Search

Background: Latinos in the United States face multiple barriers to engaging in physical activity (PA). We implemented a faith-based multilevel intervention to promote PA in parks for Latino adults, which was partially adapted to a virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluated it using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework. Methods: We conducted in-depth semistructured interviews (83% in Spanish) with 24 intervention participants (75% women) participating in a cluster randomized controlled trial in 2019–2022 that linked 6 churches (3 intervention, 3 control) with parks in East Los Angeles, CA. The intervention included in-person, park-based fitness classes, which were adapted to Facebook during the pandemic; PA motivational text messages; and other activities. Interviews assessed Reach (participation), Effectiveness (perceived impacts), Implementation (participation barriers/facilitators), and Maintenance (plans for sustaining PA), as well as perceived pandemic impacts. Results: About 80% of interviewees participated in ≥1 park class and 67% in ≥1 virtual class (Reach). Interviewees perceived positive intervention impacts across multiple health and well-being domains (Effectiveness) despite perceived negative pandemic impacts; several facilitators to participation (personal, social, program) and few barriers (personal, virtual, environmental; Implementation); and plans for maintaining PA (eg, revisiting intervention text messages and video recordings; Maintenance). Conclusions: Findings support the utility of Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance to understand the broad impacts of a faith-based PA intervention. Findings point to the adaptability and robustness of the intervention during a public health crisis. Overall, findings may help inform the translation of the intervention to other communities to advance health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the accuracy of a survey that combines smartphone completion, random digit dialing (RDD), and text message invitation to a web survey. A benchmarking study was conducted using 26 questionnaire items from a survey on wellbeing, health, and life in general. Additionally, methodological, technical, ethical, and cost considerations of this relatively new approach to web survey data collection were investigated, compared to previous research findings, and discussed with an aim to propose practical solutions. Ultimately, average errors in this survey were compared to average errors in three other probability samples and one nonprobability online panel sample (i.e., reference samples) using nationally representative benchmarks from high-quality government data sources. The results showed that the sample used in this study was similarly accurate to the reference samples from a different benchmarking study. Based on these findings, a very low response rate in the RDD text-to-web survey did not appear to introduce significant nonresponse bias for a majority of survey items, and all large errors can be explained. Hence, in countries where prior consent to text messages is not required, RDD text-to-web should be considered as a cost- and time-effective alternative to probability- and nonprobability-based online panel surveys, telephone, or interactive voice response surveys, and used in market, public opinion, and social research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is emerging literature addressing the gendered nature of digital communication between youth, research about the everyday communications, friendships, and social relations of LGBTQ+ youth remains sparse. This study explores how 14 to 18-year-old, cisgender lesbian, bisexual, and queer girls living in the United States come to understand themselves and others in dyadic text messaging conversations of girls who were previously unknown to each other. Using grounded theory, this secondary data analysis identified the pervasiveness of heteronormative frameworks in participants' communications with each other. Findings indicate that both digitally-mediated expressions of selfhood and queer identity are dynamic processes significantly shaped by normative discourses and participants' desire to connect. Drawing on and contributing to girlhood and youth studies, this research provides insight into how queer cisgender girls construct literacies of self, sexuality, and gender, and establish connection, and how they resist heteronormativity to validate their own and each other's sexual identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about text messaging's influence on child retention in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This study aimed to evaluate the influence of WICBuzz, a WIC agency drip marketing texting campaign, on retention and participation compared with a comparison WIC agency and to assess WIC participants' perceptions of the campaign's added value. A quasi-experimental design, with pre- and postimplementation measurement, was used to compare innovation and comparison groups' outcomes. Outcome evaluation integrated quantitative analysis of WIC management information system data and survey data of WICBuzz recipients' perceptions. Data obtained for baseline (2019 calendar year) and implementation periods (March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021), included WIC participation for children who were WIC active at the beginning of each period. WIC agency sample sizes were 6780 to 7452 children from 5189 to 5832 households (baseline) and 4599 to 5004 children from 3186 to 4297 households (implementation). WICBuzz, a drip marketing text message campaign with targeted nutrition education and WIC brand awareness messages was the intervention. The comparison agency received standard WIC care. Main outcome measures included recertification (re-enrollment during the implementation period), timely recertification (within 60 days of prior certification's termination), retention (WIC active at the study period's end), household WIC participation (continuous benefit issuance), and WICBuzz recipients' WIC perceptions. Statistical analysis included propensity score weighting and difference-in-difference modeling. Thematic analysis using a deductive approach was used to analyze the process evaluation findings. The influence of WICBuzz on outcomes included 6.7% (95% CI 3.8% to 9.5%) higher recertification, 7.4% (95% CI 4.5% to 10.3%) higher retention, and 10.9% (95% CI 8.0% to 13.8%) higher participation compared with the comparison agency. Most WICBuzz recipients reported added value regarding WIC knowledge and perceptions. WIC text message campaigns can improve participation and retention and improve participant perceptions of WIC's value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a large randomized controlled trial and rich individual-level data on eligible voters and their household members, we evaluate how get-out-the-vote (GOTV) appeals affect inequalities in voting, transmit from treated to untreated individuals within households, and how the transmission of voting decisions through family networks influences inequalities in voting. We find that receiving a text message reminder before the Finnish county elections in 2022 mobilized mainly low-propensity voters. As a result, the GOTV intervention reduced existing social inequalities in voting within the target group of young voters. We remarkably find that over 100% of the direct treatment effect spilled over to untreated household members. These spillovers reduced inequality in political participation among the older voters who were not part of the target group. Overall, our results exemplify how randomized controlled trials with a limited focus on the analysis of individuals in the treatment and control groups alone may lead to misestimating the compositional effects of get-out-the-vote interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a mobile intervention called the Text-Based Adherence Game (TAG). TAG aimed to improve HIV treatment adherence among young people with HIV (YPWH) in Ghana. Participants, YPWH aged 18 to 24, were recruited from an HIV clinic in Kumasi, Ghana where study procedures were conducted. A randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted to evaluate TAG (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03928717). Participants were randomized to receive TAG or a standard-of-care (SOC) control. All completed quantitative assessments on outcomes preintervention and at two follow-up visits at 6- and 12-months. TAG participants received personalized, semi-automated, and game-based text messages over the six-month intervention period. Primary outcomes included viral load, antiretroviral medication adherence, and missed HIV clinic visits. Secondary outcomes were also explored. Two surveys measured intervention acceptability. 60 YPWH were enrolled. 51 completed all assessments. At the 12-month follow-up assessment, TAG had a significant and positive effect on a measure of antiretroviral adherence but not viral load or missed clinic visits. Positive intervention effects were also found at postintervention and 12 months for several secondary outcomes (e.g., adherence-related social support). Intervention acceptability was generally high. TAG is a novel and promising mobile health intervention approach. Results suggest the need to further develop TAG as it may have the potential to reach populations of YPWH and improve HIV continuum of care outcomes in settings where access to more advanced mobile technology (e.g., smartphones) and the internet is not universal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth living with HIV have low rates of medication adherence. Youth ages 15–24 years with adherence ≤ 80% or with HIV RNA PCRs (VL) ≥ 200 recruited through social media and clinical sites were randomized to brief weekday cell phone support (CPS) calls or daily, two-way, personalized text message (SMS) reminders for 3 months. Those with VL ≥ 200 or adherence ≤ 80% were rerandomized to receive SMS or CPS with monthly incentives for those utilizing the intervention at least 75% of days for 3 months. Those with VL < 200 or adherence > 80% after the initial 3 months were rerandomized to usual care or 3 months of tapered, 2x/week CPS or SMS. Self-reported adherence and VLs were collected every 3 months for one year. Eighty-three youth were recruited with 81% identifying as cisgender males, 55% Black, 22% Latine/x, and 76% gay, and 56% recruited from the Southern US. Both cohorts initially randomized to CPS and SMS demonstrated significant improvements in adherence over the 12-months (P <.001). Participants randomized to CPS had significant improvements in 7-day self-reported adherence over 12 months compared to those on SMS (P <.027). Those receiving a tapered intervention for an additional 3 months had improved self-reported adherence compared to those randomized to the standard of care arm (P <.001). Both SMS and CPS appear to be effective interventions for youth with poor antiretroviral adherence. Tapering the intervention for an additional 3 months is useful in maintaining adherence after the initial intervention. Additional research is required to determine how to best sequence these interventions, including the use of incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: How accurate are empathic judgments of couples in smartphone messenger communication? Are judgments influenced by the level of experience with messengers and communication frequency?. Objectives: The current preregistered study introduced a novel ecological assessment method and a privacy by design approach to study couples' empathic accuracy in a messenger context. Methods: Data from N = 102 participants (51 couples) was used to investigate how accurate judgments of partners' affect map their partners' actual affect. Results: Our results demonstrate tracking accuracy and assumed similarity bias in reciprocal empathic judgments of affective valence and arousal during social messenger texting. A small moderation effect for experience with text messengers was found, indicating that partners with higher experience have a higher bias of assumed similarity when rating their partner's valence. A small moderation effect for communication frequency confirms that higher messenger communication frequency is associated with more accurate judgments of arousal. Conclusion: These results point to the reciprocal action of accuracy and bias in couples' messenger communication and the distinct influences of experience and usage. The feasibility and further application of the ecological messenger-based assessment of couples' empathic accuracy in interpersonal research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDuring a natural disaster, people post text messages on various platforms, such as social media and short message service (SMS) platforms, to share urgent information and seek help. Many text messages contain location descriptions about victims and accidents. Accurately extracting these location descriptions can help disaster responders reach victims more quickly and even save lives. These location descriptions, however, are often more complex than simple place names (e.g. city names), and cannot be extracted using typical named entity recognition approaches. While new machine learning models could be trained, they require labeled training data that are time-consuming to create without an effective data annotation tool. To fill this gap, we develop GALLOC, a GeoAnnotator for Labeling LOCation descriptions from disaster-related text messages. GALLOC is an open-source and Web-based tool that provides a variety of functions for supporting location description annotation, such as artificial intelligence powered pre-annotation and automatic spatial footprint identification. It also supports multilingual data annotation, and can be used by a group of users to collaboratively create a dataset. We present the design considerations and functions of GALLOC and evaluate it via a comparison with previous tools and an experiment to annotate a small set of disaster-related messages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main aim of this cluster randomised controlled trial is to explore the feasibility of a school-based brushing program utilising a smart, connected brush in children. Methods: Students aged 8 to 11 years in 6 primary schools across Manchester, UK were approached for this study. All children received a smart, connected toothbrush which captured information on coverage, duration and frequency of brushing. Teachers had access to class-level digital dashboards summarising brushing habits to set challenges for the students. Additionally, children in schools randomised to the toothbrush plus text messaging trial arm received text message support (delivered to their parents' mobile phones). Outcomes included: (a) consent rate, (b) recruitment rate recorded as the number of participants who completed at least one of the study surveys post-consents, and (c) acceptability of the interventions on schools and parents through a mixed methods approach. Results: Average age of parents was 39.8 years (SD5.94) while the average age of children was 9.7 years (SD1.56). Most parents and children came from households in the most deprived decile based on their Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores with 77 households (52.4%) scoring 1 (most deprived). Out of 753 eligible participants across all 6 schools, 409 were consented (54.3% consent rate) with 148 participants completing baseline measurements (36.8%). During the study, there was only 1 drop out. In terms of acceptability, parents found the study very enjoyable (average score of 8.9/10), and found the brush and app easy to use (average score of 8.7/10). Those parents who additionally received the text messages found them easy to understand and useful (average score of 8.9/10). In total, 91.6% of parents would recommend the brush and the intervention to family and friends. Three key facilitators ((a) enhancing children's self-reliance, (b) increased engagement through the use of visual cues and (c) increased motivation (due to gamification) potentially supported children's engagement with the brush and app. Conclusions: Low dropout rates and very positive feedback highlight the potential of this intervention. Future studies should consider how to quantify changes in children's oral health, address loss of questionnaire completion and harness the opportunities this study provided. Trial registration: The study was registered at ISRCTN registration number ISRCTN77803149 on the 28th December 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program sends an immunochemical faecal occult blood test to Australians aged 50–74 years to screen for bowel cancer, but uptake is low (40.9%). The SMARTscreen trial demonstrated that sending a short messaging services (SMS) prompt from the participant's general practitioner (GP) increased the proportion of kit returns by 16.5%. This research aimed to determine the acceptability and feasibility of implementing SMARTscreen. Method SMARTscreen was a cluster randomized controlled trial set in 21 Australian general practices in regional Australia. Participants and general practice staff involved in the trial were included in this study. Acceptability and feasibility were measured quantitatively by calculating proportions of the SMS received, viewed, or opted out of, and qualitatively by interviewing people who sent and received the SMS. Results Of 2914 SMS sent, 2645 SMS (91%) were received by participants, 1128 (43%) people opened the weblink, and 59 (2%) people opted out of receiving future SMS. Interviews with general practice staff (n = 17) and participants (n = 18) found that sending and receiving the SMS was acceptable and feasible. The SMS was considered a low-burden activity that easily integrated into the clinic's workflow without impacting clinicians' time. Participants reported an increased intention to participate in screening, but some people worried the weblink was spam, and some suggested sending it out of working hours. Conclusion The SMS-based intervention was widely accepted by GP staff and participants. Future research should test the SMS with and without the weblink, and send the SMS at a more convenient time of the day/week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Society has normalized the use of the screenshot feature to surreptitiously capture and share private digital messages. While screenshots have utilitarian purposes, we provide evidence that this feature enables violations of interpersonal privacy expectations. In addition, we extend communication privacy management (CPM) theory beyond its interpersonal limitations to include platforms as privacy rulemakers through explicit cues and embedded trust. We conducted a 2(Accountability cue: present or absent) × 3(Platform trust: high, low, control) between-subjects experiment to understand their conditional impact on control over and disclosure of personal and co-owned information within a proposed digital messaging platform (N = 307). Our experimental results showcase the power of a screenshot accountability cue and platform trust on privacy perceptions and management within messaging platforms. Implications for design against the screenshot feature are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: COVID-19 disproportionately affected people of Black ethnicities whilst also negatively affecting the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of people living with HIV. This may have been amplified by pre-existing socioeconomic marginalisation, poorer health, and structural racism. Despite being disproportionately affected by the pandemic, little is known about lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic within these communities. Given these disparities, this paper explores the lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among people living with HIV and of Black ethnicities in England. Design: This qualitative study, comprising five focus group discussions (FGDs) with people of self-reported Black ethnicity, living with HIV in the UK (n = 30). FGDs were conducted between June and August 2022. Topics covered included beliefs and attitudes about COVID-19 (including prevention), COVID-19 information sources and lived experiences. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Results: Analysis of the data generated several main themes: the collective trauma experienced by Black communities; racial bias influenced by inequitable research; conflicting COVID-19 health messages and medical mistrust; socioeconomic marginalisation including financial hardship; intersecting oppressions such as sexism and ageism; and the overall impact of living with a stigmatising condition such as HIV. Participants additionally found navigating the infodemic, being labelled 'clinically vulnerable,' and balancing multiple non-medical needs alongside their cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs, challenging. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound and enduring multidimensional impacts on the lives of people of Black ethnicities living with HIV. This study reveals how socioeconomic, cultural, behavioural, and biological factors intersected to shape experiences of the pandemic within these communities in the UK. Our data illustrate the lived realities of worsening health and social inequalities due to COVID-19, while at the same time highlighting the central importance of trusted community organisations in mitigating some of these negative impacts. Trial Registration: Ethical approval was obtained from the University College London Research Ethics Committee (Project ID/Title: 6698/004). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of celebrities on public awareness in health communication has been proved to be significant, making it a possible approach for risk communication during public health emergencies. In the early stages of COVID-19, some Chinese medical experts engaged with the public and became "celebrity scientists." It provides representative cases for studying celebrity-based risk communication approaches. With Dr. Wenhong Zhang as the primary case, this research investigates the construction process of celebrity scientists. Through semantic network analysis (SemNA) and other complementary methods, this study examines Dr. Zhang's articles (n1 = 45), relevant news reports (n2 = 360), and public tweets (n3 = 12,933), in order to identify the main agendas of media, public and expert during the construction process of celebrity scientists, as well as their similarities and differences. The results reveal three categories in the narratives around the celebrity scientist, highlighting unbalanced focuses and preferences. Notably, the agendas of celebrity scientists, media outlets and the general public are more alike than different, and tend to converge over time. The simultaneous resonance of the media and public is also crucial in the construction of celebrity scientists, as well as specific incidents or turning points. These findings shed light on the application of celebrity-based risk communication approach in emergencies, providing guidance and discussion points for health messaging strategies as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjective: This secondary analysis examined the feasibility and acceptability of a novel peer coaching model designed to improve adherence to an online self-help program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), called ACT Guide. Participants: All participants (N = 152) and peer coaches were undergraduate students attending the same university. Methods: Participants were instructed to use ACT Guide for 10 wk and were randomly assigned to receive weekly peer coaching through either phone calls or text messaging. Results: We found our peer coaching model to be feasible for delivery via phone and text, however acceptability varied widely. Phone coaching performed significantly better than the text format. Conclusions: Our results support the feasibility of using peer coaching with a college student population, particularly when delivered through phone calls. However, peer coaching was only acceptable to a subset of students, potentially due to differences in level of need and individual preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effects of parental short message service (SMS) reminders on infant immunisation coverage, timeliness and barriers and evaluate the effects of sex on immunisation outcomes in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Methods: This two-arm quasi-experimental study was conducted in two primary healthcare facilities selected using simple random sampling with opaque envelopes. A total of 524 participants were enrolled using purposive sampling. Data were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28 with repeated-measures logistic regression analysis, the Z test for Poisson rates and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The parental SMS reminders significantly improved the immunisation coverage, as reported by 69 (26.3%) (P=0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 12.2-40.5), 117 (44.7%) (P=0.001, 95% CI=32.6-56.9) and 116 (44.3%) participants (P=0.001, 95% CI=34.2-54.4) for the 6th-, 10th- and 14th-week schedules, respectively. Compared to mothers' involvement, fathers' involvement did not significantly affect the immunisation coverage (B=0.158, P=0.311, 95% CI=-0.148-0.464). With regard to the immunisation timeliness, the parental SMS reminders yielded a significant effect for the 6th-, 10th- and 14th-week schedules (P=0.001, 95% CI=25.9-46.7; P=0.001, 95% CI=24.2-43.0; and P=0.001, 95% CI=21.1-36.9, respectively). Compared to mothers' involvement, fathers' involvement significantly influenced the immunisation timeliness (B=0.298, P=0.038, 95% CI=0.016-0.579). Lastly, the parental SMS reminders significantly reduced the barriers to immunisation, with a P-value of 0.001. Conclusion: Parental SMS reminders can significantly improve immunisation outcomes in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite efforts to promote optimal breastfeeding practices, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding is low in South Africa. We conducted a trial to determine whether text messaging plus motivational interviewing prolonged exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and improved child health outcomes. Methods: We conducted a randomized parallel group-controlled trial between July 2022 and May 2024, at a secondary-level healthcare facility. Mothers living with HIV, 18 years or older, initiating breastfeeding, on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and their infants were enrolled. The primary endpoint was exclusive breastfeeding from birth through week 24, based on the consecutive 24-hour food recall interviews. We compared differences in exclusive breastfeeding rates using a proportion test. Mothers who completely stopped breastfeeding were asked an open-ended question on reasons for stopping breastfeeding. Results: Using block randomization mother-child pairs (n = 276) were randomly allocated to receive intervention (n = 138) or standard infant feeding counselling (n = 138), of whom 105 and 101 mother-child pairs in the intervention group and standard care group, respectively, completed all four study visits. Exclusive breastfeeding rate at 24 weeks in the intervention group was 6% (6/105) and 7% (7/101) in the standard care group, rate difference − 1% (95% CI -6–4%). Sixty-two of 276 mothers completely stopped breastfeeding, of whom 25% (34/138) and 20% (28) were in the intervention group and standard care group, respectively. The most common reasons for stopping breastfeeding were the mother needing to return to work or look for work, 66% (n = 41). We also found that early breastfeeding cessation increased risk of child hospitalization or death compared to any form of breastfeeding to week 24, 10% (5/48) versus 3% (5/158), p = 0.055. Conclusions: We found no effect of the intervention on exclusive breastfeeding rates. Early cessation of breastfeeding was prevalent and maternal employment characteristics are important social determinants of breastfeeding behaviour. There is need for further research evaluating the effect of interventions that include financial incentives on breastfeeding practices among socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers. HIV services should reliably offer cART, consistently monitor viral load, and support mothers cART adherence, in settings where mixed feeding is common. Trial registration: The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05063240) and Pan African Clinical Trial Registries (PACTR202110870407786) before recruitment of the first subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity (FI), the lack of access to adequate food, is linked with negative health and psychological outcomes. FI is typically measured retrospectively over the last year; although this measurement is useful to understand FI prevalence to inform broad policy, it leaves the experience of FI in everyday life poorly understood. Understanding how FI varies across shorter periods of time (days or weeks) can help inform FI prevention and/or intervention. This study characterizes within-person (day-to-day) variance in FI in everyday life. Low-income parents of school-aged children at risk for FI (n = 153) completed daily text message surveys in two-week bursts. Daily FI was measured with 4 yes/no items ranging in severity: worry about food, parent eating less than they should, child eating less than they should, and skipping meals. Items were analyzed as a sum score and individually (to examine FI severity). Among parents who reported FI at least once, FI meaningfully varied day-to-day within individuals (~26% of variation). Different indicators of FI, however, had different proportions of between- and within-person variability: Worry about food, a less severe aspect of FI, had 32% daily variation, whereas the more severe aspect of meal skipping had 45% daily variation. Thus, although substantial between-person differences in FI exist, there is meaningful within-person variability in FI. -person FI variability may be related to the indicator (e.g., severe FI shows greater within-person variability). Considering within-person FI variability, and not just average FI level, may help us understand how FI undermines functioning and how and when best to intervene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous personal mobility vehicle (APMV) is a miniaturized autonomous vehicle designed for short-distance mobility to everyone. Due to its open design, APMV's passengers are exposed to communications between the external human-machine interface (eHMI) on APMV and pedestrians. Therefore, effective eHMI designs for APMV need to consider potential impacts of APMV-pedestrian interactions on passengers' subjective feelings. This study from the perspective of APMV passengers discussed three eHMI designs: (1) graphical user interface (GUI)-based eHMI with text message (eHMI-T), (2) multimodal user interface (MUI)-based eHMI with neutral voice (eHMI-NV), and (3) MUI-based eHMI with affective voice (eHMI-AV). In a riding field experiment (N = 24), eHMI-T made passengers feel awkward during the "silent time" when eHMI-T conveyed information exclusively to pedestrians, not passengers. MUI-based eHMIs with voice cues showed advantages, with eHMI-NV excelling in pragmatic quality and eHMI-AV in hedonic quality. Considering passengers' personalities and genders in APMV eHMI design is also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The higher productivity from soil can be achieved through Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) technology; for this reason, the implementation of WSNs in precision agriculture is increasing day by day. Among the different technologies for crop monitoring, WSNs are recognized as a powerful option for collecting and processing data in the agricultural domain, with low cost and low energy consumption. The ultimate aim of this paper is to predict the precise values of soil nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) using a machine learning (ML)-based mathematical model formulation. The proposed system will use Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology to automatically monitor soil parameters. It transfers soil data over the mobile network using a GSM modem. In the hardware part, sensor node units were developed to fetch and load data through the energy-efficient GSM, utilizing a bi-directional multi-level text messaging option to improve the alarm system's efficiency. The system contains sensors such as potential of hydrogen and humidity (PH), which are used to monitor soil data collected from the sensors by the microcontroller. Additionally, as a novel contribution, machine learning based on regression models is applied to the NPK data. A novel data interpolation approach is proposed for data oversampling. The R2 values are compared, achieving nearly 99.5% accuracy in all cases. This paper focuses on various challenges and scalability issues encountered in research and discusses different results obtained by monitoring various soil parameters in a real-time agricultural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Physical activity (PA) is crucial for older adults' wellbeing. Digital health interventions (DHIs) are important, however a synthesis aimed at healthy community-dwelling OA is lacking. This study aims to synthesize DHIs effect on PA levels among community-dwelling 60-year-old adults or older. Methods: A systematic review was performed. DHIs using eHealth/mHealth tools, apps and text messaging were included. Primary outcomes were daily steps, moderate-to-vigorous PA and sedentary time. Quality was assessed via Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. Study-reported effect, study quality, sample size, study duration and dropout rate were semi-quantitatively synthesized to determine the overall category effect. Results: 12 studies were included. 75% were low-quality, sample size was 16–18,080, study duration was 3–18 weeks, average dropout rate was 4.2%–46.7%. The synthesis of "motivational reminders" and "dynamic exercise programs" showed an overall positive effect, of "PA self-monitoring" showed mixed results and "exercise digital coaching" showed a non-positive effect. Discussion: Motivational reminders and dynamic exercise programs proved more effective in increasing PA in older adults than other interventions and should be more embedded in structured public health programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Points: Question: Can test message reminders improve medication adherence and clinical outcomes among patients nonadherent to cardiovascular medications? Finding: In a pragmatic randomized trial of 9501 patients at 3 US health care systems, the 3 text messaging medication refill reminder strategies tested (generic reminders, behavioral nudge reminders, and behavioral nudge reminders plus a fixed-message chatbot) did not increase refill adherence at 12 months or reduce clinical events. Meaning: Additional interventions need to be rigorously tested to try to improve adherence to chronic cardiovascular medications given the growing incidence of cardiovascular conditions. Importance: Poor medication adherence is common. Text messaging is increasingly used to change patient behavior but often not rigorously tested. Objective: To compare different types of text messaging strategies with usual care to improve medication refill adherence among patients nonadherent to cardiovascular medications. Design, Setting, and Participants: Patient-level randomized pragmatic trial between October 2019 to April 2022 at 3 US health care systems, with last follow-up date of April 11, 2023. Adult (18 to <90 years) patients were eligible based on diagnosis of 1 or more cardiovascular condition(s) and prescribed medication to treat the condition. Patients who did not opt out and had a 7-day refill gap were randomized to 1 of 4 study groups. Intervention(s): Generic text message refill reminders (generic reminder); behavioral nudge text refill reminders (behavioral nudge); behavioral nudge text refill reminders plus a fixed-message chatbot (behavioral nudge + chatbot); usual care. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome was refill adherence based on pharmacy data using proportion of days covered at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were clinical events of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and mortality. Results: Among 9501 enrolled patients, baseline characteristics across the 4 groups were comparable (mean age, 60 years; 47% female [n = 4351]; 16% Black [n = 1517]; 49% Hispanic [n = 4564]). At 12 months, the mean proportion of days covered was 62.0% for generic reminder, 62.3% for behavioral nudge, 63.0% for behavioral nudge + chatbot, and 60.6% for usual care (P =.06). In adjusted analysis, when compared with usual care, mean proportion of days covered was 2.2 percentage points (95% CI, 0.3-4.2; P =.02) higher for generic reminder, 2.0 percentage points (95% CI, 0.1-3.9; P =.04) higher for behavioral nudge, and 2.3 percentage points (95%, 0.4-4.2; P =.02) higher for behavioral nudge + chatbot, none of which were statistically significant after multiple comparisons correction. There were no differences in clinical events between study groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Text message reminders targeting patients who delay refilling their cardiovascular medications did not improve medication adherence based on pharmacy refill data or reduce clinical events at 12 months. Poor medication adherence may be due to multiple factors. Future interventions may need to be designed to address the multiple factors influencing adherence. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03973931 This randomized clinical trial compares different text messaging strategies (generic refill reminders, behavioral nudge refill reminders, behavioral nudge refill reminders plus a fixed-message chatbot) with usual care to improve medication refill adherence among adult US patients nonadherent to cardiovascular medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the actual play series "Mice & Murder," a whodunit game set in the world of Dimension 20, gamemastered by Brennan Lee Mulligan. The series follows the Sylvan Sleuths as they investigate the murder of Squire Brockhollow, drawing inspiration from various sources like Sherlock Holmes and Redwall. Through a close analysis of the show, the article explores how the use of multimedia assets and private text messages between players enhances the narrative and heightens tension, showcasing the unique blend of new media forms in actual play. The article also delves into the concept of "bleed" in roleplaying games, where players' knowledge of each other influences their characters' actions, adding layers of complexity to the gameplay and narrative. [Extracted from the article]

Interpersonal communication is an integral part of everyday life. People are constantly sharing thoughts, opinions, and information with others, both online and offline. Further, such social sharing has important implications for what people think, buy, and do. However, while it is clear that interpersonal communication is both frequent and important, research is only starting to understand what people share and why. This article reviews the literature on interpersonal communication and word of mouth, focusing on the drivers of social transmission and the implications for individuals and society at large. It discusses how factors like audiences, modalities (e.g., speaking or writing), channels (e.g., email or text), and devices (e.g., phone or PC) moderate what gets shared, and it outlines areas that deserve further attention. Such areas include the diffusion of false information, conversations and conversational dynamics, and how automated textual analysis can be used to shed light on a range of interesting questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure college student athletes' nutrition knowledge and behavior before and after a text message-based educational intervention. Participants: Athletes (n = 35) participated by completing a pre- and post-intervention survey. Methods: This survey gathered information on ability to identify carbohydrate and protein food sources, pre-and post-workout intake, and behavior. Text messages were sent during the 4-week intervention and included information regarding the importance of carbohydrate consumption before training, and a carbohydrate-protein mixture for recovery. Results: Dependent t-tests revealed a lack of statistically significant increases in total knowledge (p = 0.156) or behavior (p = 0.177), but an increase in the behavior questions regarding efficacy of carbohydrate before training (p = 0.026) and carbohydrate and protein after training (p = 0.016). Conclusion: This suggests the text message educational intervention did influence behavioral outcomes. Future research should focus on the effectiveness, length, and frequency of the text message intervention, and investigate the athletes' willingness to change dietary behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Smartphones are the most frequently used digital devices globally with ~6.80 billion users. Despite the ubiquitous use of smartphones, limited information is known on the preferred viewing distance and font size of smartphone users. This study investigated viewing distance, font size and symptoms of eyestrain in non‐presbyopic and presbyopic smartphone users. Methods: In this quantitative research study, viewing distance and font size were measured in a group of non‐presbyopes (n = 107) and presbyopes (n = 53), whilst participants viewed a text message and a web page on their own smartphone. Subjects also responded to a verbal questionnaire related to the characteristics of their smartphone and the computer vision syndrome questionnaire to assess symptoms of eyestrain. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: For the total sample, the mean viewing distance for a text message was 37.13 ± 8.82 cm (median 36.00 cm), and for a web page was 36.11 ± 7.98 cm (median 36.00 cm). Presbyopes had longer median viewing distances compared with non‐presbyopes for a text message (41 cm vs. 34 cm, p < 0.001) and web page (40 cm vs. 34 cm, p < 0.001). The font size for non‐presbyopes were <1.0 M whilst for presbyopes were >1.2 M. More than twice the percentage of non‐presbyopes were classified with digital eyestrain (DES) compared with presbyopes. Conclusions: Non‐presbyopes used shorter viewing distances, smaller font sizes and were more predisposed to DES than presbyopes. The viewing distances adopted by presbyopes were similar to the conventional near‐working distance of 40 cm. Eye care practitioners should consider viewing distances when assessing near‐visual functions and prescribing a near refractive correction, particularly in non‐presbyopes. There should be greater awareness of the importance of adopting appropriate viewing distances when using smartphones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in both individuals and organizations utilizing social networks for illicit purposes. This trend can be viewed as a potential threat to the national security of the country. In this article, the authors pay attention to how various extremist organizations use social networks in their activities, and offer LSTM‐based models for classifying extremist texts in Kazakh on web resources. The main purpose of the article is to classify Kazakh texts in social networks into extremist and non‐extremist classes. The authors employed techniques such as Tf‐Idf, Word2Vec, Bag of Words (BoW), and n‐grams in experiments. A list of extremist keywords in the Kazakh language and, accordingly, a corpus of extremist texts in the Kazakh language were created for training and testing machine learning methods. As a result, the authors introduced a model that demonstrated superior performance across all evaluation metrics in machine learning for detecting extremist texts in the Kazakh language. The theoretical significance of this study lies in its comprehensive exploration of methods and algorithms for detecting extremist activities and organizations. The foundational findings derived from this research can contribute valuable insights to the global scientific community. The practical implications, including the developed methodology can be utilized by authorized entities to enhance information security, safeguard critical infrastructure, and combat online extremism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aims to investigate the relationship between cyberbullying/victimization and technology addiction among Turkish adolescents. Design and methods: A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted with 572 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18. The study employed the Bullying and Cyber Bullying Scale for Adolescents (BCS‐A) to evaluate cyber victimization (BCS‐A VCSs) and cyberbullying (BCS‐A BCSs) subdimensions, in conjunction with the Technology Addiction Scale (TAS). Results: Among adolescents, 38.5% exhibited a moderate level of technology addiction. The results revealed positive and weak correlations between TAS scores and BCS‐A VCSs (p < 0.001), as well as between BCS‐A VCSs and BCS‐A BCSs scores at a moderate level (p < 0.001). The study revealed that exposure to inappropriate content, encountering humiliating expressions on social media, sending inappropriate messages or videos to friends, and facing threats were significant predictors of BCS‐A VCS scores. Furthermore, the transmission of inappropriate messages or videos, the encounter of cyberbullying victims, the exclusion of friends from online platforms, the experience of distress caused by humiliating expressions, and the sharing of private content were identified as significant predictors of the total BCS‐A BCSs score. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a correlation between elevated technology addiction and involvement in cyberbullying or victimization among adolescents. Moreover, the study identified significant predictors of cyberbullying and cyber victimization. It is recommended that health professionals develop intervention programs for safe technology use and the prevention of cyberbullying and victimization. These programs should aim to raise societal awareness, particularly among parents and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify the effects of message‐framing interventions on improving health outcomes of individuals in diabetes health education communication. Methods: Four electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were the search engines used. The period of literature search was from their inception until December 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi‐experimental trials reporting the effects of message‐framing interventions for diabetes were included. Results: The review included 10 studies. Many studies have investigated multiple health outcomes. Of the seven studies that evaluated behavioral health‐related outcomes, all studies (7/7, 100%) found a positive effect, and four studies (4/7, 57.1%) found that there was no significant difference between gain and loss framing. Of the seven studies that assessed nonbehavioral health‐related outcomes, six studies (6/7, 85.7%) reported a positive postintervention effect, whereas four studies (4/7, 57.1%) found that loss‐framed messages were more effective. One study (1/7, 14.3%) reported that there was no effect of the message framing on mental health‐related outcomes. Conclusions: In diabetes health education communication, message framing of gain and loss framing has a positive effect on health outcomes for individuals. The advantage of the loss framing is more significant in improving nonbehavioral health‐related outcomes. Practice Implications: When constructing a message to promote health outcomes for patients with diabetes, the message framing is worth applying, and the advantages of loss framing can be considered more. Trial Registration: PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42023445074. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=445074 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the extent to which general and substantive accountability is integrated into the language used by key actors involved in nursing home services. Particularly, we investigate the messages used by the supply side, which includes public and private organizations involved in residential care for older adults, and the demand side, which comprises organizations representing service beneficiaries. Moreover, we explore the alignment between the messages used by both sides of the accountability relationship. In the context of Spanish nursing homes, we analyzed a corpus of tweets by organizations from both sides of the accountability relationship, from one year before the outbreak of COVID-19 restrictions to after their implementation. Using text analysis techniques, we found that messages related to general and substantive accountability had a low priority before and after the outbreak. Public organizations were slightly more likely to employ general accountability terms than private organizations. This is particularly in non-crisis situations, although less frequently than organizations representing beneficiaries. Our analysis demonstrates a lack of convergence between the messaging on the supply and demand sides, indicating a communication breakdown between the two sides in the accountability relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges faced by caregivers of people living with serious mental illness in Canada are well documented in the literature including emotional distress, financial strain, social isolation, and concerns about their physical health following the impact of caregiving. Peer support programs (including peer support groups) emerged as a promising method to attempt to address these challenges. While there is evidence on the positive impacts of peer support groups in providing support for caregivers, the mechanisms by which peer support groups operate and influence support for caregivers of people living with serious mental illness are less understood. This qualitative study took on a co-designed participatory research approach. Fifteen adult caregivers of people living with serious mental illness across Canada were engaged through key informant interviews that lasted for 45 – 60 min each. A thematic analysis was carried out to help understand the operational mechanisms of peer support groups in influencing support for caregivers. The key informant interviews allowed for the identification and description of the following operational mechanisms that influenced the support caregivers received from peer support groups: (1) Group dynamics; (2) Messaging/content; (3) Equity and inclusion, (4) Group philosophy; and (5) Privacy concerns. Findings from this study showed that caregivers identified a number of operational mechanisms of peer support groups that explained how they felt supported when they participated in peer support groups. Among other operational mechanisms, group dynamics in terms of the gathering of caregivers of different age brackets and varying caregiving experience negatively influenced the peer support experience of caregivers. This pointed to the need for group dynamics that consider close age ranges and similar caregiving experience during group meetings to enhance support for caregivers. Caregivers also identified a gap in equity and inclusion in peer support groups that could have otherwise enriched their experience and enhanced the support they looked to receive from the group. Practical examples to enhance equity and inclusion include promoting active listening, using inclusive language, encouraging diverse representation and asking for feedback from peer support group members. While peer support groups in Canada exist independently of one another, it may help to consolidate evidence-based recommendations in the operational mechanisms of these groups, for the benefit of caregivers who turn to these groups for support, having been left on their own by an otherwise fractured mental health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of telehealth in behavioral healthcare increased significantly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and remains high even as a return to in-person care is now feasible. The use of telehealth is a promising strategy to increase access to behavioral healthcare for underserved and all populations. Identifying opportunities to improve the provision of telehealth is vital to ensuring access. An online survey about the current use of, and attitudes toward, telehealth was conducted by five Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) regional centers and the MHTTC Network Coordinating Office. The national MHTTC network provides training and technical assistance, to support the behavioral health workforce to implement evidence-based treatments. Three hundred and sixty-five respondents from 43 states and Puerto Rico participated. The majority of respondents were clinical providers (69.3%). Nearly all (n = 311) respondents reported providing at least one telehealth service at their organization, but the number and type of services varied substantially. Respondents had positive views of both video-based and phone-based services, but most had some preference for video-based telehealth services. Other services, including text message reminders, medication services, and mobile apps for treatment or recovery, were offered via telehealth by ~ 50% or fewer of respondents' organizations. Many organizations have areas where they could expand their telehealth use, allowing them to extend the reach of their services and increase access for populations that experience barriers to service access, though organizational barriers may still prevent this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a customized individual-based electronic immunization registry using the DHIS-2 platform and investigate its effectiveness combined with short message service reminders to decrease the child immunization dropout rate and improve vaccination timeliness in the Duhok Governorate. This was a quasi-experimental study. The study included a preliminary pilot assessment examining deficiencies and requirements of the current paper-based immunization system, which informed the development of a tailored electronic immunization registry. This registry was implemented in a quasi-experimental study at four randomly selected vaccination units at primary healthcare centers with high dropout rates in Duhok Governorate, targeting 390 children under one year who were vaccinated or eligible to be vaccinated with the PENTA-1 vaccine and followed up for five months to receive successive doses of the PENTA-2 and PENTA-3 vaccines. The children were distributed into two groups: 195 children in the intervention group, whose children's information was entered into the electronic immunization registry and whose parents received vaccination appointment reminders, and 195 children in the control group, whose children received the regular vaccination service, information entered into the paper-based immunization registry, and did not receive vaccination appointment reminders. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in the PENTA-1 to PENTA-3 dropout rate among children enrolled in the intervention group (5.7 % compared to 29.7 % in the control group, p-value< 0.001). This study offers compelling evidence that implementing the DHIS-2 platform tracker EIR with SMS reminders is an effective tool for significantly enhancing the child immunization program's outcomes. It also guides the implementation of an individual-based electronic immunization registry using the DHIS-2 tracker module by the national health team. Therefore, we recommend adopting its application to encompass a broader spectrum of vaccines and health facilities nationwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Signficant inequalities in tobacco smoking exist, with higher smoking rates among people from low‐socio‐economic status (low‐SES) populations. Tailored technology‐based programs for low‐SES smoking populations have the potential for high reach, but require effectiveness data from large‐scale trials. This trial among Australians who smoke from a low‐SES background will determine the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of tailored text‐message (TTM) support compared with standard Quitline (SQL) telephone support service. Design, setting and participants: This is a two‐arm, parallel group, randomized, non‐inferiority trial with allocation concealment and blinded outcome assessment in an Australian population within the greater Sydney region in New South Wales. Participants are adults who smoke daily (n = 1246), are interested in quitting and currently receiving a government pension or allowance, and will be recruited via advertisements. Intervention and comparator: Participants will be randomized (1:1 ratio) to receive either 12 months of TTM quit support or enrolment in SQL telephone support. Measurements: Assessments will be completed at baseline (telephone interview), within 1 month (check‐in call), at 3 months (on‐line questionnaire) and 12 months (telephone interview) post‐randomization. The primary outcome will be 6‐month continuous abstinence verified by carbon monoxide breath test at 12‐month follow‐up. The study will test whether TTM is non‐inferior to SQL by a non‐inferiority margin of 2%, i.e. the quit rate in the TTM group will be no worse than 2% less than the quit rate in the SQL group. Secondary outcomes will include self‐reported continuous and point prevalence abstinence and acceptability and cost‐effectiveness of TTM versus SQL. Conclusion: Should the tailored text‐message support prove non‐inferior and more cost‐effective than Quitline for this population, this will provide an opportunity for the upscaling of an effective, inexpensive and tailored quit support service. The trial findings will inform cessation treatment policy for priority populations in Australia and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texting has become a primary mode of communication across relationship types, particularly amongst women, despite its vulnerability to miscommunication and associated social consequences. Whereas there is a robust literature on the mechanics and the importance of constructive communication, little is known about how these findings generalize to text-based forms of communication. Using a sample of 71 Black women between the ages of 18–29, the present study examined how the content of text messages changed in response to a short mindfulness-based intervention delivered via a smartphone application. Findings revealed that these women used the intervention to modify maladaptive communication to be more constructive, as well as to enhance neutral communication. They were also less likely to send maladaptive messages after composing them and going through the intervention. In addition to emphasizing the relevance of existing communication theories to text-based communication, this study highlights the potential for the phone to be used as a vehicle for mindful communication amongst a variety of relationship types despite its potential for misuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite high rates of mental health concerns among youth, they are unlikely to receive mental health care, with mental health stigma acting as a barrier. The present study explores youth perceptions of the influences of stigma and what should be done to address it, drawing on a large (n = 705) mixed methods dataset of youth aged 14 to 24 from the National MyVoice Text Message Cohort. Thematic analysis indicated four themes: (1) perceptions of high levels of ignorance about mental health, (2) a continuum from a desire for greater openness to a desire for privacy related to mental health, (3) feeling shamed and dismissed for mental health concerns, and (4) the role of adults in perpetuating of mental health stigma and adults' responsibility in combating it. Subgroup comparisons revealed variations in endorsement of themes based on gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth create resilience in a landscape of interpersonal, environmental, and political factors by navigating personal and community stressors. The goal of this study was to explore how youth conceptualize resilience and overcome stressors within their everyday life experiences. Using a national text message survey, 894 youth (ages 14–24 years) were asked five open-ended questions about their life experiences relating to stressors and their abilities to express resilience. Four themes were identified through qualitative, thematic analysis: (1) relationships are key to resilience; (2) perspective is everything; (3) resources can help build and maintain resilience; and (4) resilience is difficult to practice when you feel out of control. The timing of this study during the COVID-19 pandemic offers a focused insight into the meaning-making of resilience among youth that highlights structural and interpersonal characteristics. These definitions of resilience can inform future research and resource provision for youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal: Excessively lengthy wait times for appointments with clinicians are a major source of frustration for patients, and difficulties with access represent a public health problem facing populations across all societies. As delays in care have been associated with inferior outcomes, same-day appointments have been proposed as a patient-centric means of improving healthcare delivery. However, this paradigm represents a radical shift from conventional scheduling tactics, and skepticism has long existed regarding its feasibility and real-world applicability to clinical practice. Given the limited data available about same-day access and the lack of guidance on this strategy, the need to evaluate experiences and engage in introspective reflection (i.e., examine thoughts, emotions, judgments, and perceptions) for quality improvement are paramount. Thus, the purpose of this study was to review a single-institutional practice with same-day access, focusing on lessons learned over a two-year period. Methods: From March 2021 to March 2023, a total of 4,301 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed cancer were offered same-day appointments as part of a prospective pilot initiative conducted in the outpatient setting at a tertiary-based academic medical center. Systematic analysis demonstrated the positive impact of this initiative on access-related benchmarks. A retrospective review was conducted to identify core themes pertaining to the feasibility of the initiative with respect to its design and implementation. An interpretive synthesis was then presented in descriptive fashion. Principal Findings: Of the 3,414 patients scheduled, 477 (14%) opted for same-day appointments. While same-day appointments significantly reduced the time to consultation and treatment for patients with newly diagnosed cancer, the initiative presented new challenges—both expected and unexpected—that could have hindered its development, acceptance, and adoption. These challenges related to scheduling capacity, logistical coordination, workflow efficiency, resource allocation, and cultural change. A consistent, proactive management approach, coupled with an unwavering commitment to communication, was required to overcome these operational barriers. Practical Applications: Same-day appointments in the ambulatory setting has the potential to improve health outcomes and care quality, while fundamentally changing the way healthcare is delivered for the betterment of patients. However, thoughtful preparation and team-based planning are imperative to establish a methodical approach that will optimize the likelihood of success. Given the potentially disruptive nature of this paradigm, the need for steady leadership, accompanied by the consistent promotion of standardized guidelines, is critical to ensure engagement among all stakeholders. Lastly, the importance of promoting positive cultural change and creating an environment of shared purpose, trust, and transparency cannot be overemphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, the messages Black women receive about vaginal hygiene are often rooted in misogynoir. As a result, Black women across multiple generations may engage in extensive vaginal hygiene practices that are harmful to their health as a means of decreasing the potential for dehumanization or confirming racist stereotypes. The purpose of the current qualitative study is to explore the messages four generations of Black women (n = 12) received about genital hygiene and grooming and the sociocultural factors that influence these messages. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the semi-structured interview data. The following themes were identified: (1) a culture of silence, (2) knowledge acquisition, (3) pressure to maintain Black cleanliness standards, and (4) gendered racist messaging. Subthemes emerged within the knowledge acquisition theme, including learning through word-of-mouth, observation, deduction, trial and error, and direct messaging. Overall, themes and subthemes were consistent across generations; however, some differences were discussed. Participants highlighted the importance of intergenerational conversations in promoting safe vaginal hygiene practices. Recommendations for sexuality educators and healthcare professionals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the construal level theory (CLT), this experiment employed a 2 (message framing: gain vs. loss) × 2 (temporal framing: proximal vs. distal) × 2 (consideration of future consequences: low vs. high) between-subjects factorial design. Parents (N = 409) of 5- to 11-year-old children in the United States from a pool of candidates pre-screened by Qualtrics participated in this study. Results indicated that parents with high CFC-Future were more receptive to messages advocating getting their children vaccinated against COVID-19. Parents with high CFC-Future reported higher risk perception in response to the proximal messages compared to the distal messages. For parents focusing on more distant outcomes, proximal messages generated more positive attitude and greater intention compared to distal messages in the loss-framed condition. The difference was not significant in the gain-framed condition. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed. Limitations and directions for future research were outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nowadays, smartphones are the principal tool for interactions between people. Mobile health applications might be used to study the cognitive functions in the neuro-oncological population. Many brain tumor patients have cognitive challenges that have an impact on sociability. Digital phenotyping is able to characterize social and spatial dimensions of human behavior from mobile phone call records. The aim of this study was to start to explore this technology in brain cancer patients, focusing on sociability data. The results of this pilot study indicate that a digital assessment in neuro-oncology can be used to characterize and follow the social activity of patients' lives. Changes in the patient's social network relate to disease progression, suggesting a new tool to improve the complex evaluation of underserved brain cancer patients. Background: The digital phenotyping tool has great potential for the deep characterization of neurological and quality-of-life assessments in brain tumor patients. Phone communication activities (details on call and text use) can provide insight into the patients' sociability. Methods: We prospectively collected digital-phenotyping data from six brain tumor patients. The data were collected using the Beiwe application installed on their personal smartphones. We constructed several daily sociability features from phone communication logs, including the number of incoming and outgoing text messages and calls, the length of messages and duration of calls, message reciprocity, the number of communication partners, and number of missed calls. We compared variability in these sociability features against those obtained from a control group, matched for age and sex, selected among patients with a herniated disc. Results: In brain tumor patients, phone-based communication appears to deteriorate with time, as evident in the trend for total outgoing minutes, total outgoing calls, and call out-degree. Conclusions: These measures indicate a possible decrease in sociability over time in brain tumor patients that may correlate with survival. This exploratory analysis suggests that a quantifiable digital sociability phenotype exists and is comparable for patients with different survival outcomes. Overall, assessing neurocognitive function using digital phenotyping appears promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fathers experienced high rates of mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social support is crucial to mitigate these problems; however, access to and quality of support were impacted by public health guidelines to increase physical distancing. Online forums offer an avenue for peer connection and support. Yet, minimal research has examined forum use during COVID-19. The objective of the current study was to examine the experiences and support needs of fathers during the pandemic through an exploratory qualitative content analysis of an online social support forum. Posts (N = 299) and comments (N = 2597) on Reddit's sub-forum r/daddit (July and October 2020) were systematically analysed through a Framework Analytic Approach. Findings highlighted five main themes (with subthemes): forum use, family functioning, psychological and health factors, interpersonal functioning, and COVID-19. Findings underscore the critical need for mental health and parenting programs tailored to fathers and informing services to support father and family wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long sedentary time and physical inactivity negatively impact patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Although more and more studies are exploring the effects of mobile health (mHealth), whether an intervention using mHealth reduces sedentary time and physical inactivity is controversial. This systematic review aimed to investigate whether mHealth can reduce sedentary time and physical inactivity in patients with CVD via a comprehensive search and evaluation of relevant articles and review of the effects of mHealth on sedentary time and physical inactivity. Methods: We searched articles on three databases PubMed, Web of Science, and CiNii using "mHealth," "CVD," and "clinical trials" as keywords. All studies using mHealth to reduce sedentary time and physical inactivity were included. We assessed risk of bias in the included studies and conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model. Results: After screening 502 articles, we included five randomized controlled trials. In one study, sedentary time was shorter in the intervention group than the control group by 61.5 min/day at 24 weeks. Three studies using physical inactivity as outcome measures were included in a meta-analysis, and the pooled odds ratio was 0.38 (95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.65), favoring the intervention group. All studies showed high risk of performance bias and low risk of selection bias and reporting bias. Conclusion: The mHealth intervention may remind patients with CVD of exercise training and help them reduce sedentary time and physical inactivity. Future studies need to show for how long mHealth can reduce sedentary time and clarify the cost-effectiveness of the mHealth intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by a desire to unify philosophical beliefs with religious teachings, Ibn Sina sought to reconcile the apparent disparities between the Qur'an and philosophical theories. His method involved a thorough analysis of Qur'anic texts through a philosophical lens, wherein he often employed philosophical insights to interpret legal passages. Ibn Sina argued that the Prophet Muhammad embedded symbolic expressions in the Qur'an, revealing profound truths accessible only to the learned. He posited that these scriptures served as secret codes, understood by a select few, including himself. However, this approach raised concerns about deviating from the core essence of religion and the spiritual message of the Holy Qur'an, as he expanded upon these symbols within his philosophical framework. This study aims to: 1) analyze Ibn Sina's methodology to assess how his philosophical insights influence his interpretation of key verses and legal passages; 2) compare his interpretations with those of other scholars, such as Imam Al-Fakhr Al-Razi, to highlight differences in their philosophical frameworks and implications for Qur'anic understanding; and 3) evaluate the potential effects of Ibn Sina's interpretations on the spiritual essence of the Qur'an, considering whether his philosophical lens aligns with or detracts from the core religious messages of the text. The findings yield significant insights into Ibn Sina's effectiveness in offering a comprehensive and compelling interpretive process, particularly focusing on his logical and philosophical reasoning in relation to Surat Al-Ikhlas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short message service (SMS) text messages are indispensable, but they face a significant issue with spam. Therefore, there is a need for robust models capable of classifying SMS messages as spam or non-spam. Machine learning offers a promising approach for this classification, based on existing datasets. This study explores a comparison of several techniques, including logistic regression (LR), support vector machines (SVM), gradient boosting (GB), and neural networks (NN). Hyperparameters play a crucial role in the performance of these models, and their optimization is essential for achieving high accuracy. To this end, we employ an evolutionary programming approach for hyperparameter optimization. This approach evaluates the performance of these models before and after hyperparameter optimization, aiming to identify the most effective model for SMS spam classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on spatiotemporal sensing techniques, the cross-regional traveling welcome short messaging service (TW-SMS) has been adopted in China and has become popular, typically being used when travelers pass through or arrive in cities. In this service, governmental institutions in combination with telecom operators send welcome messages with the local characteristics. As a typical location-based service for mobile users, the TW-SMS includes reminders or alerts related to COVID-19 prevention and control. In this paper, we investigate the perceptions and behavior of mobile users regarding this special TW-SMS through mixed-methods research. An online survey was conducted among mobile users who engaged in intercity travel. After analyzing samples of TW-SMS data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, we found that the respondents exhibited a relatively positive overall attitudes and recognized the necessity and helpfulness of the TW-SMS with its trusted content. For content analysis, we found that more than 70% of the messages transmitted by the TW-SMS were released by official departments (e.g., the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Office). Reminders about traveling registration and nucleic acid testing were assigned the highest importance, as they offer convenience in communicating the most up-to-date prevention and control information to mobile users during intercity travel. Through this study, we provide insights into epidemic prevention and control experiences during public health emergencies in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to negative media attention regarding gender affirming medical interventions (GAMI), the current manuscript explores the content of messages trans and nonbinary (TNB) individuals receive regarding the impacts of GAMI on gender dysphoria. Further, TNB individuals' experiences of the effects of GAMI on gender dysphoria are described. A sample of responses from 105 TNB participants were analyzed utilizing qualitative content analysis. These qualitative results revealed that the messages participants received were split between trans negative and trans affirming aspects. Relatedly, participants' experiences also reflected a dichotomy between current limitations and positive impacts of GAMI on gender dysphoria. The discussion focuses on how participants' positive experiences with GAMI, which resulted in decreased gender dysphoria and psychological distress, challenge the current political discourse that attempts to ban GAMI. Clinical implications focus on how to translate the current findings regarding the limitations of GAMI into more fully informed consent processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]