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To broaden efforts for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in biomedical engineering (BME) education--a key area of emphasis is the integration of inclusive teaching practices. While BME faculty generally support these efforts, translating support into action remains challenging. This project aimed to address this need through a 3-phase inclusive teaching training, consisting of graduate students, faculty, and engineering education consultants. In Phase I, graduate students and faculty participated in a 6-week learning community on inclusive teaching ("Foundational Learning"). In Phase II, graduate students were paired with faculty to modify or develop new inclusive teaching materials to be integrated into a BME course ("Experiential Learning"). Phase III was the implementation of these materials. To assess Phases I & II, graduate student participants reflected on their experiences on the project. To assess Phase III, surveys were administered to students in IT-BME-affiliated courses as well as those taking other BME-related courses. Phases I & II: graduate students responded positively to the opportunity to engage in this inclusive teaching experiential learning opportunity. Phase III: survey results indicated that the incorporation of inclusive teaching practices in BME courses enhanced the student learning experience. The IT-BME project supported graduate students and faculty in learning about, creating, and implementing inclusive teaching practices in a collaborative and supportive environment. This project will serve to both train the next class of instructors and use their study of inclusive teaching concepts to facilitate the creation of ideas and materials that will benefit the BME curriculum and students.

Parts of this contributing article for educators was taken from a presentation given on December 1, 2022, by Dr. Patrice J. Pinder in collaboration with the University of the West Indies' (UWI) Mona Faculty of Science and Technology who hosted a UNESCO sponsored Disaster Heritage Webinar, i.e., Disaster heritage -- Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO (jncunesco.gov.jm). The webinar presentation focused specifically on natural disasters such as catastrophic storms or hurricanes like the powerful Category 5 Storm--Hurricane Dorian, which hit the Bahamas' northern islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama on September 1, 2019. Hurricane Dorian caused major damages to homes and properties, and resulted in loss of lives. The presentation and this current paper were developed as educational advisory guides to give teachers and other education professionals ideas on how to help young children to cope after natural disasters. Thus, it is important for teachers to help young children (students) to undergo various coping mechanisms in order to build resilience. Using stories/storytelling sessions, games, and comic sketches are some of the suggested tools and strategies that can be used with young children to help them better cope after psychologically disturbing events like the Bahamas' Hurricane Dorian.

Abstract Normal respiratory rates (RR) for children under five in the tropics are well-documented, but data for older children are limited. This study tracked RR changes with age and examined associations with nutritional status and environmental factors. We monitored rural Gambian children aged 6 months to 14 years, recording RR during home visits twice weekly over two rainy seasons. Using a generalized additive model, we constructed RR reference curves, and a linear mixed-effect model identified factors influencing RR. A total of 830 children provided 67,512 RR measurements. Their median age was 6.07 years (interquartile range 4.21–8.55) and 400 (48.2%) were female. Age, stunting, ambient temperature, and time of RR measurement were independent predictors of respiratory rate. Strikingly, children showing signs of illness had greater variability in repeat RR measurements. We constructed a RR reference chart for children aged one to 13 years and proposed a cutoff of > 26 breaths/min for raised RR among children aged > 5 years bridging an important gap in this age group. Although the time of data collection, nutritional status, and ambient temperature were predictors of RR, their effect size is not clinically significant enough to warrant a change in the current WHO guidelines owing to the prevailing uncertainty in the measurement of RR. The finding that RRs between repeat measurements were more variable among children with signs of illness suggests that a single RR measurement may be inadequate to reliably assess the status of sick children—a population in which accurate diagnosis is essential to enable targeted interventions with lifesaving treatment.

Abstract Background The purpose of this paper is to report on the process for developing an online RE-AIM evaluation toolkit in partnership with organizations that provide physical activity programming for persons with disabilities. Methods A community-university partnership was established and guided by an integrated knowledge translation approach. The four-step development process included: (1) identify, review, and select knowledge (literature review and two rounds of Delphi consensus-building), (2) adapt knowledge to local context (rating feasibility of outcomes and integration into online platform), (3) assess barriers and facilitators (think-aloud interviews), and (4) select, tailor, implement (collaborative dissemination plan). Results Step 1: Fifteen RE-AIM papers relevant to community programming were identified during the literature review. Two rounds of Delphi refined indicators for the toolkit related to reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Step 2: At least one measure was linked with each indicator. Ten research and community partners participated in assessing the feasibility of measures, resulting in a total of 85 measures. Step 3: Interviews resulted in several recommendations for the online platform and toolkit. Step 4: Project partners developed a dissemination plan, including an information package, webinars, and publications. Discussion This project demonstrates that community and university partners can collaborate to develop a useful, evidence-informed evaluation resource for both audiences. We identified several strategies for partnership when creating a toolkit, including using a set of expectations, engaging research users from the outset, using consensus methods, recruiting users through networks, and mentorship of trainees. The toolkit can be found at et.cdpp.ca. Next steps include disseminating (e.g., through webinars, conferences) and evaluating the toolkit to improve its use for diverse contexts (e.g., universal PA programming).

The authors developed a free online course that centers learning about identity, power, positionality, and privilege to support inclusive teaching for STEM faculty and future faculty. Instructors across all institution types, including community college and 2-year, regional and comprehensive, and public and private research universities, utilized and valued a free asynchronous online course with an optional local learning community facilitated by project-trained facilitation teams. Participants were highly engaged in the online course content, rated the content positively, and demonstrated increases in awareness, confidence, and intent to apply inclusive teaching strategies. Outcomes demonstrate that the key features of the course (My Inclusivity Framework, Learning Community and Affinity Group discussions, and Embodied Case Studies) were viewed as unique teaching development opportunities that created valuable learning for our participants.

ABSTRACT The implementation of deep learning algorithms has brought new perspectives to plankton ecology. Emerging as an alternative approach to established methods, deep learning offers objective schemes to investigate plankton organisms in diverse environments. We provide an overview of deep‐learning‐based methods including detection and classification of phytoplankton and zooplankton images, foraging and swimming behavior analysis, and finally ecological modeling. Deep learning has the potential to speed up the analysis and reduce the human experimental bias, thus enabling data acquisition at relevant temporal and spatial scales with improved reproducibility. We also discuss shortcomings and show how deep learning architectures have evolved to mitigate imprecise readouts. Finally, we suggest opportunities where deep learning is particularly likely to catalyze plankton research. The examples are accompanied by detailed tutorials and code samples that allow readers to apply the methods described in this review to their own data.

This paper contains historical views and will demonstrate how issues related to identity impact the stigmatization and marginalizing that underlie the underrepresentation of Black people in the STEM fields. In this paper, identity is defined within the educational context and a framework is provided for exploring how STEM students and professionals author and perceive their own identities in relation to their educational and professional aspirations. This paper will also demonstrate how these authored identities are impacted by those with whom they share the STEM learning and work environments. The authors will present their own data to further demonstrate how a focus on STEM identity development results in significantly enhanced STEM academic outcomes for Black students.

Although game based learning has been widely utilized by the military, education, marketing, and advertising sectors, its effectiveness as a learning strategy or training tool is still unclear (Ariffin, Oxley, & Suliman, 2014). The present study addresses this gap and examines the effectiveness of using game based learning in primary school instruction, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago where little research has been conducted at the primary and pre-school levels. This study employs a mixed-methods research approach and is made of (1) a quantitative questionnaire for teachers and (2) interviews with teachers to get their views/perspectives on the benefits or effects of game based learning to the teaching and learning processes. Data findings from the current study should begin to fill in the research gap with respect to using game based learning as an effective teaching and learning strategy in Trinidad and Tobago's primary schools.

The Home Health Project, set on Clare Island, five kilometres off the Irish Atlantic coast, is a pilot exploration of ways in which various forms of technology can be utilised to improve healthcare for individuals living in isolated communities. The integration of digital health technologies presents enormous potential to revolutionise the accessibility of healthcare systems for those living in remote communities, allowing patient care to function outside of traditional healthcare settings. This study aims to explore the personal experiences and perspectives of participants who are using digital technologies in the delivery of their healthcare as part of the Home Health Project. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine members of the Clare Island community participating in the Home Health Project. Interviews took place in-person, in June 2023. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. To identify determinants of engagement with the Home Health Project, the data was then deductively coded to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and organised into themes. Seven of the possible 14 TDF domains were supported by the interview data as influences on engagement with the Project: Knowledge, Beliefs about capabilities, Optimism, Intentions, Environmental context and resources, Social influences and Emotion. Overall, participants evaluated the Home Health Project as being of high quality which contributed to self-reported increases in health literacy, autonomy, and feeling well supported in having their health concerns addressed. There was some apprehension related to data protection, coupled with a desire for extended training to address aspects of digital illiteracy. Future iterations can capitalise on the findings of this study by refining the technologies to reflect tailored health information, personalised to the individual user.

Abstract Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a soil health indicator and understanding dynamics changing SOC stocks will help achieving net zero goals. Here we present four datasets featuring 11,750 data points covering co-located aboveground and below-ground metrics for exploring ecosystem SOC dynamics. Five sites across England with an established land use contrast, grassland and woodland next to each other, were rigorously sampled for aboveground (n = 109), surface (n = 33 soil water release curves), topsoil, and subsoil metrics. Commonly measured soil metrics were analysed in five soil increments for 0–1 metre (n = 4550). Less commonly measured soil metrics which were assumed to change across the soil profile were measured on a subset of samples only (n = 3762). Additionally, we developed a simple method for soil organic matter fractionation using density fractionation which is part of the less common metrics. Finally, soil metrics which may impact SOC dynamics, but with less confidence as to their importance across the soil profile were only measured on topsoil (~5–15 cm = mineral soil) and subsoil (below 50 cm) samples (n = 2567).

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), in combination with adverse community environments, can result in traumatic stress reactions, increasing a person’s risk for chronic physical and mental health conditions. Family resilience refers to the ability of families to withstand and rebound from adversity; it involves coping with disruptions as well as positive growth in the face of sudden or challenging life events, trauma, or adversities. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to family and community resilience from the perspective of families who self-identified as having a history of adversity and being resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This study used Photovoice, a visual participatory research method which asks participants to take photographs to illustrate their responses to a research question. Participants consisted of a maximum variation sample of families who demonstrated family level resilience in the context of the pair of ACEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Family members were asked to collect approximately five images or videos that illustrated the facilitators and barriers to well-being for their family in their community. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted using the SHOWeD framework to allow participants to share and elucidate the meaning of their photos. Using thematic analysis, two researchers then independently completed line-by-line coding of interview transcripts before collaborating to develop consensus regarding key themes and interpretations. Results Nine families were enrolled in the study. We identified five main themes that enhanced family resilience: (1) social support networks; (2) factors fostering children's development; (3) access and connection to nature; (4) having a space of one’s own; and (5) access to social services and community resources. Conclusions In the context of additional stresses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resilient behaviours and strategies for families were identified. The creation or development of networks of intra- and inter-community bonds; the promotion of accessible parenting, housing, and other social services; and the conservation and expansion of natural environments may support resilience and health.

Objectives Multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) are part of standard of care for patients with cancer. Streamlining is essential for high-quality care and efficiency. This study evaluated the feasibility of implementing a protocol to remove patients with benign breast disease from discussion at the MDM.Methods A prospective review of 218 MDMs evaluated patients with benign breast disease over 22 months. This was followed by a protocol implementation phase over 54 MDMs (6.5 months). Patients meeting specific criteria were excluded from discussion.Results On average, each MDM consisted of 37 patients, 34.2% of whose conditions were benign and potentially could have been removed from discussion. The implementation phase showed 708/2248 patients (32.5%) were benign of which 631 cases (89%) met the eligibility criteria and were removed from the MDM list allowing more time for discussion of complex cases.Conclusion Implementing a protocol can safely exclude patients with benign disease from MDM discussion.

Abstract Actinic keratoses (AKs) are common pre‐malignant lesions. There are numerous management options including active surveillance, multiple topical therapies, cryotherapy, curettage and cautery, and photodynamic therapy, each with their own risks, benefits and efficacy. Best practice currently involves shared decision‐making between patient and clinician, particularly in the setting of multiple management options. Patient decision aids have been shown to be beneficial in the shared decision‐making process. In view of this, we have developed and validated a decision aid for the management of AKs, in concordance with the International Patient Decision Aids Standards.

Detecting and clearing legacy landmines, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), and Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) using a force made up of humans or animals is extremely risky, labour- and time-intensive. It is crucial to quickly map millions of buried landmines/IDE/UXO, and remove them at a reasonable cost to minimise potential risks and make this labour-intensive task easier. Using unmanned vehicles and robots outfitted with various remote sensing modalities appears to be the ideal way to carry out this task in a non-invasive manner while employing a geophysical investigative method. In this study, a small-scale customised drone – the so-called Maggy – was developed to simplify and automate the procedures of cleaning explosive devices. It was instrumented with innovative intelligent automated techniques and magnetometer sensor technologies. Maggy’s performance was assessed in field tests conducted in Latvia and the United Kingdom. The outcomes, obtained in the open-air minefields and the benchmark assessments, verify the viability of the technologies, methods, and approaches integrated into Maggy for the efficient and economical detection of legacy landmines and IDE/UXO. This research provides the related research community with fundamental design and implementation parameters (e.g. flight speed, flight altitude) in building and using magnetometer-integrated Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The improved versions of the developed easy-to-use compact technology are aimed to be deployed by humanitarian demining teams to expedite their clearing operations safely and efficiently.

Workplace accommodations can reduce barriers to employment for people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), however, the lack of accommodations continues to challenge participation in employment. This systematic review identified and analyzed barriers and facilitators to implementing workplace accommodations for adults (19 years and over) who use AAC. A systematic search of nine databases was conducted to identify relevant studies using the search terms "AAC" and "workplace accommodations" and variations of each term. Results were imported into Covidence. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Results were presented using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. The Oxford levels of evidence and Confidence in Evidence from Review of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) were used to assess the quality of the studies and confidence in findings, respectively. Environmental barriers related mainly to attitudes and technology, and personal barriers related to job qualifications, education, and work-related skills. A combination of facilitators such as personal strengths, access to technology, and supportive relationships contributed to successful implementation of accommodations. The findings of this review suggest that implementing workplace accommodations for adults who use AAC strategies is complex and further research is needed to advance practices and policies that support the implementation of workplace accommodations.