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Motivational Interviewing Skills Practice Enhanced With Artificial Intelligence
Get PDFBackground: Finding time in the medical curriculum to focus on motivational interviewing (MI) training is a challenge in many medical schools. We developed a software-based training tool, “Real-time Assessment of Dialogue in Motivational Interviewing” (ReadMI), that aims to advance the skill acquisition of medical students as they learn the MI approach. This human-artificial intelligence teaming may help reduce the cognitive load on a training facilitator. Methods: During their Family Medicine clerkship, 125 third-year medical students were scheduled in pairs to participate in a 90-minute MI training session, with each student doing two role-plays as the physician. Intervention group students received both facilitator feedback and ReadMI metrics after their first role-play, while control group students received only facilitator feedback. Results: While students in both conditions improved their MI approach from the first to the second role-play, those in the intervention condition used significantly more open-ended questions, fewer closed-ended questions, and had a higher ratio of open to closed questions. Conclusion: MI skills practice can be gained with a relatively small investment of student time, and artificial intelligence can be utilized both for the measurement of MI skill acquisition and as an instructional aid
The Impact of Information Systems on Organizational Performance
No full textInformation Systems (IS) have become essential in reshaping the communication, efficiency, and competitiveness of organizations globally, notably within African and other developing economies (Abrego Almazán et al., 2017). The critical role of IS in these economies notwithstanding, evaluating their impact on organizational performance presents notable challenges and inconsistencies. This study aims to fill the existing research gap by developing methodologies for assessing the impact of IS on organizational performance specifically within developing economies. Leveraging the Delone and McLean (D&M) IS success model as a foundational framework, this research proposes a comprehensive method to evaluate IS effects on organizational outcomes (DeLone & McLean, 2003). The literature suggests a paradigm shift towards a holistic assessment of IS success, encompassing critical dimensions such as information quality, system quality, and service quality. These dimensions are proposed to directly affect user satisfaction and the utility of IS, which in turn, significantly influences organizational performance. Employing a quantitative research design, the study distributed surveys to 103 businesses across Ghana, with data analysis conducted using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method. This approach facilitates an in-depth analysis of the interplay between IS quality dimensions and organizational performance (Purwanto & Sudargini, 2021). Initial findings highlight the paramount importance of information quality in elevating user satisfaction and the utility of IS, subsequently enhancing organizational performance. A positive correlation was found between prioritizing IS quality improvements and achieving superior organizational outcomes, underscoring the strategic imperative of IS quality investments. This research contributes to the literature by outlining a framework for directly assessing the impact of IS on organizational performance, thereby offering a strategic roadmap for IS investment decisions in developing economies (DeLone & McLean, 2003)
Up in Smoke: Indigenous Techniques to Combat Climate Change and Increase Biodiversity
Get PDFBrad Kerry explores how Indigenous land management practices—particularly the use of prescribed fire—can be reintroduced to restore the Runkle Woods to its pre-colonial ecological state. Drawing on archaeological evidence, historical tree surveys, and ecological data, the presentation highlights how periodic, low-intensity fires historically maintained the forest’s biodiversity, promoted fire-adapted species like oak and hickory, and suppressed invasive plants. Kerry advocates for carefully planned, small-scale burns to combat mesophication —a shift toward shade-tolerant, fire-averse species—while increasing forest resilience to drought, invasive species, and climate change. The presentation underscores the ecological benefits of fire and outlines practical considerations for reintroducing controlled burns as a restorative tool
Closing Remarks and Introduction of Collaboration with REACH Festival
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Biomechanical Simulation of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Leads with Residual Properties
Get PDFImplantable leads used in pacemakers, defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy are designed for in-vivo applications, yet their longevity is inevitably shaped by the conditions within the human body. The mechanical behavior of these leads can be affected over time, necessitating the evaluation of their residual properties. Two main insulators, silicone, and polyurethane are commonly used for the outer insulation of cardiac leads. Understanding the long-term performance of these insulators is crucial for ensuring the reliability and safety of cardiac implantable devices. The research aims to assess the long-term mechanical properties and performance of implantable leads utilized in cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), which are subjected to the in-vivo environment with finite lifespans. Utilizing more than 300 samples obtained from the Wright State University Anatomical Gift Program. Tests were conducted according to ASTM standard D 1708-02a and ASTM Standard D 412-06a using the Test Resources Q series system. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from electric vehicles on CIEDs, particularly Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (S-ICDs) were quantified within a Tesla Model 3. SolidWorks and MIMICS 25.0 were used for three-dimensional heart modeling, and were developed with CIED leads inside the heart for finite element analysis. ANSYS Workbench 2022R1 was utilized for simulating cardiac leads behavior inside the heart with specific residual properties, and used computational simulations to predict lead performance. This research found silicone insulation to show some degradation in mechanical properties after 94 months of in-vivo environment, and polyurethane insulation demonstrated consistent performance without significant degradation after 108 months of in-vivo exposure. The proposed mechanical testing and FEM provide an insight into the durability and performance of different insulation materials, and how these materials behave over time when exposed to physiological conditions within the body. From this perspective, we can enhance the durability of CIED leads, potentially extending their lifespan. This research holds promises in guiding future advancements in CIED lead design and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in the field of cardiac rhythm management
Characterization of Cisplatin-DNA Adduct Release From Cancerous and Non-cancerous Cell Lines
Get PDFCisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that is used to treat lung, breast, esophageal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. Despite being effective in treating a wide variety of cancer types, its cytotoxicity to off-target healthy tissues restricts its therapeutic application. The platinum atom of cisplatin interacts with DNA and results in the formation of inter-and intra-strand crosslinks, which are often referred to as DNA adducts. These adducts are mutagenic and potentially lethal to cells. The sole pathway for cells to excise intra-strand cisplatin-DNA adducts from the genome is through nucleotide excision repair. The fate of unrepaired DNA adducts is not understood fully. However, using a combination of differential centrifugation and DNA immunoblotting, we have detected cisplatin adduct-containing damaged DNA associated with small extracellular vesicles (SEVs) that are released into the cell culture medium. Moreover, the inhibition of caspase signaling blocks this release. Our observation that this response holds with multiple different cancer cell lines (U2OS, HeLa, HEK293, A375) suggests that it is a general phenomenon of cancer cell response to cisplatin. Because SEVs are involved in intercellular communication and can transmit their contents throughout the body, this work has important implications for the systemic effects of DNA damage-based anti-cancer therapies. Moreover, the detection of cisplatin adduct-containing DNA could be useful as a marker of cancer cell killing or side effects
Characterization of the Hydroxyurea-induced Cell Elongation Phenotype in Fission Yeast ssb1-20 Mutant
Get PDFEukaryotic SSB, also known as replication protein A (RPA), is a single-stranded DNA binding protein that is highly conserved in eukaryotes. It is essential in multiple cellular functions such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and cell cycle checkpoint signaling. Studying SSB’s or RPA’s checkpoint functions in cells is challenging due to its crucial role in cell survival. Exploring this possibility, we performed an extensive genetic screening of ssb1, which encodes the largest subunit of RPA, looking for nonlethal mutants that lack the checkpoint function. This screen has identified 25 primary mutants that are sensitive to genotoxins namely HU and MMS. Among these mutants, mutant ssb1-20 stood out for its unique response to genotoxins. The mutant cells significantly elongate in the presence of HU. In this study, we examined the cellular response of ssb1-20 to HU, MMS, and other DNA-damaging agents at different doses and various exposure times. Our results demonstrated that ssb1-20 exhibits a significantly increased cell elongation phenotype than wild-type cells when subjected to the treatment with HU, but not with the DNA-damaging agents. This observation suggests a unique response of the ssb1-20 mutant to the HU-induced stress. Further investigation is needed to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. Overall, our study unveils the unique cell elongation phenotype of ssb1-20 in HU and suggests a novel function of RPA in the maintenance of genomic stability in eukaryotes
Distribution and Fate of Selected Non-Point Source Pollutants in the Dayton Streams and Tributaries: Effect of Land Use in an Urban Watershed
Get PDFThis study investigates the distribution of water pollutants in the urban and suburban watershed (Beavercreek Sub-watershed (BCS) and Little Beavercreek Sub-watershed (LBS)) of Dayton, Ohio USA focusing on the relationship between water quality and land use types based on 2021 land use maps obtained from MRLC. These watersheds are home for aquatic life and regulate the flow of surface water and recharge groundwater so, it is crucial to maintain good water quality by balancing urbanization and farmland within these two watersheds. We analyzed chloride, nitrate, and sulfate using ion chromatography (IC) and orthophosphate using UV/Vis Spectrophotometry. Additionally, three pesticides (Atrazine, Diazinon, and Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)) were selected and identified by analytical methodology using solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) temporally. The chloride is dominant in both watersheds followed by sulfate, nitrate, and orthophosphate. 2,4-D was most common with higher concentrations in BCS (51%) than in LBS (35%). The impact of agricultural runoff on water quality is seen in the streams of LBS which correspond to higher levels of nitrate, sulfate, and orthophosphate. There were significant differences between BCS and LBS for 2,4-D (p-value 0.03 \u3c0.05) and atrazine, diazinon showed no significant differences (p-value \u3e 0.05 in both watersheds
Prediction Interpretations of Ensemble Models in Chronic Kidney Disease Using Explainable AI
Get PDFChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) poses significant health and financial threat to millions of patients all around the world. The irreversible nature of this disease not just leads to comorbid diseases like Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Anemia, Bone Disease, Neurological Implants etc. It can permanently damage the kidney by progressing to Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) or End Stage Renal Diseases (ESRD). The risk factors of CKD become more dangerous as patients suffering from it have little to no idea about the presence of CKD in their body until it takes the shape of AKI or ESRD. There are severe economic burdens for the chronic kidney disease as well. Patients suffering from CKD would naturally have less productivity and hence affect the workflow. Patients admitted to hospitals for AKI or ESRD have to go through huge costs for diagnosis, treatment, hospitalizations, medications or in the final stage kidney transplantation. The dialysis and transplantation process also takes up huge costs for surgery, immuno-suppressive medications, follow-up care etc. Moreover, people struggling with financial aspects in developing countries could barely afford this large economic challenges associated with CKD. To find out which features from a patient’s demographic and clinical tests contribute in what capacity in identifying the risk factors of CKD, the scope of this research lies in application of Explainable AI (XAI) in explaining the decision-making process of ensemble models. The primary research question is what factors with what values contribute towards making CKD or Non-CKD prediction, what changes need to happen for the contributing features for a contrasting class prediction and which models would be better suited in terms of accuracy metrics and interpretability measures. The goal of this research would be to assist the clinicians as end users in explaining risk factors in CKD progression so that they can inform the patients about diet, lifestyle changes to prevent the progression to next stages. Because so many risk factors of CKD include diabetes, hypertension, obesity etc. are modifiable through diet and lifestyle changes. To address this research question, our dataset was collected on 400 subjects from University of California Irvine\u27s Machine Learning repository. The dataset had a record of patients where 250 of them had CKD and others were healthy individuals from Apollo Hospital, India. The current scope of this research has also been compared with existing research in terms of Accuracy, Interpretability and Fidelity measures. The research findings were validated and also corrected by nephrologists for further research directions