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How does artificial intelligence impact employees’ engagement in lean organisations?
No full textDriven by the digital transformation currently pursued by organisations, artificial intelligence (AI) applications have become more frequent. Nevertheless, its impact on employees’ behaviors and attitudes is still poorly known. As employees’ engagement (EE) is a key element for a successful Lean Production (LP) implementation, there is the need to understand such AI’s implications on EE in this scenario. This paper aims to investigate the impact of AI on EE in lean organisations. We performed a qualitative-empirical approach in which we first interviewed twelve academic experts to grasp the investigated problem. Then, we conducted a multi-case study in manufacturing organisations undergoing a LP implementation to refine such understanding based on the observation of real-world evidence. Identifying commonalities between these stages allowed the formulation of propositions for future theory testing and validation. Findings indicate that AI may positively impact EE dimensions (physical, cognitive, and emotional) in human-centred work environments, such as lean organisations, although not at the same extent. Results also suggest that employees’ psychological conditions (safety, meaningfulness, and availability) are positively affected by the relationship between AI and EE. The demystification of AI’s effect on EE helps practitioners anticipate potential issues that can impair the LP implementation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era
Tenecteplase versus alteplase for acute ischaemic stroke in the elderly patients: A post hoc analysis of the TRACE-2 trial
No full textBACKGROUND: The benefit-risk profile of tenecteplase in the elderly patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is uncertain. We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of 0.25 mg/kg tenecteplase compared with alteplase for AIS patients aged ≥80 years. METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of the Tenecteplase Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischaemic Cerebrovascular Events-2 Trial, a randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority clinical trial. Disabling AIS patients aged ≥80 years who initiated intravenous thrombolytics within 4.5 hours of symptom onset were enrolled from June 2021 to May 2022 across 53 centres in China and were randomly allocated to receive 0.25 mg/kg tenecteplase or 0.9 mg/kg alteplase. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of participants with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-1 at 90 days. Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) within 36 hours was the safety outcome. RESULTS: Of 137 participants, mRS 0-1 at 90 days occurred in 37 (49.3%) of 75 in the tenecteplase group vs 20 (33.9%) of 59 in the alteplase group (risk ratio (RR) 1.47, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.23). sICH within 36 hours was observed in 3 (4.0%) of 76 in the tenecteplase group and two (3.3%) of 61 in the alteplase group (RR 1.30, 95% CI 0.20 to 8.41). CONCLUSIONS: The risk-benefit profile of tenecteplase thrombolysis was preserved in the elderly patients, which lends further support to intravenous 0.25 mg/kg tenecteplase as an alternative to alteplase in these patients
Function estimation: Quantifying individual differences of hand-drawn functions
No full textGraphical perception is an important part of the scientific endeavour, and the interpretation of graphical information is increasingly important among educated consumers of popular media, who are often presented with graphs of data in support of different policy positions. However, graphs are multidimensional and data in graphs are comprised not only of overall global trends but also local perturbations. We presented a novel function estimation task in which scatterplots of noisy data that varied in the number of data points, the scale of the data, and the true generating function were shown to observers. 170 psychology undergraduates with mixed experience of mathematical functions were asked to draw the function that they believe generated the data. Our results indicated not only a general influence of various aspects of the presented graph (e.g., increasing the number of data points results in smoother generated functions) but also clear individual differences, with some observers tending to generate functions that track the local changes in the data and others following global trends in the data
On maximizing the likelihood function of general geostatistical models
No full textAbstract
General geostatistical models are powerful tools for analyzing spatial datasets. A two‐step estimation based on the likelihood function is widely used by researchers, but several theoretical and computational challenges remain to be addressed. First, it is unclear whether there is a unique global maximizer of the log‐likelihood function, a seemingly simple but theoretically challenging question. The second challenge is the convexity of the log‐likelihood function. Besides these two challenges in maximizing the likelihood function, we also study the theoretical property of the two‐step estimation. Unlike many previous works, our results can apply to the non‐twice differentiable covariance functions. In the simulation studies, three optimization algorithms are evaluated in terms of maximizing the log‐likelihood functions
A cost-effectiveness analysis of a housing and recovery program for people with severe and persistent mental illnesses and precarious housing
No full textThe Doorway program supports people with Serious and Persistent Mental Illnesses (SPMIs) receiving care within Victoria’s public mental health system and who are precariously housed. This paper reports on its cost-effectiveness. The study design was difference-in-differences involving a Treatment-As-Usual comparison group (TAU) using deidentified client records. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of days of secure housing per participant during the study and pre-study periods. Similarly, health service usage was also extracted from participants’ records. The cost of public mental health service usage was then estimated, including using governmental published data. The program’s Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) and Cost-effectiveness Acceptability Curve were estimated using the bootstrap method. An ICER threshold of Australian ) at 100% was set to determine cost-effectiveness and the probability of cost effectiveness at A22,987). Mean percentage of days securely housed was also greater for the Doorway group (by 45.4%). The ICER value was A$50,613, the probability of this being 83.1%. The Doorway intervention was both more costly and more effective. Its cost-effectiveness approximated the pre-specified ICER threshold
Concerns about data integrity across 263 papers by one author
No full textOBJECTIVE: Comprehensive investigation of published work by authors suspected of academic misconduct can reveal further concerns. We aimed to test for data integrity concerns in papers published by an author with eight retracted articles. STUDY DESIGN: We investigated the integrity of all papers reporting on prospective clinical studies by this author. We assessed the feasibility of study methods, baseline characteristics, and outcomes. We plotted the author's clinical research activity over time. We conducted pairwise comparisons of text, tables, and figures to identify duplicate publications, and checked for consistency between conference abstracts, interim analyses, trial registrations, and final papers. Where indicated, we recalculated p-values from the reported summary statistics. RESULTS: We identified 263 papers claiming to have enrolled 74,667 participants between January 2009 and July 2022, 190 (72 %) of which reported on studies that recruited from the Assiut Women's Health Hospital in Assiut, Egypt. The number of active studies per month was greatest between 2016 and 2019, with 88 ongoing studies in May 2017. We found evidence of data integrity concerns in 130 (49 %) papers, 43 (33 %) of which contained concerns sufficient to suggest that they could not be based on data reliably collected from human participants. CONCLUSION: Our investigation finds evidence of widespread integrity concerns in the collected work of one author. We recommend that the involved journals collaborate in a formal investigation
Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease–Associated Anorectal and Fistula Cancers: Systematic Review and Expert Consensus
No full textBACKGROUND & AIMS: Perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (PFCD)-associated anorectal and fistula cancers are rare but often devastating diagnoses. However, given the low incidence and consequent lack of data and clinical trials in the field, there is little to no guidance on screening and management of these cancers. To inform clinical practice, we developed consensus guidelines on PFCD-associated anorectal and fistula cancers by multidisciplinary experts from the international TOpClass consortium. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review by standard methodology, using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment tool. We subsequently developed consensus statements using a Delphi consensus approach. RESULTS: Of 561 articles identified, 110 were eligible, and 76 articles were included. The overall quality of evidence was low. The TOpClass consortium reached consensus on 6 structured statements addressing screening, risk assessment, and management of PFCD-associated anorectal and fistula cancers. Patients with long-standing (>10 years) PFCD should be considered at small but increased risk of developing perianal cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the anus and anorectal carcinoma. Risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, notably human papilloma virus, should be considered. New, refractory, or progressive perianal symptoms should prompt evaluation for fistula cancer. There was no consensus on timing or frequency of screening in patients with asymptomatic perianal fistula. Multiple modalities may be required for diagnosis, including an examination under anesthesia with biopsy. Multidisciplinary team efforts were deemed central to the management of fistula cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory bowel disease clinicians should be aware of the risk of PFCD-associated anorectal and fistula cancers in all patients with PFCD. The TOpClass consortium consensus statements outlined herein offer guidance in managing this challenging scenario
Same name, different representational levels? Misalignment of indirect parent-reported and direct alternative forced choice measures of emotion word comprehension in preschool children
No full textThis study assessed the relationship between preschoolers' directly and indirectly assessed emotion word comprehension. Forty-nine two-to-five-year-old Norwegian children were assessed in a tablet-based 4-alternative forced choice (AFC) task on their comprehension of six basic and six complex emotions using facial expression photographs. Parents reported emotion word comprehension and production of the same words. Parent-reported emotion word production interacted with age to predict preschoolers' performance, with a parent-child alignment only observed for older children. Parent-reported word comprehension did not significantly predict accuracy. The results suggest that, in preschoolers, direct and indirect assessments might address distinct representational levels of emotion word comprehension
The Affordances of Identity Texts with Adult Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education
No full textAbstract
Working with adult Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) requires teachers to develop a knowledge and understanding of a complex range of matters related to pedagogy, language and literacy acquisition and the practical and socio-emotional challenges of resettlement. Limited research has focused on how teachers can support students’ literacy practices and the expression of students’ rich life experiences and knowledge systems through language learning. Using a design-based framework and undertaken across 10 weeks, this research investigated the pedagogical potential of identity texts when working with adult SLIFE in the Australian context. The collaborative research design involved teachers and teacher educators participating in ongoing professional learning sessions as a range of identity texts were integrated into lessons. Data collected included classroom recordings, recordings from professional learning sessions and formal interviews with teachers and materials produced by learners during the project. A thematic analysis of the data highlighted the transformative potential of the use of identity texts in creating more inclusive, student-centred learning environments and greater learner agency. Further work is needed to better understand the necessary pace, tempo and utility of a range of identity texts in adult SLIFE language learning contexts
Evaluating perceived technology self-efficacy and telehealth acceptance in optometry students
No full textCLINICAL RELEVANCE: Constant technological improvements require practitioners to be open to adopting technologies such as telehealth for enhanced patient care. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of telehealth adoption will guide stakeholders in making decisions for safe and effective implementation of telehealth. BACKGROUND: Effective use of telehealth improves patient outcomes. It is unclear if optometry students feel supported in using and/or are accepting of telehealth. This study evaluated telehealth acceptance of optometry students, its association with their technology self-efficacy, and whether telehealth training alters this relationship. METHODS: Final-year optometry students at the University of Melbourne were invited to participate in a telehealth course. A 22-item online survey adapted from the Technology Proficiency Self-Assessment for twenty-first Century Learning was used to evaluate technology self-efficacy pre- and post-learning. Telehealth acceptance was evaluated using a 34-item survey according to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology-2. A 5-point Likert scale was used for each item, yielding two total scores. Respondent demographics, frequency of usage and number of devices were recorded. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used to analyse demographic variables and relationship between technology self-efficacy and telehealth acceptance. RESULTS: 58 (68%) and 49 (58%) students participated in the pre- and post-learning surveys. Majority were 20-29-year-old females. Students used between two and four devices for online activities, with 62% being online at least hourly. Technology self-efficacy scores (average ± SD) pre- and post-learning were 83.8% ± 8.2 and 87.8% ± 7.1. Telehealth acceptance scores pre- and post-learning were 66.1% ± 9.6 and 73.98% ± 9.9. There was no association with gender, number of devices and frequency of online use for all scores. Correlation between technology self-efficacy and telehealth acceptance was insignificant pre-learning (p = 0.3) but was significant post-learning (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Optometry students demonstrated high technology self-efficacy compared to telehealth acceptance. Telehealth training resulted in marked improvement in telehealth acceptance