Digital Modes Research Articles

“We’re still seeing people on the screen, we still keeping our bodies moving”: exploring the transition from face to face to online dance classes for community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background The COVID-19 outbreak meant that people were unable to attend art-based community classes such as dance. In response, activities transitioned to digital modes of delivery. In this study, we aimed to explore the feasibility, inclusivity, and impact of transitioning to an online dance class. Methods Thirty community-dwelling older adults (59–84 years old) were recruited from community groups in Yorkshire (UK). Participants completed an online survey at baseline and after attending 8 weeks of online dance classes. The survey captured perceived benefits on physical activity and mental wellbeing. Two separate focus groups (N = 12) were conducted to explore if the online dance transition could be an opportunity to keep this group active and socially connected. Results Survey data revealed no significant difference in the amount of time engaged in physical activity, but mental wellbeing significantly improved. Themes from the focus groups included holistic wellbeing related to the experience of dance, inclusive participation of online dance, and online dance facilitating social connection and sense of belonging. Conclusions The research provided insight into the online transition of a dance class for older adults, especially regarding inclusivity, sense of belonging and social connection.

Abstract B037: Reach of digital interventions to address disparities in repeat lung cancer screening in Washington State

Abstract Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in the United States. Annual screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) reduces lung cancer mortality. However, annual adherence to screening is suboptimal. To improve annual adherence to lung cancer screening (LCS), additional patient education beyond shared-decision making is needed to normalize the screening process. Interventions which leverage digital modes of delivery might have broad reach, but only if patients actively engage with messages from clinical providers. Furthermore, there may be disparities in access to digital communication by patient demographics which will need to be addressed to advance health equity through digital technology. The objective of this study was to understand factors associated with engagement with patient portal messaging. This study was nested within a pragmatic clinical trial to test the “Patient Voices Video” relative to usual care to determine if participants opened video intervention communication delivered through the patient portal. The video-based intervention (Patient Voices Video) incorporated patient testimonials to acknowledge LCS receipt, reminds patients they are due in 12 months for next scan, and reassurance to reduce fear of LCS and role of loved ones to support health choices. Study participants were Kaiser Permanente Washington members aged 50-78 years with recent normal LCS scan and were randomized to either Patient Voices Video or usual care. Study analyses were restricted to those assigned to video arm. Participants randomized to the video arm received a web link via a patient portal message 3 weeks after normal scan. We generated descriptive statistics to summarize differences in proportions in pre-specified demographic factors associated with opening the video message in the patient portal among those in the video arm and registered in patient portal (n=614). Overall, 85% of participants opened their patient portal message. Patient factors associated with not opening patient portal message included: current tobacco use (currently smoking 56% in group that did not open portal message vs 42% in group that opened portal message) and race/ethnicity (18% non-White in group that did not open portal message vs 10% in group that opened portal message). A higher proportion (8%) of those in non-metro areas opened portal message compared to 3% not opening message. There were no differences in likelihood of opening the portal message by age, sex, prior LCS experience, or area deprivation. Patient portal messages can be a successful delivery mode for LCS interventions with high utilization, but disparities in reach are still prevalent by race and ethnicity and tobacco status. Citation Format: Anjali Vasavada, Lorella Palazzo, Matthew Triplette, Hongyuan Gao, Melissa Anderson, Casey Luce, Yu-Ru Su, James Ralston, Kristine Rogers, Nadia Bezman, Beverly B Green, Lisa Carter-Bawa, Karen J Wernli. Reach of digital interventions to address disparities in repeat lung cancer screening in Washington State [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B037.

Pandemic-induced Migration From Campus to Digital Mode: Experiences From Social Work Students and Teachers in India and Sweden

The article explores the rapid COVID-19 pandemic-induced migration from campus to digital modes of education in 2020–2021. The process of this migration offers an opportunity to examine some important issues related to digital teaching, learning, and education during the pandemic. Based on our study of the School of Social Work at Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, India, and the School of Social Work at Lund University, Sweden, we explore and compare the social component in the experiences of students and teachers at the two institutions. The data collection draws on focus group sessions and interviews complemented by various relevant institutional documents and our own experiences at our respective institutions. The core argument we put forth in the article is that the Swedish student and teacher response to the pandemic-induced crisis and the migration to digital classes was a case of ‘trusting the state’, as they were passively waiting for top-down initiatives and instructions. On the other hand, the response at the Indian institution was a case of ‘trusting ourselves’, not waiting for top-down instructions and support but creating bottom-up solutions within the internal community of teachers and students. We also highlight the different perceptions and the impact of teaching and studying from home on physical and emotional levels. While we present the differences and specificity around the expectations of teachers and students at the two institutions, we also elucidate their patience, perseverance and innovation while engaging with the realities of work and studying from home while being kept away from campus.

Site-based and Digital Cohort Participation Among Transgender Women in the Eastern and Southern USA: Findings from the LITE Study.

Transgender women (TW) are highly burdened by HIV. There is increasing interest in digital (i.e., through internet-based interfaces) HIV research; yet few studies have assessed potential biases of digital compared to site-based data collection. This study examined differences in characteristics between TW participating via site-based versus digital-only modes in an HIV incidence cohort. Between March 2018-Aug 2020, a multisite cohort of 1,312 adult TW in the eastern and southern USA was enrolled in site-based and exclusively digital modes. We evaluated differences in baseline demographics, socio-structural vulnerabilities, healthcare access, gender affirmation, mental health, stigma, social support, and HIV acquisition risk comparing site-based vs digital modes using chi square tests and Poisson regression modeling with robust standard errors. The overall median age was 28 (interquartile range=23-35) years and over half identified as people of color (15% Black, 13% Multiracial, 12% Another Race, 18% Latina/e/x). A higher proportion of site-based (vs. digital mode) participants resided in the Northeast, were younger, identified as people of color, experienced socio-structural vulnerabilities, had a regular healthcare provider, received medical gender affirmation, endorsed mental health symptoms and stigma, reported HIV acquisition risk but also greater experience with biomedical HIV prevention (pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis), and had larger social networks (all p<0.05). Site-based and digital approaches enrolled TW with different demographics, life experiences, and HIV acquisition risks. A hybrid cohort model may achieve a more diverse and potentially representative sample of TW than either site-based or online cohorts alone for HIV research.

Osteoarthritis Year In Review 2024: Rehabilitation and outcomes

This Year in Review presents key highlights from recent research relating to osteoarthritis rehabilitation and its outcomes, defined as any non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatment that aims to improve osteoarthritis symptoms at any joint. Three databases (Medline, Embase, and CINAHLplus) were searched between 1 March 2023 to 12 March 2024. Relevant studies were chosen based on the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, perceived clinical importance, quality, controversy in the field, or personal interest, and organised into four overarching themes (with 1-5 sub-themes each). The first theme related to uncertainties regarding exercise benefits. New work has challenged the clinical effectiveness of exercise on symptoms, as well as highlighted uncertainty around our understanding of both mechanisms of effects, how to enhance effectiveness and adherence, and which subgroups of people are more or less likely to improve with exercise. However, we also highlight new work confirming the role of exercise as a first-line management strategy. The second theme related to digital modes of service delivery. There was new evidence to support its effectiveness on improving symptoms, and clear potential for creating and evaluating new mobile apps. New work also highlighted the potential future role artificial intelligence can have in providing treatment information and recommendations. The third theme related to patient education, and the call for change to the impairment-based narrative that prevails in osteoarthritis information. The fourth theme related to weight loss. New work compared the effectiveness of different weight loss diets and explored alternative models of weight loss delivery.

Analyzing the influence of smart and digital manufacturing on cost stickiness: A study of U.S. manufacturing firms

In the digital economy, smart and digital manufacturing has become an essential tool for firms to increase their industrial intelligence in recent years. This research uses data from U.S. manufacturing firms from 2011 to 2021 to investigate the effect of smart and digital manufacturing and its mechanism on firm cost stickiness. The findings demonstrate that the adoption of smart and digital manufacturing negatively impacts a firm's cost stickiness, suggesting that the adoption of smart and digital manufacturing has a deterrent effect on cost stickiness. Mechanism test results show that smart and digital manufacturing primarily lowers the cost stickiness of businesses by enhancing resource allocation effectiveness and improving information processing capabilities. Smart and digital manufacturing has a significantly stronger inhibitory effect on cost stickiness compared to collaborative smart and digital manufacturing modes. According to the examination of heterogeneity variables, firms with higher staff knowledge levels and non-SOE status experience a more pronounced inhibitory effect of smart and digital manufacturing on their cost stickiness. The value effect analysis indicates that smart and digital manufacturing eventually increases a company's present and future performance, enhancing long-term value by reducing cost stickiness. This study offers guidance and insights for the development of firm operational strategies and the promotion of national industrial intelligence policies.

Ancillary hospital workers experience during COVID-19: systematic review and narrative synthesis

BackgroundCOVID-19 overwhelmed healthcare systems worldwide. Its impact on clinical staff is well documented, but little is known about the effects on ancillary staff (cleaners, porters and caterers).AimTo identify the evidence...

Influence of Potentiostat Hardware on Electrochemical Measurements.

We describe two operating modes for the same potentiostat, where the redox processes of hydroquinone in a hydrochloric acid medium are contrasted for cyclic voltammetry (CV) as functions of a digital/staircase scan and an analogue/linear scan. Although superficially there is not much to separate the two modes of operation as an end user, differences can be seen in the voltammograms while switching between the digital and analogue modes. The effects of quantization clearly have some impact on the measurements, with the outputs between the two modes being a function of the equivalent-circuit model of the electrochemical system under investigation. Increasing scan rates when using both modes produces higher peak redox currents, with the differences between the analogue and digital modes of operation being consistent as a function of the scan rate. Differences between the CV loops between the analogue and digital modes show key differences at certain points along the scans, which can be attributed to the nature of the electrolyte affecting the charging and discharging processes and consequently changing the peak currents of the redox processes. The faradaic processes were shown to be independent of the scan rates. Simulations of the equivalent-circuit behaviour show differences in the responses to different input signals, i.e., the step and ramp responses of the system. Both the voltage and current steps and ramp responses showed the time-domain behaviour of distinct elements of the equivalent electrochemical circuit model as an approximation of the applied digital and analogue CV input signals. Ultimately, it was concluded that similar parameters between the two modes of operation available with the potentiostat would lead to different output voltammograms and, despite advances in technology, digital systems can never fully emulate a true analogue system for electrochemical applications. These observations showcase the value of having hardware capable of true analogue characteristics over digital systems.

What's different about digital? A qualitative interview study exploring experiences of adapting in-person behaviour change interventions for digital delivery.

Digital health behaviour change interventions may be adapted from in-person interventions, without appropriate consideration of how the digital context might differ. Drawing on the wider literature on behaviour change intervention development, this research aims to explore the digital adaptation process of health behaviour change interventions and the specific considerations for digital modes of delivery. A qualitative interview study. Interviews with 15 intervention developers/facilitators were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings highlight a continuum of digitalization, where variation in technology available and human support influences considerations for digital adaptation. 'What vs how: "trying to do the impossible"' describes the balance between retaining the intervention's active ingredients while modifying for digital delivery. Through 'Trial and error', participants described an iterative process based on experience of delivery. 'Creating connection and engagement' emphasizes the importance of social support and the challenges of replicating this. Several considerations for digital adaptations are proposed including the involvement of end-users (facilitators and recipients) during adaptation, the need to understand the original intervention and new context for use, and the different motivational needs of digital intervention recipients.

Unveiling mode effects in grade 1 vocabulary assessment: the intriguing influence of test mode

BackgroundVocabulary knowledge plays a pivotal role in academic development, particularly among Grade 1 students. To support students in their academic development, effective assessment instruments in educational settings are crucial. The GraWo (Graz Vocabulary Test) is introduced as a tool designed to evaluate receptive vocabulary in German-speaking countries in print and in digital mode.ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate mode effects in the GraWo among Grade 1 students, comparing vocabulary gains in digital and print versions. Additionally, it explores the influence of student characteristics, such as gender and language status, and examines item-level differences between the two modes in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of test performance.DesignThe research design entails a longitudinal approach, following children (n = 421) from the beginning to the end of Grade 1, varying the test modes (digital or print) only at second measurement (40% receiving the print version), while at first measurement all children worked with the digital version.ResultsBaseline comparisons of test mode groups indicated almost no significant differences. In terms of growth in vocabulary during Grade 1, an ANOVA with repeated measures revealed a main effect for time, indicating increased performance in both groups at second measurement. Moreover, an interaction effect between time and test mode group showed that the print group exhibited higher gains in the vocabulary test compared to the digital group. Further analysis using MNLFA confirmed that the print mode group outperformed the digital group overall and that four items were also individually affected by differences between the digital and print versions.ConclusionThe study emphasizes the need for nuanced investigations into the impact of test mode on student performance and suggests incorporating observational methods to comprehensively understand student interactions with digital and print modes. In acknowledging potential variations in performance, educators and policymakers need to tailor practices to accommodate the demands of hybrid test procedures and to consider the role of digital competence in shaping testing experiences.

Introduction of Human-in-the-Loop in Smart Manufacturing (H-SM)

This paper introduces the concept of human-in-the-loop in smart manufacturing (H-SM), which aims to involve humans more extensively by utilizing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable devices, and immersive technologies. The ultimate objective of H-SM, based on the five pillars of intelligence, integration, interoperability, interaction, and immersion (5I), is to achieve human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience in order to realize Industry 5.0. The paper first discusses and classifies enhanced users and human digital modes (i.e., model, shadow, and twin) based on varying levels of physical and cognitive capabilities and experiences.

Service development project to pilot a digital technology innovation for video direct observation of therapy in adult patients with asthma

BackgroundAdherence to pharmacotherapy and use of the correct inhaler technique are important basic principles of asthma management. Video- or remote-direct observation of therapy (v-DOT) could be a feasible approach to...

Recent Innovations and Advances in Mixed-Mode Surveys

Abstract The use of mixed-mode surveys has grown rapidly in recent years, due to both technological advances and the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased mixing of modes (and the adoption of newer digital modes like web and text messaging) necessitates an evaluation of the impact of these newer designs on survey errors and costs, as well as new techniques for disaggregating and adjusting for nonresponse and measurement errors. This special issue highlights recent innovations, applications, and evaluations of mixed-mode survey designs and identifies areas where additional research is required.

Communicating for Sustainability in the Digital Age: Toward a New Paradigm of Literacy

Efforts to create a sustainable future require careful and complex thinking, interdisciplinary and cross-organizational collaboration, and effective and ethical communication. However, the structural biases of digital communication technologies foster modes of thought and expression that undermine or impede these necessities. While one possible solution to this problem is digital literacy, the two prevailing paradigms of digital literacy both reproduce the myth of technological neutrality. This myth further inhibits sustainability by wrongly suggesting that digital technologies are appropriate to all communication goals and tasks. As a corrective to these models, I propose a new paradigm of digital literacy, one rooted in media ecology. The adoption of this model, I maintain, allows us to consciously co-create our social world rather than merely inhabit it.

Reconsidering Digital Strategies for Recruiting and Organising Young Emerging Teachers in Chosen Teachers' Unions in South Africa

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reports that, in most of its member countries, the percentage of employed individuals who are members of trade unions has decreased significantly over the past few decades, with less than 20 percent. Some of the studies done on this subject unequivocally acknowledge that low membership turnover and dwindling trade union densities are caused by the incapacity to mobilize, organize, and serve members. In order to determine the most effective and efficient way to use these integrated digital strategies, this research investigates types of digital modes for organising, mobilising, and retaining new coming educators. Data were gathered through interviews with ten SADTU organisers and ten students from particular South. African universities, using the qualitative method. The data was analysed using a grounded (thematic) approach. The study's overall findings shows that digital technologies play a significant role in luring newer generations of trade union members. The findings of this study directly influenced the creation of more precise and efficient digital strategies for recruiting and organizing young emerging teachers, leading to an overall enhancement in the recruitment and retention of talent within the education sector.

A Systematic Review of the Post COVID-19 Pandemic Transformation on Design and Delivery of Curriculum

This study investigated the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education in Africa, focusing on curriculum design and delivery. The pandemic highlighted significant vulnerabilities in African higher education, notably exacerbating the digital divide that hindered seamless curriculum delivery during lockdowns. This systematic literature review synthesizes empirical and conceptual studies to assess these impacts from 2019 to 2022. The pandemic caused substantial setbacks in curriculum implementation due to enforced lockdowns and restrictions on physical gatherings, crucial for traditional classroom-based instruction. These constraints underscored the urgent need for educational institutions to adapt to digital modes of instruction to maintain continuity in teaching and learning. The findings reveal that many African higher education institutions were unprepared for the abrupt shift to online learning, resulting in significant educational disruptions. The cessation of in-person instruction prevented students from accessing educational resources, further widening the pre-existing digital divide. The study emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive redesign of higher education curricula to incorporate online delivery methods effectively, leveraging various learning technologies to ensure uninterrupted curriculum delivery during crises. It recommends that African higher education institutions prioritize integrating digital learning platforms and tools in their curricula. This adaptation is critical in enhancing resilience against future disruptions, ensuring the academic calendar remains intact despite potential crises.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Willingness to Sustain Pandemic-Induced Digital Work in the General Population and Moderating Effects of Screen Hours: Cross-Sectional Study.

The pandemic has accelerated digital work transformation, yet little is known about individuals' willingness to sustain such digital modes and its associated factors. A better understanding of this willingness and its drivers is crucial for guiding the development of future digital work infrastructure, training programs, and strategies to monitor and prevent related health issues. This study aims to quantify the general population's willingness to sustain pandemic-induced digital work, identify its associated factors, and examine how screen time moderates these relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting Hong Kong residents aged ≥18 years who have increased engagement in digital work since the pandemic. Data were collected through self-reported, web-based surveys. Descriptive statistics determined prevalence rates, while structured multiphase logistic regression identified associated factors and explored the moderating effects of screen hour levels. This unfunded study enrolled 1014 participants from May 2 to June 24, 2022, and completed data analysis within 3 months after data collection. A total of 391 (38.6%; 95% CI 35.6%-41.6%) participants expressed willingness to sustain digital work. Positive factors associated with this willingness included being an employee (odds ratio [OR] 3.12, 95% CI 1.59-6.45; P=.001), being health professionals (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.49-7.82; P=.004), longer screen hours (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15; P=.002), and higher depression levels (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01-1.44; P=.04). Conversely, negatively associated factors included older age (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.94; P=.001), extroversion (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.51-0.86; P=.002), higher eHealth literacy (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.98; P<.001), perceived greater susceptibility to COVID-19 (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.96; P=.009), residence in a high-severity COVID-19 community (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63-0.84; P<.001), having infected individuals in the immediate social circle (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46-0.88; P=.006), higher BMI (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99; P=.02), feelings of being out of control (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.98; P=.002), and higher fear of COVID-19 (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98; P=.001). In addition, a moderating effect of screen hour level (high: >8 h/d; low: ≤8 h/d) influenced the association among 10 factors related to willingness to sustain pandemic-induced digital work, including age, education level, household size, needs for regular medical care, BMI, frequency of both vigorous and moderate physical activities, perceived COVID-19 severity, immediate social circle COVID-19 presence, and fear of COVID-19 (all P values for interaction <.05). The substantial willingness of the general population to sustain digital work after the pandemic highlights the need for robust telework infrastructure, thorough monitoring of adverse health outcomes, and the potential to expand telehealth services among this group. The identification of factors influencing this willingness and the moderating role of screen hours inform the development of personalized strategies to enhance digital work acceptance where needed.

Trends and Challenges in the Teaching of Ideological and Political Courses in the Era of Digital Transformation: A Case Study of the "Ideology, Morality, and the Rule of Law" Course

In an era where digital technologies are transforming societal productivity and the 20th National Congress of the CPC discusses the "advancement of education digitalization", the integration of ideological and political education (IPE) with digitalization represents the future path for IPE teaching in universities. Under the external push of digital technologies, endogenous changes in ideological and political education occur through the use of digital IPE resources, channels, and modes to enhance the vitality of IPE classrooms. However, in the implementation of digital IPE teaching reforms, challenges persist in ideological leadership, digital infrastructure, and educational philosophy.

Digitalisation of engineering design education: structured freedom, flipped engagement, hybridity, and transparency

ABSTRACT This paper contributes to current discussions of digital teaching and technology within the field of engineering design education. We enter this dialogue by analysing a hybrid digital learning design for a 15-ECTS engineering design course. The course design pedagogically integrates principles from networked learning research, Problem-Based learning (PBL), as well as established pedagogical traditions. Specifically, we analyse and discuss the case based on four pedagogical principles underpinning the course: structured freedom, flipped engagement, hybridity, and transparency. The purpose of our discussions is to understand and contribute knowledge of digitalising engineering design education. Specifically, our pedagogical approach to hybrid and digital modes of learning rethink and expand the integration of digital technologies in physical design studios in a PBL context by employing networked learning principles. Following this, we draw out interesting contributions that have emerged and use the discussions to feed into the ongoing research on digitalising engineering design education.

Estimating patient spontaneous breathing effort in mechanical ventilation using a b-splines function approach

Background:Patient work of breathing is a key clinical metric strongly to guide patient care and weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV). Measurement requires added equipment, well-trained clinicians, or/and extra interventions. This study combines a spontaneous breathing effort model using b-spline functions with a nonlinear, predictive MV digital-twin model to monitor patient effort in real-time. Methods:Data from 22 patients for two assisted spontaneous breathing MV modes, NAVA (neurally adjusted ventilatory assist) and PSV (pressure support ventilation), are employed. The patient effort function estimates a pleural pressure Pˆp surrogate of muscular work of breathing induced pressure. To ensure identifiability Pˆp is identified with a negative constraint level of 75%. Estimated patient effort is compared to electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) signals from the NAVA naso-gastric tude, airway pressure, and tidal volume (VT) as well as physiological and clinical expectations. Results:Pˆp generalizes well across the digital twin model and MV modes in comparison to the original single compartment lung model. Strong neuro-muscular correlations are identified with Pˆp compared to EAdi, VT, and airway pressure in NAVA. They are lower in PSV, as expected, as pressure delivery is not a function of EAdi in this MV mode, while the uncontrolled variable VT shows a stronger association with Pˆp than EAdi. Conclusion:The digital twin model relates patient-specific induced breathing effort, modeled as Pˆp, as well as or better than EAdi in both assisted breathing MV modes. Results differ between NAVA and PSV modes due to the poorer patient–ventilator interaction typical in PSV. The ability to estimate patient work of breathing allows non-invasive, real-time quantification of ventilator unloading, heretofore not possible without extra sensors or maneuvers, to help guide weaning or changes in MV settings for assisted spontaneous breathing (ASB) MV modes.