Knowledge Advisor Research Articles

High-Flying Online: Online Academic Advising Strategies for High-Achieving Professionals

ABSTRACT Practicing professionals are usually high-achieving adult learners who prefer to take courses online, given their professional and personal commitments. Typically, high achievers are self-directed and intrinsically motivated learners. This does not mean that they do not need or will not benefit from robust academic advising. A qualitative study was undertaken to explore what academic advising strategies are effective for high-achieving professional learners. Findings showed that the academic advising needs of these learners were influenced by their busy lifestyles and need for social interaction as adult and online learners. These learners wanted proactive advising from knowledgeable advisors who were committed to their success. This study showed that high-achieving graduate learners need academic advising, and effective academic advising can enhance student retention.

Design and Implementation of a Career Development Program for Physician-Scientists: Lessons Learned.

Although skills in health services research and data science have great potential to advance the field of urogynecology, few clinical researchers obtain such training. The aim of the R25 UrogynCREST Program is to prepare the next generation of physician-scientists for a successful career in urogynecologic health services research through skilled mentoring and advanced training. The purpose of this report is to describe program implementation and lessons learned. Administered through the program institution and in partnership with the American Urogynecologic Society, this program provided junior faculty with advanced online training and, through a core facility, access to health care databases for research projects. Participants received individualized mentoring and biostatistical support. Anonymous surveys captured actionable, real-time feedback from participants as they moved through the program. Despite a limited budget, UrogynCREST maintained a core of excellent faculty, high-quality biostatistical support, and engaged, knowledgeable advisors and mentors. This allowed for similar experiences across cohorts while permitting program improvements between cohorts in faculty-participant interactions, team dynamics, and data and regulatory support. Administrative management by a single institution facilitated responses to fiscal and regulatory changes. Asynchronized learning and partnering with a society attracted a diverse group of physician-scientists. Career development programs that incorporate online education, mentoring, database access, and biostatistical support must be prepared for midprogram changes. Regular communication among stakeholders was vital. Working with a core facility provided efficient database access, but evolving regulatory and administrative processes and costs presented challenges. Our experiences implementing this program can benefit similar programs that train early-career physician-scientists.

Factors Influencing Cambodia’s Master’s Degree Students to Choose between Thesis and Coursework Program

The educational sector in Cambodia has experienced significant growth over the years, featuring increased number of higher institutions as well as greater turn out of graduates from educational institutions of learning in the country. However, what remains an ongoing concern is the inability of students to enroll for courses which are highly demanded in the market. The absence of a requisite agency to conduct effective restructuring and enforcement of higher education policies, among other factors has significantly contributed to the restriction of Master’s degree students in choosing between research-based and coursework programs. Previous studies used theoretical frameworks such as social change as a unifying model for explaining the choice for more engaging and rigorous programs like research courses as opposed to coursework-based programs. Therefore, this study aims at obtaining the motivations or de-motivation amongst master’s degree students for either choosing research or coursework-based approach to their program. Using a quantitative study design featuring the use of a structured questionnaire, 187 students were enrolled for this study and data collected was subjected to statistical analysis. 58% of participants are enrolled in coursework-based type of masters while 42% are enrolled in thesis-based masters’ degrees, and 59.5% of respondents answered that their reason for choosing coursework over thesis was to balance between family and education constraints. Results from this study show that lack of research skills, time constraints, family factors, quality of education offered by institutions, and lack of knowledgeable advisors leads to the choice of coursework over thesis amongst the students.

Usability and functional validation of artificial intelligence‐enabled technology services in dementia care using a controlled trial in clinical practice

AbstractBackgroundMany community settings lack emotional, social, and educational resources to support persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their families, which contribute to the stressors associated with caregiving, termed "caregiver load." This paper describes the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)‐enabled personalized assistive and decision support services on improving dementia care management and reducing caregiver load. We present a study that assesses AI’s usability and functionality in the outpatient setting and is built off of two prior pilots, with each pilot expanding in its scope of technology provided, target population, and caregiving needs.Objectives: The study’s primary outcome is the functionality and usability of AI services, collectively called NeuViCare, as measured by the System Usability Scale (SUS) from caregivers. Secondary outcomes include: 1) reduction in caregiver load as measured by Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale (OCBS); and 2) increase of caregivers’ knowledge as measured by Dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS).MethodsThis one‐arm, open‐labeled trial is recruiting ten patients with MOCA scores of less than 26 and impaired activities of daily living and their one designated caregiver. Caregivers must have a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access NeuViCare and to utilize all four of its HIPAA and FHIR compliant services for three months: 1) Task‐Support Service 2) Resource Advisor 3) Community; and 4) Knowledge Advisor. Periodic touchpoints with caregiver participants are in place as a safety measure.ResultsThe first pilot’s target population was aides from a national home care agency. The survey‐study reported NeuViCare's user experience to be “very positive” and “easy to use”; the quality of its information to be “clear, concise and with good depth”; and, 3) its value to be “useful for less experienced caregivers”. The second pilot focused on family caregivers from Mumbai. This study showed that Knowledge Advisor provided 97% correct answers. This third pilot study targets informal caregivers, and we hypothesize that mean SUS scores will be significantly associated with reduced OCBS scores.ConclusionEffectiveness of AI technology in reducing caregiver load will lead to a scalable, cost‐effective solution that can be made available to caregivers everywhere.

A dynamic programming model for Reconfigurable Vibrating Screen machine operations planning in a fluctuating market environment

Fluctuation in mineral concentrates demand has resulted into the design of a Reconfigurable Vibrating Screen (RVS) machine. However, the question; “which configuration(s) should this machine be configured to, at different periods in order to minimize the total operating cost of utilizing this machine in meeting the fluctuating customer demands?” still need to be answered by the designer of the machine. In light of this, this paper proposes a dynamic programming model that will ensure cost-effective configuration and utilization of the RVS machine in meeting fluctuating customers demand. The dynamic programming model was tested using the mineral concentrates demand of mining company XYZ. The results of the dynamic computation for this case study revealed that RVS machine must be operated using a configuration sequence of 4700mm × 2500mm, 3500mm × 2000mm and 4700mm × 2500mm, for a period of first two (2) months, second two (2) months and the last month respectively, in order to meet the customer’s five-month period demand in mining company XYZ, at a minimum total machine operations cost of R681966.21. The machine operations planning solution offered in this study serve as a knowledge advisor for RVS machine users towards ensuring just-in-time and exact screening of varying mineral concentrates demanded by the customers in a cost-effective manner using a reasonable power consumption.

GAJA: 3D CAD methodology for developing a parametric system for the automatic (re)modeling of the cutting components of compound washer dies

For the designing of cutting-dies is a complex and experience-based process, it is poorly supported by conventional 3D CAD software. Thus, the majority of design activities, including the (re)modeling of those cutting die-components that are directly responsible for performing shaping operations on a sheet-metal stamping part, traditionally still need to be carried-out repetitively, separately, and manually by the designer. To eliminate some of these drawbacks and upgrade the capa- bilities of conventional 3D CAD software, this paper proposes a new methodology for the development of a parametric system capable of automatically performing a (re)modeling process of compound washer dies' cutting-components. The presented methodology integrates CATIA V5 built-in modules, including Part Design, Assembly Design and Knowledge Advisor, publi- cation mechanism, and compound cutting die-design knowledge. The system developed by this methodology represents an 'in- telligent' assembly template composed of two modules GAJA1 and GAJA2, respectively. GAJA1 is responsible for the direct input of the die-design problem regarding the shape, dimensions and material of the stamping part, its extraction in the form of geometric features, and the transferring of relevant design parameters and features to the module GAJA2. GAJA2 interprets the current values for the input parameters and automatically performs the modeling process of cutting die-components, using die-design knowledge and the company's internal design and manufacturing standards. Experimental results show that this system significantly shortens the modeling-time for cutting the die-components, improves the modeling-quality, and enables the training of inexperienced designers.

Development of an automated structural design system for progressive dies

The design of progressive dies is a very knowledge-intensive, complex, and time-consuming process. This paper describes a computer-aided structural design system for progressive dies with drawing, bending, and punching operations. Taking advantage of a pre-built design knowledge and database, this system is able to output designs of the main and standard parts of a progressive die upon users inputting a minimum set of design information. Our system is implemented on top of CATIA V5 software and uses its built-in modules, including Part Design, Assembly Design, and Knowledge Advisor. Our system also consists of an inference engine and a user interface. The experimental results show that our system successfully reduced the design time from about seven working days to within 2 h for the structural design of the main and standard parts of a progressive die of an upper shell for a mobile phone, which can dramatically save on design time and cost and also provide excellent design quality.

Transforming reference into a proactive knowledge advisory service: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share practical experience and learning gained from the planning and implementation of a new information service model in an agricultural research library.Design/methodology/approach – A case study that covers the development of a new reference service model is presented. Each stage in the development is discussed in logical sequence – planning; the service model; building the team; developing the processes; convincing the clients; issues; two years on; and the future.Findings – The paper provides evidence that, in developing a new model for information services that could be embraced by both clients and staff, the company has created a successful strategy for improving information services to support company goals. It also acknowledges that the transition from traditional reference librarian to the proactive role of a Knowledge Advisor is not an easy adjustment to make. It recognises that clients too have had to adjust to changes in information delivery.Practical...

Automated design system for drawing dies

This paper describes an automated design system for drawing dies. Taking advantage of pre-built design knowledge base and database, this system is able to output designs of the main components of a drawing die, such as upper dies, lower dies and blank holders, upon users' input of design information of blank lines, die faces, punch open lines, press data, and types of subcomponents such as hooks, guides, and stopper seats. This die design system is built on top of CATIA V5, and makes use of its built-in modules, including Part Design, Automation and Scripting, and Knowledge Advisor. Our system also includes an inference engine, and user interfaces. We use drawing dies for trunk lid outer panels and engine hood outer panels as concrete examples to showcase the power of our system. Experimental results show that our system can improve the design quality and reduce the design time and cost.

Effects of judges' forecasting on their later combination of forecasts for the same outcomes

In a first experiment, we show that judges' ability to combine forecasts that they receive from more knowledgeable advisors is impaired when they have previously made their own forecasts for the same outcomes. It appears that they implicitly include their own forecasts among those that have to be combined. In a second experiment, we demonstrate that people combining forecasts put more weight on forecasts that are their own (whether or not they are labelled as such) or are labelled as their own (when they are not) than on equivalent forecasts that are neither their own nor labelled as such. We argue that the cognitive mechanisms responsible for these effects are better characterized as a type of conservatism rather than as an example of anchoring. Our results imply that people responsible for integrating forecasts from more knowledgeable advisors should not explicitly include their own forecasts among those that they combine and should consider avoiding making their own forecasts altogether.

Marijuana and medicine: assessing the science base: a summary of the 1999 Institute of Medicine report.

In response to public pressure to allow the medical use of marijuana, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Washington, DC, funded a study by the Institute of Medicine evaluating the scientific evidence for benefits and risks of using marijuana as a medicine. The report used scientific reviews, public hearings, and reports from other agencies, and was evaluated by knowledgeable advisors and reviewers. It called for heavier investment in research on the biology of cannabinoid systems, careful clinical studies of cannabinoids in clinical syndromes, analysis of cannabinoids' psychological effects on symptoms, and evaluations of the health consequences of heavy marijuana use; recommends against the use of smoked marijuana in medicine and for the development of a medical cannabinoid inhaler; and recommends that compassionate use of marijuana be considered under carefully reviewed protocols. Finally, the report evaluates the abuse potential, tolerance, withdrawal, and gateway risks of medical use of cannabinoid drugs.