Traditional Desk Research Articles

Modeling approaches for assessing device-based measures of energy expenditure in school-based studies of body weight status

BackgroundObesity has become an important threat to children’s health, with physical and psychological impacts that extend into adulthood. Limited physical activity and sedentary behavior are associated with increased obesity risk. Because children spend approximately 6 h each day in school, researchers increasingly study how obesity is influenced by school-day physical activity and energy expenditure (EE) patterns among school-aged children by using wearable devices that collect data at frequent intervals and generate complex, high-dimensional data. Although clinicians typically define obesity in children as having an age-and sex-adjusted body mass index (BMI) value in the high percentiles, the relationships between school-based physical activity interventions and BMI are analyzed using traditional linear regression models, which are designed to assess the effects of interventions among children with average BMI, limiting insight regarding the effects of interventions among children categorized as overweight or obese.MethodsWe investigate the association between wearable device–based EE measures and age-and sex-adjusted BMI values in data from a cluster-randomized, school-based study. We express and analyze EE levels as both a scalar-valued variable and as a continuous, high-dimensional, functional predictor variable. We investigate the relationship between school-day EE (SDEE) and BMI using four models: a linear mixed-effects model (LMEM), a quantile mixed-effects model (QMEM), a functional mixed-effects model (FMEM), and a functional quantile mixed-effects model (FQMEM). The LMEM and QMEM include SDEE as a summary measure, whereas the FMEM and FQMEM allow for the modeling of SDEE as a high-dimensional covariate. The FMEM and FQMEM allow the influence of the time of day at which physical activity is performed to be assessed, which is not possible using the LMEM or the QMEM. The FMEM assesses how frequently collected SDEE data influences mean BMI, whereas the FQMEM assesses the effects on quantile levels of BMI.ResultsThe LMEM and QMEM detected a statistically significant effect of overall mean SDEE on log (BMI) (the natural logarithm of BMI) after adjusting for intervention, age, race, and sex. The FMEM and FQMEM provided evidence for statistically significant associations between SDEE and log (BMI) for only a short time interval. Being a boy or being assigned a stand-biased desk is associated with a lower log (BMI) than being a girl or being assigned a traditional desk. Across our models, age was not a statistically significant covariate, and white students had significantly lower log (BMI) than non-white students in quantile models, but this significant effect was observed for only the 10th and 50th quantile levels of BMI. The functional regression models allow for additional interpretations of the influence of EE patterns on age-and sex-adjusted BMI, whereas the quantile regression models enable the influence of EE patterns to be assessed across the entire BMI distribution.ConclusionThe FQMEM is recommended when interest lies in assessing how device-monitored SDEE patterns affect children of all body types, as this model is robust and able to assess intervention effects across the full BMI distribution. However, the sample size must be sufficiently large to adequately power determinations of covariate effects across the entire BMI distribution, including the tails.

Stand-Capable Workstations Reduce Occupational Sedentary Time Among Administrative Workers

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS In this study, we found that workers who use stand-biased desks stood more and sat less during their workday compared to workers who use traditional desks. Stand-biased users also experienced significantly less lower back discomfort compared to both traditional and sit-stand workstation users. Based on these findings, we recommend that the use of stand-biased workstations be considered when designing or renovating work office workspaces. The health risks of sedentary behavior are inherent in most office work, but these risks can be alleviated with intentional equipment choices. Using stand-biased desks can encourage workers to move more throughout the workday without their productivity or comfort being disturbed.

A Practical Solution to Reduce Interference from Led Lights

Abstract The study explores the detection of a harmful, wide-band interference signal, whose origin is a traditional desk LED (light-emitting diode) lamp. The interference signal was noticed on the sensitive solar spectrometer observing system, which was operating at a frequency range between 100 and 300 MHz. The interference signal was so strong and wide-band that it destroyed totally the solar observations. The study introduces two practical EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) reducing methods: ferrite cores and shielding (shielding effectiveness, S.E.). Their theoretical background is presented, and, in addition, these methods are tested in practice. The measurements and tests showed that even simple ferrite core was a very effective method to reduce interference effects. It is important that a suitable setup will be found: a single ferrite core cannot solve a whole problem. This interference problem is very demonstrative and it can be used in educational purposes at an undergraduate level at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland. This study reveals the fact that standard lamps, which are on the market, do not necessarily follow good EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) practices.

Progettare e utilizzare spazi di apprendimento innovativi: cosa hanno da dire gli insegnanti

As many schools are moving towards more innovative learning environments, there is an ongoing need for evidence about how teachers and students use these innovative spaces to enhance learning. While innovative learning environments have been characterised as spaces that are more flexible, with ubiquitous technology and the ability to reconfigure space dependent on the learning task, there is no universal definition of what constitutes a truly ‘innovative’ learning environment because each school context is unique. Consequently, how innovative learning environment designs are used in practice will vary depending on the needs of students, teachers and school communities. The Plans to Pedagogy project, developed by the University of Melbourne’s Learning Environments Applied Research Network (LEaRN) team, is exploring the educational issues school leaders and teachers identify as they transition to and use innovative learning environments. It acknowledges that no two schools are the same, and each school has unique spatial challenges. Plans to Pedagogy, embedded in a range primary and secondary schools across Australia and New Zealand, has eight current projects. Each school is assigned a LEaRN academic who works with a small teaching team to co-design and implement a research project targeting the school’s identified spatial challenge. The eight current projects focus on issues such as promoting student agency and developing 21st century learning skills in students, mapping collaborative teaching practices, assessing the impact of furniture on student engagement, and supporting the transition of teachers’ pedagogy as they move from traditional to innovative environments. As each has a unique focus, the research methods used differ case to case. However, a common principle is that each case needs to build evidence that is disseminated to the school community, with the aim of sharing learning to support teachers’ and students’ praxis in innovative learning environments. To examine this further, this paper will briefly overview each of the current eight Plans to Pedagogy projects to give a sense of the scope and focus of issues faced by teachers in schools in terms of using their learning environments well. It will then focus on two projects for a deeper examination that will illustrate how the researcher/school partnership operates. The first is the journey of a large composite primary-secondary school, where the staff are exploring how their complex student cohort is using their open-plan new build to assist an adventurous student-centred curriculum approach. The second case study is an example of a retrofit project in a rural primary school, where teachers kept their existing classrooms but changed the furniture in their rooms from traditional desks and chairs to flexible furniture arrangements, exploring the impact of this change on student engagement and teachers’ pedagogy. The paper makes the case that Plans to Pedagogy warrants close examination by others working in this field as each project starts by identifying schools’ unique spatial challenges, it builds research expertise of staff in these schools, and it supports these actions by aligning a specialist learning environments researcher to ensure robust methods and results that directly impact school improvement.

Activity Workstations in High Schools: Decreasing Sedentary Behavior Without Negatively Impacting Schoolwork

High school students are at risk for increased sedentary behavior due in part to a decrease in physical activity throughout adolescence and to required sedentary behavior during much of the school day. The purpose of the current study is to examine the impact of using activity workstations in a high school English class for struggling readers. Twenty high school students participated in the study. The participants completed a 16-week study where each participant used an activity workstation for 8 weeks and a traditional desk for 8 weeks in a crossover design for a 40-min period during normal class. They responded to a series of subjective questions about reading and schoolwork at the beginning and end of each 8-week session and followed the READ 180 program designed to help struggling readers during the study. The results indicated that academic performance increased in both desk conditions during the study and from the beginning to the end of the study. In addition, there was a significant improvement in items in the subjective survey related to reading, motivation, and schoolwork in both desk conditions across the study. The current results suggest that using an activity workstation in the classroom did not negatively affect academic performance or students’ perceptions of working on academic assignments compared to the traditional desk condition. These results indicate that activity workstations could be implemented in classrooms to provide students with a non-sedentary option during the school day thus increasing physical activity in students.

Nekray

In recent years, the demand of kiosk devices has increased significantly for relaying information in organizations, institutions, or any other service centers. They have become a better alternative for traditional human assistance or reception desks. However, there are no dynamic operating systems or user interfaces available for kiosk devices. This paper represents a development of an operating system for kiosk devices called ‘Nekray', which was built on Linux Kernel environment. It was designed to be dynamic, fast, user-friendly, and user interactive. The developed operating system avails the option to change the data of its features as per requirement. It also supports plug and play feature and can be installed in any low-cost hardware board. Furthermore, built-in AI is also a part of the developed system that performs its features through image processing. The system maintains the privacy and interactive transition of data to its users on kiosk devices.

The design of learning spaces\u202fmatters:\u202fperceived\u202fimpact\u202fof the deskless\u202fschool\u202fon learning and teaching\u202f

This exploratory case study examined the kinds of activity that a ‘deskless school” (i.e., flexible physical school spaces) engenders among pupils and teachers. We also considered the meaning and significance that pupils and teachers attach to various features of the school, as well as the associated action possibilities. The data were gathered in a new school in the Helsinki capital area that was architecturally designed to have flexible learning spaces (FLS) without traditional classrooms or desks for pupils in an attempt to encourage pedagogical renewal. The participants comprised 17 pupils in one second-grade class and their two teachers. The data were collected by participant observation (15 lessons over 3 weeks) and interviews with the teachers and groups of pupils. Those working in FLS engaged in collaborative learning and teaching activities. Pupils worked constantly in pairs or small groups and studied collaboratively. They also incorporated mobility into their own learning activities and developed agency by choosing how and where they would work. In particular, they appreciated being able to collaborate with their peers and freely choose where and how to study. Teachers approved of the school environment’s facilitation of collaborative learning and highlighted the importance of professional co-planning and other aspects of collaboration. Overall, the design of school environments matters at the pedagogical and professional level. With thoughtful planning, such design can support deeper collaboration among teachers and pupils, foster knowledge sharing, and even develop pupils’ agency. Although the learning space itself does not ensure change, it does enable new kinds of interaction and joint learning activities.

STM32-Based Intelligent Desk Lamp Design and Implementation

Table lamps have long been one of the necessities of people’s life and work, as they appear and are used very frequently in household lighting equipment. Table lamps provide the right amount of light for people to work and study in their daily lives. Compared with the general traditional desk lamp, intelligent desk lamps provide a more comfortable lighting environment for people to read, work and study. The paper firstly analyzes the system scheme of the intelligent desk lamp and completes the hardware selection, using STM32F103C8T6 as the main control, HR-SR501 module as the pyroelectric module of the intelligent desk lamp. HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance measures sensor for distance measurement. Bluetooth module HC-05 is the wireless control module of the lamp. Then the interface circuit design of each functional module is completed by drawing schematic diagram through Altium Designer. The program design of each function by drawing program flowchart is completed. The program is written through keil5. Finally, the automatic adjustment of lighting intensity, posture reminder, human infrared sensing and wireless control of the intelligent lamp are realized through a combination of hardware and software. Desk lamp has the advantages of simple operation, energy saving, sitting posture reminder, automatic dimming and wireless control, etc. Compared with the general traditional desk lamp, it solves the problems of traditional desk lamp control not simple enough, high energy consumption and being easy to cause visual fatigue or myopia; therefore, it has high application value and market value.

A Mixed-Method Landscape Analysis of SME-focused B2B Platforms in Germany

Digital platforms offer vast potential for increased value creation and innovation, especially through cross-organizational data sharing. It appears that SMEs in Germany are currently hesitant or unable to create their own platforms. To get a holistic overview of the structure of the German SME-focused platform landscape (that is platforms that are led by or targeting SMEs), we applied a mixed method approach of traditional desk research and a quantitative analysis. The study identified large geographical disparity along the borders of the new and old German federal states, and overall fewer platform ventures by SMEs, rather than large companies and startups. Platform ventures for SMEs are more likely set up as partnerships. We indicate that high capital intensity might be a reason for that.

The effect of using activity workstations on heart rate variability during complex cognitive tasks

Objectives The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of using an activity workstation on the physiological stress response as measured by heart rate variability while completing cognitively demanding tasks. Participants: Eleven college students (6 females; age: 19.4 ± 0.9 years) participated in the study. Methods: The participants completed three psychologically stressful cognitive tasks while seated at a traditional desk and while using an activity workstation. Heart rate variability was recorded and analyzed with power spectrum density and time-domain analysis. Results: Using activity workstations while completing stressful cognitive tasks did not negatively affect task performance. There was; however, a reduction in low frequency heart rate variability but no change in cardiac sympathovagal balance. Conclusion: The results indicate that using activity workstations while completing difficult tasks reduces sympathetic reactivity to stress in college students. This suggests that using activity workstations could provide a coping mechanism for stress.

The Effect Of Treadmill Desk Walking On Creative Thinking

PURPOSE: Most research on treadmill desks in the workplace report no significant change in productivity. However, most of these studies focused on cognitive performance measured by tests in attention, memory or reasoning. While aerobic exercise has been linked to producing a positive effect on creative potential, few studies have tested workplace creativity thinking. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of treadmill desk walking on convergent and divergent creative thinking. METHODS: Twelve (n=12) male and female college-age students were recruited and completed three tests of creative function: the verbal Guilford’s Alternate Uses Task (VGAT) of divergent thinking, written Guilford’s Alternative Uses Task (WGAT), and the Remote Associations Task (RAT) of convergent thinking. Participants completed all tests while seated at a traditional desk and while walking on a treadmill desk at 1.5 mph. Step length, stride length, and gait cycle were assessed by the OptoGait gait analysis system. A paired sample t-test was used to compare creative test scores and gait variables. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between any test scores while seated and walking (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between baseline gait and divergent thinking (VGAT, WGAT) task gait in any variable (p>0.05). There was a significant increase in step length (p=0.049), stride length (p=0.046), and gait cycle (p=0.039) between the walking only condition and the treadmill desk walking during the RAT. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest neither convergent nor divergent creative thinking are improved when walking on a treadmill desk. While gait patterns are not changed during divergent thinking, this study suggests gait during convergent thinking may be altered.

The behavior of pain in response to sit-stand workstations: a systematic review

Background: Chronic neck and/or low back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal complaint among individuals employed in sedentary jobs. Literature is available on the behavior of chronic neck and LBP in response to sit-stand workstations (SSW) but lacks a clinically significant consensus.Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to report the clinical significance of the behavior of pain in response to SSW in comparison to traditional desks.Methods: Articles were retrieved from electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were 1) employees in work environments that entail prolonged sitting time and with chronic neck and/or LBP, 2) intervention of SSW, and 3) the report on pain as an outcome. Exclusion criteria included 1) children or students, 2) intervention of mobility desks (i.e. treadmill, cycling), and 3) absence of pain prior to the study. Risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale.Results: 3 studies were reported as Cohen’s d and revealed alleviation of neck and/or LBP with small to trivial clinical effect sizes. 1 study was calculated as odds ratio; its participants were more likely to report neck pain but less likely to report LBP with SSW compared to traditional desks. Another study reported results in p-values and were statistically significant for neck pain and insignificant for LBP.Conclusion: Overall, findings suggest SSW may not absolutely relieve chronic neck or LBP but should not be excluded from pain management recommendations due to potential of positive impact.

The Role of Resilience in Coping with Negative Parental Behaviour

Abstract Introduction: Negative parental behaviour is among the significant risk factors that can have a negative impact on an individual’s development. In certain contexts, when appropriate protective factors are available, individuals deal with adversity better and it does not come to a decrease in their social performance nor their achievement in various spheres of life. Purpose: The purpose of the presented paper is to provide a literature review on the role of resilience in dealing with harsh circumstances when negative parental behaviour occurs in a family. Methods: In the study, the traditional desk research method was used to gather data. Conclusions: Exposure to negative parental behaviour – including abuse and neglect, as well as domestic violence, can have detrimental consequences for children’s health and welfare. Under such circumstances, protective factors available to children play a significant role. Exposure to negative parental behaviour, including abuse and neglect, as well as domestic violence, can have detrimental consequences for children’s health and welfare. Under such circumstances, protective factors available to children play a significant role. If a family fails to protect a child or even represents a risk factor in the child’s life, the importance of other social institutions, such as schools, church, peer groups, etc., increases, as both internal and external protective factors are important. They can provide children at risk with support, help them develop own coping strategies and foster their resilience in order to overcome significant adversity in their families without serious harm. An individual’s resilience is a decisive factor in the process of dealing with threatening situations.

Do Stand-Biased Desks in the Classroom Change School-Time Activity and Sedentary Behavior?

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of stand-biased desks on the physical activity and sedentary behavior of third, fourth and sixth grade students across the school year. Methods: This within classroom crossover design study used teacher-determined allocation for seating within each classroom. Half of the students used a stand-biased desk and half used a sitting desk. Five-day hip-worn accelerometer assessments were completed at baseline and at the end of each nine-week intervention period. A mixed effects model was used to determine the differences in the percentage of time spent active and sedentary. Results: A total of 22, 36 and 41 students in 3rd, 4th and 6th grades, respectively, completed this study (57.1% male, 79.3% White). Regardless of the desk type, students became more sedentary (p < 0.001) and less active (p < 0.001) in the classroom as the school year progressed. After controlling for baseline activity, there was a significant interaction between the type of desk and time (p = 0.029). Students who spent a higher percentage of their classroom time sedentary engaged in less sedentary behavior when using a stand-biased desk compared to the traditional desk. Conclusion: The standing desk intervention was effective in mitigating the increase in sedentary behavior for those who started the school year more sedentary.

Stand Up to Work: assessing the health impact of adjustable workstations

PurposeSedentary behavior is linked to health risks, and prolonged sitting is prevalent among office workers. Adjustable workstations (AWS) promote health by allowing transitions between sitting and standing. Stand Up to Work compares workers with AWS to traditional desks (TD). The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachEmployees were randomly selected from one office floor to receive AWS, two identical floors maintained TD. Participants received workplace wellness and ergonomic training, completed self-administered questionnaires, and responded to repeated micropolling at baseline (T0), 3 (T1), 6 (T2), and 12 (T3) months in Atlanta, 2015-2016. Groups were compared using two-sample t-tests and nonparametric Wilcoxon tests.FindingsCompared to TD (n = 24), participants with AWS (n = 24) reported significantly less sedentary behavior at T1 and T2 after AWS installation (p<0.05), with a retention rate at T2 of 80 and 65 percent for the AWS and TD group, respectively. In all, 47 percent of participants with AWS reported decline in upper back, shoulder, and neck discomfort (p=0.04); 88 percent of AWS participants reported convenience to use, 65 percent reported increased productivity, and 65 percent reported positive impact outside the workplace. Individuals with normal or underweight body mass index (BMI) reported a significantly greater decline in percent of time sitting compared to participants with overweight or obese BMI at all three time points.Originality/valueAWS are beneficial in reducing sedentary behavior in and outside the workplace. Behavioral changes were sustained over time and associated with less self-reported muscle pain, more self-reported energy, and awareness of standing. When considering total worker health, employers should include options for AWS to promote reducing sedentary behavior.

Family as One of the Most Important Factors in a Child’s Upbringing

Abstract Introduction: The development of a child takes place according to certain laws, each one of which has its own individual dynamics, so, every child becomes a unique human being. Children gradually collect information about themselves and the world around them. They receive feedback about themselves from people who take care of them - mainly their family, mother and father. Their positive responses support the child’s feeling of being loved, worthy of interest, which has a positive effect on them. Purpose: Family environment is likely to have the strongest impact on the child’s behaviour. Educational procedures, family climate, relationships between parents, those between parents and the child, the degree and methods of satisfying the child’s needs, moral values, and social ties of the family - they all affect the child’s behaviour. Methods: In the presented paper, traditional desk research methods were used. Conclusions: Behaviour is learned and has its purpose. Family teaches the child many things, e.g. how to cope with simple tasks, as well as about complex social inclusion.

Decreasing Sedentary Behavior: Effects on Academic Performance, Meta-Cognition, and Sleep.

There is growing interest in using activity workstations as a method of increasing light physical activity in normally sedentary environments. The current study (N = 117) compared the effects of studying in college students while slowly pedaling a stationary bike with a desktop with studying at traditional desks across 10 weeks in an academic semester. The students were assigned to study either on the stationary bike or at a traditional desk located in the campus library for a minimum of 2 h a week. During the 10 weeks, the students studied for tests or worked on other required academic activities while working at their assigned desk. In addition, the participants completed a pre survey, weekly surveys, and a post survey. We found that although students studying at the traditional desks reported more ease of studying and more effective studying than those using the stationary bikes, the two groups performed equally well on tests in an introductory psychology course. Moreover, the students using the traditional desks reported a decrease in sleep quality later in the semester while those using the activity workstation reported stable levels of sleep quality. The current results indicate that activity workstations could be implemented in university settings to encourage light physical activity without negatively affecting academic performance while providing possible long-term health and well-being benefits. Furthermore, the results suggests that activity workstations could be a means of combating sedentary behavior in environments where individuals are expected to sit either while waiting (e.g., doctor's waiting rooms, airports) or when completing a necessary task (e.g., the workplace, educational settings).

Generation Alpha: Marketing or Science

Abstract Introduction: The transition from the limited information environment to the extended information world has fundamentally transformed the communication and information-gathering processes. The new learning spheres (non-formal and informal learning, i.e. lifelong learning) require rethinking learning strategies. Purpose: The generation logic and knowledge of different generations can help making the learning process more effective and efficient. It also helps, if we know which generation exists and which one is a “fictious generation”. According to theory of Mannheim and the model of Prensky, we can describe Generation X, Y and Z, but now the name of the next generation is being established. Methods: With the help of traditional desk research, such as literature search, data mining and web search, this article covers the origin of Generation Alpha (Alfa), the possible characteristics attributed to this age group, and tries to discern if this concept is meaningful in terms of the generation paradigm. Conclusions: Overall, it is apparent that while the existence of X, Y, and Z generations is demonstrable, the naming and characterizing the Alfa generation is important for marketing purposes, scientifically there is no evidence for “Generation Alpha”.

Task Performance and Meta-Cognitive Outcomes When Using Activity Workstations and Traditional Desks.

The purpose of the current study is to compare the effects of light physical activity to sedentary behavior on cognitive task performance and meta-cognitive responses. Thirty-eight undergraduate students participated in the study. The participants used a stationary bicycle with a desk top and a traditional desk while completing two complex cognitive tasks and measures of affect, motivation, morale, and engagement. The participants pedaled the stationary bicycle at a slow pace (similar in exertion to a normal walking pace) while working. The results indicated that cognitive task performance did not change between the two workstations. However, positive affect, motivation, and morale improved when using the stationary bicycle. These results suggest that activity workstations could be implemented in the work place and in educational settings to help decrease sedentary behavior without negatively affecting performance. Furthermore, individuals could experience a positive emotional response when working on activity workstations which in turn could help encourage individuals to choose to be more physical active during daily activities.

Call Center Productivity Over 6 Months Following a Standing Desk Intervention

OCCUPATIONAL ABSTRACTStand-capable desks have been shown to successfully reduce sedentary behavior in the modern office, but whether their utilization improves cognitive productivity is not known. We compared productivity between stand-capable desk users and traditional seated desk users in a call center environment. Data were collected daily over a continuous 6-month period. We found that increased stand-capable desk use is a likely contributor to increased productivity over traditional seated desk use. These findings indicate that use of stand-capable desks as ergonomic interventions to improve physical health among employees may also positively impact their work productivity.TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Many office employees are spending up to 90% of their workday seated, and employers are considering stand-capable desks as a way to increase physical activity throughout the day. When deciding on adoption of stand-capable workstations, a major concern for employers is that the benefits, over time, may not offset the initial cost of implementation. Methods: This study compared objective measures of productivity over time between a group of stand-capable desk users and a seated control group in a call center. Comparison analysis was completed for continuous 6-month secondary data for 167 employees, across two job categories. Results: Users of stand-capable desks were ∼45% more productive on a daily basis compared to their seated counterparts. Further, productivity of the stand-capable desk users significantly increased over time, from ∼23% in the 1st month to ∼53% over the next 6 months. Finally, this productivity increase was similar for employees across both job categories. Conclusions: These findings suggest important benefits of employing stand-capable desks in the work force to increase productivity. Prospective studies that include employee health status, perceptions of (dis)comfort and preference over time, along with productivity metrics, are needed to test the effectiveness of stand-capable desks on employee health and performance.