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BackgroundMobile technology for health (mHealth) interventions are increasingly being used to help improve self-management among patients with diabetes; however, these interventions have not been adopted by a large number of patients and often have high dropout rates. Patient personality characteristics may play a critical role in app adoption and active utilization, but few studies have focused on addressing this question. ObjectiveThis study aims to address a gap in understanding of the relationship between personality traits and mHealth treatment for patients with diabetes. We tested the role of the five-factor model of personality traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) in mHealth adoption preference and active utilization. MethodsWe developed an mHealth app (DiaSocial) aimed to encourage diabetes self-management. We recruited 98 patients with diabetes—each patient freely chose whether to receive the standard care or the mHealth app intervention. Patient demographic information and patient personality characteristics were assessed at baseline. App usage data were collected to measure user utilization of the app. Patient health outcomes were assessed with lab measures of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c level). Logistic regression models and linear regression were employed to explore factors predicting the relationship between mHealth use (adoption and active utilization) and changes in health outcome. ResultsOf 98 study participants, 46 (47%) downloaded and used the app. Relatively younger patients with diabetes were 9% more likely to try and use the app (P=.02, odds ratio [OR] 0.91, 95% CI 0.85-0.98) than older patients with diabetes were. Extraversion was negatively associated with adoption of the mHealth app (P=.04, OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-0.98), and openness to experience was positively associated with adoption of the app (P=.03, OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.07-2.80). Gender (P=.43, OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.23-1.88), education (senior: P=.99, OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.32-3.11; higher: P=.21, OR 2.51, 95% CI 0.59-10.66), and baseline HbA1c level (P=.36, OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.47-1.31) were not associated with app adoption. Among those who adopted the app, a low education level (senior versus primary P=.003; higher versus primary P=.03) and a high level of openness to experience (P=.048, OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.01-4.00) were associated with active app utilization. Active users showed a significantly greater decrease in HbA1c level than other users (ΔHbA1c=−0.64, P=.05). ConclusionsThis is one of the first studies to investigate how different personality traits influence the adoption and active utilization of an mHealth app among patients with diabetes. The research findings suggest that personality is a factor that should be considered when trying to identify patients who would benefit the most from apps for diabetes management.

Objective: To improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of oyster grading. Methods: The oyster automatic grading equipment was proposed and designed, the oyster queuing structure combining the rotating drum and the baffle conveyor belt, the grading method combining weight detection and machine vision detection were determined, and the overall structure design of the oyster grading equipment was completed. The oyster image was collected by industrial camera, and the oyster image was extracted by Otsu binarization, Gaussian filtering processing, Canny operator edge extraction and other methods. The oyster was graded by machine vision algorithm with length and fullness as the standard, and the comparison test between machine vision grading and manual grading were carried out. Results: The machine vision classification accuracy of oysters was 95.4%, and the image detection speed was about 0.647 s/image. Conclusion: Machine vision is effective for oyster grading and can classify oysters more accurately.

BackgroundAmericans increasingly post and consult online physician rankings, yet we know little about this new phenomenon of public physician quality reporting. Physicians worry these rankings will become an outlet for disgruntled patients. ObjectiveTo describe trends in patients’ online ratings over time, across specialties, to identify what physician characteristics influence online ratings, and to examine how the value of ratings reflects physician quality. MethodsWe used data from RateMDs.com, which included over 386,000 national ratings from 2005 to 2010 and provided insight into the evolution of patients’ online ratings. We obtained physician demographic data from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Area Resource File. Finally, we matched patients’ ratings with physician-level data from the Virginia Medical Board and examined the probability of being rated and resultant rating levels. ResultsWe estimate that 1 in 6 practicing US physicians received an online review by January 2010. Obstetrician/gynecologists were twice as likely to be rated (P < .001) as other physicians. Online reviews were generally quite positive (mean 3.93 on a scale of 1 to 5). Based on the Virginia physician population, long-time graduates were more likely to be rated, while physicians who graduated in recent years received higher average ratings (P < .001). Patients gave slightly higher ratings to board-certified physicians (P = .04), those who graduated from highly rated medical schools (P = .002), and those without malpractice claims (P = .1). ConclusionOnline physician rating is rapidly growing in popularity and becoming commonplace with no evidence that they are dominated by disgruntled patients. There exist statistically significant correlations between the value of ratings and physician experience, board certification, education, and malpractice claims, suggesting a positive correlation between online ratings and physician quality. However, the magnitude is small. The average number of ratings per physician is still low, and most rating variation reflects evaluations of punctuality and staff. Understanding whether they truly reflect better care and how they are used will be critically important.

Background: Conventional surgical procedures for atlantoaxial instability or dislocation (AAI/D) have been associated with a high prevalence of postoperative occipitocervical pain and dysfunction, as well as substantial perioperative blood loss. We hypothesized that minimally invasive surgery for posterior atlantoaxial lateral mass joint fusion (MIS-PALF), a procedure that can largely avoid disruption of suboccipital musculature, would be superior to the standard Goel-Harms technique in terms of postoperative pain and perioperative blood loss. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing MIS-PALF for AAI/D at Peking University Third Hospital's Department of Orthopaedics from January 2021 to December 2021 and a historical control group of patients with the same diagnoses who were treated with the Goel-Harms technique. The duration of surgery, perioperative blood loss, postoperative length of hospital stay, postoperative body temperature, pain, supplementary use of narcotics, spinal cord function/improvement (assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA] scores), reduction of AAI/D (determined based on radiographic parameters), rate of successful fusion, and complication rate were all compared between the 2 groups. Results: No significant differences were noted between the groups (43 MIS-PALF cases, 86 control cases) regarding baseline data, operative time, spinal cord function or improvement, reduction of AAI/D, rate of successful fusion, and complication rate. MIS-PALF was associated with significantly less perioperative blood loss, a shorter postoperative hospital stay (decreased by 30.8%), lower intensity and frequency of postoperative pain (decreased by 10.6% and 61.9%, respectively), less need for supplementary narcotics, and less frequent postoperative fever (decreased by 48.7%). Conclusions: This was the first prospective cohort study of which we are aware on minimally invasive procedures for atlantoaxial fusion. Clinical efficacy (AAI/D reduction, rate of successful atlantoaxial fusion, JOA score improvement), efficiency (operative time), and safety (complications) of MIS-PALF appeared to be noninferior to those of the Goel-Harms technique. MIS-PALF was superior in terms of postoperative occipitocervical pain and length of hospital stay, both of which directly affect overall patient satisfaction and postoperative recovery of quality of life. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundHEPS (High Energy Photon Source) needs to control the beam orbit change within 10% of the cluster size within a certain frequency. In order to meet the beam orbit stability requirements in HEPS, it is necessary to establish a fast orbit feedback (FOFB) system.PurposeThis study aims to design and implement an effective feedback bandwidth of FOFB system that is greater than 500 Hz, and the delay of the whole system is less than 160 µs.MethodsBased on this requirement, a two-layer communication of loop centralized computing system network topology was designed and implemented for FOFB system of HEPS. And on this basis, the FPGA (field-programmable gate array) firmware algorithm of the signaling pathway of FOFB system was realized, including beam position acquisition, loop data transmission, FOFB algorithm, power control interface and the testing logic.ResultsThe measurement and analysis results show that each module in the data transmission link of the FOFB system can be used normally, and the total delay time of the system is about 140.46 µs, which has reached the intended design target.ConclusionsThe FOFB design of this study lays a foundation for the future construction, optimization and debugging of FOFB system on HEPS storage ring with good flexibility and scalability, providing a feasible solution for the future establishment of fast orbit feedback system in other storage rings.

Fueled by remarkable developments in mobile and wearable technologies coupled with the power of the Internet a multibillion industry constructed on digital platforms, Connected Fitness, has emerged. Sustained engagement is a crucial prerequisite for healthy behavior, and platforms that offer connected fitness services must contend with the challenge of engaging new users. In this study, we examine whether a virtual race, an event in which runners can participate remotely in an organized activity, can serve as an effective strategy to amplify users' long-term engagement related to healthy behavior. We study the impact of offering virtual races to runners on a digital fitness platform on their engagement with the platform and level of physical activity. Leveraging the match of the theme of the virtual races and users' zodiac signs as the instrument to support causal inference, we find that a virtual race increases the engagement of new users by 42.8 days and total spending on related e-commerce on the platform by 48.4% during our study period. We also find that the positive impact of virtual races transcends the typical mechanism of social connections; results show that virtual races can increase the engagement with the platform even when their social connections are low. Finally, we find that existing users who participate in a virtual race outrun those in the control group by 4.41 km in a three-week period. Our study highlights the potential of new forms of digital interactions, powered by mobile and wearable technologies, on user behavior in fitness platforms. This paper was accepted by Anindya Ghose, information systems. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4945. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As artificial intelligence (AI) applications become more pervasive, it is critical to understand how knowledge workers with different levels and types of experience can team with AI for productivity gains. We focus on the influence of two major types of human work experience (narrow experience based on the specific task volume and broad experience based on seniority) on the human-AI team dynamics. We developed an AI solution for medical chart coding in a publicly traded company and conducted a field study among the knowledge workers. Based on a detailed analysis performed at the medical chart level, we find evidence that AI benefits workers with greater task-based experience, but senior workers gain less from AI than their junior colleagues. Further investigation reveals that the relatively lower productivity lift from AI is not a result of seniority per se but lower trust in AI, likely triggered by the senior workers' broader job responsibilities. This study provides new empirical insights into the differential roles of worker experience in the collaborative dynamics between AI and knowledge workers, which have important societal and business implications. This paper was accepted by Kartik Hosanagar, information systems. Funding: This work was supported by Inovalon [Sponsor of the Health Insights AI Laboratory]. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.00588. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The healthcare system is undergoing a fundamental transformation fueled by regulatory shifts that reward value over volume, coupled with unprecedented advances in technological capabilities. To address the processes involved in defining, measuring, and delivering value in this shifting landscape, we develop the framework of value-centered marketing (VCM). Building on existing approaches in both healthcare and marketing, we propose three core dimensions of value in VCM: preferences, precision, and process. We also provide an overview of a trifecta of technological advances including the digital capture of health data, improvements in methodologies for data analysis, and exponential increases in processing power and storage capacity, which have created a perfect storm of opportunity for VCM. We describe how these emerging technologies can be combined with insights from marketing science to develop successful VCM strategy and highlight critical research questions. Finally, we discuss potential unintended consequences in the use of tech- and analytics-enabled healthcare., Author(s): Ritu Agarwal [sup.1] , Michelle Dugas [sup.1] , Guodong (Gordon) Gao [sup.1] , P. K. Kannan [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.164295.d, 0000 0001 0941 7177, Center for Health Information [...]

Background Digital measurement system based on ADCs (analog-to-digital converter) has higher requirement on the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of sampled data. Among all the factors, the jitter of sampling clock has the most prominent effect on SNR. Purpose This study aims to design a clock circuit based on dual-loop phase-locked loop to reduce the jitter of digital measurement system input clock. Methods First of all, the influence of clock jitter on digital measurement system was analyzed. Then, the LMK04610 chip with dual loop PLL architecture of Texas Instruments was employed to design and implement a dual-loop phase-locked loop jitter cleaner circuit. The cores of this design were power supply design and the loop filter design. At last, the performance of the circuit was tested by using Rodschwarz phase noise analyzer. Results After testing, the dual-loop phase-locked loop jitter cleaner circuit can reduce the jitter of the 62.475 MHz source clock from more than 7 ps to less than 2 ps with output frequency of 499.8 MHz. The SNR of the sampled data is close to the theoretical value. Conclusions Dual-loop phase-locked loop jitter cleaner circuit has a good result and can provide reference for designers of digital measurement system.

Vitamin C (VC) can be used to increase disease resistance in practice in intensive aquaculture. But it is still unconfirmed whether VC could alleviate inflammation and what dosage is suitable. This study investigated the effects of dietary VC on the immunity and enteritis of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. The fish were fed with VC levels ranging from 25.35 to 2231.98 mg/kg for 60 days. After that, fish fed with 150.65 mg/kg, 573.79 mg/kg, and 2231.98 mg/kg VC were challenged with A. hydrophila orally to simulate enteritis. The results showed that 285.39 and 573.79 mg/kg dietary VC significant improved growth performance and feed utilization. Dietary VC (573.79 and 1133.79 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the serum immune parameters, antioxidant enzymes' activities, and relative gene expressions of ikbα and cat in the liver in the 60-day feeding trail. The survival rate was significantly higher in 573.79 mg/kg dietary VC group than the other two treatments. Cytokines were activated after the bacteria challenge. Dietary 573.79 mg/kg VC caused significantly higher TNF-α level at 12 hpi and maintained a high level of IL-8 at 48 to 72 h compared to other treatments. In conclusion, more than 500 mg/kg VC was needed to maintain the health of blunt snout bream juveniles. Suitable VC would activate cytokines to increase disease resistance along with antioxidant enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Abundant empirical evidence supports the overall efficacy of social norms as a strategy to induce behavior change. However, very few studies examine how the effect of social norms is [...]

Abstract. In this paper, we use mobile messaging to leverage recipients' social ties and encourage offline prosocial activities in groups. In particular, we conduct a randomized field experiment with 80,000 [...]

BackgroundBeam position monitor (BPM) is an important beam measurement component of accelerators, and it generally needs to be calibrated before online operating. High energy photon source (HEPS) and upgrade of Beijing electron positron collider (BEPCII) will need a large amount of BPM, which brings challenges to the calibration work.PurposeThis study aims to design and implement an automatic BPM calibration system for raising calibration efficiency and improving the accuracy of BPM measurement after calibration.MethodsFirst of all, an analog beam generating device, precision motion and support device, signal processing electronics and industrial computer were employed to compose the hardware of the calibration system. Then, the control software was programmed by Python to realize automation of the calibration, and the binary polynomial regression algorithm was used to determine the probe calibration coefficient. Finally, the appropriate calibration parameters were optimized by the combination experiments with sufficient raw data, and the influence of calibration range, number of calibration points and fitting order on calibration accuracy were analyzed.ResultsThe calibration system can automatically complete the BPM probe calibration. The BPM accuracy can reach 40 μm over the entire calibration range, and 7 μm in the local linear region.ConclusionsThe calibration system of this study meets application requirements and achieves the expected function. The measurement accuracy of the calibrated BPM is related to factors such as the order of the polynomial, the calibration range and the selection of calibration points.

Sandwich fusion of Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS), which is a rare congenital disorder involving the fusion of cervical vertebrae, poses significant challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD). While the disorder's genetic basis is not well-understood, the rarity of the sandwich fusion makes it difficult to study. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted on 68 unrelated Chinese patients with sandwich fusion. The study compared their genetic data with a control group of 219 individuals without musculoskeletal disorders. Various analyses, including mutational burden assessments, were employed to identify potential pathogenic genes. The study identified significant genetic variations in patients with sandwich fusion, highlighting genes like KMT5A, HYDIN, and PCDHB4 as potential contributors. Notably, severe cases exhibited oligogenic effects, with mutations in genes like MEOX1 associated with the severity of spinal issues. These findings offer critical insights into the genetic basis of sandwich fusion and provide a foundation for future research and therapeutic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]