, consumer reliance on cash transactions remains strong due to transaction inefficiencies, security concerns, and infrastructure limitations. The study recommends that policymakers and financial institutions enhance digital payment infrastructure, reduce transaction costs, and improve consumer confidence in electronic payment systems to facilitate a stronger shift towards a cashless economy.

Digital diagnostics of internal combustion engines in the agro-industrial complex engineering service

The trends in the development of technical diagnostics in the agroindustrial engineering service are presented, and the most promising areas of its development based on computer and information technologies are presented. The expansion of the range of devices and equipment for obtaining objective information about the operational reliability of internal combustion engines of energy-saturated equipment allows for comprehensive research in this promising area. The results and analysis of this work consist in an integrated approach to conducting research in terms of developing digital diagnostic methods, assessing the level of maintenance using this diagnostic method, and analyzing ways to respond to the output signals of malfunctions of internal combustion engine elements of energy-saturated equipment. It has been established that the introduction of digital diagnostics of internal combustion engines makes it possible to reduce the operating costs of agricultural producers by 12–15 % due to the resource actually used, to ensure a reduction in the number of repairs and a reduction in the volume of purchased spare parts.

A meta-analysis of the accuracy of different measuring techniques to evaluate the marginal and internal gap of a fixed dental prosthesis: The American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, Research in Fixed Prosthodontics Committee.

Marginal gaps and the internal adaptation of a fixed dental prosthesis are important parameters related to a successful clinical outcome. Several methods have been used to measure these 2 parameters. In addition to conventional analog methods, digital methods have recently been developed. Nevertheless, statistical comparisons of these different approaches are scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the various measuring methods reported in the current literature and compare their results. An electronic literature search comprising articles published from January 1990 to June 2023was conducted through the MEDLINE (PubMed) and Web of Science databases. After a quality assessment screening, 17 articles were identified for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Data were used for the random-effects model, forest plots were drawn, and significance tests were conducted in the meta-analysis software program of the Cochrane Collaboration (RevManv5.3.5). Additionally, heterogeneity tests and a risk of bias analysis were performed. In the general comparison of conventional and digital methods, the data did not show significant differences, and the results presented low homogeneity. When the cross-sectional method (CSM) was compared under a scanning electron microscope with the silicone replica Geomagic software program (SRG) method, CSM recorded significantly smaller gap values than SRG and presented high homogeneity. Meanwhile, in the comparison of CSM with the silicone replica technique (SRT) and the triple scan method (TSM), CSM recorded larger gap values than SRT and TSM, and the data did not show a significant difference. All of these results presented low homogeneity. A comparison of most techniques revealed no significant differences in the internal and marginal gaps, except for SRG, which recorded significantly smaller gaps than CSM. However, the conclusions of these findings are limited because of concerns about bias and heterogeneity and because the found marginal gap data are just one way to assess the consistency and reliability of each method.

Assessing Quality of Vision in Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Trial of Digital vs. Paper-Based Questionnaires.

To introduce a newly developed digital platform and compare its reliability and agreement with paper-based questionnaires for assessing quality of vision before and after cataract surgery. University-affiliated ophthalmology department and private clinic. Prospective, randomized trial with parallel design of 1:1 allocation ratio without masking. Between 11/2021 and 6/2023, patients from a preoperative cataract clinic, aged ≥21 years, with cataracts in both eyes and internet access were randomly assigned by "ALEA" software to complete Catquest-9SF and Quality-of-Vision (QoV) questionnaires before surgery and after second eye surgery via paper or a newly developed digital European Registry of Quality Outcomes in Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO) platform. Statistical analyses evaluated agreement between methods, and validation was by Rasch analysis. Half (183/364, 50.3%) of the enrolled patients were allocated to digital questionnaires. After exclusion due to technical issues, missing questions, and withdrawal, 307/364 patients remained, of whom 159 (51.8%) filled in digital questionnaires. Half of all patients (n=154) underwent sequential surgeries on both eyes after a minimum one-month interval. Seventy-two (72/154, 46.8%) completed postoperative questionnaires. Comparative analysis found no significant differences between paper and digital methods. Catquest-9SF and QoV questionnaires demonstrated good precision and reliability (Rasch analysis). Postoperative vision improved at an average of 2.82 logits. The newly developed digital EUREQUO platform for patient assessment of quality of vision before and after cataract surgery with the Catquest-9SF and QoV questionnaires, offers a reliable alternative to traditional paper-based questionnaires, enhancing convenience for patients and providers.

A STUDY ON CONSUMER PERCEPTION ON DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KADAPA CITY

In Indian economy digital transactions play a vital role, digital payments, e-commerce and net banking is the new technologies in banking industry. In order to transition India into a digital society through cashless transactions, the Indian government launched a digital payment system. In an attempt to encourage cashless transactions and reduce the amount of cash in India and number of digital payment methods are available. The consumer perception of digital payment has a significant and positive impact on adoption of digital payment. The study investigates a customer’s perception towards Digital payments. The structured questionnaire was used as research tool for understanding consumer perception of digital payment. Primary data was collected from respondents in Kadapa city. According to the study's findings, there is a substantial difference between customers' perceptions of digital payment systems and their age. However, there is no significant difference between consumers' perceptions of digital payment systems and their gender or level of education.

Methodology for Determining the Main Physical Parameters of Apples by Digital Image Analysis

This paper presents the validation of a digital image analysis method for the quantitative determination of physical quality parameters of apples by comparative analysis with a traditional measurement method. The method was used to determine the quality indicators of apples based on digital image analysis in accordance with standard requirements. Five popular apple varieties from Kazakhstan were selected for the study: Aport Alexander, Ainur, Sinap Almaty, Nursat and Kazakhskij Yubilejnyj. The parameters of the five apple varieties were measured both manually and digitally, which revealed close agreement between the obtained values. The analysis of the results of measuring the geometric parameters of the apples and the percentage of red color in the images was carried out. The maximum relative errors in determining the diameters (d, D) and height (h) were 2.99%, 3.03% and 4.12%, respectively. Regression models were developed to predict the weight and volume of apples. The best results in weight prediction were obtained for the Sinap Almatinsky variety using stepwise linear regression (R2 = 0.96), and volume prediction showed the best results for the Nursat variety (R2 = 0.92). This study lays the foundation for the development of automated systems for sorting apples by commercial varieties.

From Paper-Based to Digital Assessment: Adoption and Challenges of Learning Evaluation Applications in Islamic Education

The digital transformation of education has significantly altered the landscape of learning assessment, including in Islamic Education (PAI). The transition from traditional paper-based assessments to digital evaluation methods through various applications has become an emerging trend. However, despite these advancements, the adoption of digital assessment tools among PAI teachers remains inconsistent. This study investigates the extent of adoption and the challenges PAI teachers face in utilizing digital learning assessment applications in Blitar Regency, Indonesia. Employing a quantitative-descriptive research design, data were collected through surveys and interviews with PAI teachers. The findings reveal that 90.9% of respondents have integrated digital assessment applications into their teaching practices, with Google Forms (90.9%), Quizizz (45.5%), Kahoot (36.4%), and Zipgrade (9.1%) being the most commonly used platforms. Several factors influence the adoption of these technologies, including accessibility, ease of use, efficiency, and the ability to generate objective learning outcome data. However, challenges such as limited technological proficiency, inadequate training, and insufficient infrastructure hinder broader implementation. These findings underscore the need for targeted professional development programs and institutional support to enhance digital assessment adoption in Islamic education. This study contributes to the growing discourse on digital learning transformation by providing empirical insights into the opportunities and barriers associated with integrating digital assessment tools in Islamic educational settings

Low complexity exponential pruning learned digital back-propagation method for fiber nonlinearity mitigation.

Learned digital back-propagation (LDBP) is emerging as a promising solution to mitigate the nonlinear fiber distortions that limit the capacity of optical communications. However, the computational complexity of LDBP, which is affected by dispersion compensation, will increase significantly as optical communications move toward higher baud rates and longer transmission distances. Herein, we propose what we believe to be a novel method called exponential pruning LDBP (EP-LDBP), which is achieved by pruning the redundant LDBP taps with adjustable parameters. Experimental results show that EP-LDBP achieves a 61.5% reduction in computational complexity compared to LDBP in frequency domain without sacrificing compensation performance in a 21-channel wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission over 1600 km fiber using 60 Gbaud 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM). Furthermore, our analysis of EP-LDBP under varying baud rates (30-60 G) and transmission distances (400-1600 km) demonstrates its superior potential in reducing complexity, thus aligning more effectively with the evolving landscape of optical fiber communications.

High-Resolution Oil-Free Imaging of Chromosomes Using Fourier Ptychographic Microscopy.

In conventional microscopic imaging of chromosomes, the use of high numerical aperture (NA) oil-immersion objectives is essential. However, the use of oil-immersion objectives poses a significant challenge to automated imaging systems because it increases the risk of sample contamination and instrumental damage. The shallow depth of field (DOF) of oil-immersion objectives also demands more sophisticated mechanical focusing. Here, we introduce a chromosome oil-free microscopic imaging system based on Fourier Ptychographic Microscopy (FPM) technology. The system employs a 100×, 0.8 NA dry objective to achieve a half-pitch resolution of 194 nm at an incident wavelength of 524 nm. The reconstructed images of chromosomes surpassed the conventional imaging with a 100×, 1.25 NA oil-immersion objective. We also utilized digital refocusing methods to extend the effective DOF to ±2.4 μm. This study preliminarily validates the possibility of developing a new generation of chromosome scanners without using an oil-immersion objective.

Usability and Implementation Considerations of Fitbit and App Intervention for Diverse Cancer Survivors: Mixed Methods Study.

Despite the known benefits of physical activity, cancer survivors remain insufficiently active. Prior trials have adopted digital health methods, although several have been pedometer-based and enrolled mainly female, non-Hispanic White, and more highly educated survivors of breast cancer. The objective of this study was to test a previously developed mobile health system consisting of a Fitbit activity tracker and the MyDataHelps smartphone app for feasibility in a diverse group of cancer survivors, with the goal of refining the program and setting the stage for a larger future trial. Participants were identified from one academic medical center's electronic health records, referred by a clinician, or self-referred to participate in the study. Participants were screened for eligibility, enrolled, provided a Fitbit activity tracker, and instructed to download the Fitbit: Health & Wellness and MyDataHelps apps. They completed usability surveys at 1 and 3 months. Interviews were conducted at the end of the 3-month intervention with participants and cancer care clinicians to assess the acceptability of the intervention and the implementation of the intervention into clinical practice, respectively. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics, usability surveys, and Fitbit adherence and step counts. Rapid qualitative analysis was used to identify key findings from interview transcriptions. Of the 100 patients screened for eligibility, 31 were enrolled in the trial (mean age 64.8, SD 11.1 years; female patients=17/31, 55%; Hispanic or Latino=7/31, 23%; non-White=11/31, 35%; less than a bachelor's degree=14/31, 45%; and household income <US $75,000=11/31, 35%). The mean (SD) years since diagnosis was 7.1 (8.2), and the two most frequent cancer diagnoses were prostate (9/31, 29%) and breast (4/31, 13%) cancer. Participants provided positive feedback on the MyDataHelps app usability; the overall app quality received a mean score of 3.79 (SD 0.82) on a 5-point Likert scale (1=worst, 5=best). Interviews with 10 patients yielded four themes: (1) Fitbit and app setup was easy but the research team provided assistance, when needed, which was helpful, (2) motivational messages within the app were not memorable, (3) step counts and Fitbit notifications were motivating, and (4) medical professionals viewing their data were acceptable. Interviews with 5 cancer care clinicians yielded four themes: (1) some patients used wearables but rarely discussed data with clinicians; (2) activity trackers can be helpful to motivate patients and keep them accountable; (3) objective activity measures-similar to BMI, weight, and blood pressure- that they can track over time and refer to afterward were preferred; and (4) training and systematic processes to view these data as part of active workflow were desired. Implementing a remotely delivered, light-intensity physical activity program was feasible and acceptable in a sample of diverse cancer survivors. Future studies should consider registry-based methods and work with clinicians to engage hard-to-reach survivor populations who have low physical activity levels and disproportionately high adverse health outcomes.

Co-producing social work knowledge: collaborative approaches between communities, practitioners and social work educators

ABSTRACT This paper addresses how social work education can promote concepts of community, trust, and the development of sustained professional and community-engaged relationships. We use case studies to highlight collaborative practice with stakeholders and emphasize how insider knowledge plays a crucial role in the design and implementation of more inclusive interventions. This new knowledge moves away from problem-oriented social work interventions and embraces a holistic community development approach. Drawing on our empirical work and international social work we show how and why it is important to include these approaches in social work education utilizing co-produced digital methods such as seminars, podcasts and videos. Drawing on two localities in England we highlight how through collaboration and building trust, new, co-produced knowledge can lead to a shift toward a more holistic approach to social work concerns including Social Work education and practice. We argue this matters because in the recent past social work and other statutory organizations practice with communities and regarding safeguarding fell short (Independent Inquiry into Telford Child Sexual Exploitation IITCSE, 2022). In this paper we emphasize implications of co-produced knowledge and applications in social work education. Moreover, we show how collaborative practice can address discrimination, exploitation and violence and social work education be enhanced.

Impact of Digital Marketing on Business Performance: A PRISMA Model

This study aims to examine the impacts of digital marketing on business sustainability using a systematic analysis guided by PRISMA, focusing on their effectiveness, emerging trends, and obstacles. By comprehensively examining contemporary academic studies, the research highlights significant digital marketing methods that improve online presence, consumer interaction, and overall business performance. This research is constrained by its dependency on secondary data, which may not adequately reflect current industry trends. Moreover, the study primarily emphasizes existing literature and lacks in empirical data from direct consumer and business surveys. Additionally, variations in the effectiveness of digital marketing across different regions and industries are not thoroughly addressed. The study concludes that transformative trends and technologies are changing the landscape of digital marketing, including artificial intelligence, data driven analytics, and Omni channel marketing strategies positive impact on business sustainability. Further, the study addresses major challenges and concerns about data privacy, content saturation, issues with consumer trust while evaluating return on investment (ROI), reliance on specific platforms, and ethical considerations. The study provides several possible options for the problem that focus more on privacy-related marketing, using AI in personalized content creation, adopting complex analytics for performance assessment, and diversifying marketing channels. The research invariably emphasizes that businesses must infuse their digital marketing efforts with ethics, sound data-unforcedness, and customer focus to attain sustainable growth in their top-tier digital ecosystem. This study offers valuable insights for small and micro-entrepreneurs, policymakers, and regulators emphasizing digital marketing as a tool for sustainable marketing strategies.

Mainstreaming and transnationalization of anti-gender ideas through social media: the case of CitizenGO

ABSTRACT Social media platforms can be effective tools for mainstreaming and transnationalization of radical positions. Anti-gender ideas have particularly gained traction transnationally in recent years. Despite extensive research on the anti-gender movement, the specific role of social media remains underexplored. How do anti-gender organizations use social media to strategically mainstream and transnationalize their agenda? This study addresses this overarching question by focusing on CitizenGO, a digital advocacy organization that holds a key position within the anti-gender transnational advocacy network. We examine its multilingual social media network and activities over a decade (2013–2022) using computational and digital methods. The findings indicate that CitizenGO uses a sophisticated network of social media accounts to coordinate and amplify anti-gender messages across different languages and regions. The study suggests that CitizenGO’s strategic use of social media is aimed at mainstreaming and globalizing anti-gender agendas, contributing new insights into the mechanisms of digital advocacy and the transnational expansion of anti-gender networks.

Public libraries on TikTok – emerging platform vernaculars of communication and distribution

ABSTRACT Libraries have long embedded social media platforms into their work practices, TikTok being a comparatively new addition. After its international launch, TikTok quickly became a popular platform, especially a space for ‘book talk’, called BookTok. The literature on libraries and TikTok is sparse, and little research has been done to investigate actual TikTok usage by libraries systematically. There is also a methodological advancement to be made in how to approach hashtags as chains when analyzing social media content. In this paper, we explore how Norwegian public libraries use TikTok, employing a dataset of 3248 posts as the basis for our analysis. The study combines digital methods approaches for data collection and analysis with traditional knowledge organization approaches, focusing on hashtags and hashtag chains as part of the complex socio-technical and algorithmic system. Our study has focused on the interpretive possibilities of hashtags as a constitutive element of the platform vernacular. We find that libraries contribute to the ongoing construction and maintenance of BookTok and LibraryTok, and the intersection of these sides through book recommendations and events. We further introduce the concept of daisy chains, signifying a deliberate but unsystematic tactic of tagging posts, part of the platform vernacular, serving the dual act of influencing distribution and communication in a complex algorithmic system.

Sharing women's sport coaching journeys to the Canada Games through digital storytelling

ABSTRACT Digital storytelling is a participant-centred method used to illustrate personal narratives and artistic stories by creating a 2–5-minute video using photographs, artwork, voiceover, and/or video clips. This creative method aims to redistribute power between researchers and participants and amplify the voices of historically marginalized individuals, such as women in leadership positions. Within this article, we present digital storytelling as an innovative method for sharing women's stories in sport and leisure. While more women are occupying sports leadership positions, systemic gender inequities remain that impede women from thriving as sport coaches. Situated as part of a larger project that occurred at the Summer 2022 Canada Games, the process of supporting two women in telling their coaching journeys through digital storytelling is shared, including how the stories were conceptualized, designed, refined, and disseminated. Through two individual interviews, one-on-one meetings, and a virtual viewing party, the women's experiences of crafting their digital stories were captured. Insights are shared for utilizing digital storytelling to work with participants in telling their unheard stories, especially when working with individuals who are historically excluded and marginalized. Practical recommendations are provided for using the digital storytelling method alongside interviews within leisure and sport research.

Simplified ABO-OGS orientation improves training of orthodontic bracket positioning for undergraduate dental students

BackgroundMastery of orthodontic bracket bonding is an essential component of the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum. Traditional bracket bonding training using simple plaster models has some shortcomings, including a disconnect from clinical practice and poor perception of the criteria and accuracy. This study aims to optimize the bracket bonding course by comparing the traditional teaching method with simplified American Board of Orthodontics Objective Grading System (ABO-OGS)-oriented training methods.MethodsFourth-year dental students from Fujian Medical University, spanning the 2015 to 2017 cohorts, participated in the orthodontic bracket bonding course. Students from these three cohorts were trained using the traditional plaster model method, the digital 2D ABO-OGS-oriented method, and the typodont ABO-OGS-oriented method, respectively. After the course, students and teachers completed a six-level Likert scale questionnaire to evaluate the teaching objectives, methods, and efficacy.ResultsBoth teachers and students agreed that the traditional bracket bonding training and the simplified ABO-OGS-oriented bracket bonding training were effective, with most students mastering the bracket bonding procedure. The simplified ABO-OGS-oriented bracket bonding was perceived as more novel and engaging compared to the traditional method (P < 0.05). However, the digital 2D ABO-OGS method was significantly less effective than the other two methods (P < 0.05). Instructors rated the typodont ABO-OGS-oriented training higher than the students did (P < 0.05).ConclusionBoth the traditional and simplified ABO-OGS-oriented courses for bracket bonding yielded favorable results, with the simplified ABO-OGS approach being more engaging and innovative. The findings emphasize the critical role of hands-on practice in achieving optimal proficiency in bracket bonding techniques. A hybrid educational model that integrates digital 2D or 3D ABO-OGS-oriented training with offline practical sessions shows considerable potential for qualifying training and examination of orthodontic residency students.

Comparative Study of Turbulent Inflow Techniques for High-Fidelity Simulations

Turbulence generation has received considerable attention as high-fidelity simulations have become more tractable for a widening range of applications. Many inflow strategies have emerged to reduce the numerical expense of generating equilibrium turbulent profiles, but ambiguity exists in the appropriate turbulent-inflow condition for each use case. This work aids in properly selecting turbulent inflows by comparing two common techniques: a synthetic digital filtering method and a body-force-based trip. The inflows are rigorously compared to identify parameters sensitive to the turbulence generation. A supersonic case with a Mach number of 1.5 and a subsonic case with a Mach number of 0.2 are considered. For both flow regimes, the skin-friction coefficient using the trip recovers faster than the digital filter. Conversely, the shape factor predictions recover faster for the digital filter than the trip. The results indicate that selecting the optimal inflow turbulence strategy is a multifaceted problem with many interrelated effects of flow conditions and desired target parameters. The numerical framework in which the technique is embedded is equally important. Therefore, code-specific comparisons like those provided here are a crucial benchmark for informed selection and guidance of turbulent inflows.

Social Support via WeChat? Explorations of Chinese Rural–Urban Women’s Happiness

Employing a social support perspective allows us to examine the experiences of migrant women in assembly lines using WeChat to explore the relationship between social support and their subjective well-being. Th paper takes advantage of the digital ethnography method to investigate Chinese rural–urban women using WeChat in Tianjin, China. Utilizing a snowball sampling approach to search for 47 interviewees, this study conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews. The research discovered that activities organized by companies, digital information, and virtual communication, to some extent, provide Chinese migrant women with social support, consequently positively influencing their subjective well-being. It is undeniable that the use of WeChat seems to conceal the inequality, imbalance, and many other issues behind this phenomenon. Even so, this discovery will help researchers investigate migrant women’s urban inclusion and mental health in the future.

Mapping contextual data

The proliferating platformization and digital transformation require designing and deploying suitable research methods and approaches to address the hybrid nature of actors, relations, practices, and the growing importance of the context. This paper explores the design of such a tailored methodology for investigating the value-driven development of online public service media platforms in Germany. While qualitative methodologies are time- and resource-consuming and digital methods leave out less context to the field, this mixed methodology emphasizes the context and invests in collecting thick data. It encompasses multiple stages of recording and mapping that employ qualitative and quantitative approaches to bring together various vignettes, unveiling complementary context and contradictory accounts with the help of visualization. In each mapping and visualization stage, the paper investigates actors and relationships heuristically and emphasizes the work-in-progress nature of mapping regarding platforms.