Search

BACKGROUND Adolescents at risk for substance misuse are rarely identified early due to existing barriers to screening that include lack of time and privacy in clinic settings. Games, which can be delivered without need for trained personnel, can be used for screening, and thus can mitigate these barriers. Performance in a game is influenced by cognitive processes such as working memory and inhibitory control which are implicated in the development of and are impacted by substance misuse. Performance in a game is captured by in-game metrics such as reaction time or time to complete a task. As such, in-game performance metrics may represent digital biomarkers of cognitive processes that can offer an objective method for assessing underlying risk for substance misuse. OBJECTIVE This is a protocol for a proof-of concept study to investigate the utility of in-game performance metrics as digital biomarkers of cognitive processes (working memory and inhibitory control) implicated in the development of substance misuse. METHODS This study has two Aims. In Aim 1, using previously collected data from 166 adolescents aged 11-14 years, we extracted in-game performance metrics from an existing videogame and are employing machine learning methods to determine whether these metrics are predictive of substance misuse. In Aim 2, using data from a new sample of 30 adolescents who play the same videogame, we will test if metrics identified in Aim 1 are correlated with cognitive processes (working memory and inhibitory control). Our hypothesis is that the in-game performance metrics that are predictive of substance misuse in Aim 1 will correlate with poor cognitive function in our second sample. RESULTS This study is funded by National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant number P30DA029926. To date, we have extracted 285 in-game performance metrics. We have also obtained IRB approval and data collection for Aim 2 is projected to start in April 2023. Results will be reported in a following publication. CONCLUSIONS Results from this study will inform the utility of game-based digital biomarkers for identifying adolescents at high risk for substance misuse.

We examined perceived stress and sleep problems in adolescent ADHD and whether this varies as a function of ADHD presentation and sex. Further, we mapped structural associations between ADHD symptoms, comorbid symptoms, perceived stress, and sleep problems. Participants were 306 adolescents aged 13–19 years (66.8% females, 193 had an ADHD diagnosis, 113 were controls). Parents rated ADHD symptoms, all other constructs were self-rated. Adolescents with ADHD had elevated levels of perceived stress and sleep problems. Girls with ADHD reported the highest levels of perceived stress. Emotional symptoms mediated the effect of inattention whereas conduct problems mediated the effect of hyperactivity/impulsivity on stress and sleep. Perceived stress and sleep problems should be considered when mapping ADHD-related problems. Comorbid symptoms are potential intervention targets that may increase treatment response.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence is associated with behavioural, emotional and interpersonal problems, and non-pharmacological treatments targeting these difficulties have been requested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptance of an age-adapted structured skills training group (SSTG) for adolescents with ADHD. Adolescents (n = 184, ages 15–18 years) with a diagnosis of ADHD were randomly assigned to either the SSTG, which is based on dialectical behavioural therapy, or an active control group based on psychoeducation. Symptoms of ADHD, behavioural and emotional problems, functional impairment, and health-related outcomes were assessed with self-ratings and parental ratings two weeks before, two weeks after, and six months after treatment. All participants who completed the pre-treatment measurements (n = 164) were included in the main analyses, which were conducted using a linear mixed model. Our results demonstrated no significant group differences in favour of the SSTG for any of the study outcomes. A majority of the participants in both groups reported that they had increased their knowledge about ADHD, improved their ability to manage problems related to the diagnosis, and would recommend the treatment to others. We conclude that the SSTG seems to be acceptable for adolescents with ADHD in a clinical context. However, the treatment was not proved to be more effective or more acceptable than the psychoeducational control intervention.Trial registration: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17366720,11/05/2016, retrospectively registered.

Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence is associated with functional impairment in several domains of life. To enable development of interventions that more effectively target functional impairment in this age group, the associations between clinical characteristics and impairment need to be clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between ADHD and functional impairment, if they varied by sex, and the potential impact of comorbid psychiatric symptoms on the associations. Methods This was a cross-sectional study including adolescents with ADHD (n = 164) and a reference group of adolescents without ADHD (n = 106). Self-ratings and parental ratings of functional impairment in different life domains were used as outcomes in all analyses. Differences between groups were investigated with comparative analyses. General linear models (GLMs) were used to explore associations between ADHD symptoms and functional impairment in adolescents with ADHD, while adjusting for of comorbid symptoms, sex, and medication. Results Adolescents with ADHD displayed higher levels of functional impairment than peers without ADHD, and girls with ADHD rated higher impairment than their male counterparts. The combined ADHD presentation was associated with the highest levels of self-reported impairment, while parental ratings indicated comparable levels of overall impairment across presentations. In the adjusted GLMs, symptoms of inattention were strongly associated with self- and parent-rated impairment in school, but symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity were not, whereas symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity were modestly associated with self-rated impairment with friends. Further, both emotional and conduct problems were associated with impairment in daily life. Conclusions Our results suggest that attention difficulties, in particular, seem to impair academic functioning in adolescents with ADHD, and interventions targeting such difficulties are warranted. In addition, comorbid symptoms need to be assessed and treated, and self-reports of functioning should be included in research and clinical practice involving adolescents.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence is associated with behavioural, emotional and interpersonal problems, and non-pharmacological treatments targeting these difficulties have been requested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptance of an age-adapted structured skills training group (SSTG) for adolescents with ADHD. Adolescents (n = 184, ages 15-18 years) with a diagnosis of ADHD were randomly assigned to either the SSTG, which is based on dialectical behavioural therapy, or an active control group based on psychoeducation. Symptoms of ADHD, behavioural and emotional problems, functional impairment, and health-related outcomes were assessed with self-ratings and parental ratings two weeks before, two weeks after, and six months after treatment. All participants who completed the pre-treatment measurements (n = 164) were included in the main analyses, which were conducted using a linear mixed model. Our results demonstrated no significant group differences in favour of the SSTG for any of the study outcomes. A majority of the participants in both groups reported that they had increased their knowledge about ADHD, improved their ability to manage problems related to the diagnosis, and would recommend the treatment to others. We conclude that the SSTG seems to be acceptable for adolescents with ADHD in a clinical context. However, the treatment was not proved to be more effective or more acceptable than the psychoeducational control intervention.Trial registration: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17366720,11/05/2016 , retrospectively registered.

Little is known about how adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience participating in group therapy, an important factor to consider when developing treatment methods for this age group. This study aimed to explore how adolescents with ADHD experience participating in a structured skills training group program based on dialectical behavioral therapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 adolescents (15-18 years of age) with ADHD after participating in a structured skills training group. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and qualitative content analysis were used to analyze the text. The participants emphasized the value of meeting other adolescents with ADHD and the opportunity to exchange experiences, strategies and tips. Participating in the group treatment made the adolescents realize that they were not alone, and feelings of togetherness and an increased acceptance of themselves were described. The participants associated the treatment with elevated knowledge and understanding, for example, about ADHD, their own functioning and helpful strategies. They also described emotional and behavioral changes, such as higher self-esteem, fewer inter-personal conflicts and improved concentration. Activating and experiential exercises were considered important elements of the treatment, and the participants expressed a need for a variation of exercises, as well as more time for practicing skills, discussions and breaks. The results indicate that the group format add an extra value to the treatment and that the use of an active approach throughout the treatment is of importance for this group of patients.

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to high levels of perceived stress in adult populations. Thus, it is not surprising that stress managing techniques are being included in treatment protocols for adults with ADHD. There is, however, a paucity of studies on perceived stress in adolescents with ADHD. Aims: This study aims to explore how adolescents with ADHD perceive and experience stress (and stressors) using a qualitative approach. Methods: Explorative interviews were conducted with 20 adolescents (Mean age: 16.30) diagnosed with ADHD in conjunction with group treatment therapy. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Stress and ADHD, as well as stress, anxiety and ill-health, were described as closely intertwined. The result is presented in four categories: stress is often present, triggers of stress, stress affects daily life, and stress can be handled and prevented. A relation was found between stress and feelings of helplessness, ill-health and anxiety. Stress was viewed as being out of proportion with reality and was driven by such factors as ADHD symptoms, school demands, unpredictable situations and relational problems. Several negative consequences of stress were reported, including postponing schoolwork and the tendency to give up. Some participants also reported performing better when stressed. Accepting help from others, practising acceptance, settling down and controlling oneself, and planning in advance were seen as helpful stress managing techniques. Conclusions: Stress should be considered among other problems related to ADHD. Psychoeducation about stress, stress managing techniques and coaching should be included in the treatment of adolescents with ADHD.

Barthélemy Aneau’s histoire fabuleuse, Alector ou le coq (1560) epitomizes a burgeoning sixteenth-century awareness of the globe and its scope. New possibilities for envisioning global space went hand in hand with the development of cosmopolitan sympathies among Renaissance humanists; namely, enthusiasm for the ideal of a world republic. In this article, I show how Aneau’s fictional narrative demonstrates an idealized vision of the French monarch’s global role. I argue that Alector is written in the spirit of the princely manual, with a singular emphasis on the monarch’s obligatory mastery of spatial navigation that evinces sixteenth-century awareness of geography’s relevance to governance. Aneau creates a pastiche of French foundation myths and of geographical sources in order to emphasize both the French monarch’s preeminence and his worldwide reach. Elements of the hermetic tradition are manifest in Alector, where space is allegorized to illustrate Aneau’s conception of France’s place in the cosmos; in this way, his work is similar to that of his contemporary, the self-described cosmopolitan Guillaume Postel. Ultimately, there is a discord between the real geography evoked in Alector and the fictional genre that houses it. This dissonance emphasizes the paradoxical nature of a cosmopolitanism that strives to incorporate nationalism, and illustrates an unresolved complexity for would-be Renaissance world citizens. L’histoire fabuleuse de Barthélemy Aneau, Alector ou le coq (1560) illustre la conscience grandissante de la Renaissance pour le globe terrestre et son espace. Les nouvelles façons de voir l’espace global se sont développées en même temps que les sympathies cosmopolites de certains humanistes de la Renaissance, en particulier en ce qui concerne leur enthousiasme pour la république mondiale. Dans cet article, l’auteur montre comment la trame narrative d’Aneau illustre une vision idéalisée du rôle global du roi de France. On y analyse qu’Alector est écrit dans l’esprit du manuel du prince, en mettant l’accent particulièrement sur l’obligation qu’a le roi de maîtriser l’espace de navigation, illustrant l’idée au XVIe siècle que la connaissance géographique se situe au cœur de la gouvernance. Aneau crée un pastiche de mythes de fondation française et de sources géographiques afin de souligner à la fois la prééminence du roi de France et son rayonnement mondial. Certains éléments de la tradition hermétique peuvent également être retracés dans Alector, puisque l’espace y fonctionne comme une allégorie de la conception d’Aneau de la place de la France dans le cosmos. De cette façon, son œuvre est similaire à celle de son contemporain, Guillaume Postel, qui se décrivait lui-même comme un cosmopolite. Enfin, un décalage s’observe entre la géographie réelle évoquée dans Alector et le cadre fictionnel qui l’abrite. Ce décalage souligne à son tour la nature paradoxale d’un cosmopolitisme voulant intégrer les nationalismes, ce qui représente bien une question complexe et non résolue pour les citoyens du monde en devenir de la Renaissance.

Recent Internet technologies and web-based applications, such as social software, are being increasingly applied in firms. Social software can be employed for knowledge management and for external communication enabling access to internal and external knowledge. Knowledge in turn constitutes one of the main inputs to service innovation. Hence, social software has the potential to support service innovation. Using data from 505 German Information- and Communication Technology (ICT) and knowledge-intensive service firms, this is the first paper which empirically analyses the question whether the use of social software applications triggers innovation. Thereby, it refers to a knowledge production function in which social software use constitutes the knowledge sourcing activity. The results reveal that there is a positive relationship between social software and service innovation. Since this result is robust when controlling for former innovative activities and the previous propensity to adopt new technologies and to change processes, the analysis suggests that the causality runs from social software to innovation.

This paper provides empirical evidence on the relationship between the age structure of the workforce and the adoption of new or significantly improved technologies. Moreover, it attempts to identify the role of teamwork in this relationship. The econometric analysis is based on data of 356 small and medium-sized German firms from the knowledge-intensive services and ICT services sectors. The results show that, compared to employees younger than 30 years, an older workforce is negatively related to the probability of technology adoption. On the contrary, the dispersion of the employees’ age within the workforce seems not to be connected with the probability of technology adoption. However, in firms with intensive use of teamwork a homogenous workforce in terms of age is positively related to the probability of technology adoption.

Sucrose-butadiene telomerization is efficiently carried out in water or water-organic medium in the presence of a palladium salt and TPPTS (TPPTS = trisodium tris(m-sulfonatophenyl)phosphine as catalyst. Mono- and dioctadienylether compounds are selectively obtained using a NaOH 1 M/isopropanol mixture.

The paper analyses the relationship between two major challenges firms are faced to: using the potentials of information technologies (IT) as an enabler of process innovations on the one hand and an ageing workforce that might interfere these potentials on the other hand. Econometric results based on firm-level data from the German manufacturing and service sectors reveal that firms with a higher IT-intensity are more likely to introduce new or improved processes. Older workers are harmful to the probability of process innovation based on IT. Leaving the negative relationship between older workers and the probability to innovate unaffected, IT-specific training for older workers is conducive to the realisation of process innovations. Thus, not older workers in general are harmful to firms' innovation capabilities, but older workers who lack the appropriate IT skills.

This paper provides firm-level evidence for the relationship between the age structure of the workforce and the adoption of new or significantly improved technologies in service sector firms. Furthermore, it closes a research gap by analyzing the joint impact of the age of the workforce and the enhancement of teamwork on the probability of adopting new technologies. The empirical analyses, that are based on a data set of 356 German firms from the knowledge-intensive services and ICT services sector, reveal three findings: Firstly, firms with a higher share of younger employees are more likely to adopt new technologies and the older the workforce is, the less likely is the adoption of new technologies. Secondly, the distribution of the age of the workforce has no significant impact on the probability of adopting new technologies. And thirdly, firms which enhanced their teamwork and have a higher share of younger workers are less likely to adopt new technologies whereas firms that enhanced their teamwork and have a higher share of older employees are more likely to adopt new technologies.

For the first time data of German ICT and knowledge intensive service providers are used to analyze the relation between the age structure of the workforce and the probability of adopting new technologies. The results show that firms with a higher share of younger employees are more likely to adopt new technologies and the older the workforce the less likely is the adoption of new technologies. Furthermore the results exhibit that the age structure of the workforce should be accompanied by appropriate workplace organization. A part of the firms which enhanced teamwork or flattened their hierarchies are actually more likely to adopt new technologies and software when they have a higher share of older employees whereas they are less likely to introduce new technologies if they have a higher share of younger employees.

Summary The paper provides empirical evidence for the question whether firms’ IT-enabled labour productivity is affected by the age structure of the workforce. We apply a production function approach with heterogenous labour to firm-level data from German manufacturing and services industries. We find that workers older than 49 are not significantly less productive than prime age workers, whereas workers younger than 30 are significantly less productive than prime age workers. Older workers using a computer are significantly more productive than older non-computer users. The positive and significant relationship between labour productivity and IT intensity is not affected by the proportion of older workers.