Experience In Use Research Articles

Aerodynamic Noise Simulation of a Super-High-Rise Building Facade with Shark-Like Grooved Skin.

The wind-driven aerodynamic noise of super-high-rise building facades not only affects the experience of use inside the building but also reduces the life cycle of building facade materials to some extent. In this paper, we are inspired by the micro-groove structure of shark skin with damping and noise reduction properties and apply bionic skin to reduce the aerodynamic noise impact of super-high-rise buildings. The aerodynamic noise performance of smooth and super-high-rise building models with bionic grooves is simulated via CFD to investigate the noise reduction performance of different bionic groove patterns, such as I-shape, ∪-shape, V-shape, and ∩-shape patterns, and their corresponding acoustic noise reduction mechanisms. This study showed that the bionic shark groove skin has a certain noise reduction effect, and the I-shaped groove has the best noise reduction effect. By applying bionic skin, the aerodynamic noise of super-high-rise buildings can be effectively reduced to improve the use experience and environmental quality of the buildings and provide a new research idea and application direction for the aerodynamic noise reduction design of building facades.

Experience of use of intraoperative computed tomography and navigation systems in minimally invasive surgery for lumbosacral spondylolisthesis

This article discusses the minimally invasive surgical technique for lumbosacral spondylolisthesis. The use of intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) and a navigation system significantly enhances the accuracy of screw placement and reduces the extent of soft tissue damage. From March 2018 to February 2024, 246 patients with lumbosacral spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery with the use of iCT and navigation systems at the N.N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Of the above-mentioned cases, spondylolisthesis was most commonly observed at the L4-L5 (126 cases) and L5-S1 (98 cases) levels. This article presents two clinical cases from this series demonstrating successful use of these technologies.

The importance of choosing a mucoregulator in the treatment of cough in case of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases. Experience of use and perspectives of carbocysteine therapy

The importance of choosing a mucoregulator in the treatment of cough in case of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases. Experience of use and perspectives of carbocysteine therapy

Adoptees' experiences of using direct-to-consumer genetic testing and determinants of this use: A mixed study in Quebec.

Adoptees' use of direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT) is known to raise both ethical and emotional issues, and it can also challenge their identity. The objective of the present study was to describe the experiences of DTC-GT use among adoptees living in Quebec and to better understand the benefits and disadvantages of use. We adopted a mixed method approach whereby a questionnaire comprising standardized scales was administered to 143 adoptees who had used genetic testing and 40 adoptees who had not. Semi-structured interviews were performed with five respondents from the DTC-GT use group. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed and integrated together using the Pillar Integration Process. The results highlighted familial reunion as the primary motivation for the use of DTC-GT among responding adoptees. Reported challenges included needing help with results interpretation, as well as the need for autonomy in the ownership of the results. Participants describe not being particularly concerned by potential ethical issues, describing the benefits of the tests as more important than possible disadvantages. Overall, participants had a good experience of using DTC-GT, and users were less anxious. Various factors associated with the use and experience of use were highlighted (age, psychological distress, community membership, etc.). The results from this study provide much-needed information about adoptees' needs regarding DTC-GT, highlight key risk factors, and introduces best practice recommendations so that adoptees are properly informed and supported when pursuing DTC-GT.

Signals of Transition in Support Systems: A Study of the use of Social Media Analytics in Crisis Management

In crisis informatics, little attention is placed on how transitions occur between periods of crisis and non-crisis. The analysis of transition behaviors in public organizations could help in understanding the duality between the need for continuity of services provided to the community, and the cyclical nature of risk and crisis management. This study uniquely highlights the transitions occurring when organizations need to stop day-to-day activities to focus on responding to a crisis while continuing to provide services to their communities. We focus on the use of social media analytics as a support system to study transitions and, with the objective to gain an insight into how sociotechnical systems navigate through periods of crisis and non-crisis, we leverage individual experiences of use of social media as a source of information in public service organizations and developers of social media analytics support tools. In doing so, we employed a process study approach, conducted semi-structured interviews, and used thematic analysis to trace patterns of transitions between crisis and non-crisis states. Furthermore, we formulate five signals that public organizations exhibit to illustrate and guide organizational transition behaviors. The main contribution of this study is the explanation and conceptualization of how transitions happen by framing social media as a support information system. In addition, we highlight the return to a new steady state, an overlooked area of organizational transitions and continuity. Our study will help streamline processes of continuity in organizations and inspires the design and improvement of current and future support systems. Future research could apply and extend our propositions to other support systems such as geospatial technologies, robots, and even artificial intelligence.

Trifarotene, a retinoid of the fourth generation, in the treatment of acne: the first experience of use in a real clinical practice

The article presents data on the local retinoid of the fourth generation trifarotene. The results of three large trials have been presented, which have proven good efficacy and long-term safety of monotherapy of the drug trifarotene in patients with moderate acne and in patients with severe acne for combination therapy. It has been shown that trifarotene demonstrates high selectivity to retinoic acid receptors RAR-γ, which are predominant in the skin, which provides clinical efficacy in low concentration and good tolerability.

‘We may need some help; we are just parents who have chosen to engage in football’: a qualitative study on amateur coaches’ experiences of use of and support for injury prevention training in Sweden

IntroductionAchieving sufficient adherence with injury prevention exercise programmes is a challenge. The aim was to explore how amateur football coaches experience the use of and support for injury prevention training...

Patient experience of the use of continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with or without telemedicine during COVID-19: a qualitative approach.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered effective treatment for moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Clinicians measure compliance to treatment by the number of hours CPAP is used per 24 hours. There have been very few studies examining the patients' lived experience of CPAP and the barriers to use. This study examined the patients' experience of OSA, CPAP use and treatment during COVID-19. This CPAP patient experience qualitative study was part of a larger project. The overarching study was a three-armed nonblinded randomized controlled trial of patients on CPAP for treatment of OSA using standard care or one of two telemedicine interventions. Patients who had completed the RCT study were invited to be interviewed via telephone, about their OSA diagnosis, CPAP experiences, their experience of using telemedicine and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Fifteen patients (five from each arm of the trial) took part in a semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis identified three themes: day to day living, standard hospital care versus telemedicine management and living though COVID-19 with CPAP. All participants described significant symptoms caused by their OSA before diagnosis. While CPAP treatment was often described as challenging, patients discussed the improvement in their symptoms with treatment. There were differing opinions on virtual appointments, however the consensus was the use of telemedicine to support CPAP treatment was well received. COVID-19 appeared to have little effect on the patient experience.

Short- and long-term impact by vasomotor symptoms in menopause and modern approaches to their correction

The importance of management in women in menopause and postmenopause is not diminishing, but only gaining relevance. It is estimated that by 2050, more than 1.6 billion women worldwide will reach this age, compared to 1 billion in 2020. Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are the most common symptoms of menopause and affect more than 70% of women. They are diagnosed in 35-50% of women in perimenopause and 30-80% women in postmenopause. Most of these symptoms persist less than 7 years after the last menstrual period, but one in four women may experience them up to 10 years, and one in ten women may experience them after 10 years. They are based on complex endocrine, neuroendocrine and epigenetic mechanisms. This article is a review of scientific literature publications aimed at determining the impact of VMSs on women’s future life based on the analysis of published modern studies.VMSs not only have a negative impact on a woman’s quality of life, but also have potential importance for cardiovascular health. The increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) after menopause is attributed to a sharp decrease of endogenous estrogen levels, which indicates its potential cardioprotective effect in premenopausal women. It has been established that VMSs are a risk factor for coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. The presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is also significantly associated with an increased risk of early and severe forms of VMSs among perimenopausal women.Taking into account that women spend a third of their lives in the postmenopausal period, it is important to analyze the experience of their management during this difficult period. It is based on focusing on a healthy lifestyle as part of primary prevention, including regular physical activity, calcium/vitamin D intake, maintaining an optimal body weight, avoiding stress, etc. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is considered as a first-line treatment for VMSs in menopause and perimenopause. Its use should be individualized, and initiation and discontinuation should not be based only on a woman’s age. Assessment of baseline CVD risk, age and period since menopause are important. It is considered a priority for women with menopause before 10 years or under 60 years of age who have no contraindications to MHT. Hormone therapy is not indicated only for the prevention of CVD. However, it has the potential to improve cardiovascular risk profile due to its beneficial effects on vascular function, lipid levels, glucose metabolism, and reduction of diabetes mellitus.Non-hormonal VMS treatment has sufficient experience of use when there are medical contraindications to hormonal therapy or a woman’s personal choice. However, MHT remains the most effective for VMS treatment.

THE USE OF CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE IN EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS BETWEEN SPACES, IDENTITIES, ATTITUDES, AND COGNITIVE WELL-BEING

The paper explores some links between educational research, the use of cultural and environmental heritage and education, where it is possible to combine knowledge, disciplines, and skills to strengthen the cultural profile of the school population, but also to bring about important changes in attitudes and behavior. The world's cultural and environmental heritage, which collects the traces of extraordinary but also tragic events in human history, can act as a unifying force for peaceful coexistence for the whole of humanity, enabling future citizens to participate in democratic debate and make informed choices about the social challenges they face. It therefore contributes not only to the development of knowledge, but also to the ability of children, young people, and adults to understand contemporary problems by placing them in human, social, environmental, historical, and cultural contexts that help them to live. For cultural heritage to contribute to the recovery of knowledge, researchers, teachers, and operators must be able to share a solid research background that allows them to address the various issues relating to the quality of the experiences of use carried out in school contexts, with the aim of improving the learning processes of users. In fact, the cultural and environmental resources of the territory can only be a real methodological resource for improving cognitive well-being and the overall quality of education at all levels if they are seen as useful tools for different types of learning (cognitive, social, etc.) and not as general educational tools. The paper therefore questions the use of cultural and environmental heritage in education and its adequacy with respect to learning conditions, pausing to consider also the role played by attitudes to fruition, highlighting those elements and dimensions that can contribute to redefining the relationship between education, goods, and environment, in the idea of strengthening interpretative repertoires in educational contexts.

A study on smart home use intention of elderly consumers based on technology acceptance models.

Smart home devices have great potential to improve the quality of life and independence of older people, positively impacting their health, safety, and comfort. However, Chinese research in this field is still in its early stages. Therefore, more comprehensive and in-depth studies are needed to comprehend the various aspects influencing the acceptance and use of smart homes by older users. This study adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and included perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, usage intention, intergenerational technology support, perceived value, and perceived risk as extension variables to delve deeper into the behavioral intentions of older users in smart home services. The study used a convenience sampling method to randomly distribute 236 questionnaires among older adults over the age of 60 in the school's community and neighboring urban communities who have experience in smart home use and who can complete human-computer interactions either independently or with the help of others, mainly focusing on the four sections: user characteristics, family situation, experience of use, and usage intention. The study used structural equation modeling (SEM) and factor analysis to analyze the completion of questionnaires. Finally, we conducted a validation analysis of the rationality and scientificity of the model and derived the six dimensions of the model of the influencing factors on the use of smart home products by the elderly and the weight sizes of their corresponding 13 influencing factors. The results show that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have a positive effect on users' intention to use smart homes. Perceived ease of use has a positive effect on the perceived usefulness of smart homes. In addition, intergenerational technology support, perceived value, and perceived risk impact users' perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the smart home. This research aims to describe the factors influencing older users' willingness to use smart homes. The findings are not only significant for the elderly in China but also of broad value to other regions and countries facing similar demographic challenges. The development of smart homes not only involves the elderly but is also closely related to all segments of society. The government should increase policy support and guide more social forces to participate in the development of the smart home industry. Service providers and designers should fully understand the demand situation and user experience of target users to develop easy-to-use smart home solutions. At the same time, smart homes, as intelligent products for the elderly, need to focus not only on the basic needs of the elderly such as material life and home safety, but also on the spiritual needs of elderly users. Children or caregivers should always pay attention to the psychological state of the elderly and actively guide them to use smart homes to help them realize their self-worth. We look forward to more research focusing on this area in the future and further exploring the specific issues and solutions involved.

Styletubation versus Laryngoscopy: A New Paradigm for Routine Tracheal Intubation

Laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation has been developed for many decades. Among various conventional laryngoscopes, videolaryngoscopes (VLs) have been applied in different patient populations, including difficult airways. The safety and effectiveness of VLs have been repeatedly studied in both normal and difficult airways. The superiority of VLs then has been observed and is advocated as the standard of care. In contrast to laryngoscopy, the development of video-assisted intubating stylet (VS, also named as styletubation) was noticed two decades ago. Since then, sporadic clinical experiences of use have appeared in the literature. In this review article, we presented our vast use experiences of the styletubation (more than 55,000 patients since 2016). We found this technique to be swift (the time to intubate from 3 s to 10 s), smooth (first-attempt success rate: 100%), safe (no airway complications), and easy (high subjective satisfaction and fast learning curve for the novice trainees) in both normal and difficult airway scenarios. We, therefore, propose that the styletubation technique can be feasibly applied as universal routine use for tracheal intubation.

Limb salvage surgery for primary bone tumors: retrospective study in a tertiary care centre

Background: Limb salvage surgery is the standard of care for patients with primary bone tumors. The study retrospectively analyses a single center experience of use of endo-prosthesis for limb conservation in cases of primary bone tumors over a five-year period (2015-2020). Methods: Total of 34 histologically proven primary bone tumor were retrospectively studied which included 25 males and 9 females who received limb salvage surgery for bone tumors at department of surgical oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Government general hospital, Madras medical college, Chennai. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 23 years. Tumor localized to lower limb in 23 patients, and upper limb in 9 patients, pelvic bones in 3 cases. Tumors were malignant in 24 patients (70.4%) and benign in 10 patients (29.4%). The most common diagnosis was osteosarcoma17 patients (50%). The median resection length was 10 cm. High grade tumors (grade 2a and 2b and grade 3) was found in 14 cases (41.1%). 6 patients had prosthesis related complications. The mean follow-up was 5 years (range: 3-7). 27 (79.4%) patients of 34 were alive with the endo-prosthesis at the last follow-up. Conclusions: The custom mega prosthesis favored by us in most of the cases in limb sparing surgery for bone tumors results in satisfactory results in terms of local tumor control and limb function.

Early experience in use of videolaryngoscopy by a neonatal pre-hospital and retrieval service.

To describe initial experience with use of the Glidescope Go videolaryngoscope by an Australian neonatal pre-hospital and retrieval service. We conducted a 31-month retrospective review of an airway registry for neonates intubated by MedSTAR Kids clinicians. Twenty-two patients were intubated using the Glidescope Go, compared with 50 using direct laryngoscopy. First-pass success was 17/22 (77.3%) with the Glidescope Go and 38/50 (76%) with direct laryngoscopy. Complications occurred in 7/22 (32%) and 8/50 (16%), respectively. On initial review of this practice change, videolaryngoscopy allows neonatal tracheal intubation with a comparable success rate to direct laryngoscopy in a pre-hospital and retrieval setting.

Developing Cross-Cultural Communication Skills With the X-Culture Global Virtual Team Project

X-Culture is an 8-week global virtual team project in which students are placed on teams with students from other countries to develop a business proposal for an organization. Students learn experientially how to navigate cross-cultural communication and encounter real-life challenges of working virtually. An overview of the project, guidance for implementing it into a management course, and suggestions for teaching based on experience of use are discussed.

ECCO Global Grant Genetic risk factors for IBD in its emergent phase in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background and Aims Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is an idiopathic, chronic, and frequently disabling inflammatory disorder of the intestines characterized by a dysregulated mucosal immune response. The pathophysiology of the disease remains incompletely understood. Genetic factors affecting disease are under investigation, however, genetic studies in non-European populations are scarce and it is an urgent scientific, social, and ethical requirement that research in under-studied populations is prioritized. The objective of this study is to understand the genetics of IBD in sub-Saharan African ancestry populations and to identify genetic factors that affect pathogenesis of IBD in this region. Methodology A case-control study will be conducted from January 2024 to December 2025. Consecutive eligible subjects with IBD and controls will be invited to take part in the study. Data will be collected through chart review, structured interviews, and collection of saliva samples for genotyping using the H3Africa chip in the first instance. Genome-wide imputation and replication analysis will be done. Single-marker association analyses will be performed using the Cochran Armitage trend and logistic regression test after correction for population structure. We will look at known European ancestry and African American (AA) IBD-associated variants as well as variants that are unique to our populations (we will be able to look at local admixture in the AA population to see if these variants are replicated). Anticipated Impact This study will contribute significantly to knowledge of genetic risk factors for IBD in sub-Saharan Africa. It may also help to identify potential complications of treatments such as thiopurines which have been commonly used in European populations but where experience of use in sub-Saharan Africa is lacking.

Topical issues of therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease characterized by ulcerative destructive processes in the mucous membrane of the colon. Despite advances in the pharmaceutical industry, its prevalence in the world is increasing every year. The etiology of UC is currently unknown to the end. According to modern concepts, ulcerative colitis is considered as a multifactorial disease, in the pathogenesis of which genetic determinism, disorders of the intestinal microbiota with a decrease in populations of anaerobic bacteria in combination with the trigger action of environmental factors are discussed. With high probability, the leading pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease are associated with the polarization of the Th2-type immune response, which is characterized by the synthesis of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13, which is regulated by STAT-5 and Gata-3. During the development of the disease, Th17, a type of immune response, is also involved in the immunopathological process, but with the participation of transcription factors STAT-3 and ROR-yt and the synthesis of IL-17, IL-2, IL-6, IL-26 and IL-22, as well as chemokine CCL20. Diet and lifestyle are part of the global guidelines for the treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis. Derivatives of 5-aminosalicylic acid are used as basic therapy preparations: combined preparations and preparations of pure 5-aminosalicylic acid. Nevertheless, the administration of systemic glucocorticosteroids is indicated to control the activity of the disease. However, as our practice shows, they are effective, but only at the first attack and subsequent 2-3 relapses of the disease, followed by a high incidence of hormone resistance. To date, there are modern medicines with a different mechanism of action, allowing achieving stable remission and improving the quality of life of patients. Among them, JAK -tofacitinib inhibitors are of particular interest in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This is the first oral drug capable of inducing and maintaining steroidal remission. The choice of a particular drug is determined by the experience of use, cost and national recommendations.

Experience in use of full-layer skin autografts in treatment of post-burn cicatricial deformities

Despite technologically advanced approaches to the treatment of patients with thermal lesions of II–III degree, a high percentage of development of cicatricial deformities and contractures with the formation of functionally significant disorders remains. According to a number of authors, post- burn cicatricial deformities and contractures develop in 45.0 %–76.5 %. In order to eliminate cicatricial deformities and contractures, various types of skin grafting are used in clinical practice, which depends both on the localization of scars, the state of surrounding and underlying tissues, the presence of donor sites, and on the goals and expected result of the planned surgical intervention. Considering these aspects and possibilities, the question of choosing the method of surgical treatment of cicatricial deformities and contractures of functional and aesthetically significant areas remains debatable. An analysis was made of the results of treatment of 603 patients who underwent reconstructive and restorative operations. In order to eliminate cicatricial contractures, accompanied by functional disorders in the area of the joints, as well as in aesthetically significant areas, reconstructive operations were performed, mainly using full-thickness autografts. Analysis of the results of surgical treatment of cicatricial contractures of functional and aesthetically significant areas using free autodermoplasty with full-thickness grafts showed its effectiveness, as it made it possible not only to eliminate functional disorders in the operated area and restore the mechanics of movements, but also to minimize the risk of recurrence of cicatricial contractures – repeated reconstructive operations amounted to no more than 1.5 % of all operated patients. Conclusions. In order to eliminate cicatricial contractures, as well as to improve the aesthetic results of treatment in patients with the consequences of a burn injury, it is most advisable to perform autodermoplasty with full-layer autografts in functional and aesthetically significant areas.

Improving the operational characteristics of electrical power systems of marine vessels

THE PURPOSE. Consider the experience of use and conduct a study of the electrical power systems of sea vessels to determine the possibility of improving their operational characteristics. Obtain data on noise and vibration levels of electrical power systems elements.METHODS. The article analyzes the electrical power systems of the Azipod type steering columns of the Baltika icebreaker. The issue of regulating the rotation speed of propulsion electric motors using frequency control based on a DC link and parallel-connected inverter units on IGBT transistors is considered. Motor control on the frequency converter side can be based on direct torque control, scalar and vector control. There are control modes for reducing and increasing voltage.RESULTS. Typical dependences of structure-borne noise levels of main engines and generators are given. Measurements were taken at various frequencies of engine sound power levels, exhaust gases and vibration of generator sets. Experimental oscillograms of studies of the parallel operation of diesel generator sets were obtained, on which power exchange and common-mode oscillations were recorded.CONCLUSION. It is proposed to use multiphase AC electric motors to improve performance characteristics, including reducing noise and vibration. The existing experience in using frequency converters based on a rectifier section and inverter units in electric rowing installations with Azipod propellers makes it possible to implement such a change. To do this, it is necessary to parallelize the inverters that supply each of the three phases and provide the appropriate phase shifts.

Rehabilitation via HOMe-Based gaming exercise for the Upper limb post Stroke (RHOMBUS): a qualitative analysis of participants’ experience

ObjectiveTo report participants’ experiences of trial processes and use of the Neurofenix platform for home-based rehabilitation following stroke. The platform, consisting of the NeuroBall device and Neurofenix app, is a...