AimsPaediatric diabetes care has become increasingly specialised due to the multidisciplinary approach and technological developments. Guidelines recommend sufficient experience of treatment teams.... Show moreAimsPaediatric diabetes care has become increasingly specialised due to the multidisciplinary approach and technological developments. Guidelines recommend sufficient experience of treatment teams. This study evaluates associations between hospital volume and resource use and hospital expenditure in Dutch children with diabetes.MethodsRetrospective cohort study using hospital claims data of 5082 children treated across 44 Dutch hospitals (2019–2020). Hospitals were categorised into three categories; small (≥20–100 patients), medium (≥100–200 patients) and large (≥200 patients). All-cause hospitalisations, consultations, technology and hospital expenditure were analysed and adjusted for age, sex, socio-economic status (SES) and hospital of treatment.ResultsFewer hospitalisations were observed in large hospitals compared to small hospitals (OR 0.48; [95% CI 0.32–0.72]; p < 0.001). Median number of yearly paediatrician visits was 7 in large and 6 in small hospitals, the significance of which was attenuated in multilevel analysis (OR ≥7 consultations: 1.89; [95%CI 0.74–4.83]; p = 0.18). Technology use varies between individual hospitals, whereas pump usage and real-time continuous glucose monitoring showed no significant differences between hospital volumes. Mean overall expenditure was highest in medium-sized centres with €6434 per patient (IQR €2555–7955); the difference in diabetes care costs was not significant between hospital patient volumes.ConclusionsCare provision patterns vary by hospital patient volume. Large hospitals had the lowest hospitalisation rates. The use of diabetes technology was not different between hospital patient volumes. Medium-sized hospitals showed the highest overall expenditure, but diabetes care costs were similar across hospital volumes. Show less
Valdez, S.; Secara, A.; Perez, E.; Bywood, L. 2023
The increase in demand for the localisation of audiovisual media content has led to increased incorporation of audiovisual translation and accessibility modules into university curricula in many... Show moreThe increase in demand for the localisation of audiovisual media content has led to increased incorporation of audiovisual translation and accessibility modules into university curricula in many regions(Bolaños-García-Escribano et al., 2021). This study aims to map part of the audiovisual translation (AVT) and media accessibility (MA) training landscape in Europe, presenting the findings of the 2020 Audiovisual Translation and Media Accessibility Training Survey conducted among the European Master’s in Translation network. It reflects on the results obtained from 55 European Master’s programmes focused on the training of future translators and shows that the majority provide AVT and some MA training, mainly within broad AVT modules and, to a much lesser extent, in dedicated compulsory modules. The insights gained from this study are relevant to establishing a benchmark that will make it possible to track any developments in the teaching of AVT and MA in the EMT network and beyond. Show less
Background: Large amounts of data are collected in neonatal intensive care units, which could be used for research. It is unclear whether these data, usually sampled at a lower frequency, are... Show moreBackground: Large amounts of data are collected in neonatal intensive care units, which could be used for research. It is unclear whether these data, usually sampled at a lower frequency, are sufficient for retrospective studies. We investigated what to expect when using one-per-minute data for descriptive statistics. Methods: One-per-second inspiratory oxygen and saturation were processed to one-per-minute data and compared, on average, standard deviation, target range time, hypoxia, days of supplemental oxygen, and missing signal. Results: Outcomes calculated from data recordings (one-per-minute = 92, one-per-second = 92) showed very little to no difference. Sub analyses of recordings under 100 and 200 h showed no difference. Conclusion: In our study, descriptive statistics of one-per-minute data were comparable to one-per-second and could be used for retrospective analyses. Comparable routinely collected one-per-minute data could be used to develop algorithms or find associations, retrospectively. Show less
OBJECTIVE A major obstacle to improving bedside neurosurgical procedure safety and accuracy with image guidance technologies is the lack of a rapidly deployable, real-time registration and tracking... Show moreOBJECTIVE A major obstacle to improving bedside neurosurgical procedure safety and accuracy with image guidance technologies is the lack of a rapidly deployable, real-time registration and tracking system for a moving patient. This deficiency explains the persistence of freehand placement of external ventricular drains, which has an inherent risk of inaccurate positioning, multiple passes, tract hemorrhage, and injury to adjacent brain parenchyma. Here, the authors introduce and validate a novel image registration and real-time tracking system for frameless stereotactic neuronavigation and catheter placement in the nonimmobilized patient.METHODS Computer vision technology was used to develop an algorithm that performed near- continuous, automatic, and marker-less image registration. The program fuses a subject's preprocedure CT scans to live 3D camera images (Snap-Surface), and patient movement is incorporated by artificial intelligence- driven recalibration (Real-Track). The surface registration error (SRE) and target registration error (TRE) were calculated for 5 cadaveric heads that underwent serial movements (fast and slow velocity roll, pitch, and yaw motions) and several test conditions, such as surgical draping with limited anatomical exposure and differential subject lighting. Six catheters were placed in each cadaveric head (30 total placements) with a simulated sterile technique. Postprocedure CT scans allowed comparison of planned and actual catheter positions for user error calculation.RESULTS Registration was successful for all 5 cadaveric specimens, with an overall mean (+/- standard deviation) SRE of 0.429 +/- 0.108 mm for the catheter placements. Accuracy of TRE was maintained under 1.2 mm throughout specimen movements of low and high velocities of roll, pitch, and yaw, with the slowest recalibration time of 0.23 seconds. There were no statistically significant differences in SRE when the specimens were draped or fully undraped (p = 0.336). Performing registration in a bright versus a dimly lit environment had no statistically significant effect on SRE (p = 0.742 and 0.859, respectively). For the catheter placements, mean TRE was 0.862 +/- 0.322 mm and mean user error (difference between target and actual catheter tip) was 1.674 +/- 1.195 mm.CONCLUSIONS This computer vision-based registration system provided real-time tracking of cadaveric heads with a recalibration time of less than one-quarter of a second with submillimetric accuracy and enabled catheter placements with millimetric accuracy. Using this approach to guide bedside ventriculostomy could reduce complications, improve safety, and be extrapolated to other frameless stereotactic applications in awake, nonimmobilized patients. Show less
Wagner, M.; Boer, M.C. den; Jansen, S.; Groepel, P.; Visser, R.; Witlox, R.S.G.M.; ... ; Pas, A.B. te 2021
Objective The aim of this study was to determine the experience with, and the feasibility of, point-of-view video recordings using eye-tracking glasses for training and reviewing neonatal... Show moreObjective The aim of this study was to determine the experience with, and the feasibility of, point-of-view video recordings using eye-tracking glasses for training and reviewing neonatal interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Observational prospective single-centre study. Setting Neonatal intensive care unit at the Leiden University Medical Center. Participants All local neonatal healthcare providers. Intervention There were two groups of participants: proceduralists, who wore eye-tracking glasses during procedures, and observers who later watched the procedures as part of a video-based reflection. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was the feasibility of, and the proceduralists and observers' experience with, the point-of-view eye-tracking videos as an additional tool for bedside teaching and video-based reflection. Results We conducted 12 point-of-view recordings on 10 different patients (median gestational age of 30.9 +/- 3.5 weeks and weight of 1764 g) undergoing neonatal intubation (n=5), minimally invasive surfactant therapy (n=5) and umbilical line insertion (n=2). We conducted nine video-based observations with a total of 88 observers. The use of point-of-view recordings was perceived as feasible. Observers further reported the point-of-view recordings to be an educational benefit for them and a potentially instructional tool during COVID-19. Conclusion We proved the practicability of eye-tracking glasses for point-of-view recordings of neonatal procedures and videos for observation, educational sessions and logistics considerations, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic distancing measures reducing bedside teaching opportunities.Single centre evaluation of the use of eye-tracking glasses during neonatal procedures as an additional tool for outside teaching and video-based reflection. The feasibility and potential benefit during a pandemic is reported. Show less
This article outlines the agenda of a collective research project that aims to explore modalities of historical futures that constitute our current historical condition. To present the collective... Show moreThis article outlines the agenda of a collective research project that aims to explore modalities of historical futures that constitute our current historical condition. To present the collective work adequately, we have teamed up with History and Theory and initiated a long‐term serial publishing experiment. In the coming years, each issue of the journal will feature contributions to this research endeavor. In our project‐opening piece, we briefly introduce the experiment and the premises of the collective research agenda. We begin by recounting the many ways in which increasingly towering novel future prospects have begun to capture the scholarly world's attention across disciplinary boundaries. We then introduce the notion of historical futures. Crediting theoretical inspirations and paying intellectual debts to conceptual relatives, we define “historical futures” as the plurality of transitional relations between apprehensions of the past and anticipated futures. At the core of the article, we formulate our call for a collective investigation of modalities of historical futures and sketch three basic sets of concerns that the explorative works in this experiment may address: kinds of transitions from past to futures, kinds of anticipatory practices, and kinds of registers as interpretive tools that position such practices on a variety of spectrums between two poles (for instance, a value register with the poles of catastrophic and redemptive futures). Finally, we close with a brief note about the necessity of collective endeavors. Show less
This report is the second output from the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) Enlightenment 2.0 multi-annual research programme. The work started with the classical Enlightenment premise that reason is... Show moreThis report is the second output from the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) Enlightenment 2.0 multi-annual research programme. The work started with the classical Enlightenment premise that reason is the primary source of political authority and legitimacy. Recognising that advances in behavioural, decision and social sciences demonstrate that we are not purely rational beings, we sought to understand the other drivers that influence political decision-making. The first output “Understanding our political nature: how to put knowledge and reason at the heart of policymaking” published in 20191, addressed some of the most pressing political issues of our age. However, some areas that we consider crucial to providing an updated scientific model of the drivers of political decision-making were not fully addressed. One of them is the impact of our contemporary digital information space on the socio-psychological mechanisms of opinion formation, decision-making and political behaviour. The JRC, together with a team of renowned experts addresses this knowledge deficit in a report that synthesises the knowledge about digital technology, democracy and human behaviour to enable policymakers to safeguard a participatory and democratic European future through legislation that aligns with human thinking and behaviour in a digital context. It is hoped that this report will prove useful as policymakers reflect upon the forthcoming European Democracy Action Plan, the Digital Services Act, the EU Citizenship Report 2020, as well as on how to legislate against disinformation. The report has been written in spring/summer of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of Europe and the world. During this time, our democracies suffered while technology played a crucial role in keeping societies functioning in times of lockdown. From remote distance education to teleworking, religious services to staying in touch with family and friends, for many but not all, everyday activities moved online. Additionally, technological applications and initiatives multiplied in an attempt to limit the spread of the disease, treat patients and facilitate the tasks of overworked essential personnel. Conversely, however, significant fundamental rights questions have been raised as unprecedented initiatives to track, trace and contain the pandemic using digital technologies have proven controversial. Governments invoking emergency measures in support of public health decision-making, used advanced analytics to collect, process and share data for effective front-line responses that lacked transparency and public consultation. When used as an information source, social media have been found to present a health risk that is partly due to their role as disseminators of health-related conspiracies, with non-English language speakers being at greater risk of exposure to misinformation during the crisis. It is likely that these technologies will have a long-lasting impact beyond COVID-19. Yet despite the immediacy of the crisis, the authors invite the reader to take a longer perspective on technology and democracy to get a deeper understanding of the interrelated nuances. In dark times, we seek to bring light to the importance of understanding the influence of online technologies on political behaviour and decision-making. Show less
In many regards, the chaîne opératoire has greatly contributed to the study of ceramics. Since its incorporation within the analysis of archaeological artefacts, chaîne opératoire analysis has... Show moreIn many regards, the chaîne opératoire has greatly contributed to the study of ceramics. Since its incorporation within the analysis of archaeological artefacts, chaîne opératoire analysis has developed into a method which provides an understanding of the artisan community within a settlement. Furthermore, it provides solid material evidence of past artisanship, both through the reconstruction of manufacturing processes and technological choices. This paper addresses how chaîne opératoire studies can contribute to the reconstruction of the social organisation of craft, based on two case studies from the Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras. This research explores networks of actions and communities of practice at two sites. The first case study explores the role of the chaîne opératoire in identifying modes of craft transmission, while the second reveals several communities of practice, operating contemporaneously within the same site and sharing a market for similar products. Show less
Adhesive production is one of the earliest forms of transformative technology, predating ceramics and metallurgy by over 150,000 years. The study of the adhesives used by Neandertals and early... Show moreAdhesive production is one of the earliest forms of transformative technology, predating ceramics and metallurgy by over 150,000 years. The study of the adhesives used by Neandertals and early modern humans currently plays a significant role in debates about human technological and cognitive evolution. Depending on the type of adhesive used, different production sequences were required. These can vary in complexity and would have needed different knowledge, expertise, and resources to manufacture. However, our knowledge of this important technological development is severely hampered by poorly understood taphonomic processes, which affects the preservation and identification of adhesive materials and leads to a research bias. Here we present the results from a 3-year field preservation experiment. Flint flakes hafted and non-hafted with replica adhesives were left to weather naturally on and below the surface at two locations with different soils and climatic conditions. Differential preservation was recorded on a variety of natural adhesives by digitally measuring the surface area of each residue before and after the elapsed time. Residues were further assessed and photographed using metallographic optical microscopy. Results show that certain adhesives preserve to a significantly higher degree than others, while some materials may be more easily overlooked or visually misdiagnosed. We must therefore be aware of both taphonomic and identification biases when discussing ancient adhesive technology. This research provides a first look that will help us understand the disparities between which adhesives were used in the past and what we find in the archaeological record today. Show less
In the iZi study in The Hague, use and acceptance of commercially available technology by home-dwelling older citizens was studied, by comparing self-efficacy and perceived physical and mental... Show moreIn the iZi study in The Hague, use and acceptance of commercially available technology by home-dwelling older citizens was studied, by comparing self-efficacy and perceived physical and mental Quality of Life (QoL)-related parameters on an intervention location of 279 households and a control location of 301 households. Technology adoption was clinically significantly associated with increased perceived physical QoL, as compared with control group, depending on the number of technology interventions that were used. A higher number of adopted technologies was associated with a stronger effect on perceived QoL. We tried to establish a way to measure clinical significance by using mixed methods, combining quantitative and qualitative evaluation and feeding results and feedback of participants directly back into our intervention. In general, this research is promising, since it shows that successful and effective adoption of technology by older people is feasible with commercially available products amongst home-dwelling older citizens. We think this way of working provides a better integration of scientific methods and clinical usability but demands a lot of communication and patience of researchers, citizens, and policymakers. A change in policy on how to target people for this kind of intervention might be warranted. Show less
Schneider, F.A.; Veere, A.P. van der; Lammertink, J.P.; Burgers, E.M.; Sicinski, R.G.; Zhang, S. 2020
With societies around the world tackling the Coronavirus pandemic, the role of digital technology has come into focus as a means of augmenting efforts to manage disease and its impacts. What can... Show moreWith societies around the world tackling the Coronavirus pandemic, the role of digital technology has come into focus as a means of augmenting efforts to manage disease and its impacts. What can apps, big data, and digital analytics contribute to such efforts, and what risks do they pose? Asia provides important lessons. Not only have societies in the region long been at the forefront of technological development, but they have also proactively adopted digital solutions as they confront COVID-19. Importantly, Asia has a history of managing highly contagious diseases, and outbreaks like SARS in 2002 or H1N1 in 2009 have provided experiences in risk management and health provision that now powerfully inform both digital and non-digital responses to the current pandemic. The result is a diverse range of different approaches that can teach us much about the advantages and disadvantages of designing tech solutions to fight pandemics. Show less
Fiorino, C.; Guckemberger, M.; Schwarz, M.; Heide, U.A. van der; Heijmen, B. 2020
Technology has a pivotal role in the continuous development of radiotherapy. The long road toward modern 'high-tech' radiation oncology has been studded with discoveries and technological... Show moreTechnology has a pivotal role in the continuous development of radiotherapy. The long road toward modern 'high-tech' radiation oncology has been studded with discoveries and technological innovations that resulted from the interaction of various disciplines. In the last decades, a dramatic technology-driven revolution has hugely improved the capability of accurately and safely delivering complex-shaped dose distributions. This has contributed to many clinical improvements, such as the successful management of lung cancer and oligometastatic disease through stereotactic body radiotherapy. Technology-driven research is an active and lively field with promising potential in several domains, including image guidance, adaptive radiotherapy, integration of artificial intelligence, heavy-particle therapy, and 'flash' ultra-high dose-rate radiotherapy. The evolution toward personalized Oncology will deeply influence technology-driven research, aiming to integrate predictive models and omics analyses into fast and efficient solutions to deliver the best treatment for each single patient. Personalized radiation oncology will need affordable technological solutions for middle-/low-income countries, as these are expected to experience the highest increase of cancer incidence and mortality. Moreover, technology solutions for automation of commissioning, quality assurance, safety tests, image segmentation, and plan optimization will be required. Although a large fraction of cancer patients receive radiotherapy, this is certainly not reflected in the worldwide budget for radiotherapy research. Differently from the pharmaceutical companies-driven research, resources for research in radiotherapy are highly limited to equipment vendors, who can, in turn, initiate a limited number of collaborations with academic research centers. Thus, enhancement of investments in technology-driven radiotherapy research via public funds, national governments, and the European Union would have a crucial societal impact. It would allow for radiotherapy to further strengthen its role as a highly effective and cost-efficient cancer treatment modality, and it could facilitate a rapid and equalitarian large-scale transfer of technology to clinic, with direct impact on patient care. Show less
Japan is undergoing a significant demographic upheaval, and the Japanese government is formulating policies for stimulating technological advances based on the assumption that they will solve... Show moreJapan is undergoing a significant demographic upheaval, and the Japanese government is formulating policies for stimulating technological advances based on the assumption that they will solve issues such as labour shortages and elder care. The government argues through policy initiatives that technology will decrease the care burden on Japan’s workers, families, and itself. Although the domestic media show awareness of changing family patterns in Japan, newspapers are following a similar pattern of technological utopianism. However, this article posits that the proposed policy reforms rely on a conservative ideal of the extended family that ignores changing patterns in Japanese households. Moreover, it argues that, rather than facilitating a return to the ideal of an extended family, technology is exacerbating separation among families that have been growing apart for some time. Show less
This paper aimed at investigating the existence of productivity spillovers and their transmission channels in both Kenya and Malaysia firm-level panel data from the manufacturing sector for the... Show moreThis paper aimed at investigating the existence of productivity spillovers and their transmission channels in both Kenya and Malaysia firm-level panel data from the manufacturing sector for the period 2000–2005. Both countries have a long history of relying on FDI in industrial development. The existing literature on productivity spillovers suggests that productivity spillovers may be one of the most important effects that foreign MNEs impart to local firms in developing countries. Yet still, few studies exist in both countries on productivity spillovers and their transmission channels. Three spillover channels were examined: demonstration, competition, and information. In addition, the backward linkage channel was examined for the case of Malaysia. The results reveal that there is limited evidence of negative productivity spillovers from foreign firms to domestic firms through the competition effects in Kenya. In Malaysia, there is evidence of positive spillovers from foreign-owned firms to domestic firms through the demonstration effects. In addition, there is evidence of negative spillovers through the competition effects as well as backward linkages. There is also evidence of positive productivity spillovers from domestic firms to foreign-owned firms through backward linkages. Productivity spillovers are found to be dependent on the technology gap. Show less
Knorringa, P.; Pesa, I.; Leliveld, A.H.M.; Beers, C. van 2016
Frugal innovation aims to bring products, services and systems within the reach of billions of poor and emerging middle-class consumers. Through significantly cutting costs while safeguarding user... Show moreFrugal innovation aims to bring products, services and systems within the reach of billions of poor and emerging middle-class consumers. Through significantly cutting costs while safeguarding user value, frugal innovation opens opportunities for new business models and may well disrupt innovation processes in entire economies. The debate on the developmental implications of frugal innovation is ideologically polarized. Whereas advocates suggest a business view of ‘win-win’ in which companies can earn profits while simultaneously alleviating poverty, critics argue that frugal innovation will merely exacerbate capitalist exploitation and inequality. In this contribution we argue that an empirical approach is needed to assess where and when frugal innovation is more likely to enhance inclusive development. Show less
Osch, M. van; Rovekamp, A.J.M.; Bergman-Agteres, S.N.; Wijsman, L.W.; Ooms, S.J.; Mooijaart, S.P.; Vermeulen, J. 2015
Technological progress has a great impact on the lives of many citizens. The increasing amount of available information may however be used by criminals too, for example by burglars in their... Show moreTechnological progress has a great impact on the lives of many citizens. The increasing amount of available information may however be used by criminals too, for example by burglars in their search for a suitable target. Applying the rational choice perspective and by means of an experiment with students, this paper first investigates whether it is likely or not that tools such as Google Maps and Google Street View are used for burglary. Furthermore, we investigate whether the considered target characteristics differ when such tools are used. The results indicate that we cannot give an affirmative answer to these questions so far. Show less