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Hands-on interaction in the augmented reality (AR) chemistry laboratories enhances the learning effects of low-achieving students: a pilot study
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose
The purpose of this study was to develop the augmented reality (AR) educational program combined with the instructional guidance for supportive learning, which enhanced the thinking process cooperative discussion and problem-solving skills in chemistry subject.
Design/methodology/approach
The method used the quasi-experimental research design. Of the 45 students who attended this experiment, only 25 with low achievement qualified in operating the AR learning system of saponification and transesterification environment (ARLS-STE) system.
Findings
These results confirmed that the AR educational program could have increased substantial benefits in improvements of students’ knowledge and the ability of the thinking process for the participants with the lowest score. In semi-structured interviews, most of participants enjoyed manipulating the ARLS-STE system, which was realistic, motived and interesting for learning science subjects.
Originality/value
The low-achieving students have often been known with a low learning capability, and they lack in developing constructional knowledge, despite being keen for learning. Regarding educational concerns for this population, providing orientated learning and supportive materials could increase their learning effects. Virtual worlds are an efficient learning tool in educational setting. The AR can offer visual concepts and physical interaction for students with low achievement in learning. Thus, this study investigates the acceptability of an educational program designed in the ARLS-STE, which involves the learning effects of academic knowledge and the capability of thinking process for students with low achievement. The ARLS-STE system was developed for this proposal, based upon the marker-based AR technologies combined with hands-on manipulation
Music Intervention for Pain Control in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full text[[abstract]]Music intervention (MI) has been applied as an effective adjunctive treatment for pain control in various clinical settings. However, no meta-analysis has yet been published on the analgesic effects of MI in infants and children. We performed a systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with the keywords "pain" AND "music therapy" from inception to January 2022. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and vital signs. Standardized mean difference (SMD) values and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using a random effect model. Subgroup analyses with age groups, types of pain, and music styles were conducted. A total of 38 RCTs involving 5601 participants met the selection criteria. MI significantly decreased the pain levels (SMD = -0.57, p < 0.001), both in the newborn group (p = 0.007) and in the infant/children group (p < 0.001). MI significantly reduced heart rate (SMD = -0.50, p < 0.001) and respiratory rate (SMD = -0.60, p = 0.002) and increased peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SMD = 0.44, p < 0.001). In subgroup analyses of types of pain, MI had significant effects on prick pain (p = 0.003), chronic and procedural pain (p < 0.001), and postoperative pain (p = 0.018). As for music styles, significant analgesic effects were observed for classical music (p < 0.001), kids' music (p < 0.001), and pop music (p = 0.001), but not for world music (p = 0.196), special composition (p = 0.092), and multiple music combinations (p = 0.420). In conclusion, our analysis provides supportive evidence about the efficacy of MI, especially classical, kids', and pop music, in controlling prick, procedural, and postoperative pain in the pediatric population
Effects of walking speeds and durations on the plantar pressure gradient and pressure gradient angle
No full text[[abstract]]Background
Walking exercise has been demonstrated to improve health in people with diabetes. However, it is largely unknown the influences of various walking intensities such as walking speeds and durations on dynamic plantar pressure distributions in non-diabetics and diabetics. Traditional methods ignoring time-series changes of plantar pressure patterns may not fully capture the effect of walking intensities on plantar tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various walking intensities on the dynamic plantar pressure distributions. In this study, we introduced the peak pressure gradient (PPG) and its dynamic patterns defined as the pressure gradient angle (PGA) to quantify dynamic changes of plantar pressure distributions during walking at various intensities.
Methods
Twelve healthy participants (5 males and 7 females) were recruited in this study. The demographic data were: age, 27.1?±?5.8 years; height, 1.7?±?0.1 m; and weight, 63.5?±?13.5 kg (mean?±?standard deviation). An insole plantar pressure measurement system was used to measure plantar pressures during walking at three walking speeds (slow walking 1.8 mph, brisk walking 3.6 mph, and slow running 5.4 mph) for two durations (10 and 20 min). The gradient at a location is defined as the unique vector field in the two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system with a Euclidean metric. PGA was calculated by quantifying the directional variation of the instantaneous peak gradient vector during stance phase of walking. PPG and PGA were calculated in the plantar regions of the first toe, first metatarsal head, second metatarsal head, and heel at higher risk for foot ulcers. Two-way ANOVA with Fisher’s post-hoc analysis was used to examine the speed and duration factors on PPG and PGA.
Results
The results showed that the walking speeds significantly affect PPG (P?<?0.05) and PGA (P?<?0.05), and the walking durations does not. No interaction between the walking duration and speed was observed. PPG in the first toe region after 5.4 mph for either 10 or 20 min was significantly higher than 1.8 mph. Meanwhile, after 3.6 mph for 20 min, PPG in the heel region was significantly higher than 1.8 mph. Results also indicate that PGA in the forefoot region after 3.6 mph for 20 min was significantly narrower than 1.8 mph.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that people may walk at a slow speed at 1.8 mph for reducing PPG and preventing PGA concentrated over a small area compared to brisk walking at 3.6 mph and slow running at 5.4 mph.
Peer Review report
The influence of packaging color on flavor expectations and perceptions
No full text[[abstract]]Recent research has shown that the colors of plateware, glassware, cups, packaging, and even of the ambient and its lighting are able to influence consumers' preferences, expectations, and perceptions of taste, aroma, texture, and liking of food and beverages. This study contributes to the subject by investigating how packaging colors affect the expectations of sweetness, bitterness, fruitiness, melting, and liking for chocolates in Brazil and France. Two groups of 210 consumers (N = 420), one from each country, evaluated samples of milk and dark chocolate packaged in seven colors: black, blue, brown, green, red, pink, and yellow. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-Kramer's test indicated that there were multiple significant effects of packaging color on consumers’ expectations. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) showed that expected sweetness, fruitiness, and liking were correlated to each other and inversely correlated to expected bitterness. While both chocolates were expected the least sweet and the most bitter when in black packaging, they were expected the sweetest and the least bitter when in yellow or pink packaging. Interestingly, the same black packaging made the milk chocolate the best rated and the dark chocolate the worst rated on expected liking, showing that a packaging color may have inverse effects on hedonic ratings depending on the type of chocolate. Although French consumers eat more chocolate and with higher cocoa content than Brazilians, the effects of packaging color were not significantly different between cultures
我國數位媒體設計之研究趨勢
No full text[[abstract]]20世紀末電腦帶來的資訊革命打破了傳統媒體生態的傳統結構和設計思維，並且與數位結合成為數位媒體設計，如今隨著科技發展及5G開通，更加速數位媒體設計多元化，因此本研究透過文獻分析模式來探討我國數位媒體設計之研究趨勢。研究顯示數位媒體設計之設計多元化是受到科技進步的影響，其主因隨著科技產品進步，其電腦運算能力與電腦模擬運算的增強，導致多媒體呈現為多樣化與友善的人機介面，因此我們可以發現數位媒體設計之6大領域的主題趨勢，其分別為互動科技、虛擬實境、互動裝置、2D動畫、動畫短片及高齡者等6大領域，其中有五個領域之研究主題趨勢是與科技產品有關係，因此說明數位媒體設計與科技發展是密不可分，甚至會影響數位媒體設計之發展。[[abstract]]The information revolution brought by computers at the end of the 20th century broke the traditional structure and design thinking of the conventional media ecology and combined with digital to become digital media design. With the development of technology and the opening of 5G, the diversification of digital media design has accelerated. Literature analysis mode explores the research trend of digital media design in my country. Research shows that the design diversification of digital media design is affected by technological progress. The main reason is that with the advancement of technical products, its computer computing power and computer simulation operations are enhanced, resulting in multimedia presentations as a diverse and friendly human-machine interface. Therefore, we find the thematic trends in 6 digital media design areas: interactive technology, virtual reality, interactive installations, 2D animation, animated short films, and the elderly. Among them, the research thematic trends in five areas are related to Technology products are described. Hence, it shows that digital media design and technology development are inseparable and even affect the development of digital media design
Modeling the Enhanced Efficacy and Curing Depth of Photo-Thermal Dual Polymerization in Metal (Fe) Polymer Composites for 3D Printing
No full text[[abstract]]This article presents, for the first time, the efficacy and curing depth analysis of photo-thermal dual polymerization in metal (Fe) polymer composites for 3D printing of a three-component (A/B/M) system based on the proposed mechanism of our group, in which the co initiators A and B are Irgacure-369 and charge–transfer complexes (CTC), respectively, and the monomer M is filled by Fe. Our formulas show the depth of curing (Zc) is an increasing function of the light intensity, but a decreasing function of the Fe and photoinitiator concentrations. Zc is enhanced by the additive [B], which produces extra thermal radical for polymerization under high temperature. The heat (or temperature) increase in the system has two components: (i) due to the light absorption of Fe filler and (ii) heat released from the exothermic photopolymerization of the monomer. The heat is transported to the additive (or co-initiator) [B] to produce extra radicals and enhance the monomer conversion function (CF). The Fe filler leads to a temperature increase but also limits the light penetration, leading to lower CF and Zc, which could be overcome by the additive initiator [B] in thick polymers. Optimal Fe for maximal CF and Zc are explored theoretically. Measured data are analyzed based on our derived formulas
Oropharyngeal Rehabilitation for Patients With Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Transoral Robotic Surgery
No full text[[abstract]]Objective: To determine whether combined transoral robotic surgery and postoperative oropharyngeal rehabilitation are effective for reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea.
Study design: A quasi-experimental study enrolled participants without blinding between May 2019 and April 2021.
Setting: Single-center study at National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
Methods: Patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who were otherwise healthy were recruited from the ear, nose, and throat department at National Cheng Kung University Hospital. The group undergoing transoral robotic surgery with oropharyngeal rehabilitation (n = 18) received a 12-week intervention consisting of home-based rehabilitation exercises following surgery; the transoral robotic surgery group (n = 17) received surgery only; and the control group (n = 15) received conservative treatment, such as continuous positive airway pressure therapy or other oral appliance therapy. Polysomnography data and tongue muscle performance were measured before and after the interventions.
Results: The group that underwent transoral robotic surgery with oropharyngeal rehabilitation exhibited significantly improved tongue protrusion strength as compared with the transoral robotic surgery-only group, as well as significantly improved apnea-hypopnea index in the supine position vs the control group.
Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated the synergistic effects of transoral robotic surgery and postoperative oropharyngeal rehabilitation for adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Objective records should be used to monitor home-based rehabilitation exercises and examine the lasting synergistic effects
Relationships of homophobic bullying victimization during childhood with borderline personality disorder symptoms in early adulthood among gay and bisexual men: mediating effect of depressive symptoms and moderating effect of family support
No full text[[abstract]]This study investigated (1) the associations of homophobic bullying victimization in childhood with borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms in early adulthood among gay and bisexual men; (2) the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the association between homophobic bullying victimization and BPD symptoms, and (3) the moderating effects of perceived family support on the association between homophobic bullying victimization and BPD symptoms. A total of 500 gay or bisexual men aged between 20 and 25 years were recruited into this study. The experiences of physical, verbal and social relationship bullying victimization during childhood were evaluated using the Mandarin Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire. The experiences of cyberbullying victimization during childhood were evaluated using the Cyberbullying Experiences Questionnaire. BPD symptoms were assessed using the Borderline Symptom List. Depressive symptoms were examined using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Perceived family support was evaluated using the Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve index. The results of mediation analyses demonstrated that all the types of homophobic bullying victimization in childhood were directly associated with BDP symptoms in young adulthood as well as indirectly associated with BPD symptoms through the mediation of depressive symptoms. The results of moderation analyses demonstrated that the association between homophobic bullying victimization and BPD symptoms decreased when the individuals had more family support. Intervention programs to reduce homophobic bullying victimization and enhance family support for gay and bisexual men and their families are necessary. Interventions to improve depressive and BPD symptoms among gay and bisexual men are also necessary, especially for those who experienced homophobic bullying victimization during childhood
The Effect of Physician Communication on Inpatient Satisfaction
No full text[[abstract]](1) Background: The importance of physician-patient communication and its effect on patient satisfaction has become a hot topic and has been studied from various aspects in recent years. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews to integrate recent research findings into patient satisfaction studies with physician communication. Therefore, this study aims to systematically examine physician communication's effect on patient satisfaction in public hospitals. (2) Methods: Using a keywords search, data was collected from five databases for the papers published until October 2021. Original studies, observational studies, intervention studies, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, experimental studies, and qualitative studies published in English, peer-reviewed research, and inpatients who communicated with the physician in a hospital met the inclusion criteria. (3) Results: Overall, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria from the 4810 articles found in the database. Physicians and organizations can influence two determinants of inpatient satisfaction in physician communication. Determinants of patient satisfaction that physicians influence consist of amounts of time spent with the patient, verbal and nonverbal indirect interpersonal communication, and understanding the demands of patients. The organization can improve patient satisfaction with physician communication by the organization's availability of interpreter service and physician workload. Physicians' communication with inpatients can affect patient satisfaction with hospital services. (4) Conclusions: To improve patient satisfaction with physician communication, physicians and organizational determinants must be considered
Recent progress on lead-free hybrid perovskite photocatalysts: surface engineering, charge-carrier behaviors, and solar-driven applications
No full text[[abstract]]Lead-based hybrid perovskites have sparked substantial research interest due to the immense progress in the fields of optoelectronics and photocatalysis. However, owing to the environmental issues of lead toxicity, lead-free hybrid perovskites (LFHPs) with non-toxic metal elements, such as bismuth, strontium, etc., have attracted considerable attention. LFHPs have been recognized as potential photocatalysts because their electronic structures can be easily adjusted by tuning their chemical compositions, crystal structures, and surface morphology. In recent years, the investigation of charge-carrier behaviours on surface-engineered LFHP photocatalysts has been spurting from solar-to-fuel conversion (e.g., hydrogen evolution and CO2 reduction to CO or CH4) to some organic reactions (e.g., organic synthesis and dye degradation). Therefore, in this Review, photocatalytical fundamentals and surface engineering to enhance the charge transport and separation of available photocatalysts are firstly introduced. Synthetic methods of hybrid perovskites with resultant material properties are then discussed. Finally, the performance of LFHPs in solar-driven applications is described. According to the results achieved, current challenges and future research directions in the development of lead-free hybrid perovskites for enhancing photocatalytic efficiency and stability are summarized