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The apps for drawing are present in our children's life. Nevertheless, little is known about the impact of mobile technology on the freehand drawing educational activity. There are few works which are contextualised within short periods of time, with teachers who are not theirs and, in some cases, outside the children's classroom. In this paper, we are focussed on the use of technology on freehand drawing activity. Thus, we have compared the graphics produced by 4- and 5-year-old children with paper&crayon in comparison with those with tablet-finger. Children made the drawings during a planned free-drawing activity, in their ordinary classrooms, with their teachers and during five sessions. Assessment of drawings has evidenced tablet feasibility for making graphics. Nevertheless, with the passing of time, quality of graphics (tablet-finger vs paper&crayons), are nearly matched, demonstrating the low impact level technology has on this activity. In addition, if drawings are analysed specifically according to ages, results have shown that both groups have to develop adaptation strategies of visual perceptual skills and fine motor skills for the touch screen in order to obtain the same quality in the drawings made on both support types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the use of lexical bundles in the results and discussion sections of public health research articles (RAs) by comparing the native English writers with Iranian non-native English writers. To this end, four-, five-, and six-word lexical bundles were contrastively investigated in two different sub-corpora i.e. a native English corpus (NEC) and a non-native English corpus (NNEC). The corpus contained 496 985 words, and each sub-corpora included 100 RAs. The RAs were then examined structurally and functionally. The data were analysed both quantitatively, using frequency count and chi-square analyses, and qualitatively through content analysis. Based on the results, from among the lexical bundles, 29 four-word, 17 five-word, and one six-word bundles were identified in the NEC, while 52 four-word, 27 five-word, and five six-word bundles were found in the NNEC. The findings highlight that Iranian non-native English authors employed more four-word, five-word and six-word lexical bundles than native English authors. The descriptive and overall findings also suggested some differences in the two groups' functional and structural patterns of lexical bundles, whereas statistically insignificant differences were identified in the structural patterns of bundles in the groups. These findings lay considerable emphasis on the central part that lexical bundles play in English for academic purposes (EAP) and English for specific purposes (ESP) courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the effects that reading on screens (using digital devices with different screen sizes) and on paper have on reading time and comprehension. The study group was comprised of126 secondary students from a private school. To ensure balance, the participants were assigned into test groups, formed according to the size of the reading device, based on class levels, gender, and average school grade. In the data collection process, a narrative text was transferred to both print and electronic media. Access to the text was provided on paper and three digital devices. There were no time limitations. After reading, participants were given comprehension tests that consisted of twenty multiple-choice questions. Female participants' on-screen comprehension scores were found to be relatively higher compared to their paper comprehension scores. They also acquired better scores as the screen size increased. Conversely, male participants had higher comprehension scores on tablets and smart phones. Participants who read the text on smart phones and tablets completed the tasks in less time compared to other groups. However, the effects of reading modality on comprehension and reading time were not found to be statistically significant in either the male or female groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether Subjective Interpretation of paper markings is a reliable method for identifying the relative occlusal force content of tooth contacts. Methodology: 295 clinicians selected the "Most Forceful" and "Least Forceful" occlusal contacts in six occlusal-view photographs of articulating paper marks that were later compared against computerized occlusal analysis relative occlusal force measurements of the same tooth contacts. Means and standard deviations were calculated by years in clinical practice and by number of occlusion courses taken. A Chi-square analysis was also performed. Results: The mean correct for 295 participant dentists was 1.53 (±1.234). There were no significant differences found for years in practice (P>0.16) or number of occlusion courses taken (P>0.75). The Chi-square analysis showed a sensitivity of 12.6%, a specificity of 12.4%, a positive predictive value of 12.58%, and a negative predictive value of 12.42%. Chance was calculated at 12.5% correct. Conclusions: Subjective Interpretation is an ineffective clinical method for determining the relative occlusal force content of tooth contacts. The reported low scores obtained from a large group of participant dentists suggest clinicians are unable to reliably differentiate high and low occlusal force from looking at articulating paper marks. This longstanding method of visually observing articulating paper marks for occlusal contact force content should be replaced with a measurement-based, objective method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construct: In this study, we examine the differences in test performance between the paper-based and the computer-based version of the Berlin formative Progress Test. In this context it is the first study that allows controlling for students’ prior performance.Background: Computer-based tests make possible a more efficient examination procedure for test administration and review. Although university staff will benefit largely from computer-based tests, the question arises if computer-based tests influence students’ test performance.Approach: A total of 266 German students from the 9th and 10th semester of medicine (comparable with the 4th-year North American medical school schedule) participated in the study (paper = 132, computer = 134). The allocation of the test format was conducted as a randomized matched-pair design in which students were first sorted according to their prior test results. The organizational procedure, the examination conditions, the room, and seating arrangements, as well as the order of questions and answers, were identical in both groups.Results: The sociodemographic variables and pretest scores of both groups were comparable. The test results from the paper and computer versions did not differ. The groups remained within the allotted time, but students using the computer version (particularly the high performers) needed significantly less time to complete the test. In addition, we found significant differences in guessing behavior. Low performers using the computer version guess significantly more than low-performing students in the paper-pencil version.Conclusions: Participants in computer-based tests are not at a disadvantage in terms of their test results. The computer-based test required less processing time. The reason for the longer processing time when using the paper-pencil version might be due to the time needed to write the answer down, controlling for transferring the answer correctly. It is still not known why students using the computer version (particularly low-performing students) guess at a higher rate. Further studies are necessary to understand this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing proportion of information technology (IT)/information system adoption research collects data using online surveys. However, a paucity of research assesses the equivalence of paper-based versus Internet-based surveys in collectivistic cultures. Furthermore, no theoretical or empirical research investigates how cultural differences between collectivistic and individualistic cultures influence the measurement equivalence (ME) of these survey modes. To explore these issues, online and paper-based surveys with comparable samples were carried out in both an individualistic (the USA) and a collectivistic culture (China). Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the ME across both survey modes in these different cultures. Results indicate that the relatively larger satisficing discrepancy between paper and online surveys causes respondents in collectivistic cultures to have an increased likelihood of providing responses that vary as compared to respondents in individualistic cultures. The disparate responses, in turn, result in increased measurement variance between the two survey modes. The findings of this study bridge a gap in the literature and address the question of how culture influences online satisficing behaviour and how that behaviour causes measurement invariance across survey modes. This study also explains the possible underlying mechanisms by which different national cultures exert their influence on survey results. The findings provide important implications for IT researchers, especially those in collectivistic cultures or those who need to collect data in collectivistic cultures using online surveys or mixed-mode surveys that include an online survey mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The precise effect and the quality of different cases used in dermatology problem-based learning (PBL) curricula are yet unclear. Aim: To prospectively compare the impact of real patients, digital, paper PBL (PPBL) and traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) on academic results and student perceptions. Methods: A total of 120 students were randomly allocated into either real-patients PBL (RPBL) group studied via real-patient cases, digital PBL (DPBL) group studied via digital-form cases, PPBL group studied via paper-form cases, or conventional group who received didactic lectures. Academic results were assessed through review of written examination, objective structured clinical examination and student performance scores. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to evaluate student perceptions. Results: Compared to those receiving lectures only, all PBL participants had better results for written examination, clinical examination and overall performance. Students in RPBL group exhibited better overall performance than those in the other two PBL groups. Real-patient cases were more effective in helping develop students' self-directed learning skills, improving their confidence in future patient encounters and encouraging them to learn more about the discussed condition, compared to digital and paper cases. Conclusion: Both real patient and digital triggers are helpful in improving students' clinical problem-handling skills. However, real patients provide greater benefits to students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patient-reported mood charts are frequently used in management of bipolar disorder. Although mood charts have recently been programmed in electronic devices such as mobile phones, little is known about the impact of the method of data capture on the psychometric properties and validity of these data. Methods: In an ongoing pilot study, a sample of outpatients with bipolar disorder were randomized to complete mood charts either on a mobile phone or with standard paper and pencil as part of a 12-week intervention (primary outcomes for the trial await study completion). We compared these conditions across a single item rating of mood state, and we hypothesized that mobile phone-based data capture would produce greater compliance to mood ratings, variability between and within participants, and concurrent validity with blinded clinician-rated affective symptom severity. Results: A total of 56 participants were randomized and 40 participants were included in the analyses. There were no significant differences between conditions on demographic or clinical variables. The rate of compliance was significantly higher in paper-and-pencil versus mobile phone ratings. Ratings demonstrated significantly more variability within individuals in the mobile phone condition. Mobile phone mood ratings were significantly correlated with clinician-rated depressive symptom severity across the study and with manic symptom severity at the week-6 assessment, whereas paper-and-pencil ratings were not significantly associated with clinician-rated depression or mania. Conclusions: Although preliminary, our results suggest a lower rate of compliance with mobile phones compared to paper-and-pencil daily mood rating in bipolar disorder, yet a greater ability to capture variability and concurrent validity in quantifying affective symptoms. This clinical trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01670123. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate medical students' impressions and attitudes toward scientific journal articles, and their accessibility to them in one of the developing countries, Jordan. Fourteen questions were asked to medical students to assess their knowledge and accessibility to papers, and to discover the impact of low interest in scientific papers on students' dealing with COVID-19. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. The study found that there is an unsatisfactory reading for scientific journal articles among medical students, with only 47.2% of students reading them. Furthermore, there are unsatisfactory results regarding students' knowledge about journal types from the trust perspective (i.e., predatory and reliable journals). This was mainly because of a lack of adequate universal teaching about scientific journal articles, as 86.7% of medical students reported that their universities do not teach them about scientific journal articles. The absence of comprehensive learning about scientific journal articles had a potential negative impact on the medical student's handling of COVID-19 socially (i.e., advising people in the community about vaccination importance, social distancing, and other preventive measures). Librarians should be involved primarily in undergraduate education related to scientific journal articles, and their role in providing subscription-based journals free of charge, as well as protecting students from predatory journals through suitable library instructions, is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:The aim of the present paper was to study preferences for web based self-administered questionnaires (web SAQs) vs. paper-based self-administered questionnaires (paper SAQs) and to evaluate the feasibility of using web SAQs in patients referred to cardiac, lung, occupational and cancer rehabilitation programs. Methods:The patients were approached by mail and given the choice to answer the compulsory SAQs either on paper or on a web-based platform. Results:Hundred and twenty seven out of 183 eligible patients (69.3%) were willing to participate and 126 completed the study. Web SAQs were preferred by 77.7%, and these patients were significantly younger, more often cohabiting and tended to have higher level of education than paper SAQ users. Mean number of data missing per patient was less among the web SAQ users than the paper SAQ users (0.55 vs. 2.15,p < 0.001). Costs related to human resources were estimated to be 60% lower with web SAQs compared to paper SAQs. Conclusions:Web SAQs were well accepted among the patients scheduled for rehabilitation, led to less missing data and considerable cost savings related to human resources. Patients referred to rehabilitation should be offered the choice to complete self-administered questionnaires on internet platforms when internet access is common and available.Implications for RehabilitationThe high acceptability of web-based self-administered questionnaires among rehabilitation patients suggests that internet platforms are suitable tools to collect patient information for rehabilitation units.Web-based modes of patient data collection demonstrate low number of missing data and can therefore improve the quality of data collection from rehabilitation patients.Use of web-based questionnaires considerably reduces administrative costs of data collection in rehabilitation settings compared to traditional pen and paper methods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives. Associations between shift-work, musculoskeletal symptoms and absenteeism are poorly investigated in the manufacturing industry. This study aimed to investigate associations between working schedule, musculoskeletal symptoms and days of absenteeism among pulp and paper industry workers. Methods. Musculoskeletal symptoms of 904 workers were assessed through the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. χ2 tests assessed associations between being a day-worker or shift-worker, the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and days of absenteeism. Results. A significant association was found between working schedule and symptoms in the lower back in the last 12 months, with shift-workers presenting higher prevalence than day-workers (p = 0.022). Significant associations were also found between days of absenteeism and symptoms in the shoulders (p = 0.002), which mostly led to absenteeism of 100–365 days; elbows (p < 0.001), wrists/hands (p = 0.045) and ankles/feet (p = 0.042), which produced absenteeism mostly of 25–99 days; and dorsal region (p = 0.001), which mainly led to absenteeism of 10–24 days. No associations were found between working schedule and days of absenteeism (p = 0.265). Conclusion. Shift-work is associated with increased prevalence of lower back symptoms, but seems not to influence days of absenteeism. Shoulders seem to be the region leading to higher days of absenteeism, followed by elbows, wrists/hands, ankles/feet and the dorsal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Library and information science as a discipline is undergoing rapid and extensive change, driven particularly by new areas of research. Citation analysis and information literacy are widely researched and have a rich background of growth. Publish or Perish, Buzzsumo.com, altmetrics.com, and textalyser.net have been used to analyze all metrics associated with citation analysis, social networking, and keyword analysis. The hypothesis of this study is: "There is no significant difference in the citation pattern of the three prominent citation journals: Journal of Information Literacy, Communications in Information Literacy and Nordic Journal of Information Literacy in Higher Education". The hypotheses of the study were tested by assessment of the degree to which each of the journals met set of objective criteria. 697 papers from the three journals were analyzed and the results showed that the citation metrics of the Journal of Information Literacy had the highest correspondence with the criteria. The information linked to the Journals of Information Literacy was moderately posted on social networking sites (SNS) and the highest frequency of the keywords: "Information"; "Information literacy"; and "Information literacy instruction" were found in one, two and three-word searches. Some recommendations have also been offered to improve SNS presence and for further research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to determine the role cognitive control awareness plays in university students through their scientific writing. Results show that through an assessment-centred instruction approach embedded in reflective learning, tertiary students at a faculty of sciences can achieve greater metacognitive awareness of their learning. Fourth-year students in a physical oceanography class displayed cognitive control over established activities designed to develop their discursive writing skills (writing components included objectives, subject content, methodologies, contextualization and environmental implications on local and global scales). Scientific writing was promoted through students managing their own learning processes and cognitive control through metacognitive awareness, i.e. through a constructivist scheme embedded in formative learning. In the POST test, students scored higher primarily in the categories of writing methodologies, and bibliographies. Teacher expertise, which was mainly provided through feedback and scaffolding for student autonomy was highly valued by the students, and included considering the effects of a teacher assessing their writing and providing strategies to write a better scientific paper [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV vaccine trials with minors will likely require parental permission and informed assent from adolescents. For this to be a valid process, the information needs to be presented in a manner that promotes adolescent comprehension. Previous studies suggest that adolescent comprehension of assent is often insufficient. We developed an interactive web-based assent that included interspersed quiz questions for a hypothetical HIV vaccine trial. Efficacy of the web-based assent was compared to a standard paper assent with and without interspersed questions. One hundred twenty teen participants, ages 15–17 years, from five community organizations were randomized to self-administered web-based assent (n= 60) or investigator-administered paper assent with (n= 29) or without (n= 31) interspersed quiz questions. After reviewing the assent, participants completed a 27-item comprehension test. Comprehension scores were compared between groups. The mean number of correctly answered questions were 21.2 for the full paper group and 21.1 for the web-based group (t118= –0.08,p= 0.94). Scores were 20.2 for the paper without interspersed questions sub-group and 22.1 for the paper with interspersed questions sub-group (t58= 1.96,p= 0.055). Participants in the web-based group performed as well on the comprehension test as those in the paper group, and those in the paper with questions sub-group performed better than those in the paper without questions sub-group, suggesting that interspersed quiz questions may improve understanding of a traditional paper assent. The minimal investigator time and standardized administration of the web-based assent as well as ability to tailor the assent discussion to topics identified by incorrect comprehension test responses are advantages worthy of further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astronauts undergoing long-duration space flights (LDSF) often experience a unique set of neuro-ocular findings known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). However, the exact mechanisms and the true incidence of SANS remain unclear. This paper aims to review the existing literature on SANS, focusing on its incidence and sequence of findings, and to provide a comprehensive understanding of this condition. Studies reporting SANS and optic disc edema in astronauts from PubMed, Scopus, and WOS have been collected. Eligible studies were selected based on stringent inclusion criteria. Statistical analysis utilized R software with random effect models for them, and heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and chi-squared tests. Our study includes 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria, which encompassed 294 participants. Included studies revealed that optic disc edema and choroidal folds were highly prevalent, with proportions of 75% and 71%, respectively. Hyperopic shifts (95%CI 0.51, 0.76, I2 = 0%) were also statistically significant, appearing gradually and persisting even after astronauts returned to Earth. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of SANS in astronauts. The study suggests that the current clinical definition of SANS may underestimate its true incidence and proposes the inclusion of quantitative metrics to enhance sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has suggested a decline in alcohol use among students, however, only a few papers offer to explain why adolescents are drinking less. According to ESPAD, adolescents' alcohol use is decreasing in Europe, but only Hungary shows an increasing trend. The paper aims to give explanation for the opposite trends. The analysis is based on a cross-national dataset, ESPAD in 2003 and 2019, involving 25 countries (N = 157,790). The background variables cover family, school, leisure time, risk behaviors. Chi-square tests, logit explanatory model, KHB method were applied. In Hungary and in countries with decline the strongest relation with current alcohol use was found for internet use, going out, parental control, daily smoking, and alcohol intake. In countries with decline and in Hungary, stronger parental control, going out less often, smoking less may contribute to a declining trend while a more widespread internet use may contribute to an increasing trend. Hungary shows the same pattern as the countries with decline, so other factors such as a lack of alcohol policy, permissive attitudes, media representation, health awareness may be behind the different trends. Future research should be directed toward providing further explanations for the opposite trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a significant public health problem across the nations, is among the top ten leading causes of death. More than 370 million indigenous people (referred to as tribal people in India) are spread across 90 countries. India has the largest tribal people of 104 million. Tribal populations are not exceptional to the threat of type 2 DM (T2DM) and other non-communicable diseases, and hence, public health programmes are addressing this problem. This paper reports the systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the prevalence of T2DM. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to understand the prevalence of T2DM among the tribal populations of India, following the guidelines of the PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. The gender-wise prevalence was recalculated by extracting the data wherever possible. Forest plots were depicted based on the prevalence, and other analyses were performed. On initial searches from three databases, 5422 citations were identified, and ultimately 27 studies were included in the review. These studies were undertaken amongst different tribes in different parts of India. The pooled prevalence of T2DM among men, women and combined were 6.04% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.55% to 6.57%), 6.48% (95% CI: 6.01% to 6.99%) and 4.94% (95% CI: 4.72% to 5.17%), respectively. Considerable heterogeneity was found among these studies. This systematic review provides an overview of the prevalence of T2DM among the Indian tribal population. The pooled overall prevalence is slightly lower than the general population. This situation is worrisome as the epidemic of T2DM will affect the poor tribal communities, who can least afford to bear the health care costs. Hence, the public health care services must be strengthened in all tribal areas. This review further warrants establishing surveillance of T2DM in tribal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the data gap on efforts to assess use of assistive technology among children with disability in sub-Saharan Africa. Contribute towards efforts examining access to assistive technologies in sub-Saharan Africa. The paper uses data from the 2017 survey on Living conditions among persons with disabilities in Malawi and the 2015-16 Malawi Demographic and Health survey to address the objective of the study. The two datasets were statistically matched through random hot deck technique, by integrating the two datasets using randomly selected units from a subset of all available data donors. Results indicate that statistical matching technique produces a composite dataset with an uncertainty value of 2.2%. An accuracy assessment test of the technique also indicates that the marginal distribution of use of assistive technology in the composite dataset is similar to that of the donor dataset with an Overlap index value of close to 1 (Overlap = 0.997). The statistical matching procedure does enable generation of good data in data constrained contexts. In the current study, this approach enabled measurement of access to assistive products among children with disabilities, in situations where the variables of interest have not been jointly observed. Such a technique can be valuable in mining secondary data, the collection of which may have been funded from different sources and for different purposes. This is of significance for the efficient use of current and future data sets, allowing new questions to be asked and addressed by locally based researchers in poor settings. In resource-poor settings, the technique of statistical matching can be used to examine factors that predict the use of assistive technology among persons with disabilities. The statistical matching technique is of significance for the efficient use of current and future datasets, allowing new questions to be asked and addressed by locally based researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preserving older pedestrians' navigation skills in urban environments is a challenge for maintaining their quality of life. However, existing aids do not take into account older people's perceptual and cognitive declines nor their user experience, and they call upon sensory modalities that are already used during walking. The present study was aimed at comparing different guidance instructions using visual, auditory, and haptic feedback in order to identify the most efficient and best accepted one(s). Sixteen middle-age (non-retired) adults, 21 younger-old (young-retired) adults, and 21 older-old (old-retired) adults performed a navigation task in a virtual environment. The task was performed with visual feedback (directional arrows superimposed on the visual scenes), auditory feedback (sounds in the left/right ear), haptic feedback (vibrotactile information delivered by a wristband), combinations of different types of sensory feedback, or a paper map. The results showed that older people benefited from the sensory guidance instructions, as compared to the paper map. Visual and auditory feedbacks were associated with better performance and user experience than haptic feedback or the paper map, and the benefits were the greatest among the older-old participants, even though the paper-map familiarity was appreciated. Several recommendations for designing pedestrian navigation aids are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Innovative interventions are needed to address the growing burden of breast cancer globally, especially among vulnerable patient populations. Given the success of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in addressing communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases, this scoping review will investigate the roles and impacts of CHWs in breast cancer screening programs. This paper also seeks to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of these programs, with particular attention paid to differences between CHW-led interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs).Methods: A scoping review was performed using six databases with dates ranging from 1978 to 2019. Comprehensive definitions and search terms were established for 'Community Health Workers' and 'breast cancer screening', and studies were extracted using the World Bank definition of LMIC. Screening and data extraction were protocolized using multiple independent reviewers. Chi-square test of independence was used for statistical analysis of the incidence of themes in HICs and LMICs.Results: Of the 1,551 papers screened, 33 were included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study locations included the United States (n=27), Bangladesh (n=1), Peru (n=1), Malawi (n=2), Rwanda (n=1), and South Africa (n=1). Three primary roles for CHWs in breast cancer screening were identified: education (n=30), direct assistance or performance of breast cancer screening (n=7), and navigational services (n=6). In these roles, CHWs improved rates of breast cancer screening (n=23) and overall community member knowledge (n=21). Two studies performed cost-analyses of CHW-led interventions.Conclusion: This review extends our understanding of CHW effectiveness to breast cancer screening. It illustrates how CHW involvement in screening programs can have a significant impact in LMICs and HICs, and highlights the three CHW roles of education, direct performance of screening, and navigational services that emerge as useful pillars around which governments and NGOs can design effective programs in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autobiographical memories frequently occur during everyday life. One of the most common approaches to measuring memories in everyday life is a diary method: Participants record memories as they occur by writing down these memories in a paper diary or typing them on a smartphone. Conversely, many laboratory-based studies of autobiographical memory require participants to describe their memories out loud in a spoken manner. Here, we sought to directly compare memories recorded via typing to those spoken out loud in a smartphone diary study. Participants reported or, autobiographical memories that occurred over a period of four days either by typing (n = 43) or recording themselves orally describing memories (n = 39) using a smartphone app. Results indicated that the audio recording group reported memories more frequently and these memories contained a greater number of words, while the text group reported memories more promptly after they occurred. Additionally, the typing group reported memories that were episodically richer and contained a greater proportion of perceptual details. This work has important implications for future autobiographical memory studies in the lab, online, and using diary methods, and suggests that certain reporting modalities may be advantageous depending on the specific research focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The main objective of this paper is to examine how teacher reflection could result in possible change in practice. The essential value of teacher reflection is to think about improvements to be made for practice. This paper adapted Ward and McCotter's reflection rubric into a Teacher Reflection survey scale to explore and examine the varying years of teaching experience, teaching level and designation on teachers' teaching practices. A total of 436 primary and secondary school mathematics teachers took part in an online survey. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to validate the survey instruments. Findings suggest that there were no major differences in teacher reflection based on their years of teaching experience, designation, and teaching levels. Correlational, regression, and path analyses of the three dimensions of teacher reflection (i.e. Focus, Inquiry, and Change) and teacher Change Practise revealed interesting associations among these variables. Findings indicate that the Focus dimension is the basis of teacher reflection and from there it extends to the Inquiry and Change dimensions and ultimately to Change Practise. This study suggests that the focus on a transformative mindset based on intentional reflection is a powerful stimulus for change and growth in teaching practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing burden on schools and requirements for active parental consent, low student survey participation rates are problematic, including where ethnic minority students are often underrepresented in behavioural risk surveys. To improve parent permission rates and survey participation, incentive use (individual vs. group) and mode of survey administration (web-based vs. paper-pencil) were examined in a sample of ethnically diverse students ( n == 2488) in the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades from eight schools in Hawai'i. Mode of survey administration was also compared for student reporting of alcohol and other substance use and associated risk and protective factors. Classes were assigned to one of four conditions based on incentive type and route of survey administration. The group incentive was associated with a significantly higher rate of parental permission compared to individual incentive; however, it did not impact survey completion rate. Students who took the web-based version compared to the paper-pencil version of the survey were more likely to report use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in the past 12 months. The use of web-based surveys may increase reporting of sensitive behaviours such as substance use among adolescents compared to paper-pencil versions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antisemitism is one of the oldest forms of prejudices. It is hatred against Jewish people based on stereotypes that leads to persecution and oppression. As such, it threatens social justice and the security of people and community. Social work with its focus on social justice and promoting diversity has an obligation to confront antisemitism which, unfortunately, continues to increase. However, it is seldom included in social work education or in DEI programs. This paper reports on the findings of a national survey of social workers that details their experiences with antisemitism in school, in practice, and in the community. The findings show that Jewish respondents were more aware of antisemitic incidents in the community and in schools than the non-Jewish respondents. However, both groups very strongly believed that antisemitism was a significant problem and that it should be a concern for social work. Recommendations based on these findings are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores racial differences in maternal risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes across urban and rural geographies using 2019 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Bivariate chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed which showed statistically significant geographical differences among Non-Hispanic (NH) Black pregnant women across income levels (p =.016) and perceived health status (p =.003). Regression analyses indicated an increased racial gap between NH White pregnant women and other racial/ethnic groups. The findings support that there are statistically significant racial differences in maternal risk factors across urban and rural geographies for NH Black and Hispanic pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on finding the criteria adopted by users to select free information retrieved from the Web for academic use. A close-ended questionnaire was formulated to record the opinions of the respondents. A survey for various categories of users such as post graduate students, research scholars and faculty members from five universities of Chandigarh, Haryana, and Punjab was administered. The category-wise and discipline-wise analysis depicted that quite a good number of respondents applied various parameters while referring to Web resources, but a reasonable number of users did not apply certain parameters to verify the nature of free information being used for educational purposes. The convenience factor leads them to depend on free Web resources which can be accessed anywhere and saves time. The findings of the study suggest that user education programs should be conducted to create awareness regarding the credibility of the subscribed library resources and their effectiveness in enhancing the quality of teaching, learning, and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to study the the reliability and factorial structure of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ)administered through two different formats, offline (paper-and-pencil) and online. We also compared clinical, obstetrical, reproductive, and psychopathological variables related to poor mother infant bonding (MIB). A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,269 mothers. The offline group included 812 women who attended a 40-day postpartum clinical appointment. The online group consisted of 457 women recruited during admission for delivery who volunteered to carry out the online protocol 40 days postpartum. All the participants individually completed the PBQ, the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and other clinical and sociodemographic variables. The 4-factor solution proposed in the PBQ and its Spanish validation showed good model fit for both samples. Online participants reported higher levels of stress, depressive symptoms, and poor bonding, specifically on PBQ scores and the Rejection and Anger subscales. No differences were found in both samples regarding the type of statistical associations between PBQ and sociodemographic, reproductive, obstetric and psychological outcomes. Online assessment may be an appropriate option for detecting possible alterations in MIB due to the reduction of desirability bias, the increased perception of anonymity, and being a more cost-effective method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of nearly three decades of partnership between feminist researchers and activists to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Nicaragua. A household survey conducted in 1995 in León, the country's second-largest city, revealed that 55 per cent of women had experienced lifetime physical intimate partner violence (IPV), and 27 per cent had experienced IPV in the last 12 months. The study results were instrumental in changing domestic violence laws in Nicaragua. A follow-up study in 2016 found a decrease of 63 per cent in lifetime physical IPV and 70 per cent in 12-month physical IPV. This paper examines possible explanations for the reduction, including the policy reforms resulting from feminist advocacy. We compare risk and protective factors for physical IPV, such as changes in women's attitudes towards violence, their use of services, and knowledge of laws, using data from both the 1995 and 2016 surveys, as well as three waves of Demographic and Health Surveys. We conclude that the decline in IPV can be partially attributed to the efforts of the Nicaraguan women's movements to reform laws, provide services for survivors, transform gender norms, and increase women's knowledge of their human rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:(1) To evaluate the effects of a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane in the repair of traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations; and (2) to compare the use of a PRF membrane with the paper patch technique with regard to recovery rates, healing time, and correction of the mean air–bone gap. Methods:A randomized, prospective analysis was performed for 60 patients who were treated for traumatic TM perforations using one of the two methods. Closure rate, speed of healing, and hearing gain were compared between the PRF (Group 1) and paper patch (Group 2) groups. Results:Closure was obtained in 28 (93%) perforations in Group 1 and 25 (83%) perforations in Group 2 (p > 0.05). On day 10, full closure of the TM was observed in 24 (80%) patients in Group 1 and 16 (53%) patients in Group 2 (p < 0.05). The improvement in the mean air–bone gap was 14.1 dB in Group 1 and 12.4 dB in Group 2 on post-operative day 45 (p < 0.05). Conclusions:In comparison with the paper patch method, PRF, a new method, provided more rapid healing with more successful audiological results, and with no requirement for a second procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Digital self-harm, the anonymous online posting, sending, or otherwise sharing of hurtful content about oneself, has not received the same amount of scholarly scrutiny as other forms of self-directed abuse. In the current paper, we analyze three independent national surveys of U.S. teens (aged 13–17, M = 14.96) in repeat cross-sectional studies conducted in 2016 (N = 4,742), 2019 (N = 4,250), and 2021 (N = 2,546) to assess the prevalence of two measures of digital self-harm. We examine demographic differences within each sample (gender, race, and sexual orientation), whether experience with cyberbullying was associated with these behaviors, and changes over time. Overall, the prevalence of digital self-harm has been increasing over time, and changes in demographic influences were observed. Implications for identifying, preventing, and responding to digital self-harm are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internalized sexual stigma is an important contributor to LGBT mental health disparities. In Thailand, the absence of validated instruments represents a research barrier. The study's purpose was to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Revised Internalized Homophobia (IHP-R) scale. Based on the cross-cultural principle, team translation was applied. The IHP-R was translated by the principal author and reviewed by bilingual Thai nurses, and clarifications were made. Multidisciplinary experts provided back translation and reconciled the finalized Thai version. The psychometric properties were established in 412 Thai LGBT individuals. Data was collected via online and paper-pencil surveys and analyzed using SPSS. Most participants were male, age ranged 18–53, with moderate levels of internalized homophobia (M = 2.3, SD = 1.04). The inter-item and item-total correlations were.38-.63 and.55-.68. The content validity index was high (I-CVI, S-CVI/UA/Ave = 1). The exploratory factor analysis confirmed one construct of internalized sexual self-stigma (factor loading =.702–.816). Scores on IHP-R were correlated with stress and experiences of discrimination (r =.14 and.12). Internal consistency reliability was also high (Cronbach's alpha coefficient =.83). The IHP-R Thai version has high psychometric properties and is appropriate for LGBT research in Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students have been recognized as a risk group for substance use. Nevertheless, coherent risk factors for stimulant use remain to be elucidated. The objective of this paper is to identify risk factors associated with the recreational use of MDMA, cocaine, amphetamine and methamphetamine. An online questionnaire was distributed among colleges in Berlin. A sample of 12,914 college students participated, of which 9,382 met the inclusion criteria. Past-month prevalence was 7.0% for MDMA, 6.7% for amphetamine, 5.8% for cocaine and 0.1% for methamphetamine. Associated factors included male gender, "other" gender, homosexual and bisexual orientation, open relationship status or being single, engaging in sexual risk-taking behavior, having a psychiatric diagnosis, tobacco use, drinking alcohol and an increased number of (illicit) substances consumed in the past month and in life. Berlin college students showed a substantially higher prevalence of stimulant use compared to both the general population and college students in other cities. Certain parameters, e.g., polydrug use, were particularly high in this group. The results can be used in further development of prevention efforts. However, conclusions about causality are limited by the cross-sectional nature of this study, highlighting the necessity for longitudinal studies in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore alcohol consumption among older Norwegian adults with symptoms of cognitive decline, assess the agreement between the reports of older adults and their next of kin regarding a person's alcohol consumption, and explore clinical and sociodemographic variables associated with agreement. Alcohol consumption was measured among 3608 older adults consulting specialist health care for symptoms of cognitive decline. Agreement between the participant and their next of kin regarding the participant's alcohol consumption was assessed with a weighted kappa (κ). A logistic regression analysis for hierarchical data was used to explore variables associated with agreement. Both the participants and their next of kin reported that more than 20% of the participants consumed alcohol 1–3 times a week, and that approximately 10% consumed alcohol four or more times a week. The agreement between the participant's and their next of kin's report regarding the participant's alcohol consumption was high (κ =.852), and variables associated with agreement were no cognitive decline, not drinking alcohol during the last year or ever as reported by the participant, and low agitation scores on a psychiatric assessment. This paper found alcohol consumption among older adults with symptoms of cognitive decline that was above the national average in Norway. This is also the first paper to demonstrate that a next of kin can be a reliable source of information regarding older adults' alcohol consumption. Health personnel should consider these findings when performing medical assessments or developing interventions for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper examined the impact of perceived service quality (PSQ) and patient complaint (PC) on patient satisfaction (PS). The study was carried out at the highest-level hospital, Vietnam. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed to inpatients who were used in health service in April 2018. The SPSS (version 25.0) statistical software was used for the data analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis was performed for the structural equation modeling, using the Amos 25.0 program. Findings suggest PSQ direct influence on PC and PS; PC influences PS. Complaints handling should consider when improving service quality to increase satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines patterns of response to a multi-disciplinary wrap-around program for homeless adolescents and transition-aged youth with substance use and/or mental health disorders. A cluster analysis of outcome data from 148 youth was conducted. Cluster 1 (n = 67) demonstrated significant decreases in risky behavior (e.g., engaging in unprotected sex, crime, and substance use) and poor interpersonal relationships (e.g. more interaction with family and friends and lower rates of violence) but experienced relatively fewer interactions with family and friends. Cluster 2 (n = 57) demonstrated a significant decrease in poor life functioning (e.g., lower rates of employment/education, better quality of life, and less symptoms of internalizing disorders). Cluster 3 (n = 24) experienced significant increases in risky behavior, poor life functioning, and poor interpersonal relationships. Clusters 1 and 2 improved over six months of care. Cluster 3 deteriorated despite receiving similar services and used more opioids and stimulants. Peer engagement in programs for this population are important. Recommendations for cluster 3 include targeted outreach, medication assisted treatment, and additional research-supported treatments. Further research is needed to test these interventions over longer periods of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multivariate analysis, the eigenvalues of the covariance matrix are crucial. Thus, there is a demand among users to find a good, easy-to-use chi-squared approximation. However, there are few good approximations for eigenvalues. Therefore, in this paper, we focus on the chi-squared approximation, proposing a new approximation and investigating its accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the empirical likelihood method for special self-exciting threshold autoregressive models. We assume that the parameters of models depend on some positive integer n, the threshold effect diminishes to zero as n increases, and the errors have heavy-tailed distributions. After replacing the indicator function in the model with a smooth function, we obtain a self-weighted and smoothed least absolute deviation estimator for the threshold parameter and the asymptotic normality of the estimator is proved. Then, the confidence intervals for the threshold parameter can be constructed by the normal approximation method. In order to improve the coverage of confidence intervals, we further propose a profile empirical likelihood ratio, and prove that this statistic has the asymptotically standard chi-squared distribution. Therefore, the confidence interval of the threshold parameter can also be constructed by the empirical likelihood method. Simulations and empirical results demonstrate that the confidence interval constructed by empirical likelihood method is superior to that constructed by normal approximation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on who does/does not disclose suicidal intent (SI) and related factors has important implications for suicide risk management. In this paper based on the 2017-2019 National Violent Death Reporting System, we compared four age groups (18-24, 25-44, 45-64, and 65þ years) of suicide decedents with respect to associations between SI disclosure and (1) suicide contributing/precipitating factors, and (2) suicide means. The results shows that those age 18-44 were more likely to disclose SI than those age> 45, especially among those with relationship problems. Physical health problems and death/suicide of family/friend increased the likelihood of SI disclosure in the 65þ age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents key aspects that designers and Human–Computer Interaction practitioners might encounter when designing multimodal interaction for older adults, focusing on the trade-offs that might occur as part of the design process. The paper gathers literature on multimodal interaction and assistive technology, and describes a set of design challenges specific for older users. Building on these main design challenges, four trade-offs in the design of multimodal technology for this target group are presented and discussed. To highlight the relevance of the trade-offs in the design process of multimodal technology for older adults, two of the four reported trade-offs are illustrated with two user studies that investigate mid-air and speech-based interaction with a tablet device. The first study explores the design trade-offs related to redundant multimodal commands in older, middle-aged and younger adults, whereas the second one investigates the design choices related to the definition of a set of mid-air one-hand gestures and voice input commands for older adults. Further reflections highlight the design trade-offs that such considerations bring in the process, providing an overview of the design choices involved and of their potential consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use and depressive psychiatric symptoms have been associated with migration and mobility. The Mexico-Guatemala border is a key transit point for internal, regional, and international migration flows. However, there is limited knowledge of the role of substance use, migration, and mobility on mental health among migrants at this border. Our paper explores the association of migration and mobility patterns with possible major depressive symptoms among migrants at this key geographic region. We recruited 392 substance-using migrants using modified time-location sampling. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were developed. We found that 12% of the sample had possible major depressive symptoms. After adjusting for relevant covariates, including gender, income, and perceived homelessness, we found that recent rural-urban and short-term migrants had higher odds of possible major depressive symptoms, whereas international migrants had lower odds. Findings of this paper suggest that although migrants experience hardship and uncertainty, they may respond with complex and nuanced forms of coping and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers and practitioners have unanimously acknowledged the impact of legacy media coverage of past pandemics as well as COVID-19 and its importance for health-related risk communication. Therefore, this study provides scholars and health communication practitioners with a deeper understanding of the patterns, main themes, and limitations of media reporting and peer-reviewed research in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in different national media environments. Because the objective is to evaluate patterns, this paper focuses on early quantitative and automated content analyses for theoretical contribution, geographic diversity, methodological rigor, and inclusion of risk and crisis communication theory. It also assesses whether authors deduced implications, for both theory and practice of health-related risk and crisis communication. We conducted a content analysis of 66 studies in peer-reviewed journals from the beginning of the pandemic until April 2022. The findings demonstrate that early quantitative analyses of the news coverage of COVID-19 are often not theory-driven, apply heterogeneous forms of framing analysis, and lack references to risk and crisis communication theory. Consequently, only few implications for health communication practice during pandemics were drawn. However, there is evidence of improvement in geographic scope compared to previous research. The discussion addresses the importance of developing a consistent approach to framing analyses of risk and crisis media coverage and the importance of well-designed cross-cultural research in a global pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk quotient (RQ) related to Estrone (E1), 17β–E2 (E2), Estriol (E3) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) in sediment of water resources in China was calculated using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. Fifty-four papers with 64 data-reports included in our study. The rank order of steroid hormones in sediment based on log-normal distribution in MCS was E1 (3.75 ng/g dw) > E3 (1.53 ng/g dw) > EE2 (1.38 ng/g dw) > E2 (1.17 ng/g dw). According to results, concentration of steroid hormones including E1, E2 and E3 in sediment of Erhai lake, northern Taihu lake and Dianchi river was higher than other locations. The rank order of steroid hormones based on percentage high risk (RQ > 1) was EE2 (87.00%) > E1 (70.00%) > E2 (62.99%) > E3 (11.11%). Hence, contamination control plans for steroid hormones in sediment of water resources in China should be conducted continuously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Self-Concept Clarity Scale (SCCS) is a 12-item self-report measure that assesses self-concept clarity (SCC). Previous research has identified a relationship between lower SCC and higher levels of social anxiety. As a measure of positive psychological well-being, the SCCS can be used as a tool to examine and monitor SCC in populations with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who appear to be susceptible to inconsistent or unstable self-concept. However, the scale has yet to be validated with a SAD sample. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on the SCCS data of sample of 87 individuals who met criteria for a diagnosis of SAD (M = 20.15, SD = 3.55; 83% female) and the reliability, convergent validity and norm scores of the SCCS with a SAD were also investigated. Results of the CFA supported a unidimensional factor structure. The SCCS was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach's α =.80) and SCCS scores were found to correlate with measures of psychological distress and social fears, however, no correlation was found with measures of social anxiety behaviours. Also, overall results found that the SAD sample scored lower on SCC than other clinical samples in previous literature. These findings suggest that the SCCS is a psychometrically sound measure with unidimensional factor structure and demonstrated reliability and validity with a SAD sample, although additional research is warranted to replicate and extend the results of the current research. What is already known about this topic: The SCCS is a valid and reliable measure of self-concept clarity (SCC) with unidimensional factor structure, developed by Campbell et al. (1996). The SCCS has been used to identify that individuals with social anxiety symptomology demonstrate lower SCC. To the authors' knowledge, previous literature has not yet used the SCCS to measure SCC in a SAD clinical sample. What the current research adds: The findings of the original development paper and recent validations of the SCCS were supported by the current study – i.e., unidimensional factor structure and sound psychometric properties were demonstrated. Lower SCC was associated with social worry and cognitive distress. No association was found with behavioural symptoms of SAD. The SCCS demonstrated clinical utility as a measure that can be used to assist with treatment planning and formulation, and to address a client's beliefs about the self and their identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether U.S./Mexico border residence in California is related to the prevalence of DSM-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD) among Whites and Hispanics. Household survey data were obtained from 1,209 adults (59.7% female) 18 to 39 years of age resident in four counties in California: Imperial on the U.S./Mexico border; and Kern, Tulare, and Madera in California's Central Valley. Households were selected using a list assisted sample, with data collected on the phone or online. Results show that AUD rates were not different between border and non-border location and between Whites and Hispanics. AUD was negatively associated with higher income ($20,000 to $60,000: AOR=.38; 95%CI=.17–.86; p<.01—more than $60,000: AOR=.27; 95%CI:.09–.81; p<.01) and poor risk perception (AOR=.86; 95%CI=.78–.94; p<.01). AUD was positively associated with continued volume of drinking (AOR = 1.05; 95%CI = 1.01–1.09; p<.01), drinking in Mexico (AOR = 4.28; 95%CI = 1.61–11.36; p<.01), marijuana use (AOR = 4.11; 95%CI = 1.73–9.77; p<.01), and impulsivity (AOR = 1.55; 95%CI = 1.23–1.94). Efforts to prevent AUD in the population in California, and especially among those who live close to the border with Mexico, should take into consideration factors such as impulsivity, marijuana use, border crossing to drink in Mexico, all of which increased risk of AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) test is a commonly used global goodness-of-fit (GOF) test that assesses the quality of the overall fit of a logistic regression model. In this paper, we give results from simulations showing that the type I error rate (and hence power) of the HL test decreases as model complexity grows, provided that the sample size remains fixed and binary replicates (multiple Bernoulli trials) are present in the data. We demonstrate that a generalized version of the HL test (GHL) presented in previous work can offer some protection against this power loss. These results are also supported by application of both the HL and GHL test to a real-life data set. We conclude with a brief discussion explaining the behavior of the HL test, along with some guidance on how to choose between the two tests. In particular, we suggest the GHL test to be used when there are binary replicates or clusters in the covariate space, provided that the sample size is sufficiently large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of children's consistency of word production allow identification of speech sound disorder. Inconsistent errors are reported for two groups of children: childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) due to difficulty with the motoric precision and consistency of speech movements; and inconsistent phonological disorder (IPD) attributed to impaired phonological planning. This paper describes the inconsistent productions of children with IPD in comparison to typically developing children. In two studies of suspected SSD (N = 135), 22 children pronounced ≥40% of 25 words inconsistently on three repeated trials. No participant had symptoms of CAS. They were monolingual and spoke Australian- or Irish-English. Assessment determined the proportions of words said consistently (i.e. the same across productions: all correct or with the same error) or inconsistently (i.e. differently across productions: at least one correct and one error or different errors in productions). Qualitative analyses examined error types and explored the effect of target words' characteristics on inconsistency. Children with IPD produced 52% of words with different errors. While 56% of all phoneme errors were developmental (age appropriate or delayed), atypical errors typified inconsistency: default sounds and word structure errors. Words with more phonemes, syllables and consonant clusters were vulnerable to inconsistency, but their frequency of occurrence had no effect. TD children and those with IPD had different quantitative and qualitative error profiles, confirming IPD as a diagnostic category of SSD. Qualitative analyses supported the hypothesised deficit in phonological planning of words' production for children with IPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the past two decades of cannabis legalization, the prevalence of medical cannabis (MC) use has increased and there has also been an upward trend in alcohol consumption. As less restricted cannabis laws generate more adult cannabis users, there is concern that more individuals may be simultaneously using medical cannabis with alcohol. A few studies have examined simultaneous use of medical cannabis with alcohol, but none of those studies also assessed patients' current or previous non-medical cannabis use. This paper explores simultaneous alcohol and medical cannabis use among medical cannabis patients with a specific focus on previous history of cannabis use and current non-medical cannabis use. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of MC patients (N = 319) from four dispensaries located in New York. Bivariate chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression are used to estimate the extent to which sociodemographic and other factors were associated with simultaneous use. Results: Approximately 29% of the sample engaged in simultaneous use and a large share of these users report previous (44%) or current (66%) use of cannabis for non-medical purposes. MC patients who either previously or currently use cannabis non-medicinally, men, and patients using MC to treat a pain-related condition, were significantly more likely to report simultaneous alcohol/MC use. Conclusions: Findings indicate that there may be differential risks related to alcohol/MC use, which should be considered by cannabis regulatory policies and prevention/treatment programs. If patients are using cannabis and/or alcohol to manage pain, clinicians should screen for both alcohol and cannabis use risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persuasive gamified systems are effective tools for motivating behaviour change using various persuasive strategies. In line with the reinforcement theory, some persuasive gamified systems employ reward and punishment in their design to achieve the intended behavioural outcome. Research has argued both in favour and against using these strategies in behaviour change applications due to mixed results with respect to their effectiveness. However, there is a lack knowledge about how interventions using these strategies could motivate or demotivate behaviours. Therefore, this paper explores the mechanism through which Reward and Punishment motivate or demotivate behaviours with respect to their strengths and weaknesses. The results of large-scale exploratory studies (N = 1768) uncover important strengths and weaknesses that could facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of Reward and Punishment at motivating behaviour change. These include their ability to engage users and make behaviour fun, reinforce commitments to goals, and reveal some consequences of bad behaviour. We also compared the perceived effectiveness of reward and punishment quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The university cafeteria is a crucial element in shaping students' dining experiences and their physical well-being. This study was conducted at a public university in Bangladesh. This research has a dual purpose: firstly, to assess student satisfaction with the university cafeteria using key indicators and secondly, to identify critical factors influencing this satisfaction through advanced data analysis employing recursive feature elimination (RFE). The ultimate goal is to enhance cafeteria services, align them with student preferences, and boost overall satisfaction. Data collection involved 150 paper-based questionnaires with mixed data types, including questions based on prior research assessments. The model-building process included the chi-squared test and the recursive feature elimination process. The study identifies 12 factors significantly affecting cafeteria food satisfaction, with four factors having a notable impact: meal type and freshness, staff attitude, and wait length. This research highlights the interconnectedness of seemingly distinct cafeteria factors and their potential to influence health outcomes. Practical recommendations are made for improving cafeteria efficiency and adapting to changing student needs. Health education interventions aimed at enhancing the cafeteria experience for university students should include a quantitative analysis of factors impacting students' overall cafeteria satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]