Program Users Research Articles

Web-based treatment for depression in pregnancy: a feasibility study of Mum2BMoodBooster

BackgroundDepression in pregnancy is prevalent, under-treated, and has serious impacts on the wellbeing of women and on child development. Internet programs can reach women who may not access traditional treatments due to distance, stigma or concern about taking medication. We adapted our online postnatal depression program, MumMoodBooster, for antenatal use. We aimed to trial feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of the new Mum2BMoodBooster intervention with depressed pregnant women.MethodsTwenty-seven pregnant women with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score > 11 used the program in a feasibility trial. Twenty-one had current diagnoses of major or minor depression on the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV. Assessment of symptoms occurred at screening/baseline, post-test (8 weeks post-enrollment), and at follow-up (3 months postpartum) using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21).ResultsIn this feasibility trial, depression scores on both the PHQ-9 and the DASS-21, showed significant reductions representing large effects, with average symptom scores reduced by > 50%, and maintained in the ‘minimal or no depression’ range at 3 month follow-up. Anxiety scores also decreased significantly. Program usage was high with 74% of women visiting all six sessions. Program acceptability ratings were moderate to high.ConclusionsFindings paralleled the magnitude of symptom reductions seen in randomised trials of the postnatal MumMoodBooster program, suggesting that Mum2BMoodBooster is an effective treatment for depressed pregnant women. Effective internet therapies are likely to become increasingly important as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make face-to-face access to health care problematic during ‘lockdowns’.

Improvements in Depression Outcomes Following a Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention in a Polychronic Population: Retrospective Study.

BackgroundDigital mental health interventions have shown promise in reducing barriers to effective care for depression. Depression and related mental disorders are known to be highly comorbid with common chronic physical conditions, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. While some research has explored the interaction dynamics of treating populations living with both mental and physical disorders, very little is known about such dynamics in digital care.ObjectiveWe aimed to examine the effectiveness of a 12-week, therapist-supported, app-based cognitive behavioral therapy program in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. The studied population included adults with a heavy burden of chronic physical disease, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.MethodsA total of 1512 participants with at least moderate depression were enrolled. The treatment cohort consisted of 831 (54.96%) participants who completed a follow-up assessment. The program included structured lessons and tools (ie, exercises and practices) and offered one-on-one weekly video counseling sessions with a licensed therapist for 12 weeks and monthly sessions thereafter. The clinically validated 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Linear mixed-effects modeling was employed to examine changes in depression and anxiety over time. Given correlation among various measures of program usage, a composite variable for depth of usage was used to analyze the correlation between usage and changes in depressive symptoms. Body weight changes from baseline were assessed primarily with digitally connected scales.ResultsOut of 831 participants in the treatment cohort, 74.5% (n=619) showed a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptom severity after 12 weeks, where follow-up PHQ-8 scores had shifted downward by at least one diagnostic category. In total, 67.5% (n=561) of the participants showed a reliable improvement in PHQ-8 scores as measured by the reliable change index. There was an average reduction of 5.9 (SD 5.2) points (P<.001) between baseline and follow-up. Greater program usage was correlated with greater likelihood of reliable improvement in depressive symptoms (odds ratio 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.5; P=.002). An exploratory analysis of body weight changes with a multilevel, mixed-effect model suggested that reliable improvement in depressive symptoms at follow-up was associated with significantly greater weight loss at 9 months (β=–1.11, P=.002).ConclusionsThe results provide further support that digital interventions can support clinically meaningful improvements in depression. Some form of synergy in treatment of comorbid depression and obesity or diabetes could be studied in future research. The study was limited by postintervention participant attrition as well as the retrospective observational study design.

인도 조정과 민사소송법 적용상의 문제점

Indian judiciary has been suffered from the pendency and delay since 1980’s. In order to reduce the huge numbers of pending cases on the judges, it tried to adopt the several different types of Alternative Dispute Resolution, such as arbitration, conciliation, and mediation, as listed in the Indian Civil Procedure Codes, section 89. Even though the Indian judiciary tried to facilitate the usage of ADR programs, the supporting procedure regulations are conflicting and there is no main operator or regulator to establish or regulate these programs. In addition, even there are several different mediation programs, such as court-connected, annexed or private mediations, these programs are not popular yet. Therefore, in this paper, it focuses on the operation of court mediation center in different regions and identifies the procedure problems, conflicting interests between layers and clients during litigation and mediation. Furthermore,it reveals a possible operational problem during the mediation program, such as confidentiality issue. Because there is no clear guideline of confidentiality for mediator and parties in the Indian mediation programs, either of parties might abuse or mis-use the procedural advantages during the separate session. In addition, Indian judges are currently taking a heavy responsibility to review the amicable agreement from the mediation from the both court mediation center and private mediation because they do not have an enough chance to regulate the process of mediation. This paper found that the Korean LG Corp., currently operated in Inida, was involved in a gas leaking case in May 2020. This accident caused 15 deaths and several hundreds people were hospitalized. Even though the accident was occurred in 2020, the victims are currently suffered from various damages. Alternative Dispute Resolution could be one of the best option for solution, understanding typical character of delayed process of Indian Court. However, the mediation program as one of option also faces several barriers in this case. Through reviewing these, it considers to promote the Indian mediation programs.

The reality of e-learning at Al Ain University in the United Arab Emirates, and its influence in achieving interaction between students and lecturers

This study aims to analyse the reality of e-learning at Al Ain University in the United Arab Emirates and its influence in achieving interaction between students and lecturers. The descriptive-analytical approach were used. The study includes 300 students and faculty members at Al Ain University. The study shows that there were no statistically significant differences in the reality of e-learning at Al Ain University in the United Arab Emirates and its role in achieving interaction between students and faculty members based on age and academic qualification. The researcher suggests providing educational courses on the usage of electronic programs in all aspects of the e-learning process and providing strong e-learning guidance for students and faculty.

Elastic Buckling Loads of Cold-Formed Steel Channel Sections with Perforations

Cold-formed perforated steel sections have been commonly applied to meet the demands for technical installations, leading to the reduction of capacities of these such sections. The capacities of these sectional types have been considered in the American Specification AISI S100-16 using the Direct Strength Method (DSM). This method known as the innovative method for the design of cold-formed steel sections allows predicting the sectional capacities of perforated sections based on elastic bucking loads. Elastic buckling analyses are compulsory for the application of the DSM in the design. The determination of elastic buckling loads of perforated sections is cumbersome with the usage of current buckling analysis software programs. The paper, therefore, presents a simple method for the determination of elastic buckling loads of cold-formed perforated channel sections, especially the paper is aimed to introduce a module software program used for elastic buckling analyses of these such channel sections based on this simple method. This program is convenient for buckling analysis, and it becomes a key program for the application of DSM in the design of cold-formed perforated steel channel sections. This software program is subsequently utilized to investigate the effects of web hole dimensions on the elastic buckling loads of cold-formed steel channel sections with perforations under compression or bending. The investigated results provide fundamental understandings of the buckling behaviors of perforated channel sections due to the effects of the web holes.

Real-world evidence from users of a behavioral digital therapeutic for chronic insomnia

BackgroundThere have been many research trials of various digital therapeutics, but few real world evaluations of their efficacy. This type of data, however, can provide a more rounded understanding of their impact, utility, reach, and adoption. Findings presented here focus on outcome and patient engagement data of SHUTi (Sleep Health Using the Internet), a digital therapeutic delivering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), in a large real-world dataset of adults with insomnia. Methods7216 adults who purchased access to SHUTi between December 2015 and February 2019 are included in the analysis. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was administered at the beginning of each of six treatment Cores of the intervention. Users entered sleep diaries between Cores to track changes in sleep over time and obtain tailored sleep recommendations. Number of Cores completed and sleep diaries entered indicate program usage. ResultsUsers showed a reduction in mean ISI scores and a corresponding increase in effect size at the start of each subsequent Core (compared to Core 1) (range: d = 0.3–1.9). Effect sizes at the last Core relative to the first were moderate-to-large for diary-derived sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset. A reduction in number of medicated nights was also found, with those with severe insomnia showing the largest reduction from last-to-first week of treatment (d = 0.3). At the last Core, 61% met criteria for meaningful treatment response (reduction of >7 points on ISI) and 40% met criteria for remission (ISI<8). Engagement was comparable to SHUTi research trials. ConclusionConsistent with controlled trials, real-world data suggest that digital therapeutics can result in relatively high levels of engagement and clinically meaningful sleep improvements.

Be a Mom: Patterns of Program Usage and Acceptability Among Women With Low-Risk and High-Risk for Postpartum Depression

BackgroundBe a Mom is a self-guided web-based intervention developed to prevent postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms and to promote maternal wellbeing, respectively among high and low-risk new mothers. This study aims to examine and compare (1) Be a Mom's patterns of usage and (2) Be a Mom's acceptability among women presenting high and low risk for PPD.MethodsThe sample was composed by 800 women who were randomized to Be a Mom [542 presenting high-risk (Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised ≥ 5.5) and 258 presenting low-risk for PPD]. Data regarding patterns of usage were collected through the Be a Mom website. Acceptability data were collected through a brief questionnaire.Results27.9% of high-risk and 36.3% of low-risk women completed the program. A higher proportion of participants in the low-risk group completed Be a Mom [ = 5.29, p = 0.021] and completed more modules [t(723) = −3.01, p = 0.003]. No significant differences were found between the groups in number of logins, minutes spent on the program, exercises completed and number of times audios were played. a higher proportion of women in the high-risk group considered that participating in Be a Mom was too demanding [ = 8.21, p = 0.004].ConclusionsDespite the low rates of completion, Be a Mom appears to be an acceptable option for both women with high-risk and low-risk for PPD. Lack of time seems to be the main reason for non-completion, so it is important to develop briefer versions of the program and introduce engagement strategies that may increase completion rate.

Randomized feasibility trial of the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Self-Management (SPIN-SELF) Program

BackgroundThe Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) developed an online self-management program (SPIN-SELF) designed to improve disease-management self-efficacy in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc, or scleroderma). The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility aspects for conducting a full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the SPIN-SELF Program.MethodsThis feasibility trial was embedded in the SPIN Cohort and utilized the cohort multiple RCT design. In this design, at the time of cohort enrollment, cohort participants consent to be assessed for trial eligibility and randomized prior to being informed about the trial. Participants in the intervention arm are informed and provide consent, but not the control group. Forty English-speaking SPIN Cohort participants from Canada, the USA, or the UK with low disease-management self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale [SEMCD] score ≤ 7) who were interested in using an online self-management program were randomized (3:2 ratio) to be offered the SPIN-SELF Program or usual care for 3 months. Program usage was examined via automated usage logs. User satisfaction was assessed with semi-structured interviews. Trial personnel time requirements and implementation challenges were logged.ResultsOf 40 SPIN Cohort participants randomized, 26 were allocated to SPIN-SELF and 14 to usual care. Automated eligibility and randomization procedures via the SPIN Cohort platform functioned properly, except that two participants with SEMCD scores > 7 (scores of 7.2 and 7.3, respectively) were included, which was caused by a system programming error that rounded SEMCD scores. Of 26 SPIN Cohort participants offered the SPIN-SELF Program, only 9 (35%) consented to use the program. Usage logs showed that use of the SPIN-SELF Program was low: 2 of 9 users (22%) logged into the program only once (median = 3), and 4 of 9 (44%) accessed none or only 1 of the 9 program’s modules (median = 2).ConclusionsThe results of this study will lead to substantial changes for the planned full-scale RCT of the SPIN-SELF Program that we will incorporate into a planned additional feasibility trial with progression to a full-scale trial. These changes include transitioning to a conventional RCT design with pre-randomization consent and supplementing the online self-help with peer-facilitated videoconference-based groups to enhance engagement.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, NCT03914781. Registered 16 April 2019.

Therapeutic Activities as a Link between Program Usage and Clinical Outcomes in Digital Mental Health Interventions: a Proposed Research Framework

Over the past 15 years, researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers have observed poor program usage of unguided e-mental health interventions in real-world settings. This paper proposes that focusing on the impact of program usage, however, distracts us from the mechanism of change that is linked with the targeted clinical outcomes: the incorporation of therapeutic activities. Uncovering this relationship is particularly important in digital mental health intervention research because the therapeutic activities meant to achieve beneficial outcomes are not always explicit. The paper presents a framework that may help disentangle different conceptual aspects in order to better investigate the relationship between user engagement with the digital program, therapeutic activities, and clinical outcomes. Critically, one of the main challenges involves determining whether the use of the digital program itself is tied to a therapeutic activity. Such a framework may enable a better understanding of how e-mental health interventions work and to better address intervention design failure points.

Evaluation of Bi-Lateral Co-Infections and Antibiotic Resistance Rates among COVID-19 Patients.

In addition to the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, bacterial co-infection plays an essential role in the incidence and progression of SARS-CoV-2 infections by increasing the severity of infection, as well as increasing disease symptoms, death rate and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The current study was conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, among hospitalized COVID-19 patients to see the prevalence of bacterial co-infections and the AMR rates among different isolated bacteria. Clinical samples for the laboratory diagnosis were collected from 1165 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, of which 423 were found to be positive for various bacterial infections. Most of the isolated bacteria were Gram-negative rods (n = 366), followed by Gram-positive cocci (n = 57). A significant association (p < 0.05) was noted between the hospitalized COVID-19 patients and bacterial co-infections. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) showed high resistance against tetracycline (61.7%), Streptococcus pyogenes against penicillin (100%), E. coli against Amp-clavulanic acid (88.72%), Klebsiella pneumoniae against ampicillin (100%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa against ciprofloxacin (75.40%). Acinetobacter baumannii was 100% resistant to the majority of tested antibiotics. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was 14.7%. The topmost symptoms of >50% of COVID-19 patients were fever, fatigue, dyspnea and chest pain with a significant association (p < 0.05) in bacterial co-infected patients. The current study results showed a comparatively high prevalence of AMR, which may become a severe health-related issue in the future. Therefore, strict compliance of antibiotic usage and employment of antibiotic stewardship programs at every public or private institutional level are recommended.

The Moderating Effect of Gamification on Loyalty Program Usage in Indonesian E-Commerce

Previously, existing research has not comprehensively examined the determinant factors of loyalty programs, and there is limited research that analyzes the gamification of loyalty programs in e-commerce. The research investigated the determinant factors of loyalty program usage, focusing on the moderating effect of the gamified loyalty program. The research applied a quantitative method using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS. Then, the unit of analysis was the users who played the Lucky Egg. The population size was unknown due to limited access to the e-commerce company, so the sample size was determined using ten times indicators. Around 242 respondents were gathered using convenience sampling. The result confirms that seven hypotheses are accepted, and one hypothesis is rejected. The determinant factors of loyalty program usage are playfulness, affective commitment, and attitude toward loyalty program. The interaction moderation analysis shows that the loyalty program increases loyalty program usage. However, the reward attractiveness does not affect the loyalty program directly and must be mediated by attitude toward the loyalty program. The R2 value of attitude toward loyalty program is 58,3%, and loyalty program usage is 58,5%. The research extends the loyalty program usage model in Indonesian e-commerce, and gamified loyalty program is proven as moderating variable of loyalty program usage.

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): Program Usage, Trends, and Sectorial Highlights (Testimony in Hearing)

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): Program Usage, Trends, and Sectorial Highlights (Testimony in Hearing)

USAGE OF VISUAL PROGRAMMING FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICAL SKILLS OF STUDENTS

The paper considers modern approaches to mathematical education, programming, which are used during the organization of the educational process in educational institutions. One of the directions for improving the quality of mathematical education is the use of new approaches and teaching methods, which are implemented in close interaction with the latest computer technologies. Modern rapid development of programming languages and online environments gives teachers a unique opportunity to expand their arsenal of methods, forms and means of teaching, used in pedagogy. Visualization of the learning process, the usage of game methods contributes to the development of competency skills of students, both schoolchildren and students. Visual programming languages is one of the special training courses for computer and mathematic specialists. The students get acquainted with visual programming in the school course of computer science starting from primary school. The paper considers the special aspects of usage of visual programming in performing creative tasks aimed at the development of mathematical skills by students of these specialities. The researches of many authors on modern visualization of programming, creation of small visual games that interest students, develop their skills, in particular, mathematical, are analyzed. Attention is paid to the innovative educational technologies. Possibilities of using “Turtle” in Google Blockly and creation of a logical computer game “Labyrinth” in Scratch that allow organizing cooperation during the learning process, to make it interesting are considered. The tools for creating and using of graphic objects are offered. Some algorithms are given; examples of their application for any stage of the educational process are prepared. The main advantages of using the described environments are demonstrated. The results of the study show that Internet resources and modern information technologies significantly expand the potential of educational material, contribute to the development of student motivation and differentiation of methods, forms and means of learning, taking into account the individual characteristics of students.

Earnings dynamics of immigrants and natives in Sweden 1985–2016

This paper analyzes earnings inequality and earnings dynamics in Sweden over 1985–2016. The deep recession in the early 1990s marks a historic turning point with a massive increase in earnings inequality and earnings volatility, and the impact of the recession and the recovery from it lasted for decades. In the aftermath of the recession, we find steady growth in real earnings across the entire distribution for men and women and decreasing inequality over more than 20 years. Despite the positive trend, large gender differences in earnings dynamics persist. While earnings growth for men is more closely tied to the business cycle, women face much higher volatility overall. Earnings volatility is also substantially higher among foreign‐born workers, reflecting weaker labor market attachment and high risk of large negative shocks for low‐income immigrants. We document an important role of social benefits usage for the overall trends and for differences across subpopulations. Higher benefits enrollment, especially for women and immigrants, is associated with higher earnings volatility. As the generosity and usage of benefit programs declined over time, we find stronger earnings growth among low‐income workers, consistent with higher self‐sufficiency.

ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ ДИСТАНЦІЙНОГО ОСВІТНЬОГО ПРОЦЕСУ ЗА ДОПОМОГОЮ ЗАСОБІВ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНО-КОМУНІКАЦІЙНИХ ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ

The article analyzes the problem of online distance education, ways that develop the methodology and improvement the efficiency of the educational process with the help of information and communication technologies. The main difficulties of online training and solutions were suggested during the analysis. It was indicated the needs of the search for effective ways to organize online distance learning and training of foreign language for additional benefits and ICT methods. It was mentioned that the organization of learning and training with the help of Skype, Telegram, Zoom technologies can be positively significant, because it makes possible to use foreign methods of training foreign language and create an optimal communicative environment, promote the effectiveness of English language, professional success and growth in the future job. In their studies the scientists have made the conclusion that almost all scientists point out the high efficiency of the usage of computer programs and electronic tools, which significantly increase the quality of education. A number of problems were mentioned lack of motivation among teachers to use of modern information technologies; insufficient preparation of teachers to use modern ICT tools in the educational process; insufficient support of technical, scientific and methodological material of higher education establishments; insufficiently developed methods that can be used modern information technologies of learning in the educational process during the learning of professional subjects. Modern ICTs have become an indispensable item for changing the ways of learning, the careful developed the methods of visualization have optimized and improved the efficiency of the online educational process. Key words: distance learning, Information and Communication Technologies, Moodle system, communicative environment, aviation specialists.

Feasibility of delivering and evaluating stratified care integrated with telehealth (‘Rapid Stratified Telehealth’) for patients with low back pain: protocol for a feasibility and pilot randomised controlled trial

IntroductionLong waiting time is an important barrier to accessing recommended care for low back pain (LBP) in Australia’s public health system. This study describes the protocol for a randomised controlled...

Adapting e-Learning for Japanese EFL Students

This study examined the effect e-learning had on second-year Japanese university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) student Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) scores, which is a standardized English test. The English language learner e-learning system was developed by Gyuto-e ASP and had 800 multiple-choice listening questions. The four research questions were focused on the following: the possible differences in the TOEIC scores between the students who had completed the online module and those who had not; the possible score differences between genders; and whether any students had completed the e-learning but had not had any significant increases in their TOEIC scores. It was found that all tests were statistically non-significant at a 5% level. Further research is to be conducted on improving the e-learning program usage so that it has a more direct and meaningful effect on the students’ test scores.

Carbon dioxide pipeline route optimization for carbon capture, utilization, and storage: A case study for North-Central USA

Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilization (CCUS) is a key activity used for reduction of carbon emissions while promoting sustainable transition of traditional power sectors to low-carbon economy. Carbon-dioxide pipelines are important for the proper and safe deployment of CCUS infrastructure. In this paper, a methodology is identified to map and optimize pipeline routes between various potential sources and sinks of carbon-dioxide in the North-Central region of USA. The methodology involves identifying areas for pipeline development between various important junctions using graph network theory. A mixed-integer program is formulated to identify the most economic deployment of CCUS infrastructure to achieve a defined carbon capture goal. The key contributions of this paper are the identification of cost-effective deployment strategies of pipeline in North-Central USA and the delineation of appropriate candidates for CO2capture location and geologic storage sites. The novelty of this paper lies on the utilization of environmental & regulatory factors in determining CO2 pipeline routes and usage of mixed integer programming for choosing the most cost-effective infrastructure strategy for CCUS deployment. The pipeline routing strategy identified by the paper reducing overall length of CO2 pipelines. The results of the analysis indicate the influence of location as well as pipeline routes on the overall cost of CO2 avoidance.

Using Taiwanese Universal Health Insurance Data to Estimate LTC Needs with Machine Learning

One of the core issues in long-term care (LTC) policy is the growing imbalance between demand and supply of LTC services due to aging population. To estimate the imbalance and allocate LTC resources, the government regularly conducts surveys. These surveys are expensive given the sample size requirements and imprecise given their subjective nature. This study links the administrative records of the universal health insurance database with LTC program usage records in Taiwan to explore this issue. Machine learning algorithms are used in projecting LTC needs from administrative records. LTC program usage records provide detailed LTC needs information and the amount of service each individual used. In addition, health insurance claim data provides rich health information. Specific LTC needs are predicted for each individual. By further extrapolating to future demographics, long-term LTC needs could be projected. There are several findings in this study. Prediction of difficulties in activities of daily livings (ADL), measured by Barthel index, works best using the Gradient Boosting algorithm. The mean absolute error is 17.67 out of a 0 to 100 scale. In addition to dementia and stroke, diagnosis of pressure ulcer (ICD 10 code: L89) and pneumonia (ICD 10 code: J18) have high predictive power for LTC needs. Prediction of Instrumental ADL (IADL) also performs well with a mean absolute error 1.31. The prediction model suggests high LTC needs and excess demand as the demographics changing. Our study provides a reliable way of using rich information to estimate future LTC needs without conducting additional costly surveys.

Homogenization based kinematic limit analysis for finding the stability of an embankment over soft clay reinforced with granular columns

The present study examines the stability of an embankment of cohesive-frictional material placed over a purely cohesive stratum which is reinforced by means of uniformly spaced vertical granular cylindrical columns. By using the kinematic yield homogenization concept, the macroscopic yield strength envelope associated with the reinforced clay layer has been obtained numerically for different volumetric fractions of the granular column to the composite unit cell by using the semidefinite programming (SDP) technique. An upper bound approximation of the macroscopic yield criterion, using the least square method, is expressed as a summation of a number of convex ellipsoidal envelopes so that the solution for computing the stability factors for the embankment on granular column (in the presence of surcharge pressure) can be obtained later with the usage of the second order cone programming (SOCP) while performing the upper bound finite elements limit analysis. The methodology avoids the usage of any stress variable and the complete procedure has been clearly described and the associated code has been written in MATLAB. The study will be not only useful for designing embankments constructed over soft clay reinforced with granular columns but also for solving different geomechanics stability problems by using the homogenization based kinematic limit analysis approach.