The Game of Writing (GWrit) is an online writing environment where students can comment on each other's writing and where they get rewards for on task activity (gamification). This paper brings ...together research on GWrit from the following perspectives: gamification, analytic tools, user habits, evaluation and task completion structures. First we introduce the way the system was designed to support experimenting with gamification and show the gamification rule editing environment we are developing. Second, we discuss the ways we are evaluating the interface of GWrit using Cognitive Walkthrough and Heuristic evaluation approaches. Third, we look at user behavior based on Google Analytics and compare this to the behavior expected and desired. Finally, we discuss the role task completion structures play in motivating learning. Compared with traditional ways of providing peer review, GWrit offers a different way of teaching writing. Our research shows that the major features of GWrit-including the gamification components, mutual study environment-have been recognized by users. We found that features tied to grades were used more frequently than those not tied to grades. Assignment deadlines, one of the task completion structures applied in GWrit, play an effective role in motivating learning. We end by describing potential improvements for the system from both programming and design perspectives. Keywords: Online writing environment, gamification, writing analytics, system evaluation, study motivation
Concerns regarding resource availability and price volatility have prompted industries to consider replacing natural gas (NG) with an alternative fuel. The oil sands industry utilizes large amounts ...of NG for the production of steam, electricity, and hydrogen, and several “replacement fuels” are currently being considered. A life cycle framework is developed and applied to two generic oil sands projects as a case study (mining with upgrading and in situ with upgrading) to examine the energy, greenhouse gas, and financial implications of replacing NG with four fossil fuels: asphaltenes, coke, bitumen, and coal. Key trade-offs are identified among the fuels, as well as those associated with applying carbon capture and storage (CCS) to the systems. The analysis indicates that there is no vector dominant alternative to NG among the fuels investigated, although asphaltenes appear to offer the most potential. The analysis confirms that CCS can reduce life cycle emissions to 25% of those of current systems but will not be implemented for oil sands energy systems without a financial incentive or regulatory requirement. Under the analysis’ base conditions, the CO2 avoidance cost is $66/tonne CO2 equivalent and $87/tonne for the mining and in situ asphaltenes cases, respectively. However, the impact of compounding uncertainties is demonstrated and shown to be critical for appropriate interpretation.
Background
Although breast cancer follow-up guidelines emphasize the importance of clinical examinations, prior studies suggest a small fraction of local–regional events occurring after breast ...conservation are detected by examination alone. Our objective was to examine how local–regional events are detected in a contemporary, national cohort of high-risk breast cancer survivors.
Methods
A stage-stratified sample of stage II/III breast cancer patients diagnosed in 2006–2007 (
n
= 11,099) were identified from 1217 facilities within the National Cancer Data Base. Additional data on local–regional and distant breast events, method of event detection, imaging received, and mortality were collected. We further limited the cohort to patients with breast conservation (
n
= 4854). Summary statistics describe local–regional event rates and detection method.
Results
Local–regional events were detected in 5.5 % (
n
= 265) of patients. Eighty-three percent were ipsilateral or contralateral in-breast events, and 17 % occurred within ipsilateral lymph nodes. Forty-eight percent of local–regional events were detected on asymptomatic breast imaging, 29 % by patients, and 10 % on clinical examination. Overall, 0.5 % of the 4854 patients had a local–regional event detected on examination. Examinations detected a higher proportion of lymph node events (8/45) compared with in-breast events (18/220). No factors were associated with method of event detection.
Discussion
Clinical examinations, as an adjunct to screening mammography, have a modest effect on local–regional event detection. This contradicts current belief that examinations are a critical adjunct to mammographic screening. These findings can help to streamline follow-up care, potentially improving follow-up efficiency and quality.
Abstract only
6520
Background: Breast cancer follow-up guidelines recommend imaging for distant metastases only in the presence of signs/symptoms. However, data supporting this recommendation ...predates the current era of improved imaging and targeted therapies based on molecular subtype. The objective was to assess the relationship between mode of distant recurrence detection and survival. Methods: A stage-stratified random sample of Stage II-III breast cancer patients diagnosed in 2006-7 was selected from NCDB records from 1,217 CoC-accredited facilities (10/hospital n = 10,853). Women were categorized by subtype: 1) ER or PR+/HER2-; 2) ER and PR-/Her2- (triple negative); 3) HER2+. Medical records abstracted for 5-years post-surgery supplemented NCDB data and assessed distant recurrence and mode of detection (prompted by signs/symptoms or surveillance imaging), imaging (chest CT, abdomen/pelvis CT/MRI, head CT/MRI, bone scan, PET/CT), death date. The relationship between mode of recurrence detection and days from initial cancer diagnosis to death was assessed using propensity-weighted multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression stratified by subtype. Propensity weights, based on receipt of surveillance systemic imaging, accounted for sociodemographic and tumor/treatment factors. Results: 5-year distant recurrence was 22.3% for triple negative, 14.8% HER2+, and 11.2% for ER or PR+/ HER2- patients. Asymptomatic imaging detected recurrence in 22.9% and signs/symptoms in 77.1%. Patients with asymptomatic as compared to sign/symptom detected recurrences had reduced risk of death in 5 years if triple negative (HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50-0.93) or HER2+ (HR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.24-0.65) with no significant association for ER or PR+/HER2- (HR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.88-1.51). This translated to a between-group difference in weighted median survival of 5 months for triple negative and 13 months for HER2+ patients. Conclusions: This is the first nationally representative study to show a survival advantage with asymptomatic detection of distant metastases for patients, with the benefit limited to triple negative and HER2+ disease. Further research to confirm observational findings is warranted.
Transforming Energy MCKELLAR, JENNIFER M.; MACLEAN, HEATHER L.; BERGERSON, JOULE A.
Alternatives journal (Waterloo),
01/2015, Letnik:
41, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
...buying and selling energy has considerable impact on the overall performance of the Canadian economy. According to the World Health Organization, global outdoor air pollution, specifically ...particulate matter, caused about 3.7 million premature deaths in 2012. Most Canadians take pride in our ecosystems - the lakes, forests, plains and coasts. ...these ecosystems provide essential services, such as cleaning our air and water and providing food and materials.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The field of clinical research has changed considerably in the past 20 years. As the work in this realm has come to embody far more than the pursuit of improved patient care, this has meant that ...staff supporting the research are asked to take on additional responsibilities, learn new processes, and be continuously educated on modernized policies and procedures. To address the increased responsibilities and complexities of work, Duke University School of Medicine leadership agreed that an overhaul of job descriptions for clinical research professionals was needed. A working group was created, assembling administrative leaders, human resources professionals, and clinical research subject matter experts. The Clinical Research Professionals Working Group (CRPWG) aimed to simplify the number of job classifications at Duke from approximately 80 to 12 and utilize a competency-based approach to professionalize the clinical research professionals working environment. The Joint Task Force for Clinical Trials Competency (JTFCTC) developed draft competencies that were used as the foundation to develop a tool that helped define job descriptions and map incumbent employees into the new jobs. Almost 600 employees were mapped using the competency-based tool. This paper describes the processes used to develop the competency-based tool and map incumbents, and provides the results and lessons learned of the mapping. A strong workforce of clinical research professionals will enable higher quality research and ultimately lead to better patient care and health outcomes.
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