Electronic Falls Reporting System Implementation: Evaluating Data Collection Methods and Studying User Acceptance

In this research, we detail the development of a novel, easy-to-use system to facilitate electronic patient falls reporting within a long-term residential care facility (LTRCF) using off-the-shelf technology that can be inexpensively implemented in a wide variety of settings. We report the results of four complimentary system evaluation measures that take into consideration varied organizational stakeholders’ perspectives: 1) System-level benefits and costs, 2) System usability, via scenario-based use cases, 3) A holistic assessment of users’ physical, cognitive, and marcoergonomic (work system) challenges in using the system, and 4) User technology acceptance. We report the viability of collecting and analyzing data specific to each evaluation measure and detail the relative merits of each measure in judging whether the system is acceptable to each stakeholder. The electronic falls reporting system was successfully implemented, with 100% electronic submission rate at 3-months post-implementation period. The system-level benefits and costs approach showed that the electronic system required no initial investment costs aside from personnel costs and significant benefits accrued from user time savings. The usability analysis revealed several fixable design flaws and demonstrated the importance of scenario-based user training. The technology acceptance model showed that users perceived the reporting system to be useful and easy to use, even more so after implementation. Finally, the holistic human factors evaluation identified challenges encountered when nurses used the system as a part of their daily work, guiding further system redesign. The four-pronged evaluation framework accounted for varied stakeholder perspectives and goals and is a highly scalable framework that can be easily applied to Health IT (Information Technology) implementations in other LTRCFs

The Application of Theme/rheme Coherence Device in Discourse Teaching under Cognitive Framework

The repetitive coherence of theme and rheme comes through one of the important cohesive devices which make texture coherent and progressing. From cognitive point of view, applying the mode of thematic and rheme into English language teaching can display its tool function for texture. It also contributes to the understanding and interpretation of coherent discourses, and to the way in teaching reading and writing. Therefore，learners will leap forward from their cognitive level. Key words: cognition, coherence of theme and rheme, English language teaching Résumé: Le raccordement répété de thème-rhème est un des moyens importants de réaliser la cohérence et la continuité du texte. Et c’est grâce à ces moyens de cohérence que le texte s’acquiert la cohésion. L’application du système de cohérence à l’enseignement du texte anglais montre son utilité comme instrument textuel, offre de nouvelles perspectives pour l’enseignement de rédaction et de lecture en anglais, et aide les apprenants à approfondir leur compréhension. Mots-clés: cognition, cohérence de thème-rhème, enseignement textuel 摘要：語篇中主述位的反復銜接是實現語篇銜接和連貫的重要手段之一，而正是這些語篇銜接的手段使得主、述位達到層層推進，構成連貫的語篇。從認知的角度將主述位銜接機制應用於英語篇章教學，可展示其作為篇章工具的使用性，也可以為英語寫作和閱讀教學提供更為清新的思路，使英語學習者從認知上達到一個飛躍。 關鍵詞：認知；主述位銜接；篇章教

Neuroprotective effects of α-lipoic acid against hypoxic– ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats

Purpose: To explore the neuroprotective efficacy of α-lipoic acid (ALA) against hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonatal rats.Methods: Forty-eight rats (P7-pups) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: group I received saline; group II (HI) underwent unilateral carotid artery ligation and hypoxia (92 % N2 and 8 % O2) for 2.5 h; and groups III and IV (ALA 50 and 100) were treated with 50 or 100 mg ALA/kg for 7 days prior to against hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult. Cerebral antioxidant status, edema, and the levels of inflammatory markers were determined.Results: ALA administration substantially (p < 0.01) attenuated both cerebral infarct area and degree of edema while decreasing the levels of several inflammatory markers (TNF-α, NF-p65, IL-1β, IL-6). In addition, in the ALA groups, antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, GSH) activities were significantly elevated,while the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β protein were significantly (p < 0.01) down-regulated.Conclusion: The neuroprotective efficacy of ALA in HIE can be attributed to its suppression of both oxidative stress and the levels of inflammatory markers.Keywords: Hypoxic–ischemic brain injury, α-Lipoic acid, Cerebral infarct area, Edema, Antioxidants, Inflammatory marker