Using the Habit App for Weight Loss Problem Solving: Development and Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND: Reviews of weight loss mobile apps have revealed they include very few evidence-based features, relying mostly on self-monitoring. Unfortunately, adherence to self-monitoring is often low, especially among patients with motivational challenges. One behavioral strategy that is leveraged in virtually every visit of behavioral weight loss interventions and is specifically used to deal with adherence and motivational issues is problem solving. Problem solving has been successfully implemented in depression mobile apps, but not yet in weight loss apps. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the development and feasibility testing of the Habit app, which was designed to automate problem-solving therapy for weight loss. METHODS: Two iterative single-arm pilot studies were conducted to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Habit app. In each pilot study, adults who were overweight or obese were enrolled in an 8-week intervention that included the Habit app plus support via a private Facebook group. Feasibility outcomes included retention, app usage, usability, and acceptability. Changes in problem-solving skills and weight over 8 weeks are described, as well as app usage and weight change at 16 weeks. RESULTS: Results from both pilots show acceptable use of the Habit app over 8 weeks with on average two to three uses per week, the recommended rate of use. Acceptability ratings were mixed such that 54% (13/24) and 73% (11/15) of participants found the diet solutions helpful and 71% (17/24) and 80% (12/15) found setting reminders for habits helpful in pilots 1 and 2, respectively. In both pilots, participants lost significant weight (P=.005 and P=.03, respectively). In neither pilot was an effect on problem-solving skills observed (P=.62 and P=.27, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Problem-solving therapy for weight loss is feasible to implement in a mobile app environment; however, automated delivery may not impact problem-solving skills as has been observed previously via human delivery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02192905; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02192905 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zPQmvOF2). Danielle E Jake-Schoffman. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 20.06.2018

Embracing student experience in inclusive design education through learner-centred instruction

This paper explores the process and outcome of using learner-centred methods to develop students’ empathic design abilities during an educational workshop on inclusive design. In the first section of the paper, we suggest the significance of incorporating inclusive design within the education of design disciplines. Then, we introduce a workshop on inclusive design awareness that architecture and interior design students participated, which applied various learner-centred methods. We discuss the process that incorporated project-based learning, role-playing/simulation and students’ reflections and feedback on their experience. The workshop process, the student project experience and students’ reflections on their learning indicate how multiple methods of learning engage students and enhance their empathic understanding so they can embrace differences and adopt a user-centred design approach. Based on the findings, we provide suggestions for similar educational events that can be applied in other disciplinary contexts. © 2016 Taylor & Francis

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Turkish breast/ovarian families and young breast cancer patients

To date, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast and/or ovarian patients have not been characterized in the Turkish population. We investigated the presence of BRCA mutations in 53 individuals with a personal and family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, and 52 individuals with a personal history of breast cancer diagnosed below age 50 without additional family history. We have identified 11 mutations (nine BRCA1 and two BRCA2) using combined techniques involving protein truncation test, direct sequencing and heteroduplex analysis. We found eight out of 53 patients (15.1%) with a family history to carry BRCA gene mutations (seven BRCA1 and one BRCA2). Of these, four were found in 43 families presenting only breast cancer histories, and four were found in families presenting ovarian cancer with or without breast cancer. We also demonstrated two BRCA1 and one BRCA2 mutations in three out of 52 (5.8%) early-onset breast cancer cases without additional family history. Three of nine BRCA1 and both BRCA2 mutations detected in this study were not reported previously. These mutations may be specific to the Turkish population. The BRCA1 5382insC mutation, specific to Ashkenazi and Russian populations, was found twice in our study group, representing a possible founder mutation in the Turkish population. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Interior spatial layout with soft objectives using evolutionary computation

This paper presents the design problem of furniture arrangement in a residential interior living space, and addresses it by means of evolutionary computation. Interior arrangement is an important and interesting problem that occurs commonly when designing living spaces. It entails determining the locations of interior elements such as tables, seating elements, projection screens etc., in order to satisfy objectives. Despite it's commonality, it is a challenging problem that entails mainly soft objectives, related to perception and ergonomics, as well as challenging constraints. This paper is an attempt to address this problem by means of Evolutionary Computation. We discuss the problem formulation focusing on perceptual aspects of the various elements of space. In particular, we formulate a three objective problem with the following objectives: Maximization of visual perception of openings to the outside, maximization of inter-person visual perception, from the seating places, and maximization of the 'openness' of space. We provide results from a comparison of two MOEAs, namely NSGA-II and HypE.Accepted Author ManuscriptDesign Informatic

Interfacial Reactions between Lithium Silicate Glass-ceramics and Ni-based Superalloys and the Effect of Heat Treatment at Elevated Temperatures

The deformation and crystallization of Li2O·2SiO2 and Li2O·1.6SiO2 glass fibers subjected to a bending stress were measured as a function of time over the temperature range sim50 to sim150°C below the glass transition temperature (T g). The glass fibers can be permanently deformed at temperatures about 100°C below T g, and they crystallize significantly at temperatures close to, but below T g, about 150°C lower than the onset temperature for crystallization for these glasses in the no-stress condition. The crystallization was found to occur only on the surface of the glass fibers with no detectable difference in the extent of crystallization in tensile and compressive stress regions. The relaxation mechanism for fiber deformation can be best described by a stretched exponential (Kohlrausch-Williams- Watt (KWW) approximation), rather than a single exponential model. The activation energy for stress relaxation, E s, for the glass fibers ranges between 175 and 195 kJ/mol, which is considerably smaller than the activation energy for viscous flow, E eegr (sim400 kJ/mol) near T g for these glasses at normal, stress-free condition. It is suspected that a viscosity relaxation mechanism could be responsible for permanent deformation and crystallization of the glass fibers below T g

HIGH-DOSE INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY FOR RHESUS HEMOLYTIC-DISEASE

Rhesus haemolytic disease is a continuing problem in the newborn especially in countries where the use of anti-D immunoglobulin is not prevalent. The fetuses may need intrauterine transfusions to prevent hydrops faetalis and they also may need exchange transfusions to treat the hyperbilirubinaemia that develops after birth. These interventions expose the baby to several blood donors, hence the risk of infection and exchange transfusions, This study was performed to test whether the use of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin soon after the birth of these infants reduced the need for exchange transfusions. After randomization, intravenous immunoglobulin was given at a dose of 500 mg/kg to 22 infants in the treatment group. Nothing was given to the 19 controls. The number of exchange transfusions needed decreased significantly in the treatment group. No side-effects of intravenous immunoglobulins were seen

Borate, Lithium Borate, and Borophosphate Powders by Sol-gel Precipitation

Borate, lithium borate and borophosphate powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method. Triethyl borate, lithium methoxide, and orthophosphoric acid were used as precursors for B2O3, Li2O, and P2O5, respectively. Powders were characterized by FTIR, DTA, XRD and SEM techniques. Powders from the Li2O-B2O3 system exhibited glassy features while borate and borophosphate powders contained mainly crystalline B2O3 according to XRD analysis. However, a 500 °C heat treatment transformed these crystalline powders into glass powders. Conversely, heat treatment of Li2O-B2O3 powders transformed their structure from glassy to crystalline (Li2B4O7). Chemical durability studies conducted in water at 60 °C showed that minor additions of P2O5 into borate and lithium borate powders improved their chemical durability significantly. Furthermore, Li2O and P2O5 acted synergistically on the chemical durability when added simultaneously to borate compositions