Usefulness, localizability, humanness, and language-benefit: additional evaluation criteria for natural language dialogue systems

Human–computer dialogue systems interact with human users using natural language. We used the ALICE/AIML chatbot architecture as a platform to develop a range of chatbots covering different languages, genres, text-types, and user-groups, to illustrate qualitative aspects of natural language dialogue system evaluation. We present some of the different evaluation techniques used in natural language dialogue systems, including black box and glass box, comparative, quantitative, and qualitative evaluation. Four aspects of NLP dialogue system evaluation are often overlooked: “usefulness” in terms of a user’s qualitative needs, “localizability” to new genres and languages, “humanness” or “naturalness” compared to human–human dialogues, and “language benefit” compared to alternative interfaces. We illustrated these aspects with respect to our work on machine-learnt chatbot dialogue systems; we believe these aspects are worthwhile in impressing potential new users and customers

BlogForever D2.6: Data Extraction Methodology

This report outlines an inquiry into the area of web data extraction, conducted within the context of blog preservation. The report reviews theoretical advances and practical developments for implementing data extraction. The inquiry is extended through an experiment that demonstrates the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing some of the suggested approaches. More specifically, the report discusses an approach based on unsupervised machine learning that employs the RSS feeds and HTML representations of blogs. It outlines the possibilities of extracting semantics available in blogs and demonstrates the benefits of exploiting available standards such as microformats and microdata. The report proceeds to propose a methodology for extracting and processing blog data to further inform the design and development of the BlogForever platform

Lived Experiences of Novice Public School Adapted Physical Education Teachers: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of novice public school adapted physical education (APE) teachers and how their experiences affected their self-efficacy and job satisfaction. This dissertation is an original independent research project that contributes to the field of educational practice and knowledge. Five male and five female APE teachers who have taught in public schools for three years or less within California represented the population of this study. Bandura’s (1986) theory of self-efficacy and Knowles’s (1984) theory of andragogy was the foundation for the conceptual framework of this study because they represent factors that contribute towards our feelings of self-efficacy as well as understanding how adults learn. Data collection for this study included semistructured interviews and Lived Experience Description Reflective Journals. The coding process revealed the following primary themes: challenges, teaching APE, and confidence. Within those themes, the following subthemes were identified: effective teaching behaviors, collaboration, managing paraeducators, leadership (administration), behavior management, time management, advocate/lawyer presence during IEP meetings, APE theory and methods, assessment, lesson planning, caseload management and documentation, lesson outcome, mentors, stressful work environment, and self-doubt. The findings from this study could be shared with university teacher preparation programs to focus preparation efforts on challenges identified. Results could also be shared with school districts to provide more effective mentors and train administrators to support novice APE teachers in public schools

Strategies for Mitigating Cyberattacks Against Small Retail Businesses

Abstract Small retail businesses are increasingly becoming targets for social media cyberattacks, often losing profitability when forced to close operations after a cyberattack. Small retail business leaders are concerned with the negative impact of cyberattacks on firms’ viability and competitiveness. Grounded in general systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies retail leaders use to deter social media cyberattacks. The participants were 11 small retail business leaders. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: using multiple strategies to deter social media cyberattacks, importance of training regarding cybersecurity best practices, and the need for a contingency plan. A key recommendation is for small retail business leaders to provide employees and customers with training regarding proper cybersecurity protocols. The implications for positive social change include the potential to improve cybersecurity measures and enhance a small business’ viability and employment opportunities, positively impacting local communities and tax revenues

Perceptions of Private Medical Practitioners towards the Nigerian National Tuberculosis Treatment Guidelines

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in many parts of the world. Nigeria is one of the 30 countries in the world that has the highest burden of TB. Private medical practitioners in Nigeria play an important role in health care delivery. Motivating them to adhere to TB treatment guidelines in managing persons suspected of having TB or diagnosed with the disease is one of the strategies employed by the National Tuberculosis Program to Reduce the Burden of TB. Few studies were identified which used qualitative study approaches to study the perceptions of these practitioners towards the TB treatment guidelines. The overarching question asked the study participants centered on eliciting their perceptions towards the guidelines. Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this qualitative narrative study explored the perceptions of private medical practitioners in Anambra State, Nigeria towards the Nigerian National TB Treatment Guidelines. To elicit these perceptions, in-depth interviews were conducted on 11 purposefully selected practitioners. Data analysis comprised coding of data obtained and extracting themes from them. The QSR Nvivo 11 helped to manage data. The main finding of the study was that the practitioners perceived the treatment guidelines to be adequate to meet most of their needs in the diagnosis and treatment of TB patients. Other key findings were that provision of financial incentives and regular training will motivate collaboration with the TB program and adherence to the guidelines. Positive social change may occur by insight being gained into how private medical practitioners view the treatment guidelines and how this knowledge will lead to improved management of TB patients. This may in turn result in the reduction in the morbidity and mortality associated with TB in Nigeria

A Qualitative Case Study on How the Transition to Remote Learning Affected Elementary Language Arts Instruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Emergency remote learning (or remote learning) altered K-12 instruction and occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. Mandatory lockdowns and social distancing efforts transformed face-to-face instruction into a new pedagogical model called emergency remote learning or remote learning. In this qualitative case study, I aimed to understand how third-grade language arts instruction was affected during the transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of general education teachers, learning support teachers, school administrators, and residential care providers. Additionally, the researcher used Moore’s (1997) transactional distance theory to investigate which strategies (methods, materials, and technologies) were successful or unsuccessful in remote learning during the spring and fall of 2020. I found that the transition to emergency remote learning was a continual trial, error, and refinement process. As emergency remote learning days extended past 21 days, content from instructional packets started to run out, and teachers scrambled to devise creative alternatives. In addition, teachers observed that the language arts experience of students was directly impacted by the location where they were participating. Students participating from home were less likely to engage in learning versus students participating on campus during emergency remote learning

Funding Allocations Strategies for Improving Nonprofit Organizations\u27 Effectiveness and Sustainability

Nonprofit organizational leaders (NOLs) face laws that require increased transparency and more oversight on funding allocations. Grounded by a conceptual framework of Hersey and Blanchard\u27s situational leadership theory, Burns\u27s transformational leadership theory, and Greenleaf\u27s servant leadership theory, this multiple case study was developed to explore the leadership strategies of NOLs who implemented requirements of New York\u27s Non-Profit Revitalization Act to increase funding allocations to support fulfillment of the organizational mission and achieve sustainability. The study population comprised NOLs from the Northeastern United States, who implemented requirements of the Non-Profit Revitalization Act requirements. Face-to-face semistructured interviews with 5 NOLs, a review of organizational documents, and member-checking were used to collect data for the study. Data were analyzed using a framework method to determine themes, visualization to code the data, and methodological triangulation to validate themes. Three main themes emerged from the data analysis: strategies for building and maintaining relationships increased funding allocations and sustainability, trust and accountability strategies improved organizational mission achievement and funding allocations, and strategies for higher standards and expectations improved sustainability. The findings from this study may contribute to positive social change by providing insight to NOLs about the need to create leadership strategies to build relationships and trust with stakeholders while operating a more responsible nonprofit organization, thereby creating a better connection between organizational systems and increasing service effectiveness

Patient and provider perspectives on barriers to screening for Diabetic Retinopathy: An 3 exploratory study from Southern India

Objective: Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of visual impairment after cataract and uncorrected refractive error. It has major public health implications globally, especially in countries such as India where the prevalence of diabetes is high. With timely screening and intervention, the disease progression to blindness can be prevented, but several barriers exist. As compliance to diabetic retinopathy screening in people with diabetes is very poor in India, this study was conducted to explore understanding of and barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening from the perspectives of patients and healthcare providers. Methods: Using qualitative methods, 15 consenting adult patients with diabetes were selected purposively from those attending a large tertiary care private eye hospital in southern India. Eight semistructured interviews were carried out with healthcare providers working in large private hospitals. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework analytical approach. Results: Four themes that best explained the data were recognising and living with diabetes, care-seeking practices, awareness about diabetic retinopathy and barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening. Findings showed that patients were aware of diabetes but understanding of diabetic retinopathy and its complications was poor. Absence of symptoms, difficulties in doctor–patient interactions and tedious nature of follow-up care were some major deterrents to care seeking reported by patients. Difficulties in communicating information about diabetic retinopathy to less literate patients, heavy work pressure and silent progression of the disease were major barriers to patients coming for follow-up care as reported by healthcare providers. Conclusions: Enhancing patient understanding through friendly doctor–patient interactions will promote trust in the doctor. The use of an integrated treatment approach including education by counsellors, setting up of patient support groups, telescreening approaches and use of conversation maps may prove more effective in the long run

The patient’s experience of the psychosocial process that influences identity following stroke rehabilitation: a metaethnography

Background and Purpose. Patient experience is increasingly being recognised as a key health outcome due to its positive correlation with quality of life and treatment compliance. The aim of this study was to create a model of how patient’s experiences of rehabilitation after stroke influence their outcome. Methods. A metaethnography of qualitative articles published since 2000 was undertaken. A systematic search of four databases using the keywords was competed. Original studies were included if at least 50% of their data from results was focused on stroke survivors experiences and if they reflected an overarching experience of stroke rehabilitation. Relevant papers were appraised for quality using the COREQ tool. Pata analysis as undertaken using traditional processes of extracting, interpreting, translating, and synthesizing the included studies. Results. Thirteen studies were included. Two themes (1) evolution of identity and (2) psychosocial constructs that influence experience were identified. A model of recovery was generated. Conclusion. The synthesis model conceptualizes how the recovery of stroke survivors’ sense of identity changes during rehabilitation illustrating changes and evolution over time. Positive experiences are shaped by key psychosocial concepts such as hope, social support, and rely on good self-efficacy which is influenced by both clinical staff and external support

Research studies on patients’ illness experience using the Narrative Medicine approach: a systematic review

Objective: Since its birth about 30 years ago, Narrative Medicine approach has increased in popularity in the medical context as well as in other disciplines. This paper aims to review Narrative Medicine research studies on patients' and their caregivers' illness experience. Setting and participants: MEDLINE, Psycinfo, EBSCO Psychological and Behavioural Science, The Cochrane Library and CINAHL databases were searched to identify all the research studies which focused on the Narrative Medicine approach reported in the title, in the abstract and in the keywords the words 'Narrative Medicine' or 'Narrative-based Medicine'. Primary and secondary outcome measures: number of participants, type of disease, race and age of participants, type of study, dependent variables, intervention methods, assessment. Results: Of the 325 titles screened, we identified 10 research articles fitting the inclusion criteria. Our systematic review showed that research on Narrative Medicine has no common specific methodology: narrative in Medicine is used as an intervention protocol as well as an assessment tool. Patients' characteristics, types of disease and data analysis procedures differ among the screened studies. Conclusions: Narrative Medicine research in medical practice needs to find clear and specific protocols to deepen the impact of narrative on medical practice and on patients' lives