How to write health dialog for a talking computer

AbstractAutomated dialogue systems delivered over the telephone offer a promising approach to delivering health-related interventions to populations of individuals at low-cost. Over the past two decades, an automated telephone system called Telephone-Linked Care or TLC has been successfully designed and evaluated by the authors and their colleagues. This work has resulted in over twenty systems for various health-related conditions and lifestyle behaviors. This paper describes our approach to developing and writing dialogue for these automated telephone systems, including determining the program objectives, defining the target population, and selecting a theory of behavior change to guide the intervention. Both macro and micro issues are considered in constructing dialogue systems that are engaging for the target population, easy to use, and effective at promoting positive health behaviors and outcomes

Possibility study on using an Iranian cottonseed meal variety instead of soybean meal in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diet

This study was set up to investigate the nutritional value and the optimum inclusion level of one Iranian cottonseed meal i.e. var. Pak, (CSMP) as a substitute for soybean meal (SBM) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feed. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) for these varieties were calculated in experiment 1 by using an indigestible marker (chromic oxide). Six formulated feeds consisting different substitution levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100%) of SBM with CSMP, CSMS, and CSMA, respectively, were fed to a total of 540 rainbow trout with initial mean body weight of 50 ± 5 g. Fish were randomly stocked into eighteen 100 L. fiberglass tanks with 30 fish per tank and 3 tanks per diet and fed to satiation 3 times a day for 8 weeks. At the end of each separate experiment, 3 fish from each replicate for each dietary treatment were sacrificed to measure the whole fish body proximate compositions and liver gossypol content. After an 8 week feeding trail, the average weight gain, FCR, SGR, PER, DWG, PWG and CF of fish fed with different diets were measured separately. For all treatments, the survival percentage was more than 98%. Results showed that 100% and 80% CSMP showed in better growth in each experiment and 100% CSMP wasthe best in weight gain (104.3 g), FCR (1.5) and SGR (1.25%)

Evaluation silo (Cylindrical) fish tanks as an applicable method for aquaculture of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This investigation conducted for evaluation Silo (Cylindrical) Fish Tanks as an applicable method for aquaculture of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Current research was designed in two practical phases as accidental experiments through 3 treatments and repeats of which stocked by three Rainbow trout (375 gr) densities as 75, 100 and 125 fish/m^3 in 9 silo fish tanks (2 m^3). For better understandings of the silo performance method, concrete circular fish tanks (similar volume) considered as controls and stocked as similar fish densities as silo tanks. The duration of the first phase of experiment was 150 days. The second phase of the experiment was determined for evaluating two proposed silo type (Inlet and outlet in bottom side / Inlet from bottom and outlet in upper side). In this stage, proposed silos (stocked by fish of 294 gr weigh) tested for rearing trout for 30 days. Water supplied from two surface wells after some aeration operations. Stocked fish were fed by pellets made by Fish Feed Chineh Company (Ltd) in Iran. Feeding operation conducted according to the recognized manuals by consideration of water temperature, fish weight and biomass. Meanwhile, biometry operation conducted in 10 days intervals while fish were anaesthetized. In addition, water quality was determined by daily measurements. According to the results of the first phase of experiment, there were significant variations on Growth rate, survival rate, FCR, FCE and SGR through the cultured organisms in silo tanks compared to the circular tanks. Meanwhile, according the results of an economic study on this survey, the fish culture in silo tanks showed significant economical and profitable in compare to controls. In additions, the second phase of experiment showed better aeration conditions in silo tanks when inlet water supply from bottom side and outlet located in upper side. Because of the fine distribution of fish in silo tanks and more usage of depth by this method, fish culture would be an applicable and profitable technique in narrow lands and slopes through the mountains area. The maximum stocking rate recorded more than 100 Kg fish/m^3 in silo tanks

A novel online food recall checklist for use in an undergraduate student population : a comparison with diet diaries

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Increasing growth rate of Salmo trutta caspius by selection (Phase 1)

The management of genetically brood stocks of Salmo trutta of Caspian Sea in order to restocking for longe time harvesting and culture of fish in intensive system, has been little investigated, in contrast with European stocks. Salmo trutta Caspius is very important in biological and genetically point of view. This fish as gene bank valid for breeding improvement, hybridization and new cold species for culture, can be used. This study begain in 2007 and lasted 3 years in Bahonar, kelardasht of Iran. The breeders were 27 pairs. Each female have been crossed by 3 male. Eggs and larvae as well as the fingerlings reared separately of each crosses. The best fingerlings of 5, 20 and 100 gram were collected after 3 period of challenge. At the final 300 brood stocks in two groups were remained and stocked for artificial propagation. For heritability estimation in 4 stages sampling the weight and length were measured and it was 0.47 and 0.50 respectively. In case of molecular study the quality of DNA extract from the fin of breeders and their progeny by phenol-chloroform was good for PCR test. The heterosigosity test for Ho and He for each station and sites except for SRUTTA12 and STRUTTA59, the He was greater than Ho. Shaton Index and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for station and sites for male and progenies, the OM24showed deviation from H-W equilibrium. In case of similarity and genetic distance based on Nei (1972), the highest distance were in case of male and female, and were the least between fingerlings and male brood stocks

Study on effects of red light intensities and periods on growth performance of Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius) larvae

Survey is conducted to evaluate the effects of different intensities and durations of red light spectrums on growth performance and survival of Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius) in Coldwater Fishes Research Center (CFRC). According to the standard methods and manuals, selected 1.1±0.2 g (1755 individuals) larvae transferred from a registered and well-known hatchery and introduced to the fish tanks in CFRC after quarantine and adaptation procedures. The trial designed for 9 treatments with 3 repeats and fish tanks (California troughs) stocked by 65 larvae. All tanks were separated by dark plastic sheets individually to more controlling actions on special lighting regimes, except controls. Lighting actions were conducted as long as survey stage for 36 days by economic lamps (P: 40/50 W, =550/880 lum) on lighting durations of 12/12, 10/14, 14/10 h (on/off) and 24 (on) by 40/50 W lamps respectively for treatment 1 to 8. Controls are considered in treatment No. 9 by natural and environmental lighting regime. The biometry operations were carried out in a 6 days interval. Results were analyzed with SPSS (Version 12) software and by ANOVA one way analysis method and multiple levels of Duncan Test; graphs were illustrated by Excel software. According to the results, most of the measured factors as growth indicators (FW, WG, FCR and SGR) in treatments (1-8) had showed significant differences in compare of control. In this case, oily drips in retina layer of eye s larvae absorb the short light spectrums and let the long spectrums to be transferred. Thus because of more vision, feeding behavior could develop with lower stress condition. Moreover, some growth factor (SGR, WG and FCR) rates in larvae showed better values significantly in treatment (1) (12/12 h lighting with 550 lum) in compare of other treatments and controls (P≤ 0.05). In addition, there are not any harmonized and expected growth parameters with synchronized red lighting intensities and durations in the Caspian trout larvae. It seems that recent demonstrations were influenced by physiological effects of some endocrinal glands and brain neurotransmitters

Mixed-effects models for health care longitudinal data with an informative visiting process: A Monte Carlo simulation study.

Electronic health records are being increasingly used in medical research to answer more relevant and detailed clinical questions; however, they pose new and significant methodological challenges. For instance, observation times are likely correlated with the underlying disease severity: Patients with worse conditions utilise health care more and may have worse biomarker values recorded. Traditional methods for analysing longitudinal data assume independence between observation times and disease severity; yet, with health care data, such assumptions unlikely hold. Through Monte Carlo simulation, we compare different analytical approaches proposed to account for an informative visiting process to assess whether they lead to unbiased results. Furthermore, we formalise a joint model for the observation process and the longitudinal outcome within an extended joint modelling framework. We illustrate our results using data from a pragmatic trial on enhanced care for individuals with chronic kidney disease, and we introduce user-friendly software that can be used to fit the joint model for the observation process and a longitudinal outcome

Qualitative meta-synthesis of user experience of computerised therapy for depression and anxiety

Objective: Computerised therapies play an integral role in efforts to improve access to psychological treatment for patients with depression and anxiety. However, despite recognised problems with uptake, there has been a lack of investigation into the barriers and facilitators of engagement. We aimed to systematically review and synthesise findings from qualitative studies of computerised therapies, in order to identify factors impacting on engagement. Method: Systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies of user experiences of computer delivered therapy for depression and/or anxiety. Results: 8 studies were included in the review. All except one were of desktop based cognitive behavioural treatments. Black and minority ethnic and older participants were underrepresented, and only one study addressed users with a comorbid physical health problem. Through synthesis, we identified two key overarching concepts, regarding the need for treatments to be sensitive to the individual, and the dialectal nature of user experience, with different degrees of support and anonymity experienced as both positive and negative. We propose that these factors can be conceptually understood as the ‘non-specific’ or ‘common’ factors of computerised therapy, analogous to but distinct from the common factors of traditional face-to-face therapies. Conclusion: Experience of computerised therapy could be improved through personalisation and sensitisation of content to individual users, recognising the need for users to experience a sense of ‘self’ in the treatment which is currently absent. Exploiting the common factors of computerised therapy, through enhancing perceived connection and collaboration, could offer a way of reconciling tensions due to the dialectal nature of user experience. Future research should explore whether the findings are generalisable to other patient groups, to other delivery formats (such as mobile technology) and other treatment modalities beyond cognitive behaviour therapy. The proposed model could aid the development of enhancements to current packages to improve uptake and support engagement

Trout farms and other human activities effects on Cheshmehkileh river ecosystem in Tonekabon

Cheshmehkileh River and adjacent mountainous streams, play a strategic role as a historical axis for anthropogenic civilization, human welfare also habitat and migration pathway of commercial – biologic valuable fishes e.g. Caspian trout, Caspian kuttum, members of Cyprinidae family in south Caspian Sea drainage. Treats such as overfishing of Caspian trout and Red spotted trout stocks in mountainous headwaters, barriers construction and manipulations those are out of river carrying capacity developed by human activities, affected normal function of river as well. Sand mining big factories establishment next to the river, legal and illegal trade of river sediments, direct entry of Tonekabon landfill leakage into the river, development of Rainbow trout farms since 3 decades and huge effluents into the river containing dead fish and types of solids, escapement of cultured Rainbow trouts into the river, … are major minimum factors which needs basic information for integrating inclusively drainage management system. Cheshmehkileh River contains Headwaters of Dohezar (Daryasar & Nusha), Sehezar and Valamroud rivers during 13 monthly sampling phases between September 2009 and October 2010 based on macrozoobenthoses investigations by EPT, EPT/C EPA protocols, measurements of nominated physic-chemical and microbiologic parameters. Probability of Rainbow trouts escapement and invasion, existence, nutrition in Cheshmehkileh environment indeed investigated. Data analysis explained significant differences (P<0.05) between groups of measured parameters in different sampling stations. Dendogram of clustered analysis based on consolidation of major biologic/ physic-chemical and microbiologic parameters, separated stations No. 1, 3, 2, 4 in one group and remained classified in different groups. Station 8 and 9 similarly separated which expressed general similarities according to Sehezar river environment which were differs in comparison with other stations. Station 11 separated according to its natural quality of water and environment. Similarities between station 10 to Sehezar river stations 8 and 9 expressed general influence of Sehezar River more than Dohezar River in Cheshmehkileh condition especially in station No. 10. High scores of EPT and EPT/C indices in upstream stations 1, 3 and 8 also low score of indices in stations 7, 13 and 6 expressed levels of environment quality between these groups of stations. Maximum average biomass of macroinvertebrates belongs to Trichoptera order in Cheshmehkileh River. Significant decrease of biomass in stations 11, 12 and 13 in comparison with other stations stated environment degradation in mentioned stations relevant to excessive sand mining as well. Pollution resistant groups of invertebrates significantly increased in downstreams against upstream stations. Also disappearing of Plecoptera order in station No. 7, 9, 10 and 13 stated low quality of environment in comparison with upstream stations. Confirmation of effects quality and quantity for point and non-point sources of imported pollutants require specific management considerations in order to present exploitations, pollutants control and emergencies for river monitoring in forthcoming years