Sheridan College

Objectives The use of complementary and alternative medications (CAM) and natural health products (NHPs) to enhance mood and reduce cognitive decline is well known yet research guiding Older Adult patients and their health care teams on such usage is limited. The purpose of this study was to understand CAM and NHP usage patterns for cognitive health among healthy Older Adults to enable the construct of better guidelines for health care practitioners regarding such usage. Methods A qualitative study was designed to determine usage patterns of CAM and NHPs among Older Adults. Participants were recruited from the Center for Elder Research at Sheridan College and open-ended questions were utilized during one-on-one interviews with interested participants to determine usage patterns in relation to cognitive health. Results A total of 10 participants completed the interviews with an age range of 63–86 years. Results were analyzed using the triangulation method based on a Grounded Theory approach to identify 6 main emerging themes: fear of cognitive health decline, strategies to mitigate perceived/self-diagnosed cognitive health decline, dietary influences on cognitive health, healthcare ownership and self-care, CAM and NHPs loyalty, and supporting Older Adult CAM and NHPs use. Percentages of each response within each main theme was also determined. Conclusions Older Adults appeared to be cognizant of their cognitive health and tended to rely on CAM and NHPs to improve self-perceived decline in cognitive health. Older Adults expressed a desire for their health care practitioners to become more accommodating of such usage and for the government to support them financially for expenditures on CAM and NHPs. Older Adults indicated a preference of visiting health care practitioners who supported the use of these products.

The construction of a computer-based system (CBS) begins ideally with the elicitation of its requirements and the writing of a specification of its requirements, usually in the form of a natural-language (NL) requirements specifications (RS). This chapter begins by describing (1) three kinds of NL RSs: software requirements specification, a.k.a. SRSs, user manuals, and user stories, and (2) the qualities, such as correctness and lack of ambiguity, that they as NL RSs must have to serve their purpose of adequately specifying the requirements of a CBS. The chapter then defines the kinds of defects that an RS, being written in an NL, may suffer, with an emphasis on ambiguity as the kind of defect arising specifically from the use of NL to write the RS. The chapter describes how some defect-detection tools work. It observes that whether an NL RS has any of these kind of defects is fundamentally algorithmically undecidable. However, searching for instances of a finite number of indicators of some kinds of defects, such ambiguity or vagueness, is feasible with 100% recall. While an RS may not have such a defect without the presence of one its indicators, not every occurrence of an indicator of a defect is part of an instance of the defect. The chapter reviews efforts to empirically evaluate a defect-detection tool’s (1) effectiveness: how well a defect-detection tool detects the defects in its scope, often expressed in terms of recall and precision, and (2) usefulness: whether detecting these defects in an RS positively affects the quality of the CBS that is constructed from the RS. The chapter observes that the construction of many a defect-detection tool is accompanied by an empirical demonstration of its effectiveness, but not by any demonstration of its usefulness. Moreover, each of three attempts to empirically demonstrate usefulness of abstraction finding failed; neither did any of the found ambiguities cause serious problems nor were any of the serious problems caused by ambiguities. Instead, in each case, as a result of a robust requirements analysis process, all the stakeholders happened to agree on the meaning of every considered ambiguity. The chapter concludes by wondering whether any defect-detection tool is useful.

Introduction A primary hazard of working in cold maritime environments is the potential for a substantial man overboard situation in freezing waters. Sudden cold-water immersion (CWI) triggers the cold shock response (CSR), which consists of cardiorespiratory responses that increase the chance of drowning. If cold shock response severity can be mitigated, life-saving actions must be taken within the first 10 min, as after this time frame drowning occurs due to cold incapacitation. To date, research shows that executive functioning is generally impaired by intense, acute stress, which implies the ability to think through potential actions to maximize survival would also be impaired by the cold shock response. Methods To examine whether the severity of cold shock response impairs higher-level thinking in a group, 29 active duty service members completed a group format Divergent Association Task (DAT; 4–5 per group) prior to and during a 13-min cold-water immersion (water temperature: 1.3°C, air temperature: −2.7°C). Results Results showed no relationship between cold shock response magnitude, indexed by peak heart rate, and DAT performance. However, results indicated that those with lower skin temperatures performed worse on the DAT. Discussion Results suggest that the ability to engage in divergent thinking is relatively preserved in the critical ~10-min window although skin cooling may bias attention toward the cold stress impacting task performance. Furthermore, subjective reports of the severity of the initial gasp tracked with peak heart rate demonstrating potential utility of subjective responses in the absence of respiratory measurements.

China has achieved rapid economic growth in the last four decades. However, rapid economic growth is not costless. Several environmental problems such as air pollution, land degradation, and water pollution are very critical. Rapid industrialization based on non-renewable fosse fuel is the major factor of ‘environmental destruction’ or ‘unsustainable development’. The environmental portion of China’s environmental problem is directly or indirectly related to the rapid growth of energy demand, inefficient use of energy, and coal-based energy systems. At the beginning of this century, Chinese policymakers realized that development without environmental sustainability is not sustainable. As part of its efforts to mitigate its environmental problems, China initiated several programs, such as improving efficiency in the energy sector, expanding the use of renewable energy, and cooperating with other nations in the field of sustainable energy. Even though China is still facing many environmental challenges, it has made significant advances in the transition to clean energy. Like China, Bangladesh is also facing many challenges regarding energy security and sustainability. This paper examines China's energy security strategies over the last two decades and how they relate to sustainable development. It also discusses how other countries, including Bangladesh, can learn from China's clean energy initiatives. Financial assistance and technical cooperation from China are also necessary for Bangladesh to achieve energy security and sustainability.

Objective This paper introduces RemoteHealthConnect, a novel web-based healthcare system designed to enable healthcare professionals to monitor patients remotely with enhanced efficacy. Central to our system is its integration with the Vitaliti™ wearable, equipped with biosensors for real-time vital signs monitoring. RemoteHealthConnect distinguishes itself by offering advanced, custom visualizations for interactive engagement with medical data, facilitating rapid clinical decision-making through intuitive access to vital signs and trends. The primary research question we sought to answer was: ‘Which design of vital sign visualizations is most effective in improving intuitive and rapid understanding for healthcare practitioners?’ Methods An iterative agile/SCRUM methodology was employed in the design and development of RemoteHealthConnect. We describe the architectural design of our web-based application, data visualization techniques, and user interface design. A user interface/user experience (UI/UX) study was conducted to assess the efficacy of our system. Results The usability study revealed the system's capacity to translate complex bedside data into accessible, real-world visualizations, promoting efficient pattern recognition and anomaly detection. This is crucial for enhancing clinician performance, regardless of the patient's location. The paper further details a usability study involving healthcare practitioners to ascertain RemoteHealthConnect's efficacy. The System Usability Scale (SUS) assessment yielded a score of 71.5, indicating high usability. This score is significant, positioning our system above the average usability threshold for healthcare technologies, and suggesting it as a valuable tool for remote patient monitoring. Conclusion Our web-based healthcare system and findings from the usability study contribute to the domains of Mobile Health (mHealth) and e-Health by advancing remote monitoring capabilities and offering a promising avenue for healthcare IT to improve patient care and clinician workflow.

Background/Objectives: Our study investigates the primary characteristics of managerial decision-making processes in the public hospital units in Romania, particularly in the Northeast region. This research aims to delineate the decision-making model applied by managers in these units, considering the multitude of legislative, economic, technical, ethical, and organizational changes prompted by the pandemic. Methods: A mixed-method research approach was utilized, combining semi-structured interviews and autoethnography, to capture experiences, attitudes, perceptions, motivations, and ethical considerations of decision-makers within the healthcare system. Results: The findings revealed that managerial decisions in public hospitals were influenced by unique elements such as the vulnerability and support needs of patients, the absence of a clear hierarchy, the personalized nature of healthcare services, the complexity of care processes, and the use of advanced technology. External factors, notably political and economic influences, alongside internal ethical dilemmas, significantly impacted decision making. Conclusions: This study identifies the reliance on evidence-based decision making and a consultative managerial style as key to addressing these challenges. This research contributes theoretically by comparing decision-making models and practically by identifying a decision-making model that includes forms, techniques, and tools that could guide managers in decision making in Romanian public hospitals.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has witnessed unprecedented advancements and a gradual penetration into civilian applications. This paper aims to thoroughly investigate the application of AI in the entertainment industry, with a particular focus on the principles and cross-disciplinary implementations of 3D real-life scanning, AI for non-player characters (NPCs), and AI video generation. By synthesizing how these technologies streamline content creation processes, lower technical barriers, and inspire novel approaches to game design, we observe that AI is not only reshaping the ecosystem of the entertainment sector but also facilitating the entry of newcomers into game development. However, alongside the benefits, this study identifies several challenges and limitations associated with current AI technologies, such as accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and ethical concerns, which require attention and resolution in future research and practice. Through a detailed examination and synthesis of these phenomena, this research provides a reference for practitioners and suggests directions for subsequent studies.

Open source AI momentum is more a matter of ‘when’ than ‘if’.

Cosmetics are a staple in daily beauty routines worldwide, embraced for their role in enhancing personal appearance and self-care. However, their direct application exposes the skin to a range of ingredients, including metal(loid)s, and these can have a hazardous impact on human health if they exceed the limits defined by regulatory agencies. As a result, it is important to evaluate metal(loid) levels to ensure the safety of these cosmetic products. This research aimed to analyze several cosmetic products (massage cream, cleaner, mud mask, skin polish, scrub, lipstick, foundation, lotion, face powder, and highlighter) for metalloids (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, As, Sb, Cd, Pb, Bi, and Hg) by using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Multivariate and bivariate statistical approaches were used to interpret the sources and association between the metal(loid)s. The concentration ranges of metals were found to be Al (1.18–4.15 mg/kg), Cr (0.13–2.19 mg/kg), Mn (1.89–28.77 mg/kg), Fe (4.09–126.02 mg/kg), Co (0.19–31.62 mg/kg), Ni (0.11–5.39 mg/kg), Cu (0.08–0.19 mg/kg), Zn (1.99–47.81 mg/kg), Sr (0.99–10.34 mg/kg), Cd (0.16–1.50 mg/kg), Pb (0.29–2.44 mg/kg), Bi (0.23–2.18 mg/kg), and Hg (0.012–0.42 mg/kg), whereas the concentration ranges of metalloids were found to be As (0.011–0.051 mg/kg) and Sb (0.042–1.66 mg/kg). Among the tested cosmetic products for the metal(loid) levels, the estimation of the margin of safety (MOS < 100), hazard quotient (HQ > 1), hazard index (HI > 1), and cumulative cancer risk (LCR ≤ 1 × 10⁻³) indicated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with the use of few products. Most of the cosmetics products under investigation are safe with respect to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. By highlighting the need to limit excessive use and adhering to sustainable safety practices, this study underscores the importance of monitoring and regulating metal(loid) content to ensure consumer safety and mitigate environmental impact.

The present research introduces a novel concept termed “neutrosophic fuzzy metric space”, which extends the traditional metric space framework by incorporating the notion of neutrosophic fuzzy sets. A thorough investigation of various structural and topological properties within this newly proposed generalization of metric space has been conducted. Additionally, counterparts of well-known theorems such as the Uniform Convergence Theorem and the Baire Category Theorem have been established for this generalized metric space. Through rigorous analysis, a detailed understanding of its fundamental characteristics has been attained, illuminating its potential applications and theoretical significance.

Entrepreneurs entering stigmatized markets face barriers to entry beyond those encountered in traditional markets. Yet, little research examines factors influencing the diffusion of these goods and services. Through the lens of institutional theory, this paper proposes and demonstrates the application of a conceptual model outlining the process by which stigmatized innovations become (de-)institutionalized. We combine mixed methods by blending qualitative with quantitative tools to analyze the legitimating influence of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) over time. Our findings suggest that dichotomized consumer preferences stem from normative (natural and benevolent versus artificial and malevolent), cultural-cognitive (ecological health and sustainable services versus public health and traditional services), and regulatory (government rule versus market rule) binaries that influence the deinstitutionalization of orthodoxy (utopian versus dystopian worldviews). Notwithstanding, we show that, in stigmatized markets, consumers look to eWOM to inform their choices, which can aid in deinstitutionalizing rational myths and help perpetuate service innovation. We also find that in stigmatized markets, the existing industry does not show a predictable response to societal pressures for service innovations that promote social wellbeing and sustainability.

In this paper, we introduce MiVitals—a Mixed Reality (MR) system designed for healthcare professionals to monitor patients in wards or clinics. We detail the design, development, and evaluation of MiVitals, which integrates real-time vital signs from a biosensor-equipped wearable, VitalitiTM. The system generates holographic visualizations, allowing healthcare professionals to interact with medical charts and information panels holographically. These visualizations display vital signs, trends, other significant physiological signals, and medical early warning scores in a comprehensive manner. We conducted a User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) study focusing on novel holographic visualizations and interfaces that intuitively present medical information. This approach brings traditional bedside medical information to life in the real environment through non-contact 3D images, supporting rapid decision-making, vital pattern and anomaly detection, and enhancing clinicians' performance in wards. Additionally, we present findings from a usability study involving medical doctors and healthcare practitioners to assess MiVitals' efficacy. The System Usability Scale study yielded a score of 84, indicating that the MiVitals system has high usability.

The chapter focuses on Sub-Saharan Africa and estimates magnitudes of unequal exchange that may be implied in its trade with other parts of the world—notably, with high-income countries and with China. The data are for the year 2009. Part 1 of the article lays out the theory and method and Part 2 reports statistical estimates for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background Anti-fat attitudes and weight-based discrimination are prevalent in healthcare settings and among healthcare practitioners and clinical trainees, and can result in immense harm to patients. There is increasing recognition that anti-fat bias in healthcare is a critical issue that must be addressed, but there is a dearth of evidence demonstrating sustained attitude and behavioural change among clinicians, illustrating a need for more innovative educational approaches and rigorous evaluation. We describe the co-design and delivery of a narrative-based continuing professional development curriculum aimed at raising awareness of weight-based bias and stigma. Methods Our research team of lived experience educators, clinicians and researchers collaboratively developed a series of seven podcast episodes comprised of narrative descriptions of lived experiences with and impacts of weight bias, stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings, as well as a post-podcast workshop to facilitate reflection and discussion between participants. The curriculum was piloted among 20 clinicians practicing at a large urban hospital in Mississauga, Canada. We explored feasibility, acceptability and learning impact by analyzing responses to questionnaires completed following each podcast episode and responses shared during the workshops and follow-up feedback sessions. Results We observed high acceptability and feasibility of the curriculum. Participants experienced the podcast as a practical and convenient learning format and the workshop as a valuable opportunity to collectively debrief and reflect. The learning impact of the curriculum was strong; participants described a range of emotions elicited by the podcasts, engaged in self-reflection, and expressed a desire to modify clinical approaches. Barriers to the application of learnings identified by participants include pervasiveness of the use of body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of risk and a criterion for referral; discomfort with difficult conversations; prevalent biomedical understandings about the association between weight and health; and clinicians’ defensiveness. Conclusion This pilot study yielded promising findings and demonstrated potential impact on weight bias and stigma among healthcare providers. Necessary next steps include conducting larger scale, rigorous evaluations of the curriculum among broader populations, both health professions trainees and current healthcare providers.

Generative artificial intelligence and the law: there is no turning back.

This research paper introduces a comprehensive study on fixed points in orthogonal fuzzy metric spaces. The primary objective is to establish the existence and uniqueness of fixed points for self-mappings satisfying implicit relation criteria in complete orthogonal fuzzy metric spaces. By doing so, our proven results extend and generalise well-known findings in the field of fixed-point theory. To demonstrate the significance of the established results, several related examples are provided, serving to support and validate the theoretical findings in orthogonal fuzzy metric spaces. The implications of these results are discussed, shedding light on their potential applications in various practical scenarios. In addition to theoretical advancements, the paper also demonstrates a practical application of our established results in solving integral equations. This application exemplifies the effectiveness and versatility of the proposed approach in real-world problem-solving scenarios.

In this paper, a new model is introduced for predicting the tube response and onset of Fluidelastic Instability (FEI) in tube arrays subjected to two-phase cross-flow. The model is developed based on the methodology proposed by Hassan and Weaver [1] for single-phase flows. The velocity and pressure distribution around the tubes are found using the continuity and momentum equations over a simplified flow channel. The two-phase fluid is modelled by discretizing the flow channel into layers, each having a different void fraction based on the homogeneous equilibrium model. The results obtained agree well with the experimental data available, while the computational cost is significantly reduced when compared to other existing models.