214 research outputs found
The OptiMine feasibility study: a novel implementation strategy to electronically screen and signpost patients to health behaviour apps
Background:
Behavior change apps have the potential to provide individual support on a population scale at low cost, but they face numerous barriers to implementation. Electronic health records (EHRs) in acute care hospitals provide a valuable resource for identifying patients at risk, who may benefit from behavior change apps. A novel, emerging implementation strategy is to use digital technologies not only for providing support to help-seeking individuals but also for signposting patients at risk to support services (also called proactive referral in the United States).
Objective:
The OptiMine study aimed to increase the reach of behavior change apps by implementing electronic signposting for smoking cessation and alcohol reduction in a large, at-risk population that was identified through an acute care hospital EHR.
Methods:
This 3-phase, mixed methods implementation study assessed the acceptability, feasibility, and reach of electronic signposting to behavior change apps by using a hospital’s EHR system to identify patients who are at risk. Phase 1 explored the acceptability of the implementation strategy among the patients and staff through focus groups. Phase 2 investigated the feasibility of using the hospital EHR to identify patients with target risk behaviors and contact them via SMS text message, email, or patient portal. Phase 3 assessed the impact of SMS text messages sent to patients who were identified as smokers or risky drinkers, which signposted them to behavior change apps. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who clicked on the embedded link in the SMS text message to access information about the apps. The acceptability of the SMS text messages among the patients who had received them was also explored in a web-based survey.
Results:
Our electronic signposting strategy—using SMS text messages to promote health behavior change apps to patients at risk—was found to be acceptable and feasible and had good reach. The hospital sent 1526 SMS text messages, signposting patients to either the National Health Service Smokefree or Drink Free Days apps. A total of 13.56% (207/1526) of the patients clicked on the embedded link to the apps, which exceeded our 5% a priori success criterion. Patients and staff contributed to the SMS text message content and delivery approach, which were perceived as acceptable before and after the delivery of the SMS text messages. The feasibility of the SMS text message format was determined and the target population was identified by mining the EHR.
Conclusions:
The OptiMine study demonstrated the proof of concept for this novel implementation strategy, which used SMS text messages to signpost at-risk individuals to behavior change apps at scale. The level of reach exceeded our a priori success criterion in a non–help-seeking population of patients receiving unsolicited SMS text messages, disconnected from hospital visits.
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID):
RR2-10.2196/2366
Novel implementation strategy to electronically screen and signpost patients to health behavior apps: Mixed methods implementation study (OptiMine study)
BACKGROUND: Behavior change apps have the potential to provide individual support on a population scale at low cost, but they face numerous barriers to implementation. Electronic health records (EHRs) in acute care hospitals provide a valuable resource for identifying patients at risk, who may benefit from behavior change apps. A novel, emerging implementation strategy is to use digital technologies not only for providing support to help-seeking individuals but also for signposting patients at risk to support services (also called proactive referral in the United States).
OBJECTIVE: The OptiMine study aimed to increase the reach of behavior change apps by implementing electronic signposting for smoking cessation and alcohol reduction in a large, at-risk population that was identified through an acute care hospital EHR.
METHODS: This 3-phase, mixed methods implementation study assessed the acceptability, feasibility, and reach of electronic signposting to behavior change apps by using a hospital\u27s EHR system to identify patients who are at risk. Phase 1 explored the acceptability of the implementation strategy among the patients and staff through focus groups. Phase 2 investigated the feasibility of using the hospital EHR to identify patients with target risk behaviors and contact them via SMS text message, email, or patient portal. Phase 3 assessed the impact of SMS text messages sent to patients who were identified as smokers or risky drinkers, which signposted them to behavior change apps. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who clicked on the embedded link in the SMS text message to access information about the apps. The acceptability of the SMS text messages among the patients who had received them was also explored in a web-based survey.
RESULTS: Our electronic signposting strategy-using SMS text messages to promote health behavior change apps to patients at risk-was found to be acceptable and feasible and had good reach. The hospital sent 1526 SMS text messages, signposting patients to either the National Health Service Smokefree or Drink Free Days apps. A total of 13.56% (207/1526) of the patients clicked on the embedded link to the apps, which exceeded our 5% a priori success criterion. Patients and staff contributed to the SMS text message content and delivery approach, which were perceived as acceptable before and after the delivery of the SMS text messages. The feasibility of the SMS text message format was determined and the target population was identified by mining the EHR.
CONCLUSIONS: The OptiMine study demonstrated the proof of concept for this novel implementation strategy, which used SMS text messages to signpost at-risk individuals to behavior change apps at scale. The level of reach exceeded our a priori success criterion in a non-help-seeking population of patients receiving unsolicited SMS text messages, disconnected from hospital visits.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/23669
The First Extrasolar Planet Discovered with a New Generation High Throughput Doppler Instrument
We report the detection of the first extrasolar planet, ET-1 (HD 102195b),
using the Exoplanet Tracker (ET), a new generation Doppler instrument. The
planet orbits HD 102195, a young star with solar metallicity that may be part
of the local association. The planet imparts radial velocity variability to the
star with a semiamplitude of m s and a period of 4.11 days.
The planetary minimum mass () is .Comment: 42 pages, 11 figures and 5 tables, Accepted for publication in Ap
Mining electronic health records to promote the reach of digital interventions for cancer prevention through proactive electronic outreach:Protocol for the mixed methods OptiMine study
BACKGROUND: Digital behavior change interventions have demonstrated effectiveness for smoking cessation and reducing alcohol intake, which ultimately reduce cancer risk. Leveraging electronic health records (EHR) to identify at-risk patients and increasing the reach of digital interventions through proactive electronic outreach provide a novel approach that may increase the number of individuals who engage with evidence-based treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to increase the reach of digital behavior change interventions by implementing a proactive electronic message system for smoking cessation and alcohol reduction among a large, at-risk population identified through an acute hospital EHR. METHODS: This protocol describes a 3-phase, mixed-methods implementation study to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and reach of a proactive electronic message system to digital interventions using a hospital's EHR system to identify eligible patients. In Phase 1, we will conduct focus group discussions with patients and hospital staff to assess the overall acceptability of the electronic message system. In Phase 2, we will conduct a descriptive analysis of the patient population in the hospital EHR regarding target risk behaviors and other person-level characteristics to determine the project's feasibility and potential reach. In Phase 3, we will send proactive messages to patients identified as smokers or risky drinkers. Messages will encourage and provide access to behavior change mobile apps via an embedded link; the primary outcome will be the proportion of participants who click on the link to access information about the apps. RESULTS: At the time of initial protocol submission, data collection was complete, but analysis had not begun. This study was funded by Cancer Research UK from April 2019 to March 2020. Health Research Authority approval was granted in June 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the reach of digital behavior change interventions can improve population health by reducing the burden of preventable death and disease. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/23669
Forgotten pilots, airfields and aircraft:A transdisciplinary approach to the memory of the Republican Air Force during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39)
TOI-5205b: A Jupiter transiting an M dwarf near the Convective Boundary
We present the discovery of TOI-5205b, a transiting Jovian planet orbiting a
solar metallicity M4V star, which was discovered using TESS photometry and then
confirmed using a combination of precise radial velocities, ground-based
photometry, spectra and speckle imaging. The host star TOI-5205 sits near the
eponymous `Jao gap', which is the transition region between partially and
fully-convective M dwarfs. TOI-5205b has one of the highest mass ratio for M
dwarf planets with a mass ratio of almost 0.3, as it orbits a host star
that is just . Its planetary radius is , while the mass is . Additionally, the large size
of the planet orbiting a small star results in a transit depth of ,
making it one of the deepest transits of a confirmed exoplanet orbiting a
main-sequence star. The large transit depth makes TOI-5205b a compelling target
to probe its atmospheric properties, as a means of tracing the potential
formation pathways. While there have been radial velocity-only discoveries of
giant planets around mid M dwarfs, this is the first transiting Jupiter with a
mass measurement discovered around such a low-mass host star. The high mass of
TOI-5205b stretches conventional theories of planet formation and disk scaling
relations that cannot easily recreate the conditions required to form such
planets.Comment: Submitted to ApJ. Comments are welcome. arXiv admin note: text
overlap with arXiv:2203.0717
TOI-2015b: A Warm Neptune with Transit Timing Variations Orbiting an Active mid M Dwarf
We report the discovery of a close-in () warm Neptune with clear transit timing variations (TTVs)
orbiting the nearby () active M4 star, TOI-2015. We
characterize the planet's properties using TESS photometry, precise
near-infrared radial velocities (RV) with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder (HP)
Spectrograph, ground-based photometry, and high-contrast imaging. A joint
photometry and RV fit yields a radius , mass , and
density for TOI-2015b,
suggesting a likely volatile-rich planet. The young, active host star has a
rotation period of and
associated rotation-based age estimate of . Though
no other transiting planets are seen in the TESS data, the system shows clear
TTVs of super period and
amplitude . After considering multiple likely
period ratio models, we show an outer planet candidate near a 2:1 resonance can
explain the observed TTVs while offering a dynamically stable solution.
However, other possible two-planet solutions -- including 3:2 and 4:3 resonance
-- cannot be conclusively excluded without further observations. Assuming a 2:1
resonance in the joint TTV-RV modeling suggests a mass of
for TOI-2015b and
for the outer candidate.
Additional transit and RV observations will be beneficial to explicitly
identify the resonance and further characterize the properties of the system.Comment: 28 pages, 15 figures, 6 tables. As submitted to AAS Journal
The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe
The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the
dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for
life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront
of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early
evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The
Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed
plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE
is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity
neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi
National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream
of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed
as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research
Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in
Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at
Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino
charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet
cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can
accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional
combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and
potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility
for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around
the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program
of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of
LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics
worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will
possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for
LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a
comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the
landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate
and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure
A randomised controlled trial of a tele-based lifestyle intervention for colorectal cancer survivors ('CanChange'): study protocol
Background Colorectal cancer survivors may suffer from a range of ongoing psychosocial and physical problems that negatively impact on quality of life. This paper presents the study protocol for a novel telephone-delivered intervention to improve lifestyle factors and health outcomes for colorectal cancer survivors. Methods/Design Approximately 350 recently diagnosed colorectal cancer survivors will be recruited through the Queensland Cancer Registry and randomised to the intervention or control condition. The intervention focuses on symptom management, lifestyle and psychosocial support to assist participants to make improvements in lifestyle factors (physical activity, healthy diet, weight management, and smoking cessation) and health outcomes. Participants will receive up to 11 telephone-delivered sessions over a 6 month period from a qualified health professional or 'health coach'. Data collection will occur at baseline (Time 1), post-intervention or six months follow-up (Time 2), and at 12 months follow-up for longer term effects (Time 3). Primary outcome measures will include physical activity, cancer-related fatigue and quality of life. A cost-effective analysis of the costs and outcomes for survivors in the intervention and control conditions will be conducted from the perspective of health care costs to the government. Discussion The study will provide valuable information about an innovative intervention to improve lifestyle factors and health outcomes for colorectal cancer survivors
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