bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
M Score Performance Measure for Islamic Banks in Malaysia and Indonesia: A new benchmarking performance instrument for Islamic institution
Authors: Abdul Rahim Memiyanty , Zainuddin Azizan , Mohamed Shith Mohd Sirajuddin Siswadi Putera , Sulistyowati Sulistyowati , Hadji Latif Sahraman D. , Ismal Rifki
Published: April 2024

Performance measurement is vital to examine the performance of any institution. Due to the different nature of business operations, processes, and activities in Islamic banks, they have to be measured by a more focused instrument to reflect the Shariah compliance parts and their business nature compared to the conventional banks. Hence, M Score which has been developed by Abdul Rahim, Abdul Rahman and Syed AlHabshi (2016) has been adopted in this study. The findings from the computation will indicate which country gains the higher M Score in performance, and this can be used as a benchmarking exercise. This research aims to analyse and compare the M Score performance of Islamic banks in Malaysia and Indonesia. The content analysis via Annual Reports of Islamic banks has been used for this study.  The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. The research was conducted on Islamic banks in Malaysia and Indonesia over a period of two years, from 2020-2021. This comparative research is expected to be an evaluation tool for Malaysian Islamic banks, helping them improve their performance to catch up with their counterparts in Indonesia. Thus, the purpose of this research proposal is to analyse and compare the effect of the soundness of Islamic banks based on the M Score performance of Islamic banks in Malaysia and Indonesia. The results of this study indicate that Islamic banks in Indonesia have a higher M Score ranking than those in Malaysia. There are significant differences in the performance of Islamic banks based on the Need Fulfilment and Equitable Distribution (NFED), Economic Growth (EG), and Economic Stability (ES) in Malaysia and Indonesia.
China-Malaysia Relations and the Belt and Road Initiative: An analysis based on Constructivist Theory
Authors: Wang Chaoqun , Mohamed Nasrudin , Hashim Gy Rugayah
Published: April 2024

China-Malaysia relations have a long history. At present, benefiting from the solid foundation laid by China and Malaysia, the Belt and Road Initiative has achieved remarkable results, from which both countries have gained. Starting from the background of the Belt and Road Initiative, this paper explores the development of China-Malaysia relations through the view of constructivist theory by reviewing and analysing cases of cooperation outcomes between China and Malaysia in the fields of politics, economy, and culture, and finds that cultural exchanges are indispensable to the advancement of the bilateral relationship between China and Malaysia.
Assessing the Regularity of Food Donation Operations during Covid-19
Authors: Hamik Saidatul Akma , Mohamed Ahmad Fariz
Published: April 2024

This paper examines how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted food donation efforts. Due to closures and economic hardships, more people rely on food banks for assistance. Various industries have stepped up to support food recovery and combat food insecurity. the study involved in-depth interviews with eight food donors to assess the prevalence of food donation activities. Through the interviews, the study identified the regularity of food donation activities that considered activities conducted with food banks. The findings suggest that food donors should partner with appropriate charities to improve their food redistribution systems and benefit the community and the environment.
An Empirical Study of Contract Governance and Relationship Governance and their Impact on Construction Project Performance
Authors: Mengdi Peng , Puteh Fadilah , Kassim Asiyah
Published: April 2024

The construction industry holds a pillar position in the national economy, but its efficiency paradox is increasingly prominent. An important finding of this study is that there is no contradictory relationship between contract incentives and contract adaptation in construction projects, that is, contract governance in construction projects can achieve both contract incentives and contract adaptation effects, both of which can promote project performance. This contradicts the opposing relationship between contract incentives and contract adaptation supported by existing research, which suggests that the enhancement of one effect always comes at the cost of the weakening of another effect.
Association Between Frequency of Muscle-Strengthening Exercise and Depression Symptoms Among Middle and High School Students: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
Authors: Wang Hao , Du Huaidong , Guan Yunqi , Zhong Jieming , Li Na , Pan Jin , Yu Min
Published: April 2024

Background

Existing literature on the association between the frequency of muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) and depression among adolescents is limited and contradictory.

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate the association of MSE frequency with depression symptoms among middle and high school students in China.

Methods

A total of 27,070 students in grades 7-12 from 376 middle and high schools were surveyed using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire between April and June 2022. Information on engaging in MSE was self-reported, and depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Poisson regression was used to examine the association between MSE frequency and depression symptoms.

Results

Among the 27,006 eligible students, 51.6% (n=13,933) were boys, and the mean age was 15.6 (SD 1.7) years. The overall prevalence of meeting MSE recommendations (ie, engaging in MSE ≥3 days/week) was 34.6% (95% CI 32.6%-36.6%; n=9145); the prevalence was higher in boys (43.8%, 95% CI 41.8%-45.8%; 6067/13,933) than in girls (24.3%, 95% CI 22%-26.6%; 3078/13,073; P<.001). A total of 5882 (21.8%) students reported having depression symptoms. After adjustment for sociodemographic status, lifestyle factors, academic performance, and experience of physical fighting, compared to students who did not engage in MSE, the prevalence ratios (PRs) for depression symptoms were 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99) for those engaging in MSE once a week, 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.97) for 2 days/week, 0.93 (95% CI 0.90-0.96) for 3 days/week, 0.90 (95% CI 0.87-0.94) for 4 days/week, 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.93) for 5 days/week, 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.92) for 6 days/week, and 0.84 (95% CI 0.78-0.90) for 7 days/week, respectively.

Conclusions

The overall prevalence of meeting MSE recommendations among Chinese adolescents is low. The frequency of MSE was inversely associated with depression symptoms.
Evaluating the Disease-Related Experiences of TikTok Users With Lupus Erythematosus: Qualitative and Content Analysis
Authors: Wanberg Lindsey J , Pearson David R
Published: April 2024

Background

Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune condition that is associated with significant detriments to quality of life and daily functioning. TikTok, a popular social networking platform for sharing short videos, provides a unique opportunity to understand experiences with LE within a nonclinical sample, a population that is understudied in LE research. This is the first qualitative study that explores LE experiences using the TikTok platform.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the disease-related experiences of TikTok users with LE using qualitative and content analysis.

Methods

TikTok videos were included if the hashtags included #lupus, were downloadable, were in English, and involved the personal experience of an individual with LE. A codebook was developed using a standardized inductive approach of iterative coding until saturation was reached. NVivo (Lumivero), a qualitative analysis software platform, was used to code videos and perform content analysis. Inductive thematic analysis was used to derive themes from the data.

Results

A total of 153 TikTok videos met the inclusion criteria. The most common codes were experiences with symptoms (106/153, 69.3%), mucocutaneous symptoms (61/153, 39.9%), and experiences with treatment (59/153, 38.6%). Experiences with symptoms and mucocutaneous symptoms had the greatest cumulative views (25,381,074 and 14,879,109 views, respectively). Five thematic conclusions were derived from the data: (1) mucocutaneous symptoms had profound effects on the mental health and body image of TikTok users with LE; (2) TikTok users’ negative experiences with health care workers were often derived from diagnostic delays and perceptions of “medical gaslighting”; (3) TikTok users tended to portray pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, such as diet and naturopathic remedies, positively, whereas pharmacologic treatments were portrayed negatively or referred to as “chemotherapy”; (4) LE symptoms, particularly musculoskeletal symptoms and fatigue, interfered with users’ daily functioning; and (5) although TikTok users frequently had strong support systems, feelings of isolation were often attributed to battling an “invisible illness.”

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that social media can provide important, clinically relevant information for health practitioners caring for patients with chronic conditions such as LE. As mucocutaneous symptoms were the predominant drivers of distress in our sample, the treatment of hair loss and rash is vital in this population. However, pharmacologic therapies were often depicted negatively, reinforcing the significance of discussions on the safety and effectiveness of these treatments. In addition, while TikTok users demonstrated robust support systems, feelings of having an “invisible illness” and “medical gaslighting” dominated negative interactions with others. This underscores the importance of providing validation in clinical interactions.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Hospitalization, and Associated Factors Among People Living With HIV in Southeastern China From December 2022 to February 2023: Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Cheng Wei , Xu Yun , Jiang Haibo , Li Jun , Hou Zhigang , Meng Haibin , Wang Wei , Chai Chengliang , Jiang Jianmin
Published: April 2024

Background

Limited studies have explored the impact of the Omicron variant on SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and associated factors among people living with HIV, particularly in China. The adjustment of preventive policies since December 2022 in China presents an opportunity to evaluate the real-world factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 infection and related hospitalization among people living with HIV.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization rates, and associated factors among people living with HIV following the adjustment of preventive policies from December 2022 to February 2023 in southeastern China.

Methods

A cross-sectional telephone or web-based survey was conducted among people living with HIV in 5 cities in southeastern China from December 2022 to February 2023. Demographic information, SARS-CoV-2 infection and related hospitalization, and HIV-specific characteristics were collected from existing databases and special investigations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associated factors for infection and hospitalization rates of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted for the association between vaccination and infection across different vaccination statuses and time since the last vaccination.

Results

Among people living with HIV with a COVID-19 testing history, the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was 67.13% (95% CI 65.81%-68.13%), whereas the hospitalization rate was 0.71% (95% CI 0.46%-0.97%). Factors such as age, latest CD4 cell count, latest HIV viral load, and transmission route were found to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, while age, cancer, latest CD4 cell count, and latest HIV viral load were associated with SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization. In terms of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, compared to unvaccinated people living with HIV, there was a lower infection rate among those who had been vaccinated for <3 months in the booster vaccination group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.72, 95% CI 0.53-0.98; P=.04); and there was also a lower risk of hospitalization among people living with HIV who had received vaccination in the past 6-12 months (aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.81; P=.02) and more than 12 months ago (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07-0.72; P=.01).

Conclusions

After the ease of prevention and control measures in China, we observed a high SARS-CoV-2 infection rate but a low hospitalization rate. General risk factors, such as higher age and vaccination status, and HIV-related parameters, such as the latest CD4 cell count and HIV viral load, were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization. A booster vaccination campaign for booster doses should be considered among people living with HIV in confronting possible COVID-19 epidemic emergencies in the near future.
Embedding the Use of Patient Multimedia Educational Resources Into Cardiac Acute Care: Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Hutchinson Anastasia , Khaw Damien , Malmstrom-Zinkel Annika , Winter Natalie , Dowling Chantelle , Botti Mari , McDonall Joanne
Published: April 2024

Background

Multimedia interventions may play an important role in improving patient care and reducing the time constraints of patient-clinician encounters. The “MyStay Cardiac” multimedia resource is an innovative program designed to be accessed by adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the uptake of the MyStay Cardiac both during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A prospective observational study design was used that involved the evaluation of program usage data available from the digital interface of the multimedia program. Data on usage patterns were analyzed for a 30-month period between August 2020 and January 2023. Usage patterns were compared during and following the lifting of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Uptake of the MyStay Cardiac was measured via the type and extent of user activity data captured by the web-based information system.

Results

Intensive care unit recovery information was the most accessed information, being viewed in approximately 7 of 10 usage sessions. Ward recovery (n=124/343, 36.2%), goal (n=114/343, 33.2%), and exercise (n=102/343, 29.7%) information were routinely accessed. Most sessions involved users exclusively viewing text-based information (n=210/343, 61.2%). However, in over one-third of sessions (n=132/342, 38.5%), users accessed video information. Most usage sessions occurred during the COVID-19 restriction phase of the study (August 2020-December 2021). Sessions in which video (P=.02, phi=0.124) and audio (P=.006, phi=0.161) media were accessed were significantly more likely to occur in the restriction phase compared to the postrestriction phase.

Conclusions

This study found that the use of digital multimedia resources to support patient education was well received and integrated into their practice by cardiac nurses working in acute care during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a pattern for greater usage of the MyStay Cardiac during the COVID-19 pandemic when access to the health service for nonfrontline, essential workers was limited.
A Roadmap for Using Causal Inference and Machine Learning to Personalize Asthma Medication Selection
Authors: Nkoy Flory L , Stone Bryan L , Zhang Yue , Luo Gang
Published: April 2024

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is a mainstay treatment for controlling asthma and preventing exacerbations in patients with persistent asthma. Many types of ICS drugs are used, either alone or in combination with other controller medications. Despite the widespread use of ICSs, asthma control remains suboptimal in many people with asthma. Suboptimal control leads to recurrent exacerbations, causes frequent ER visits and inpatient stays, and is due to multiple factors. One such factor is the inappropriate ICS choice for the patient. While many interventions targeting other factors exist, less attention is given to inappropriate ICS choice. Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with variable underlying inflammations and biomarkers. Up to 50% of people with asthma exhibit some degree of resistance or insensitivity to certain ICSs due to genetic variations in ICS metabolizing enzymes, leading to variable responses to ICSs. Yet, ICS choice, especially in the primary care setting, is often not tailored to the patient’s characteristics. Instead, ICS choice is largely by trial and error and often dictated by insurance reimbursement, organizational prescribing policies, or cost, leading to a one-size-fits-all approach with many patients not achieving optimal control. There is a pressing need for a decision support tool that can predict an effective ICS at the point of care and guide providers to select the ICS that will most likely and quickly ease patient symptoms and improve asthma control. To date, no such tool exists. Predicting which patient will respond well to which ICS is the first step toward developing such a tool. However, no study has predicted ICS response, forming a gap. While the biologic heterogeneity of asthma is vast, few, if any, biomarkers and genotypes can be used to systematically profile all patients with asthma and predict ICS response. As endotyping or genotyping all patients is infeasible, readily available electronic health record data collected during clinical care offer a low-cost, reliable, and more holistic way to profile all patients. In this paper, we point out the need for developing a decision support tool to guide ICS selection and the gap in fulfilling the need. Then we outline an approach to close this gap via creating a machine learning model and applying causal inference to predict a patient’s ICS response in the next year based on the patient’s characteristics. The model uses electronic health record data to characterize all patients and extract patterns that could mirror endotype or genotype. This paper supplies a roadmap for future research, with the eventual goal of shifting asthma care from one-size-fits-all to personalized care, improve outcomes, and save health care resources.
Comparing Open-Access Database and Traditional Intensive Care Studies Using Machine Learning: Bibliometric Analysis Study (Preprint)
Authors: Ke Yuhe , Yang Rui , Liu Nan
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Intensive care research has predominantly relied on conventional methods like randomized controlled trials. However, the increasing popularity of open-access, free databases in the past decade has opened new avenues for research, offering fresh insights. Leveraging machine learning (ML) techniques enables the analysis of trends in a vast number of studies.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis using ML to compare trends and research topics in traditional intensive care unit (ICU) studies and those done with open-access databases (OADs).

METHODS

We used ML for the analysis of publications in the Web of Science database in this study. Articles were categorized into “OAD” and “traditional intensive care” (TIC) studies. OAD studies were included in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC), eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD), Amsterdam University Medical Centers Database (AmsterdamUMCdb), High Time Resolution ICU Dataset (HiRID), and Pediatric Intensive Care database. TIC studies included all other intensive care studies. Uniform manifold approximation and projection was used to visualize the corpus distribution. The BERTopic technique was used to generate 30 topic-unique identification numbers and to categorize topics into 22 topic families.

RESULTS

A total of 227,893 records were extracted. After exclusions, 145,426 articles were identified as TIC and 1301 articles as OAD studies. TIC studies experienced exponential growth over the last 2 decades, culminating in a peak of 16,378 articles in 2021, while OAD studies demonstrated a consistent upsurge since 2018. Sepsis, ventilation-related research, and pediatric intensive care were the most frequently discussed topics. TIC studies exhibited broader coverage than OAD studies, suggesting a more extensive research scope.

CONCLUSIONS

This study analyzed ICU research, providing valuable insights from a large number of publications. OAD studies complement TIC studies, focusing on predictive modeling, while TIC studies capture essential qualitative information. Integrating both approaches in a complementary manner is the future direction for ICU research. Additionally, natural language processing techniques offer a transformative alternative for literature review and bibliometric analysis.
Association Between Frequency of Muscle-Strengthening Exercise and Depression Symptoms Among Middle and High School Students: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Hao , Du Huaidong , Guan Yunqi , Zhong Jieming , Li Na , Pan Jin , Yu Min
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Existing literature on the association between the frequency of muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) and depression among adolescents is limited and contradictory.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to elucidate the association of MSE frequency with depression symptoms among middle and high school students in China.

METHODS

A total of 27,070 students in grades 7-12 from 376 middle and high schools were surveyed using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire between April and June 2022. Information on engaging in MSE was self-reported, and depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Poisson regression was used to examine the association between MSE frequency and depression symptoms.

RESULTS

Among the 27,006 eligible students, 51.6% (n=13,933) were boys, and the mean age was 15.6 (SD 1.7) years. The overall prevalence of meeting MSE recommendations (ie, engaging in MSE ≥3 days/week) was 34.6% (95% CI 32.6%-36.6%; n=9145); the prevalence was higher in boys (43.8%, 95% CI 41.8%-45.8%; 6067/13,933) than in girls (24.3%, 95% CI 22%-26.6%; 3078/13,073; P<.001). A total of 5882 (21.8%) students reported having depression symptoms. After adjustment for sociodemographic status, lifestyle factors, academic performance, and experience of physical fighting, compared to students who did not engage in MSE, the prevalence ratios (PRs) for depression symptoms were 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99) for those engaging in MSE once a week, 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.97) for 2 days/week, 0.93 (95% CI 0.90-0.96) for 3 days/week, 0.90 (95% CI 0.87-0.94) for 4 days/week, 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.93) for 5 days/week, 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.92) for 6 days/week, and 0.84 (95% CI 0.78-0.90) for 7 days/week, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of meeting MSE recommendations among Chinese adolescents is low. The frequency of MSE was inversely associated with depression symptoms.
A Smartphone App to Support Self-Management for People Living With Sjögren's Syndrome: Qualitative Co-Design Workshops (Preprint)
Authors: McCallum Claire , Campbell Miglena , Vines John , Rapley Tim , Ellis Jason , Deary Vincent , Hackett Katie
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease, and the range of symptoms includes fatigue, dryness, sleep disturbances, and pain. Smartphone apps may help deliver a variety of cognitive and behavioral techniques to support self-management in SS. However, app-based interventions must be carefully designed to promote engagement and motivate behavior change.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore self-management approaches and challenges experienced by people living with SS and produce a corresponding set of design recommendations that inform the design of an engaging, motivating, and evidence-based self-management app for those living with SS.

METHODS

We conducted a series of 8 co-design workshops and an additional 3 interviews with participants who were unable to attend a workshop. These were audio recorded, transcribed, and initially thematically analyzed using an inductive approach. Then, the themes were mapped to the Self-Determination Theory domains of competency, autonomy, and relatedness.

RESULTS

Participants experienced a considerable demand in the daily work required in self-managing their SS. The condition demanded unrelenting, fluctuating, and unpredictable mental, physical, and social efforts. Participants used a wide variety of techniques to self-manage their symptoms; however, their sense of competency was undermined by the complexity and interconnected nature of their symptoms and affected by interactions with others. The daily contexts in which this labor was occurring revealed ample opportunities to use digital health aids. The lived experience of participants showed that the constructs of competency, autonomy, and relatedness existed in a complex equilibrium with each other. Sometimes, they were disrupted by tensions, whereas on other occasions, they worked together harmoniously.

CONCLUSIONS

An SS self-management app needs to recognize the complexity and overlap of symptoms and the complexities of managing the condition in daily life. Identifying techniques that target several symptoms simultaneously may prevent users from becoming overwhelmed. Including techniques that support assertiveness and communication with others about the condition, its symptoms, and users’ limitations may support users in their interactions with others and improve engagement in symptom management strategies. For digital health aids (such as self-management apps) to provide meaningful support, they should be designed according to human needs such as competence, autonomy, and relatedness. However, the complexities among the 3 Self-Determination Theory constructs should be carefully considered, as they present both design difficulties and opportunities.
Evaluating the Readability of a Custom Generative Pre-Trained Transformer With Retrieval Augmentation for Pediatric Neurocutaneous Syndromes (Preprint)
Authors: Ede Nneka , Okereke Robyn
Published: April 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

Our study develops a GPT assistant for neurocutaneous diseases with a custom knowledge base, tests its ability to answer common patient questions, and shows that a GPT using retrieval augmentation generation can improve the readability of GPT-generated patient educational material without prompting a specific reading level.
Revolutionizing Health Care: The Transformative Impact of Large Language Models in Medicine (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Kuo , Meng Xiangbin , Yan Xiangyu , Ji Jiaming , Liu Jingqian , Xu Hua , Zhang Heng , Liu Da , Wang Jingjia , Wang Xuliang , Gao Jun , Wang Yuan-geng-shuo , Shao Chunli , Wang Wenyao , Li Jiarong , Zheng Ming-Qi , Yang Yaodong , Tang Yi-Da
Published: April 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

Large language models (LLMs) are rapidly advancing medical artificial intelligence, offering revolutionary changes in health care. These models excel in natural language processing (NLP), enhancing clinical support, diagnosis, treatment, and medical research. Breakthroughs, like GPT-4 and BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformer), demonstrate LLMs’ evolution through improved computing power and data. However, their high hardware requirements are being addressed through technological advancements. LLMs are unique in processing multimodal data, thereby improving emergency, elder care, and digital medical procedures. Challenges include ensuring their empirical reliability, addressing ethical and societal implications, especially data privacy, and mitigating biases while maintaining privacy and accountability. The paper emphasizes the need for human-centric, bias-free LLMs for personalized medicine and advocates for equitable development and access. LLMs hold promise for transformative impacts in health care.
Interaction Effects Between Low Self-Control and Meaning in Life on Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms and Functioning in Chinese Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Latent Moderated Structural Equation Modeling Study (Preprint)
Authors: Fong Ted CT , Cui Kunjie , Yip Paul SF
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an emerging behavioral addiction with mental health implications among adolescents. Low self-control is an established risk factor of IGD. Few studies have, however, examined the moderating role of meaning in life (MIL) on the relationships between low self-control and IGD symptoms and functioning.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the effects of low self-control and MIL and their interaction effects on IGD symptoms and family and school functioning in a structural equation model.

METHODS

A sample of 2064 adolescents (967, 46.9% male; mean age 14.6 years) was recruited by multistage cluster random sampling from 5 middle schools in Sichuan, China, in 2022. The participants completed a self-report questionnaire with validated measures on low self-control, presence of MIL, search for MIL, IGD symptoms, school commitment, and family functioning. Construct validity, measurement invariance, and structural invariance of the measures were evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis across sex. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the indirect effects of low self-control and MIL on family and school functioning through IGD symptoms. Latent moderated structural equation modeling was performed to examine the interaction effects between low self-control and MIL on IGD symptoms, school commitment, and family functioning.

RESULTS

All scales showed satisfactory model fit and scalar measurement invariance by sex. Males showed significantly greater IGD symptoms and lower levels of self-control (Cohen d=0.25-1.20, P<.001) than females. IGD symptoms were significantly and positively associated with impulsivity (β=.20, P=.01), temper (β=.25, P<.001), and search for meaning (β=.11, P=.048) and significantly and negatively associated with presence of meaning (β=–.21, P<.001). Presence of MIL and impulsivity showed a significant and negative interaction effect (β=–.11, SE .05; P=.03) on IGD symptoms. The positive effect of impulsivity on IGD symptoms was stronger among adolescents with low presence of MIL than those with high presence of MIL. Temper showed significant and positive interaction effects with presence of MIL (β=.08, SE .04; P=.03) and search for MIL (β=.08, SE .04; P=.04) on family functioning. The negative effects of temper on family functioning were stronger among adolescents with low levels of MIL than among those with high levels of MIL.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first findings on the interaction effects between low self-control and presence of MIL and search for MIL on IGD symptoms and functioning among a large sample of adolescents in rural China. The results have implications for targeted interventions to help male adolescents with lower self-control and presence of meaning.

CLINICALTRIAL
Use of Behavior Change Techniques in Online HIV Prevention Programmes for Adolescents and Young People: A Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Mo Phoenix Kit-han , Lee Tsz Ching
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

HIV infections have caused severe public health and economic burdens to the world. Adolescents and young people continue to constitute a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases. Online health interventions will be the trend to prevent the rising HIV epidemic.

OBJECTIVE

HIV infections have caused severe public health and economic burdens to the world. Adolescents and young people continue to constitute a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases. Online health interventions will be the trend to prevent the rising HIV epidemic.

METHODS

Four databases were searched and studies from 2008 to January 2023 were screened. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Basic study characteristics, intervention strategies and study results were extracted and compared for data analysis. BCTs used were identified according to the definitions from the BCT taxonomy by Michie and Abraham in 2008. Frequencies of BCTs were counted to uncover the commonly used techniques in online HIV prevention programs.

RESULTS

A total of 27 RCTs are included in this review. Commonly used BCTs identified include prompt intention formation (100%, 27/27), provide information about behavior-health link (96%, 26/27), provide general encouragement (96%, 26/27), provide information on consequences (89%, 24/27), and provide instruction (85%, 23/27). BCTs with a provision nature are more observed in interventions with significant improvement in HIV knowledge, while more use of BCTs with the nature of initiating actions are observed in studies with significant increase in condom-use self-efficacy. Studies with a significant increase in condom use have used BCTs that manage and maintain behavior the most among the three outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first systematic review that examined the use of BCTs in online HIV prevention interventions for adolescents and young people. Commonly used BCTs found in this review can serve as important references for constructing more effective online interventions in the future.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
Microsatellite analysis of Kalmyk cattle
Authors: Ubushieva Viktoria S. , Gorlov Ivan F. , Chimidova Nadezhda V. , Ubushieva Altana V.
Published: April 2024

Development of specialized beef cattle breeding contributes to increase in beef production, which directly affects the countrys food security. Currently, increasing productivity of animals is the major trend of cattle breeding development, which in turn requires improvement of breeding. The effectiveness of breeding work depends on the assessment of genetic value of breeding animals. To control authenticity of animal origin is a prerequisite for conducting breeding work. One of the main directions of cattle breeding in Kalmykia is breeding of Kalmyk cattle. The aim of the research was to study genetic diversity of Kalmyk cattle populations using microsatellite analysis. The study was conducted in the Regional Research and Production Center for Reproduction of Kalmyk State University. 60 Kalmyk cattle from Plodovitoe agricultural production company in Maloderbetovsky district were studied. PCR analysis was performed by 9 microsatellite loci: BM1824, BM 2113, INRA023, SPS 115, TGLA 122, TGLA 126, TGLA 227, ETH 10, ETH 225. It was found that the average number of alleles was 10.1, while the number of alleles per locus varied from 7 (BM 1824, SPS 115, ETH 10) to 18 (TGLA 122). The loci with the largest range of alleles were BM 2113 (12), INRA 023 (12), TGLA 122 (18) and TGLA 227 (12). The most informative loci were INRA 023, TGLA 122 and TGLA 227. The level of observed heterozygosity varied from 0.67 (ETH 10) to 0.83 (SPS 115, TGLA 227, ETH 225), and expected heterozygosity - from 0.86 (BM 1824, SPS 115, ETH 10) to 0.92 (BM 2113, INRA 023, TGLA 227). Analysis of fixation index data showed that 8 loci had negative index (BM 1824 (-0.22), BM 2113 (-0.26), INRA 023 (-0.26), SPS 115 (-0.18), TGLA 122 (-0.12), TGLA 126 (-0.10), ETH 10 (-0.28), ETH 225 (-0.04) and 1 locus (TGLA 227) had positive index (1.0). The results of the analysis of microsatellite loci showed that level of genetic diversity in the studied herd of Kalmyk cattle is high.
Ways to increase milk productivity of Red Gorbatov breed
Authors: Shekhovtsev Grigory S.
Published: April 2024

Conservation of cattle breed diversity is one of the urgent problems of animal husbandry. Of special interest is the study of the last remaining population of Red Gorbatov cattle, descended from Tyrolean cattle, which is represented by Tux-Z illertal breed today. The purpose of the research was to study the influence of bloodline of Red Gorbatov breed on dairy productivity of cows. The objectives of the study included analysis of the current state of gene pool population of Red Gorbatov cattle saturated with Angler and Red Danish breeds over the last years. Purebred Red Gorbatov cows and crossbred animals obtained by crossing with Angler and Red Danish breeds were compared according to the following indicators of milk productivity: average milk yield for all lactations, fat and protein content in milk, milk fat and protein yield. Average value, coefficients of variation and correlation were calculated. The results of the study showed some superiority of crossbred animals over purebred Red Gorbatov cattle in the value of milk yields: by 5.7 % in crossbreeds with Angler breed and 12.9 % in crossbreeds with Red Danish breed, however, the differences in the values of the trait were not statistically significant. Differences in content of fat and protein in milk were not significant and were in the range from 0.01 to 0.04 %. The revealed values of correlation coefficients showed a significant unrealized potential of milk productivity.
Application of nitrogen fertilizers to spring wheat on meadowchernozem soil in the Omsk Irtysh region
Authors: Voronkova Natalya A. , Tsyganova Nadezhda A. , Balabanova Natalya F. , Volkova Victoria A. , Pakhotina Irina V.
Published: April 2024

The effectiveness of fractional application of nitrogen fertilizers in cultivation of spring common wheat was studied in the conditions of the Omsk Irtysh region on meadow-chernozem medium-sized medium-humus heavy loamy soil. The research object was spring common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Melodiya. The purpose of the research was to establish the effectiveness of fractional application of nitrogen fertilizers depending on the level of labile phosphorus in meadow-chernozem soil on yield and grain quality of spring common wheat in the conditions of the Omsk Irtysh region. The field experiment had three factors (242): Factor A phosphorus background: 1. No fertilizers; 2. Application of P30 a. i./ha; factor B main application of ammonium nitrate in increasing doses: 0, N30, N45, N60; factor C foliar feeding with ammonium nitrate and carbamide at a dose of N30: 1. Once in heading stage; 2. Twice in heading stage and milky ripeness. It was found that the most effective was main application of nitrogen-p hosphorus fertilizers in doses of N3045P30; crop productivity in these variants increases by 4048 % in comparison with the nonfertilized variants due to the gain in 1000-seed weight (r = 0.400.42), productive stooling (r = 0.83). The agronomic profitableness of one kg of a. i./ha applied fertilizers in these variants was 21.5 and 19.9 kg of grain with 7.5 and 6.1 kg increase in protein content, respectively. Late foliar sprayings, regardless of their number, did not increase crop productivity and quality of wheat grain. Thus, fractional application of nitrogen fertilizers in years with insufficient moisture levels (hydrothermal index 0.60.7) is not effective.
The Artistic Universe of Chingiz Aytmatov: From Bilinguality to Transculture
Authors: Smirnova Alfiya I.
Published: April 2024

The study analyzes the prose of Ch.T. Aitmatov, created in Russian, starting with the stories “Farewell, Gyulsary!”, “The White Steamer”, “The Piebald Dog Running by the Edge of the Sea” and ending with his “epic” novel, reveals the artistic evolution of the writer: from bilingualism to transculture. The ethno-ontological analysis of the stories and novels “And the Day Lasts Longer than a Century”, “The Scaffold”, “Cassandra’s Brand”, “When the Mountains Fall (Eternal Bride)” made it possible to identify the dynamics of the author’s creative development, to characterize this process as the “expanding artistic Universe” of the author: from ethnic picture of the world to the creation of a mythopoetic model of existence in stories, the transition to the genre of the novel as a “universal concept of Being and man” and the beginning of a new creative stage, marked by the cosmism of the writer’s thinking and an appeal to fantasy, interest in different national cultures, the increasing tragedy of the worldview, “synthetism” genre form, new coordinates in constructing a world model (East - West, Earth - Space, archaic time - modernity), the formation of a transcultural polylogue space (inclusion of Biblical and world literary intertext).
“We are in the Same Boat”: Results and Prospects of the International Aitmatov Forum
Authors: Bakhtikireeva Uldanai M. , Valikova Olga A.
Published: April 2024

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General Analysis of the Ethnolinguistic Situation in Kamchatka Krai in the Context of Language Legislation and Statistical Data
Authors: Fayzrakhmanova Yulia S.
Published: April 2024

This study provides a general analysis of the ethnolinguistic situation in Kamchatka Krai in the context of language legislation, demographic and statistical data. The analysis of the official statistics (the 2020 All-Russian Population Census) shows that its data does not fully correspond to the real language situation in the region. Identifying the real language situation in Kamchatka Krai requires regular field research, sociolinguistic surveys of the population in the region and questionnaires. The author of this study notes that the dialectal fragmentation of native languages together with the terminological confusion in the names of languages and nationalities make it difficult to quantify both the number of indigenous peoples and number of native speakers. The study also provides a brief overview of regional and federal laws aimed at supporting and preserving the native languages of indigenous peoples, as well as statistical data on teaching and learning the native languages in Kamchatka Krai.
In memory of the Unique Scientist Gennady P. Melnikov
Authors: Krashevskaia Nataliia V. , Sai Kalpana Sundaram
Published: April 2024

This survey is to summarize some aspect of the IX International Scientific and Practical Conference “Bi-, poly-, translingualism and language education” (30.11. - 02.12.2023, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow) that deals the name of Gennady P. Melnikov - an outstanding scientist, philosopher, systemologist, and linguist. The review indicates the specifics of the conference, presents some essence of systemology, and describes the content of some reports.
The Nature of Errors in Russian Speech of a Future Bilingual Teacher of the Russian Language: Psycholinguistic, Linguo-Methodological Approaches to the Interpretation of Experimental Data
Authors: Medvedeva Natalya V.
Published: April 2024

Thematic justification is explained by the necessity to analyze errors in the Russian speech of a bilingual personality of natural foreign - Russian bilingual Komi - Permyak based on specific character of the processes of his speech. Phenomenon of “error” is interpreted on the basis of psycholinguistic approach as a result of failure in mechanism of speech of a bilingual and linguo-methodological approaches as a fact of normalization disorder and the exploration of tooling for improving the Russian speech of a bilingual personality. The author relies on studies in which the linguistic and didactic vectors of error research tend to interpret the processes of speech-cognitive activity and are explained psycholinguistically and linguistically. The choice of a psycholinguistic approach to the study of errors makes it possible to identify their nature, to interpret them not only as facts of violation of speech normativity, but also as manifestations of processes of violations/failures/interference in the speech-mental activity of the speaker and writer. Purpose of the study is to analyze errors in the Russian speech of a bilingual speaker - a future teacher of the Russian language (Komi-Permyak) in the process of perception and generation of the Russian speech. Object of the study is the speech activity of a bilingual speaker in Russian, the subject is errors in his speech in the conditions of preparation for the profession of a Russian language teacher. Materials of the study were experimental data: errors in the written and oral Russian speech of bilingual Komi - Permyak students during linguo-methodological subjects and in their written works. The study methods are direct viewing of the Russian speech of a bilingual Komi - Permyak student, analysis of his written works and oral statements, error interpretation through psycholinguistic and linguo-methodological approaches. The study results confirm the hypothesis: the nature of errors in Russian oral and written speech of a foreign - Russian bilingual is psycholinguistic, appearing on the all levels of a bilingual personality in interlingual interactions of the systems of the native and Russian languages, which determines the functioning of the speech mechanisms in Russian. In order to improve the Russian speech of a foreign - Russian bilingual it is necessary to develop an effective linguo-methodological tooling for teaching.
NILAI-NILAI NASIONALISME PADA PUISI DONGENG PAHLAWAN KARYA WS. RENDRA
Authors: Sunarti Sunarti , Yusup Maulana , Isnaini Heri
Published: April 2024

This article discusses the values of nationalism in W.S. Rendra's poem "Heroes' Tale." The poem is found in the Stanzas and Blues. The poem "Fairy Tales of Heroes" is assumed to have values of nationalism and heroic values. The focus of this research is based on two problems. 1) how the values of nationalism are built on the poem "Tale of Heroes" by W.S. Rendra; and 2) how the values of nationalism build character values that can be utilized in the learning process. Both issues will be examined based on the theory of symbols covered in the dictions in poetry. The method used is qualitative method by making poetry as an object and research data. The results of this study showed that the values of nationalism in the poem "Dongeng Pahlawan" by W.S. Rendra were built on conventional symbols. The symbols are contained in the dictions used.In addition, character values appear in line with the found values of nationalism. Thus, W.S. Rendra's poem "Hero's Tale" has important values in building the character of nationalism that is indispensable in building our nation and country.Â
Volatility spillovers across Bitcoin, stock, and exchange rates markets
Authors: Umoru David , Ugbaka Malachy Ashywel , Uyang Francis Abul , Atseye Anake Fidelis , Atelhe Atelhe George , Omono Cletus Ekok , Abuh-Amasi Scholastica Ashibebonye , Awubi Emmanuel Richard , Okungbowa Ewere Florence , Oburota Chukwuedo Susan , Egbadju Lawrence Uvie , Isesele Williams Eromosele , Braimah Bashiru Adamu
Published: April 2024

Globalization of the world economy has ensured flexible exchange rate mechanisms are executed thereby creating interdependence between and within the stock, digital currency and foreign exchange markets. Unfortunately, in emerging African countries, few studies conducted on volatility spillovers failed to adequately establish the significance and pattern of volatility spillover effects between returns on Bitcoin, stock markets and exchange rates. Hence, the need for this study using the diagonal-BEKK approach. While Botswana had an inverse pattern of spillovers, Tunisia had a positive pattern. Bitcoin and stock prices both had volatility spillover effects between each other in South Africa. South Africa and Namibia were the only countries with significant volatility spillovers between stock prices and exchange rates. In countries like Kenya that had significant cross-volatility from the stock market to the exchange rate, news about the stock market stimulated reactions from investors that impacted volatility within the market. This volatility creates a multiplier effect on other economic circles of influence, depending on whether reactions are favourable to the market or unfavourable. When volatility in the Kenyan stock market rises, exchange rates in the next period experience less volatility, against the common theory that investors’ actions that cause volatility in the stock market cause withdrawal of investments.
A further generalization of the Catalan numbers and its explicit formula and integral representation
Authors: Li Wen-Hui , Kouba Omran , Kaddoura Issam , Qi Feng
Published: April 2024

In the paper, motivated by the generating function of the Catalan numbers in
combinatorial number theory and with the aid of Cauchy?s integral formula in
complex analysis, the authors generalize the Catalan numbers and its
generating function, establish an explicit formula and an integral
representation for the generalization of the Catalan numbers and
corresponding generating function, and derive several integral formulas and
combinatorial identities.