Experience In Use Research Articles

WHAT ARE USER PERSPECTIVES OF EXOSKELETON TECHNOLOGY? A LITERATURE REVIEW.

Exoskeletons are electromechanical devices that are worn by a human operator to increase their physical performance. Several exoskeletons have been developed to restore functional movements, such as walking, for those with paralysis due to neurological impairment. However, existing exoskeletons have limitations with respect to affordability, size, weight, speed, and efficiency, which may reduce their functional application. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to collect and narratively synthesize the perspectives of users of exoskeleton technology. A systematic literature search was conducted across several healthcare related online databases. A total of 4,619 articles were identified, of which 51 were selected for full review. Only three studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, one showed an incongruence between users' expectations and experiences of device use; another reported perspectives on potential rather than actual device use, ranking design features in order of perceived importance; and the other reported ratings of ease of device use in training. The heterogeneity of studies included within this review, leave the authors unable to suggest consensus as to user perspectives of exoskeleton technology. However, it is apparent that users are able to suggest priorities for exoskeleton design and that users' perspectives of exoskeleton technology might change in response to experience of use. The authors, therefore, suggest that exoskeleton design should be an iterative process, whereby user perspectives are sought, incorporated and refined by tangible experience, to ensure that devices developed are acceptable to and usable by the populations they seek to re-enable.

Формирование навыков самоорганизации при изучении иноязычной фонетики

The problem of development of skills of self-organization in practice of teaching foreign language which will eventually lead to the formation of student’s autonomy is considered. Different points of view on the components of self-organization are analyzed. The article summarizes the experience of use of skills of self-study in learning foreign languages. The article describes the experience of 1st year students of the linguistic profession, mastering self-learning skills as a way of organization of independent learning of foreign language phonetics beyond the classroom with the goal of improving pronunciation skills. The novelty of the study is the innovative methods of teaching pronunciation, allowing to master foreign language pronunciation by oneself on the authentic material in contrast to the traditional, classical approach, where phonetics was based only on simulation models and learning conversations. The author’s development of self-study of pronunciation is presented using the maintaining diaries of audioactivity and independent listening to podcasts on the BBC, that contain a demonstration of how using a permanent teaching guide introduced aspects of self-organization, and students develop their phonetic skills successfully. The resulting experimental test data allow to conclude that this technique has a positive effect on students’ learning the characteristics of foreign language pronunciation.

Опыт использования метода Гаусса для решения разностных уравнений Навье-Стокса в переменных «функция тока — вихрь»

Опыт использования метода Гаусса для решения разностных уравнений Навье-Стокса в переменных «функция тока — вихрь»

A RATIONAL GRANT OF MICRONUTRIENTS AS A WAY TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE OF CLIMACTERIC SYNDROME PATIENTS

Effective dietary modification in the form of use of rationally designed biologically active additives (BUD) offers prospects for improving quality of life of patients with moderate symptoms of hot flashes. The micronutrients introduction results in a complex impact on the woman’s body: it stimulates own body reserves to maintain the hormonal balance and to normalize the psychoemotional state, which is clinically reflected in the lowering of the hot flashes frequency and the improvement of the quality of life of the patients. The authors analyzed the experience of use of the biologically active additive MENSE in patients with vegetovascular disorders and psychoemotional disorders during the menopause. During the observation period, the observed decrease in the Kupperman index amounted to 1.7 times on average for the entire group of patients. In the group of patients with an initially average gravity the climacteric syndrome by Vikhlaeva scale, the number of hot flashes was reduced by more than 1.5 times; in the of patients with an initially slight menopause syndrome - by more than 2 times.

Experience of use of Magnum nail for the treatment of femoral trochanteric fracture

Experience of use of Magnum nail for the treatment of femoral trochanteric fracture

An Appraisal of Farmers Internet Use for Sourcing Agricultural Information in North-Western Nigeria

This paper examined the level of farmers awareness and experiences in use of the Internet for sourcing agricultural information by farmers in the north-western Nigeria who are also privileged to have Internet services and cafes’ available in their communities. The study adopted survey method using questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. The population sampled for the survey was farmers who as well leave in both semi-urban and rural areas of Kaduna and Kano State of the North West agro-ecological Zone, of Nigeria. A total of one hundred (100) farmers were randomly selected using purposive sampling technics to form the sample size. Findings revealed that farmers lack awareness for using the Internet as an alternative means of getting Agricultural Information easily even with the shortage of extension agents. The study further identifies the farmer’s constraints in using the internet for information to low awareness, low access and lack skills. The study thus, recommended that agricultural agencies and other stakeholders in Nigeria should embark on advocacy and awareness campaign to farmer’s cooperative societies/groups on the uses of Internet for sourcing agricultural information.

Possibilities of the method of irreversible electroporation in treatment of the local and widespread pancreatic cancer

Methods of a local destruction of tumors didn’t find till today wide circulation in treatment of patients with formations of the pancreas (P). It is bound to features of blood supply, anatomical and histological structure of PZh, and also a large number of complications and a recurrence.The technique of the irreversible elektroporation (IE) represents a new unique method of not thermal ablyation at which impact on tissues is carried out by short electric impulses of high voltage (to 3 kV) that involves irreversible rising of permeability of cellular membranes and death of cells. The optimum mechanism of rising of permeability of a cellular membrane electric impulses concerning their frequency or repetitions is yet not up to the end clear; it is recognized that outcomes depend on amplitude, duration and number of impulses. Influence has to be synchronized with a cordial rhythm in order to avoid development of an arrhythmia. Existence at the patient of an arrhythmia and the artificial driver of a rhythm is contraindication to carrying out an elektroporation.We have experience of use of a technique for 18 patients with a locally-spread pancreatic cancer. It was succeeded to reflect the main advantages of a new technique in our experience, such as comparative simplicity of workmanship, safety for vascular and pro-current structures, the minimum impact on function of a pancreas.Efficiency of a destruction is proved to ultrasonic, computer and morphological researches in the postoperative period. The maximum term of observation made 19 months.Though exact indications to use of NE still accurately aren’t defined, the international experience and the first own data allow to state efficiency of new technology in palliative surgical treatment of perivascular tumors of a pancreas, and also its safety.

Experience of Use of Knowledge Relative Assessment System for Training in Area of Civil Engineering

Nowadays E-Learning is becoming more and more relevant in training civil engineers. Electronic resources are used for classroom activities and for independent work. It allows allocating extra time for development of practical skills. Experience of remote knowledge control application in the educational process of Moscow State University of Civil Engineering is presented in the article. The control system is called Knowledge Relative Assessment System using Bekker's method. The following steps of system using are described in detail in the article: loading test material, action of users, protection from wrong acts and calculation of rating. The main merits and demerits from the point of view of teachers and students are listed.

DEPRESSION AND COGNITIVE DISTURBANCES: EXPERIENCE OF VORTIOXETINE USE IN NEUROLOGIC PRACTICE

The article provides an experience of use of the new antidepressant with the precognitive action – Vortioxetine. High therapy compliance was demonstrated. The drug is effective in relief of depression, improves cognitive functions in neurologic patients and presumably has pain-killing action.

МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЙ ОПЫТ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ИННОВАЦИОННЫХ И ИНФОРМАЦИОННЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ ДЛЯ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ЛИЧНОСТНЫХ КАЧЕСТВ И ВОСПИТАНИЯ ШКОЛЬНИКОВ

Information technologies and various innovative approaches to enhancement of school education mention processes of students personal development. In the CIS’s states and foreign countries essential experience of implementation of innovative technologies and means of informatization of educationin practice of school work is accumulated. In many cases such experience is interesting also from the point of view of a research of new approaches to school students upbringing.In article the international experience of use of innovative pedagogical technologies and information technologies in school education is analysed. Implementation of similar technologies allows to make a big contribution to forming at school students of creative capabilities. The available problems in school education in the training plan and education and a way of their overcoming are discussed.

NAFTIDROFURYL USE IN MODERATE VASCULAR COGNITIVE DISORDERS

Prevention of progression to moderate vascular cognitive disorders (MVCD) in dementia is based on medicinal and nonmedicinal correction of major cardiovascular risk factors, at the same time antidementia, vasoactive and nootropic drugs efficiency is not proven. The own experience of use in 30 patients (22 women and 8 men) with MVCD in age from 46 to 75 years (mean age 67,1 ± 6.6 years) of Naftidrofuryl (Duzofarm) at a dose of 100 mg three times a day for 30 days is provided. After a month of treatment a significant improvement of cognitive function by the Montreal scale assessment of mental functions, the alpha-numeric coding test, and emotional state test is established as measured by the hospital scale of anxiety and depression. Good tolerability, absence of significant side effects when using Naftidrofuryl for MVCD are observed. Longer placebo-controlled studies of the effectiveness of Naftidrofuryl in patients with MVCD are needed.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ МАССОВЫХ ОТКРЫТЫХ ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНЫХ ЭЛЕКТРОННЫХ КУРСОВ В РОССИЙСКИХ И ЗАРУБЕЖНЫХ ВУЗАХ

Characteristic feature of informatization of education for several last years is emergence and fast distribution of MOOCs - mass open online courses. Specificity of the Russian education system can’t but affect features of development and deployment of such courses taking into account realities of work of domestic universities. For expansion of opportunities of influence of MOOCs on increase in learning efficiency of students in higher education institutions carrying out the analysis of experience of use of such means of informatization of education, both in Russia, and beyond her limits is expedient. The present article contains transfer and the description of various aspects of emergence and distribution of MOOCs in the world, in general, and in our country, in particular. The short characteristic of possible approaches to development and deployment of MOOCs and their component in domestic system of the higher education is given, examples of the Russian and foreign platforms by means of which such courses become public are given. It is emphasized that universal experience of informatization of the higher education on the basis of use of MOOCs without the corresponding adaptation can’t be applied to training of students in the Russian higher education institutions.

Tratamento da osteoporose pós‐menopáusica: um algoritmo baseado na literatura para uso no sistema público de saúde

Bisphosphonates are considered first‐line agents in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis based on extensive experience of use, safety, and proven efficacy in reducing vertebral, non‐vertebral and femur fractures. However, post‐marketing reports based on the treatment of millions of patients/year over lengthy periods of time have revealed the occurrence of initially unexpected adverse effects, such as osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femoral fracture, leading to the restriction of treatment duration with bisphosphonates by global regulatory agencies. However, despite the association between these effects and bisphosphonates, this risk should be analyzed in the context of osteoporosis treatment, alongside the benefit of preventing osteoporotic fractures and their clinical consequences. Therefore, we consider it plausible to discuss the restriction to the use of bisphosphonates, possible indications for prolonged treatment and alternative therapies following the suspension of this drug class for patients with persistent high risk of fracture after initial treatment, especially considering the problems of public health funding in Brazil and the shortage of drugs provided by the government. Thus, to standardize the treatment of osteoporosis in the public health care system, we aim to develop a proposal for a scientifically‐based pharmacological treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis, establishing criteria for indication and allowing the rational use of each pharmacological agent. We discuss the duration of the initial bisphosphonate treatment, the therapeutic options for refractory patients and potential indications of other classes of drugs as first‐choice treatment in the sphere of public health, in which assessing risk and cost effectiveness is a priority.

Uterine artery embolization in cervical pregnancy - alternative to total hysterectomy

In article experience of use of endovascular embolization of uterine arteries in treatment of cervical pregnancy is described. Super selective uterine artery embolization followed by removal of the ovum devascularization held 7 patients aged 27,8 ± 2,2 years with cervical pregnancy in terms of 5 and 7 weeks. After the reduction of level of chorionic gonadotropin, and in the absence of blood-groove in the fetal ovum, its evacuation was carried out under the control arteriography. Blood loss during the operation does not exceed 100 ml. Postoperative period lasted 4,6 ± 0,4 days. Thus, uterine artery embolization is effective method of complex treatment with cervical pregnancy thus reducing the risk of bleeding and to keep the reproductive function at young women.

Australia's response to Ebola Virus disease in West Africa, 2014-15.

In March 2016, the World Health Organization declared the 2014-15 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak officially over. With around 29 000 cases and 11 000 deaths in 27 months, this EVD outbreak was more than 60 times larger than any before, and unique in its cross-border spread and involvement of urban centres. Local and international responses were slow and initially inadequate, but establishment of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, 9 months after the outbreak began, allowed a coordinated effort that slowed and eventually controlled the spread of disease. Internationally, there were fears that EVD would spread widely beyond Africa, despite reassurances from public health authorities. However, after nurses in the US became infected, public fear and concern for the safety of healthcare workers led to political intervention and varied, sometimes excessive, border controls, quarantine arrangements and hospital preparations. Altogether, fewer than 30 EVD cases were managed in countries outside Africa, all but three of which were acquired in West Africa. In Australia, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee led the internal response, including enhanced screening of incoming passengers at international airports and development of public health and laboratory testing protocols by expert subcommittees. States and territories nominated designated hospitals to care for EVD patients. Development of EVD infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines was initially poorly coordinated within and between jurisdictions, often with significant discrepancies, causing confusion and fear among healthcare workers. The Infection Prevention and Control Expert Advisory Group was established to develop national IPC guidelines. There were no confirmed cases in Australia, but investigation of several people with suspected EVD provided valuable experience in use of protocols and high-level containment facilities. The Australian Government was initially reluctant to send aid workers to West Africa, but later contracted a private company to staff and manage a treatment centre in Sierra Leone, which treated 91 patients with EVD during 4 months of operation. Among the lessons learnt for Australia was the need to increase awareness of routine IPC practices in hospitals, where significant deficiencies were exposed, and to maintain a high enough level of preparedness to protect healthcare workers and the public from the next, inevitable, infectious disease emergency.

Experience conditioning in commuter modal choice modelling – Does it make a difference?

This paper investigates the impact of decision maker’s experience on model elasticities and predicted market share, using data collected in Sydney on commuter mode choice. Usage frequency is used as a proxy for experience and two separate mode choice models are estimated – one with experience conditioning choice and one without. Key model outputs are compared and we find that differences in the value of travel time savings and model elasticities are very marked. This suggests that ignoring experience that one has with each alternative in their choice set may be a candidate source of error in travel demand forecasts. We develop a method to obtain the level of experience for use in application of choice models to increase their prediction power.

Corporate Social Networks Applied in the Classroom

<p class="Textoindependiente21"><span lang="EN-US">The impact of online social networks has been extensive because of the new way they enable not only in terms of the relation, communication and collaboration among people, but also between people and businesses. So much so, their use is already habitual within organizations, known as Corporate Social Networks, in order to achieve the same benefits.</span></p><p class="Textoindependiente21">The present study aims to analyze the advantages these corporate social networks have in the classroom seen as a micro-organization where a group of students interact, work and collaborate during a master´s or postgraduate course. To support this research, during 2015 a corporate social network (Yammer) has been introduced to 5 groups of students of various master´s in the prestigious business school ESIC. The feedback obtained from those students and some examples of classroom dynamics prove the usefulness and great value of a corporate social network in postgraduate classes, although some common difficulties and considerations raised by the students themselves have to be taken into account in order to manage its optimal adoption in class.</p><p class="Textoindependiente21">This study also tries to propose some guidelines and best practices obtained as a result of the experience of use and the adoption of social networks in class in order to improve the learning process and innovate in the methodology applied to education.</p>

Perceptions of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine among conventional healthcare practitioners in Accra, Ghana: Implications for integrative healthcare

ObjectiveIntegrative medicine refers to ongoing efforts to combine the best of conventional and evidence-based complementary therapies. While this effort for collaboration is increasing, traditional complementary and alternative medicine (TM-CAM) remains poorly integrated into the current healthcare system of Ghana. At present, it is not clear if practitioners of mainstream medicine favor integrative medicine. The present study, therefore, sought to explore the perceptions of conventional healthcare professionals on integrative medicine. MethodsA qualitative design composed of semi-structured interviews was conducted with 23 conventional healthcare professionals comprising pharmacists, physicians, nurses and dieticians from two quasi-government hospitals in Accra, Ghana. ResultsParticipants' knowledge of TM-CAM was low, and although they perceived alternative medicine as important to current conventional healthcare in Ghana, they expressed anxieties about the potential negative effects of the use of TM-CAM. This paradox was found to account for the low levels of use among these professionals, as well as the low level of recommendation to their patients. The practitioners surveyed recommended that alternative medicine could be integrated into mainstream allopathic healthcare in Ghana through improving knowledge, training as well as addressing concerns of safety and efficacy. These findings are discussed under the themes: the knowledge gap, the paradox of TM-CAM, experience of use and prescription, and guided integration. We did not observe any differences in views among the participants. ConclusionThe conventional healthcare professionals were ready to accept the idea of integrative medicine based on knowledge of widespread use and the potential role of TM-CAM products and practices in improving healthcare delivery in the country. However, to achieve an institutional integration, practitioners' understanding of TM-CAM must be improved, with specific attention to issues of safety, regulation and evidence-based practice of TM-CAM products and services in Ghana.

Medicinal plants used for management of malaria among the Luhya community of Kakamega East sub-County, Kenya

BackgroundMalaria remains a major health problem worldwide especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, 80% of the population is at risk of contracting the disease. Pregnant mothers and children under five years are the most affected by this disease. Antimalarial drug resistance poses a major threat in the fight against malaria necessitating continuous search for new antimalarial drugs. Due to inadequate and inaccessible health facilities, majority of people living in rural communities heavily depend on traditional medicine which involves the use of medicinal plants for the management of malaria. Most of these indigenous knowledge is undocumented and risks being lost yet such information could be useful in the search of new antimalarial agents. Aim of studyAn ethnobotanical survey was carried out among the Luhya community of Kakamega East sub-County, a malaria epidemic region, with the aim of documenting the plants used in the management of malaria. Materials and methodsSemi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 21 informants who included traditional medicine practitioners and other caregivers who had experience in use of plants in management of malaria. These were drawn from 4 villages located in Kakamega East sub-county, within Kakamega County based on their differences in topography. Information recorded included plant names, parts used, mode of preparation and administration and the sources of plant materials. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and google scholar to identify the reported traditional uses of these plants and studied antiplasmodial activities. ResultsIn this study, 57% of the informants were aged above 50 years and a total of 61% had either no formal education or had only attained primary school education. A total of 42 plant species belonging to 24 families were identified. Most plants used in the management of malaria in this community belonged to Lamiaceae (18%), Leguminosae (9%) and Compositae (9%) plant families. Plants mostly used included Melia azedarach L, Aloe spp, Ajuga integrifolia Buch. Ham, Vernonia amygdalina Del., Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane and Mabb, Fuerstia africana T.C.E.Fr., Zanthoxylum gilletii (De Wild.) P.G.Waterman and Leucas calostachys Oliv. Rumex steudelii Hochst.ex A. Rich and Phyllanthus sepialis Müll. Arg are reported for the first time in the management of malaria. Although Clerodendrum johnstonii Oliv. (Jeruto et al., 2011) and Physalis peruviana L.(Ramadan et al., 2015) are reported in other studies for management of malaria, no studies have been carried out to demonstrate their antiplasmodial activity.The plant parts mostly used were the leaves (36%) and stem barks (26%). Majority of these plants were prepared as decoctions by boiling and allowed to cool before administration (66%) while infusions accounted for 28% of the preparations. The literature mined supports the use of these plants for the management of malaria since most of them have demonstrated in-vitro and in-vivo antiplasmodial activities. ConclusionMost of the reported plant species in this study have been investigated for antiplasmodial activity and are in agreement with the ethnomedical use. Two (2) plants are reported for the first time in the management of malaria. There is need for documentation and preservation of the rich ethnomedical knowledge within this community given that most of the practitioners are advanced in age and less educated. There is also the danger of over-exploitation of plant species as most of them are obtained from the wild, mainly Kakamega forest. Therefore, there is need for determining the economically and medicinally important plants in this community and planning for their preservation.

Critique of Reason and the Theory of Value: Groundwork of a Phenomenological Marxism

There are three steps in my description of the ground-problem of value: First, Husserl’s analysis of the crisis of reason is based on the systematic loss and phenomenological recovery of the intuitive evidence of the lifeworld. But if letter symbols are essential to formalizing abstraction, as Klein’s de-sedimentation of Vieta’s institution of modern algebra shows, then the ultimate substrates upon which formalization rests cannot be “individuals” in Husserl’s sense. The consequence of the essentiality of the letter symbols to formalization is that no direct reference to intuitive evidence of individuals is possible from formal structures. Second, the crisis of reason in Marx’s Capital on commodities contains a parallel analysis of the contradictory relation between formalism and evidence. The value-structure of capitalist society expels qualitative value to subjective use and imposes a homogeneous standard on social representation of value such that quantitative values are not grounded in the experience of use which entails that the system of general value becomes a mere aggregate. Third, the problem of value, or formal axiology, is the core of a teleological convergence between phenomenology and Marxism. A short phenomenological description of the experience of value shows that practical activities generate valuations that are experienced with an intensity through which they aim toward social representation. The conclusion is that the social representation of value in capitalist society intervenes into the constitution of the community by the intensity of individuals’ value-experience to reduce its system of value to an unthematized simple aggregate of value-quantities.