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Many organisms encounter situations where they lackinformation required to successfully exploit a resource. Onestable strategy that may be particularly useful is a win-stay-lose-shift strategy, in which an individual continues toperform a behavior that has proven fruitful in the recent pastor otherwise shifts to a new behavior. Here we investigatewhether domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) use a win-stay-lose-shift strategy utilizing data from 326 puppies and 323 adultdogs on a repeated object-choice task. We found a significanteffect of previous-trial success on dogs’ subsequent searchpatterns. Specifically, dogs were more likely to shift searchlocations if they were unsuccessful on the previous trial.These findings suggest that puppies and adult dogs win-stay-lose-shift.

Aim: Gestational diabetes confers short‐ and long‐term risk of mother and offspring health complications. Healthcare professionals such as endocrinologists, diabetes nurses, dietitians, midwives and general practitioners provide gestational diabetes care. We sought to explore healthcare professionals' perspectives on gestational diabetes care during pregnancy and postpartum. Methods: Healthcare professionals in the Republic of Ireland, whose role included gestational diabetes care were invited to complete an online 20‐item survey between June and September 2022. Social media, professional organisations and personal networks were used for recruitment. Questions included guideline use, postpartum diabetes screening and advice practices. Analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software and free text was coded using NVivo. Results: Seventeen healthcare professions across primary and secondary care settings participated (n = 127). No differences were noted between groups (medical, nursing/midwifery, allied health/other); therefore, findings were reported as a single group. Healthcare professionals reported using multiple different guidelines to support gestational diabetes management (n = 14). The most cited were 'Health Service Executive guidelines' (24.5%), 'local guidelines' (13.2%) and National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines (11.3%); 12.3% cited uncertainty, and 27.5% reported not to follow any named guidelines. For postpartum follow‐up, 39% felt clear guidelines were available to support practice, 37% felt appropriate systems were in place and 29% reported effective communication between primary and secondary care services. Qualitative findings emphasised a desire for improved communication between systems, participants and providers, clear interdisciplinary guidelines, and adequate resourcing for gestational diabetes management and postpartum diabetes prevention, including comprehensive support and follow‐up. Conclusion: System‐level challenges and ineffective communication across settings are barriers to optimum postpartum care. Nationally agreed guidelines for best practice gestational diabetes management including postpartum diabetes prevention are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs are able to cooperate in reciprocal exchange with humans but little is known about the extent of these abilities (Range & Virányi, 2015). In the Still Face paradigm, infants reply to a sudden nonreciprocal facial expression with gaze aversion and an increase in re-engagement and distress behaviors (E. Tronick et al., 1978). We directly adapted this method; the dog's owner talked to the dog, then abruptly switched to a still, neutral face, maintaining eye contact. In Study 1 (N = 20), we found that dogs showed a significant decrease in the amount of looking at the owner in the Still Face phase, paralleling the results found in gaze aversion in infants, and they performed fewer pawing and vocalizations toward the person in the Still Face phase. In Study 2 (N = 60), we included one condition of continuous physical contact, and one condition that was a direct replication of the initial study without physical contact. Similar to human infants, we found a significant decrease in looking from the Interaction phase to the Still Face phase. However, in contrast to human infants, re-engagement and stress behaviors were higher in the Interaction phase than the Still Face phase. Looking and re-engagement behaviors differed based on the condition, with a smaller difference between phases in the Petting condition. These results suggest that dogs are capable of perceiving these small changes in human affect. However, unlike human infants, dogs seem to have greater expectations about physical interactions than verbal interactions, as they reacted more strongly to an Interaction phase without physical contact than the Still Face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, multiple countries worldwide have implemented behavioural interventions within national healthcare systems. Describing the content of these interventions is critical to improve their implementation, replication, and effectiveness, as well as to advance behavioural science. Tools, such as the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy, can enhance the quality of intervention description and reporting. As interventions are frequently developed without the use of such tools, retrospective coding of existing interventions to accurately characterise their content is becoming more common. However, the use of these tools for retrospective coding poses various challenges, the discussion of which has been neglected to date. This commentary discusses the challenges encountered when retrospectively describing the content of five nationally implemented programmes for type 2 diabetes in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and suggests recommendations to tackle these challenges. We present important methodological, practical, and ethical considerations for researchers to reflect on, relevant to the retrospective description of existing interventions. Specifically, we discuss (i) the importance of positive relationships and collaboration with intervention stakeholders, (ii) the practical and ethical considerations when analysing the content of implemented interventions, (iii) the independence of research teams and the potential for misclassification of intervention content, and (iv) the challenges associated with the analysis of intervention content using behavioural science tools. There is a growing demand for more robust approaches to address the methodological, practical, and ethical challenges associated with such studies. The present commentary describes key issues to be considered by research teams, as well as concrete recommendations to improve the retrospective characterisation of intervention content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Attendance at diabetes self‐management education and support (DSMES) programmes for type 2 diabetes is associated with positive outcomes, but the impact on some outcomes is inconsistent and tends to decline over time. Understanding the active ingredients of effective programmes is essential to optimise their effectiveness. This study aimed to (1) retrospectively identify behaviour change techniques (BCTs), mechanisms of action (MoAs) and intervention functions in two DSMES programmes, the Community‐Oriented Diabetes Education and the Diabetes Education and Self‐Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed and (2) examine variation in content between programmes. Methods: A multiple case study approach, including a documentary analysis of the programme materials, was conducted. Materials were coded using the BCT Taxonomy v1, the Mode of Delivery Ontology v1 and the Intervention Source Ontology v1. The Behaviour Change Wheel guidance and the Theory and Techniques tool were used to identify intervention functions and MoAs. Programme stakeholders provided feedback on the findings. Results: Thirty‐four BCTs were identified across the programmes, with 22 common to both. The identified BCTs were frequently related to 'goals and planning', 'feedback and monitoring' and 'natural consequences'. BCTs were linked with 15 MoAs, predominantly related to reflective motivation ('beliefs about capabilities' and 'beliefs about consequences') and psychological capability ('knowledge'). BCTs served six intervention functions, most frequently 'education', 'enablement' and 'persuasion'. Conclusions: Although both programmes included several BCTs, some BCTs were rarely or never used. Additional BCTs could be considered to potentially enhance effectiveness by addressing a wider range of barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests that digitally delivered cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is likely to be an effective alternative to centre-based CR. However, there is limited understanding of the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and intervention characteristics included in digital CR programmes. This systematic review aimed to identify the BCTs and intervention characteristics that have been used in digital CR programmes, and to study those associated with effective programmes. Twenty-five randomised controlled trials were included in the review. Digital CR was associated with significant improvements in daily steps, light physical activity, medication adherence, functional capacity, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol when compared to usual care, and produced effects on these outcomes comparable to centre-based CR. The evidence for improved quality of life was mixed. Interventions that were effective at improving behavioural outcomes frequently employed BCTs relating to feedback and monitoring, goals and planning, natural consequences, and social support. Completeness of reporting on the TIDieR checklist across studies ranged from 42% to 92%, with intervention material descriptions being the most poorly reported item. Digital CR appears effective at improving outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The integration of certain BCTs and intervention characteristics may lead to more effective interventions, however better intervention reporting is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Digital cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has emerged as a promising alternative to in‐person CR. Understanding patients' experiences and perceptions can provide valuable insights into what makes these programmes successful and identify opportunities for improvement. This study aimed to explore patients' experiences of digital CR and to understand the factors that make these programmes successful. Design: A qualitative approach was taken. Methods: From March to August 2022, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with patients who were referred to one of two digital CR programmes offered on the island of Ireland. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. A public and patient involvement panel guided the recruitment strategy and assisted with data analysis. Results: Eleven patients, predominantly male (82%) and with a mean age of 64 (range 50–75), participated in the study. Five themes were developed: (1) Empowered patients; (2) Controlling the recovery; (3) At home but not alone; (4) The world at your (digital) doorstep and; (5) Challenges of interacting online. Participants reported that digital CR equipped them with the necessary tools and support to modify their lifestyle and effectively manage their recovery. However, the opportunities for social interaction were limited and communicating online was not always straightforward. Conclusions: Participants reported that digital CR guided them towards recovery and improved their sense of empowerment and control. However, the limited opportunities for social interaction may represent a challenge for patients seeking social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study administered an updated version of Gabbidon and Preston's (2003) survey, which provided an overview of Race and Crime courses, to 48 criminal justice faculty who had experience teaching a Race and Crime course. Descriptive statistics revealed that: (1) less than half of faculty members' universities required Race and Crime at the undergraduate level; and (2) more than half of faculty members' universities did not offer Race and Crime at the graduate level. Most faculty (88%) rated their overall experience teaching Race and Crime positively. Sixty percent of faculty considered teaching Race and Crime more emotionally exhausting than other courses they taught, but 56% of faculty also indicated that teaching Race and Crime was more emotionally rewarding. Bivariate analyses generally failed to find significant differences between nonwhite and white faculty on these measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explain the factors affecting glycemic control (measured by HbA1c) following the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) program. Background: DAFNE is a structured education program designed to assist persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus achieve optimal glycemic control. However, not all participants reach this goal. Few studies comprehensively explain why this is the case. Research Design: A concurrent mixed methods design. Data were collected from participants (n = 34) at three time points post DAFNE in five participating sites. Each data set was analyzed separately and then integrated. Results: Motivation and support differed for participants who were out of control and those in control. Conclusion: Setting targets/goals and motivations are key in helping participants attain optimal HbA1c.

Objectives: The public health impact of the Irish Making Every Contact Count (MECC) brief intervention programme is dependent on delivery by health care professionals. We aimed to identify enablers and modifiable barriers to MECC intervention delivery to optimize MECC implementation. Design: Online cross‐sectional survey design. Methods: Health care professionals (n = 4050) who completed MECC eLearning were invited to complete an online survey based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Multiple regression analysis identified predictors of MECC delivery (logistic regression to predict delivery or not; linear regression to predict frequency of delivery). Data were visualized using Confidence Interval‐Based Estimates of Relevance (CIBER). Results: Seventy‐nine per cent of participants (n = 283/357) had delivered a MECC intervention. In the multiple logistic regression (Nagelkerke's R2 =.34), the significant enablers of intervention delivery were 'professional role' (OR = 1.86 [1.10, 3.15]) and 'intentions/goals' (OR = 4.75 [1.97, 11.45]); significant barriers included 'optimistic beliefs about consequences' (OR =.41 [.18,.94]) and 'negative emotions' (OR =.50 [.32,.77]). In the multiple linear regression (R2 =.29), the significant enablers of frequency of MECC delivery were 'intentions/goals' (b = 10.16, p =.02) and professional role (b = 6.72, p =.03); the significant barriers were 'negative emotions' (b = −4.74, p =.04) and 'barriers to prioritisation' (b = −5.00, p =.01). CIBER analyses suggested six predictive domains with substantial room for improvement: 'intentions and goals', 'barriers to prioritisation', 'environmental resources', 'beliefs about capabilities', 'negative emotions' and 'skills'. Conclusion: Implementation interventions to enhance MECC delivery should target intentions and goals, beliefs about capabilities, negative emotions, environmental resources, skills and barriers to prioritization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]