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PubMed2002

Interface of information technology and neuropsychology: ethical issues and recommendations.

Rapid advancements in information technology and telecommunications (ITT) offer exciting opportunities for neuropsychology. However, guidelines and recommendations for identifying and negotiating ethical challenges have not kept pace with the expansion of ITT. Because many neuropsychologists evaluate and/or treat individuals with cognitive, emotional, and/or physical limitations, neuropsychologists have a responsibility to be aware of the ethical issues associated with ITT use in order to avoid harming those who may be less able to understand or independently manipulate such technology themselves. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of potential implications of the interface between ethics and information technology for neuropsychologists. The first steps in this process include defining terms, identifying relevant issues and challenges, and identifying initial mechanisms to address ethical challenges. In addition, strategies for avoiding ethical misconduct related to information technology are discussed and specific recommendations are offered.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1991

Structural determinants of the psychosocial work environment: introducing technology in the work stress framework.

To extend current models of psychosocial work stress research into organizational structure, technology is introduced. An exploratory model is developed combining research from ergonomics, epidemiology, and organizational science. It is hypothesized that technology influences a worker's health by structuring the job, and the relationship between the job and a worker's health is mediated by attitudes at work. To test the model, data are used from a 1978 NIOSH survey of postal workers sorting mail (N = 4903). Path analysis shows technology is indirectly associated with job satisfaction and psychosomatic symptoms by how it structured the job. A machine-paced technological system of work is associated with greater job demands, less control in the job, and less co-worker support but not with supervisor support. The implications of this model for prevention strategies at the workplace are discussed suggesting that influencing supervisor support is the most effective way to affect a person's job satisfaction and level of psychosomatic symptomology.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The use of genetic modification technologies in the discovery of genes affecting production traits and disease resistance in animals.

Genetic modification technologies, developed initially in laboratory strains of selected bacteria and viruses, are essential tools for understanding the genomes of livestock. These tools allow researchers to: isolate, sequence and characterise any livestock gene; locate genes on chromosomes; follow the inheritance of any gene and/or chromosomal region in any pedigree; detect phenotypic variation due to, or associated with, variation in the DNA sequence of a gene and identify the genetic alteration causing this. Most of the many thousands of genes identified in livestock vary between individuals. Finding the best type of the key genes affecting animal productivity is an exciting and a daunting task. It is only possible with the use of laboratory-based genetic modification techniques. This review will briefly describe the technologies now in use and, using local examples, show how molecular geneticists are using these to help identify genetic alterations and breed healthier or more productive animals. As with any new technology, a new language evolves to describe new products and processes. The new language makes communication easier between participants in the field but more difficult for others to understand the technology. A glossary of terms has therefore been added to this review to help readers less familiar with molecular genetics.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

DNA arrays: technology, options and toxicological applications.

The human genome contains an estimated 3 billion bases of DNA making up some 100000 genes, and the variation within this genome accounts for human diversity and, in many cases, disease. Defining and understanding the expression profile of given genotypes is essential to understanding adverse effects from acute or chronic exposure to environmental toxicants or other stimuli. DNA array technology could help researchers understand how organisms function in response to exposure by elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie them. DNA arrays have been developed and refined over the past 5 years and matured into a relatively accessible and affordable technology. They vary in design from membrane-based filters with a few hundred cDNAs, to glass-based 'chips' with tens of thousands of genetic elements. Mammalian DNA arrays will soon allow expression analysis on a genome-wide scale, similar to that already accomplished in some lower organisms (e.g. S. cerevisiae, E. coli). These whole-genome arrays will be powerful tools for identifying and characterizing toxicants in environmental and pharmaceutical science. This review discusses the technology behind the production of DNA arrays, the options available to those interested in applying them to their own research, and the possible toxicological applications of this exciting new technology.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Modern imaging technologies in toxicologic pathology: An overview.

Modern imaging technology, now utilized in most biomedical research areas (bioimaging), enables the detection and visualization of biological processes at various levels of the molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ and/or whole body. In toxicologic pathology, the impact of modern imaging technology is becoming apparent from digital histopathology to novel molecular imaging for in vivo studies. This overview summarizes recent progresses in digital microscopy imaging and newly developed digital slide techniques. Applications of virtual microscopy imaging are discussed and compared to traditional optical microscopy reading. New generation digital pathology approaches, including automatic slide inspection, digital slide databases and image management are briefly introduced. Commonly used in vivo preclinical imaging technologies are also summarized. While most of these new imaging techniques are still undergoing rapid development, it is important that toxicologic pathologists embrace and utilize these technologies as advances occur.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Identity, harm, and the ethics of reproductive technology.

The controversial question of whether a future child can be harmed by the use of reproductive technology turns on the way that the future child's identity is understood. As a result, analysis of the ethical and legal obligations to the children of reproductive technology that are based upon the possibility of such harm depends upon the conception of identity that is used. This paper reviews the contributions of two recent books, David DeGrazia's Human Identity and Bioethics (2005) and Philip Peters' How Safe is Safe Enough? (2004) to this area of inquiry. It suggests that the use of a narrative rather than numerical conception of identity makes it possible to coherently claim that future children can be harmed by the use of reproductive technologies and that, as a result, potential parents can have obligations regarding the use of those technologies based upon that possibility of harm.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reproductive technologies and court-ordered obstetrical interventions: the need for a feminist voice in nursing.

As the developments in and increasing use of reproductive technologies continue and as court-ordered obstetrical interventions occur, questions regarding nurses' roles in these developments become increasingly important. In this article, I identify a number of issues surrounding these developments in reproductive health care and examine how nurses have dealt with these issues. I also attempt to encourage nurses to examine and discuss these developments from a critical, woman-centered perspective. A review of articles from the nursing literature (1985-1990) grouped together on the basis of the concerns identified, approach used, or subjects studied is presented. The majority of researchers view reproductive technologies as either acceptable or as requiring legislation and control. Few researchers in nursing have identified concerns about reproductive technologies or court-ordered obstetrical interventions from a feminist perspective. It is crucial that questions be raised about the underlying assumptions of these measures and about their implications for women as patients and for nurses as practitioners, women, and promoters of health. Otherwise, nurses may be supporting technologies and other measures that harm women and nursing itself.

Female↗
PubMed2006

Job-related social networks and communication technology.

In order to examine the social networks of individuals who rely on AAC, 38 adults who used AAC provided information about how they developed and maintained job-related social networks and how communication technologies helped them to do so. The respondents met new people who might become part of their job-related networks during social events with family or friends, as well as at meetings, conferences, and workshops. They also frequently used generic communication technologies such as the phone, email, computer, and the Internet to maintain contact with people in their social networks. Findings suggest that land-line telephones, email, and the Internet were used by the largest percentage of respondents, with email and the Internet used most frequently to contact the largest number of people. Qualitative data provided information about the use of technology for enhancing participants' job-related networks and suggestions for new or improved technologies.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A field based evaluation of household arsenic removal technologies for the treatment of drinking water.

Seven household treatment technologies for the removal of arsenic (Alcan, BUET, DPHE/DANIDA, Garnet, Sono, Stevens, Tetrahedron) were each evaluated using water from 63 different tube wells taken from 3 different regions of Bangladesh. The technologies that were evaluated were chosen from those that appeared user friendly, readily available and whose promoters were open to participate in the study. Arsenic concentrations in feed and treated waters were analysed by the PeCo 75 arsenic field test kit, AA-hydride generation and ICP-AES. Feed water arsenic concentrations were found to be up to 600 microg l(-1). The more advanced treatment methods using: activated alumina (Alcan, BUET); metallic iron (Sono); anionic exchange resin (Tetrahedron) and iron coagulation (Stevens) were found to be most easily used and efficiently reduced arsenic concentrations to below the Bangladesh drinking water standard (0.05 mg As l(-1)). The use of aluminium sulphate coagulants and permanganate oxidants in the DPHE/DANIDA technology introduced unacceptably high concentrations of aluminium and manganese into the treated waters and are not recommended in household water treatment applications. While arseric concentrations were initially considered to be of paramount importance, it became clear that such technologies can increase the risk of bacterial contamination in the treated water and this needs serious consideration as this could create a hazard much greater than the arsenic contained in the water. Ground waters sampled during the course of this study were mostly found to be bacteria free. To minimize any risks relating to bacterial contamination the addition of hypochlorite or the boiling of water is necessary.

Aluminum Oxide↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Considerations for the use of assistive technology in patients with impaired states of consciousness.

While there is limited literature addressing the application of assistive technology in patients in persistent vegetative state (PVS) and minimally conscious state (MCS), it is believed that it can assist with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment as well as management of these patients. The use of technology to assist in PVS and MCS is mostly limited to the application of simple binary switch devices to determine whether a motor response is consistent or otherwise. However, the application of such technology is often undermined due to a lack of established protocols for use by the multidisciplinary team (MDT), as well as a lack of available technical resources. Therefore the ongoing development of assessment instruments as well as effective outcome measures used by an MDT is imperative. This article aims to discuss some key aspects to consider in the use of assistive technology when assessing and treating people in impaired conscious states. Possible considerations and suggestions will be discussed through this paper and a case study will be used to demonstrate some of these interventions.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

KWAZO, a new instrument to assess the quality of service delivery in assistive technology provision.

PURPOSE: Currently no well validated instrument exists to assess the quality of the assistive technology delivery from the client's perspective. An instrument was developed called KWAZO, consisting of seven questions related to accessibility, knowledge, coordination, efficiency, flexibility and influence of the user. KWAZO, meaning "quality of care", can be completed by the clients without any assistance. In this study, the feasibility, internal consistency and convergent validity of KWAZO were examined. METHOD: The data stem from a large monitoring study into non-use of and satisfaction with assistive technology (n = 4637) using a mailed questionnaire. Feasibility was tested by studying the rate of non response for each of the questions. To test convergent validity the KWAZO total score was compared to answers on a question about overall satisfaction with service delivery of D-QUEST. RESULTS: Only few missing values were seen (3.1 - 7.5%). Cronbach's alpha was good (0.89), indicating that KWAZO reliably measures one concept. Convergent validity was shown by a moderately strong correlation between KWAZO and the D-QUEST question (0.54; p < 0.001). A difference of about 2.5 points seems to reflect a relevant difference in user satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: KWAZO is a new questionnaire to assess the quality of an assistive technology provision process from a client's perspective. KWAZO has decent measurement properties and its self-report format makes it an easy-to-use tool for assessment of the quality of assistive technology provision.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Technology for people with disabilities: a survey of needs.

A good understanding of the needs, desires, and capabilities of individuals with disabilities is critical if rehabilitation workers are to promote optimum quality of life. This survey was undertaken to determine the needs of a population of adults with disabilities as a result of neurological trauma or disease. We looked at communication, seating, mobility, environmental control, education, and leisure. Consideration of assistive technology's role in meeting these needs was achieved by an experienced Technology Access Team comprising a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and speech pathologist in screening consenting residents. The initial needs survey identified that 37% of clients in the study had problems with verbal communication, 62% with cognition, and 52% with seating. Assessments for electric wheelchairs were required by 21.5% of clients while 30.7% had problems with hand function for accessing. Further assessment for equipment and/or training was recommended in 123 (70%) of the 163 participants. These findings have implications for management, including raising awareness of technology's benefits. There are also implications regarding staff knowledge and specialist skills required to identify needs and technological solutions. Preliminary recommendations await validation as individual's requirements are further investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Psychometric and administrative properties of measures used in assistive technology device outcomes research.

Although there have been numerous calls for increasing the quantity and quality of assistive technology outcomes research, no one has analyzed the nature of data that the field has been accumulating. This article summarizes our evaluation of 82 outcome studies, published between 1980 and 2001, addressing assistive technology devices (ATDs). Our data indicate that the "typical" ATD outcomes study published in the past 20 years is one that (a) used a sample population that was diverse in terms of age, disability population, and type of ATD being used; (b) measured user-reported dependent variables with instruments designed specifically for the study; (c) did not report adequate information on the reliability and validity for the measurement instruments that were used; (d) did not discuss the staff workload associated with learning, administering, and scoring its data collection tools; and (e) did not differentiate its findings in terms of distinguishable participant subgroups. Several suggestions are provided to guide future development of assistive technology outcome measures in the domains of usability, quality of life, and social role performance. In addition, seven recommendations are offered to outcomes researchers, policy makers, journal editors, and reviewers in order to improve the reporting of assistive technology outcomes research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

An environmental decision framework applied to marine engine control technologies.

This paper develops a decision framework for considering emission control technologies on marine engines, informed by standard decision theory, with an open structure that may be adapted by operators with specific vessel and technology attributes different from those provided here. Attributes relate objectives important to choosing control technologies with specific alternatives that may meet several of the objectives differently. The transparent framework enables multiple stakeholders to understand how different subjective judgments and varying attribute properties may result in different technology choices. Standard scoring techniques ensure that attributes are not biased by subjective scoring and that weights are the primary quantitative input where subjective preferences are exercised. An expected value decision structure is adopted that considers probabilities (likelihood) that a given alternative can meet its claims; alternative decision criteria are discussed. Capital and annual costs are combined using a net present value approach. An iterative approach is advocated that allows for screening and disqualifying alternatives that do not meet minimum conditions for acceptance, such as engine warranty or U.S. Coast Guard requirements. This decision framework assists vessel operators in considering explicitly important attributes and in representing choices clearly to other stakeholders concerned about reducing air pollution from vessels. This general decision structure may also be applied similarly to other environmental controls in marine applications.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Applications of emerging technologies in toxicology and safety assessment.

Standardized protocols for repeat-dose toxicity studies have many advantages, including experimental redundancy (i.e., the use of more than a single experimental approach in the assessment of a given organ or tissue) and evaluation of numerous tissues to ensure detection of adverse effects, as well as the ability to develop robust historical control databases. However, traditional toxicology study designs may not adequately address questions of a mechanistic nature that might provide insights on whether particular toxicology findings in animals are relevant to humans. Such questions may be more readily answered using mechanism-based technologies such as toxicogenomics, proteomics, or metabonomics. Such newer approaches may permit, for example, the detailed assessment of the transcriptional profile differences that distinguish a normal healthy tissue from a diseased or damaged tissue. The resultant information can be used to elucidate the mechanism and accompanying biomarkers for toxicity, as well as to identify potential molecular targets for therapeutic intervention by drugs. Despite their conceptual appeal, the use of emerging technologies in toxicology is accompanied by significant challenges. For example, toxicogenomic assessments entail the generation of large amounts of bioinformatic data that must be interpretable for their full value to be realized. Also, none of these newer approaches have established uniformly acceptable quality standards (e.g., such as may be defined in interlaboratory validation studies) or a track record of achievement in guiding regulatory decisions. As a result, newer techniques, at least for the present, are more likely to be focused on mechanistic questions with compounds of known toxicity (either positive indicator compounds or "failed" pharmaceutical candidates). If the use of a nascent or emerging technology is contemplated for mechanistic studies of pharmaceutical compounds later in preregistration development, it will be crucial for toxicologists to engage their regulatory colleagues in discussions at an early stage to ensure closer alignment in thought. The successful use of emerging technologies to address toxicology issues will require a close partnership between industry and regulatory agencies.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

What gets missed when deploying new technologies in A&E?

This paper presents a longitudinal study (over 4 months) of an A&E department where the existing whiteboards were replaced with PC-based computer systems. The study was conducted in two parts - an observation of the physical whiteboard usage and in-depth interviews with all users of both the traditional whiteboard usage and the replacement technology. The research was conducted with the systems manager and all whiteboard users (i.e. nursing management, nurses, doctors, porters, and agency staff) across a spread of time frames. Although the technology supported simple information requirements, complex co-ordination, collaboration, and awareness issues were left unsupported. The important role of a pen-holder (information co-ordinator) was poorly supported by the replacement technology as was the task of annotating information with changing situations and needs. Specific deployment issues are derived from these findings that should guide designers when implementing technology replacements for current physical information formats (e.g. whiteboards, notice boards, shared paper notes).

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed2004

Emerging technological approaches for controlling the hard core DUI offender in the U.S.

Drivers convicted of impaired driving are substantially overrepresented in alcohol-related fatal crashes. Because many such offenders continue to drive with suspended operators' licenses, monitoring their postconviction driving is a significant problem for the criminal justice system. Technology for tracking the location and drinking of such offenders is a rapidly developing field, which promises to provide methods for monitoring offenders on a 24/7 basis. The status of traditional monitoring methods is reviewed and contrasted with the new technologies that are being implemented. Although those technologies offer considerable promise, they have not yet been evaluated in programs for impaired driving offenders. Eight issues related to the probability of rapid implementation of the new technologies are discussed.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2000

Photochemical transfection: a new technology for light-induced, site-directed gene delivery.

The development of methods for specific delivery of therapeutic genes into target tissues is an important issue for the further progress of in vivo gene therapy. In this article we report on a novel technology, named photochemical transfection, to use light to direct a precise delivery of therapeutic genes to a desired location. The technology makes use of photosensitizing compounds that localize mainly in the membranes of endosomes and lysosomes. On illumination these membrane structures will be destroyed, releasing endocytosed DNA into the cell cytosol. Using a green fluorescent protein gene as a model we show that illumination of photosensitizer-treated cells induces a substantial increase in the efficiency of transfection by DNA-poly-L-lysine complexes. Thus, in a human melanoma cell line the light treatment can increase the transfection efficiency more than 20-fold, reaching transfection levels of about 50% of the surviving cells. In this article various parameters of importance for the use of this technology are examined, and the potential use of the technology in gene therapy is discussed.

Endosomes↗