Structuring roles in Research through Design collaboration

In Research through Design knowledge is generated, but not always captured and shared effectively. When working in a multidisciplinary team of, e.g. designers, design researchers, academic researchers and domain practitioners confusion aboutroles, processes, and results easily occurs. In a series of three Research through Design cases we developed a set of role descriptions to help structuring the collaboration in such projects, using different configurations of people, roles and documentation tools. We conclude with a structure for assigning roles that enables multidisciplinary teams to make their Research through Design process moreexplicit, reflect on their activities as part of process data, and propose moments to capture knowledge from all actors involved

Efficacy of magnesium-amiodarone step-up scheme in critically ill patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation:a prospective observational study

Amiodarone is considered a first-choice antiarrhythmic drug in critically ill patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). However, evidence supporting the use of this potentially toxic drug in critically ill patients is scarce. Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) has shown to be effective for both rate and rhythm control, to act synergistically with antiarrhythmic drugs, and to prevent proarrhythmia. Treatment with MgSO4 may reduce the need for antiarrhythmic drugs such as amiodarone in critically ill patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation. The efficacy of a new institutional protocol was evaluated. Patients were treated with a new institutional protocol for new-onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients. An MgSO4 bolus (0.037 g/kg body weight in 15 minutes) was followed by continuous infusion (0.025 g/kg body weight/h). Intravenous amiodarone (loading dose 300 mg, followed by continuous infusion of 1200 mg/24 h) was given to those not responding to MgSO4 within 1 hour. Clinical response was defined as conversion to sinus rhythm or decrease in heart rate <110 beats/min. Sixteen of the 29 patients responded to MgSO4 monotherapy, whereas the addition of amiodarone was needed in 13 patients. Median (range) time until conversion to sinus rhythm after MgSO4 was 2 (1-45) hours. Median (range) conversion time in patients requiring amiodarone was 4 (2-78) hours, and median (range) conversion time in all patients was 3 (1-78) hours. The 24-hour conversion rate was 90%. Relapse atrial fibrillation was seen in 7 patients. The magnesium-amiodarone step-up scheme reduces the need for amiodarone, effectively converts new-onset atrial fibrillation into a sinus rhythm within 24 hours, and seems to be safe in critically ill patients

Standardized pain mapping for diagnosing Achilles tendinopathy

OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of agreement between patient-reported pain using a standardized pain map and the physician-determined clinical diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Eligible patients were adults visiting a sports physician for symptoms in the Achilles tendon region. Patients completed a digital questionnaire and indicated one location on a pain map where they experienced their pain. The primary outcome measure was level of agreement (% and Kappa coefficient) between patient-reported pain on the pain map and the physician-determined clinical diagnosis (defined as localized pain associated with tendon-loading activities and pain on palpation with or without tendon thickening). The secondary outcome measure was the agreement between the location on the pain map (midportion/insertional region) with the clinical diagnosis of midportion/insertional Achilles tendinopathy. RESULTS: 110 patients (mean (SD) age 48 (13), 61% men) with pain in the Achilles region were included. In 102 (93%, Kappa = 0.86, CI 0.78-0.95) patients who indicated pain in the Achilles tendon region on the pain map, the clinical diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy was made by the sports physician. 82% of the patients had the clinical diagnosis of tendinopathy in the specific region of the tendon they marked on the pain map (Kappa = 0.67, CI 0.54-0.79). CONCLUSIONS: There is almost perfect agreement between patient-reported pain on a pain map and a physician-established clinical diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy. There was substantial agreement between the localization of the pain that was selected by the patient and the diagnosis of insertional/midportion Achilles tendinopathy by the physician. This tool could potentially aid in adequate triage for specialized care and for researchers performing large epidemiological studies

Characterization factors for water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions based on freshwater fish species extinction : supporting information

Contains fulltext : 91278.pdf (author's version ) (Open Access)26 p