Comparison Of Research Findings Research Articles

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF MEASURES USED IN STUDIES LINKING SOCIAL ISOLATION, LONELINESS, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

Abstract Social isolation (SI) and loneliness significantly impact public health, particularly among older adults, leading to adverse physical health outcomes. Despite extensive research in this field, there is considerable variability in how these factors are measured. Our systematic review, following the PRISMA method, identified 22 relevant studies. Among these, 18 primarily utilized secondary data and assessed social isolation through questions covering marital status, contact frequency with family, friends, and participation in social activities. Composite indices and scales were often constructed from these measures, with scores indicating low/high social isolation. However, it’s essential to note that loneliness, which can be felt despite social interaction, requires validated scales for accurate measurement. Out of the 22 studies, 4 didn’t employ validated scales for either SI or loneliness, while 6 lacked validation for SI, and 5 out of 20 for loneliness. Measurement scales varied for loneliness, from simple classifications to Likert scales, with higher scores indicating heightened loneliness. Some studies adopted established scales like the Bude and Lantermann scale, while others employed modified versions or analogues. Our analysis highlights the importance of using validated measures to assess these variables accurately. Markedly, different measurement approaches yielded distinct impacts on health outcomes. Moving forward, standardization and validation of measurement tools are critical for enhancing the reliability and comparability of research findings in this area.

IPDLN Workshop: Opportunities for Cross-Country Comparisons of Linked Administrative Education and Health Data

ObjectivesTo understand how we can better initiate and run international collaborations to deliver tangible and impactful findings using population-wide linked health and education data. ApproachRepresentatives from 14 countries (America, Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Wales) summarised the potential for research using their linked administrative health and education data. The scope for collaboration and comparison of research findings across countries was explored. ResultsSeveral substantive research themes emerged, including the quantifying of differences in educational outcomes by health conditions and other early life factors, using health data to better identify and explore the special educational needs identified in educational records, using linked health and education data to identify and explore reasons for absenteeism from school. ConclusionsThe workshop showcased the primary themes for research and the data assets available within each country for comparative work. Further work is required to more robustly document the available detail within these datasets, collaboratively develop protocol templates for comparative studies, and develop pilot, proof of concept, studies.

Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activity of Dioscorea bulbifera: A Comprehensive Review.

Dioscorea bulbifera (Family: Dioscoreaceae) also referred to as 'Air potato,' carries significant importance in the traditional medicine of China, West Africa and India. It is a common ingredient in numerous herbals and Ayurvedic formulations used to treat a variety of ailments. The literature review extensively examined the historical usage, phytoconstituents, characterisation of phytoconstituents, and medicinal uses of tubers, leaves, rhizomes and bulbils, with a particular focus on comparing research findings. Among the bioactive constituents, aglycone forms of steroidal saponins such as dioscorine, dioscin, diosbulbins, and diosgenin exhibit significant biological activities. Extracts from different parts of the plant exhibited pharmacological activities like anti-viral, anti-malarial, analgesic, antidiabetic, and anticancer. It is necessary to conduct an in-depth investigation to bridge between traditional knowledge and scientific evidence. This comprehensive review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the ethnobotany, phytoconstituent, chemical characterization and pharmacological potential of D. bulbifera, highlighting its prospects and challenges for future research and medicinal application.

Standardization of bone morphometry and mineral density assessments in zebrafish and other small laboratory fishes using X-ray radiography and micro-computed tomography.

Zebrafish and other small laboratory fishes are emerging as important animal models for investigating human skeletal development and diseases. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in research publications employing X-ray radiography and micro-computed tomography to analyze the skeletal structures of these animals. However, evaluating bone morphology and mineral density in small laboratory fish poses unique challenges compared to well-established small rodent models. The varied approaches to image acquisition, analysis, and reporting across studies have led to substantial obstacles in interpreting and comparing research findings. This article addresses the urgent need for standardized reporting of parameters and methodologies related to image acquisition and analysis, as well as the adoption of harmonized nomenclature. Furthermore, it offers guidance on anatomical terminology, units of measurement, and the establishment of minimal parameters for reporting, along with comprehensive documentation of methods and algorithms used for acquisition and analysis. We anticipate that adherence to these guidelines will enhance the consistency, reproducibility, and interpretability of reported measurements of bone density and morphometry in small fish models. These advancements are vital for accurately interpreting phenotypes and gene functions, particularly in the context of multi-center studies.

IPDLN Workshop: Opportunities for Cross-Country Comparisons of Linked Administrative Education and Health Data

ObjectivesTo understand how we can better initiate and run international collaborations to deliver tangible and impactful findings using population-wide linked health and education data. ApproachRepresentatives from 14 countries (America, Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Wales) summarised the potential for research using their linked administrative health and education data. The scope for collaboration and comparison of research findings across countries was explored. ResultsSeveral substantive research themes emerged, including the quantifying of differences in educational outcomes by health conditions and other early life factors, using health data to better identify and explore the special educational needs identified in educational records, using linked health and education data to identify and explore reasons for absenteeism from school. ConclusionsThe workshop showcased the primary themes for research and the data assets available within each country for comparative work. Further work is required to more robustly document the available detail within these datasets, collaboratively develop protocol templates for comparative studies, and develop pilot, proof of concept, studies.

Phenotyping in clinical laterality research: a comparison of commonly used methods to determine mixed-handedness and ambidexterity

ABSTRACT An increased prevalence of mixed-handedness has been reported in several neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Unfortunately, there is high between-study variability in the definition of mixed-handedness, leading to a major methodological problem in clinical laterality research and endangering replicability and comparability of research findings. Adding to this challenge is the fact that sometimes researchers use the concepts of mixed-handedness and ambidexterity interchangeably. Therefore, having a consensus on how to determine mixed-handedness and how to distinguish it from ambidexterity is crucial for clinical laterality research. To this end, hand preference and hand performance data from more than 600 participants from the Dortmund Vital Study (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05155397), a population-based study in Germany, was analyzed to ascertain an optimal classification to determine mixed-handedness and ambidexterity. Using a combination of latent class analyses, effect size determination, and comparisons with the existing literature, we establish that an LQ cut-off criterion of +/−60 for mixed-handedness is optimal for future clinical laterality studies. Moreover, we show that mixed-handedness and ambidexterity are not identical and that the terms should not be used interchangeably. We further highlight the need for a consensus on how to mathematically determine ambidexterity as results of existing categorization schemes largely differ. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05155397; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05155397.

Taxonomy of purposes, principles, forms, technologies in on-line education: comparative analysis of virtual universities: pedagogical aspects

Importance. The paper presents the findings of comparative pedagogical research done against the backdrop of new tendencies and developments on the global learning landscape. With the pandemic pushing universities online and ensuing digitalization of educational environment with a flurry of multi aspect virtual learning activities, there has emerged a growing need for reliable criteria to assess effectiveness and efficiency in higher education. The research is aimed to build the taxonomy of virtual universities purposes with the focus on the paramount principles, educational forms and technologies they employ.Research Methods. The research methods involved comparative, descriptive, inductive-deductive ones, typical of comparative pedagogy. We studied the purposes, principles, forms and technologies used by the following virtual universities: The UK’s Open University), Canadian Virtual University (CVU), The University of Phoenix (UoP), The Virtual University for Small States of The Commonwealth (VUSSC), The Virtual University of Pakistan.Results and Discussion. The research enabled us to aggregate, analyze and compartmentalize the data on purposes, principles, forms and technologies of different virtual universities, which offers a new viewpoint on i-learning in a new setting. The purposes of virtual universities are presented in the hierarchical order in compliance with the goal-setting levels: expediency, focus (purposes on this level are differentiated according to the type of activity: educational, pedagogical, maintaining and organizational) and goal commitment. We identified a set of basic principles regulating academic activity of virtual universities in the digitalization context of education, described the most popular forms and technologies employed and specified priority activities of virtual universities.Conclusion. The taxonomy of purposes and paramount principles of virtual universities educational activities make these activities unique. The number of factors and variables defining the educational activities of virtual universities is growing, still the ability to choose the learning route which fits a certain individual has always been and will remain important. Tailored learning style (built on individual preferences in the ways of information searching and processing) suggests an opportunity to adjust the situation and learning material to your needs and thus become more efficient in obtaining new information and skills.

Government Direction on the Vocational School’s Performance Evaluation in Indonesia and Malaysia: Some Notes from Islamic Education’s Perspective

The vocational high school principal is a determining factor for the progress or failure of a school. Therefore, the principal's performance evaluation must be optimal. This study explores the government direction on this performance evaluation in two neighboring countries: Indonesia and Malaysia. The research method uses a qualitative approach, by interviewing both school supervisors and principals, and analyzing documents. The steps are 1) collection of resources through multi techniques; 2) reducing data with the aim of simplifying and categorizing data; 3) presenting data in the form of qualitative descriptions; 4) drawing conclusions and 5) compiling research reports and formulate comparative research findings. For Indonesia, once a year, the School Supervisor and a team from the Education Office in Indonesia are responsible for carrying out the review of the performance of the principals of vocational schools. The current evaluation of the principal of a vocational high school in Malaysia is a component of the overall review of the school's performance. Standard of Educational Quality in Malaysia is the name given to this evaluation, and it has been in effect since 2017. Standard 1 Kepemimpin is the most important benchmark to consider in relation to principal performance (Leadership). The performance evaluation in Indonesia seems still separated from school performance evaluation or accreditation. Although each evaluation scheme has its own format and purposes, the implementation could be made in such a concurrent time. Meanwhile in Malaysia, the principal performance is likely one of the evaluated aspects in the school performance evaluation (SKPM), especially Standard 1 Kepemimpinan (leadership) and Standard 2 Pengurusan Organisasi (organization management).

Social media and communication technology in education: A Literature review

This article aims to examine the impact of the use of social media and communication technologies in the context of education in the digital age. Utilizing a literature review as its primary method, the study collects and analyzes data from various prior studies using the PRISMA 2020 methodology. The analysis technique involves comparing research findings and integrating insights from diverse academic sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the research topic. The results reveal that social media and communication technology enhance student engagement and motivation in learning. Additionally, the use of social media and communication technology in education demonstrates varied effects on students' learning motivation and poses potential risks to their mental well-being. These findings provide crucial insights for educators and policymakers in effectively and safely integrating digital technology into education.

Disclosure Standards for Social Media and Generative Artificial Intelligence Research: Toward Transparency and Replicability.

Social media dominate today's information ecosystem and provide valuable information for social research. Market researchers, social scientists, policymakers, government entities, public health researchers, and practitioners recognize the potential for social data to inspire innovation, support products and services, characterize public opinion, and guide decisions. The appeal of mining these rich datasets is clear. However, there is potential risk of data misuse, underscoring an equally huge and fundamental flaw in the research: there are no procedural standards and little transparency. Transparency across the processes of collecting and analyzing social media data is often limited due to proprietary algorithms. Spurious findings and biases introduced by artificial intelligence (AI) demonstrate the challenges this lack of transparency poses for research. Social media research remains a virtual "wild west," with no clear standards for reporting regarding data retrieval, preprocessing steps, analytic methods, or interpretation. Use of emerging generative AI technologies to augment social media analytics can undermine validity and replicability of findings, potentially turning this research into a "black box" enterprise. Clear guidance for social media analyses and reporting is needed to assure the quality of the resulting research. In this article, we propose criteria for evaluating the quality of studies using social media data, grounded in established scientific practice. We offer clear documentation guidelines to ensure that social data are used properly and transparently in research and applications. A checklist of disclosure elements to meet minimal reporting standards is proposed. These criteria will make it possible for scholars and practitioners to assess the quality, credibility, and comparability of research findings using digital data.

Assessment of comorbid symptoms in pediatric autonomic dysfunction.

Pediatric patients with autonomic dysfunction and orthostatic intolerance (OI) often present with co-existing symptoms and signs that might or might not directly relate to the autonomic nervous system. Our objective was to identify validated screening instruments to characterize these comorbidities and their impact on youth functioning. The Pediatric Assembly of the American Autonomic Society reviewed the current state of practice for identifying symptom comorbidities in youth with OI. The assembly includes physicians, physician-scientists, scientists, advanced practice providers, psychologists, and a statistician with expertise in pediatric disorders of OI. A total of 26 representatives from the various specialties engaged in iterative meetings to: (1) identify and then develop consensus on the symptoms to be assessed, (2) establish committees to review the literature for screening measures by member expertise, and (3) delineate the specific criteria for systematically evaluating the measures and for making measure recommendations by symptom domains. We review the measures evaluated and recommend one measure per system/concern so that assessment results from unrelated clinical centers are comparable. We have created a repository to apprise investigators of validated, vetted assessment tools to enhance comparisons across cohorts of youth with autonomic dysfunction and OI. This effort can facilitate collaboration among clinical settings to advance the science and clinical treatment of these youth. This effort is essential to improving management of these vulnerable patients as well as to comparing research findings from different centers.

Re-evaluation of Genetic Variants in Parkinson's Disease Using Targeted Panel and Next-Generation Sequencing.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex disorder with a significant genetic component. Genetic variations associated with PD play a crucial role in the disease's inheritance and prognosis. Currently, 31 genes have been linked to PD in the OMIM database, and the number of genes and genetic variations identified is steadily increasing. To establish a robust correlation between phenotype and genotype, it is essential to compare research findings with existing literature. In this study, we aimed to identify genetic variants associated with PD using a targeted gene panel with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Our objective was also to explore the idea of re-analyzing genetic variants of unknown significance (VUS). We screened 18 genes known to be related to PD using NGS in 43 patients who visited our outpatient clinic between 2018-2019. After 12-24 months, we re-evaluated the detected variants. We found 14 different heterozygous variants classified as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or VUS in 14 individuals from nonconsanguineous families. We re-evaluated 15 variants and found changes in their interpretation. Targeted gene panel analysis with NGS can help identify genetic variants associated with PD with confidence. Re-analyzing certain variants at specific time intervals can be especially beneficial in selected situations. Our study aims to expand the clinical and genetic understanding of PD and emphasizes the importance of re-analysis.

Italian Translation and Validation of the Original ABC Taxonomy for Medication Adherence.

Medication adherence represents a complex and multifaceted process. Standardized terminology is essential to enable a reproducible process in various languages. The study's aim was to translate and adapt the original Ascertaining Barriers for Compliance (ABC) Taxonomy on medication adherence, first proposed in 2012, into Italian language. The study was carried out according to the Preferred Methods for Translation of the ABC Taxonomy for Medication Adherence adopted by the ESPACOMP. Key steps included: (1) a systematic literature review using PubMed and Embase according to the PRISMA Guidelines to identify published Italian terms and definitions, and Italian adherence experts; (2) a forward translation of terms and definitions; (3) panelists' selection; (4) a three-round Delphi survey. From the systematic review, 19 studies allowed detection of 4 terms, 4 definitions and 767 Italian experts. To these, Italian ESPACOMP members and experts though snowball sampling were added. The identified Italian adherence experts received the Delphi questionnaire. The Italian ABC Taxonomy was achieved after three rounds of Delphi survey by reaching at least a moderate consensus on unambiguous naming and definition of medication adherence-related terms. The Taxonomy is intended to be used in research, academic, and professional fields in order to harmonize adherence terminology and avoid confusion in comparing research findings.

CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND LINGUISTIC VALIDATION OF THE TRANSLATED ARABIC REVISED BREASTFEEDING ATTRITION PREDICTION TOOL.

Background and Purpose: The diversity of populations across the globe and the need to better compare research findings make it imperative to validate research instruments across cultures. The purpose is to systematically describe the translation and the cross-cultural validation of the Revised-Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool from English to Arabic. Methods: The process of cross-cultural validation included (a) translation and linguistic validation: forward- and back-translations; (b) expert evaluation using content validity index (CVI); (c) cognitive interviews (CIs), and (d) pilot testing with postpartum mothers. Results: The item-CVI scores ranged from .8 to 1.00 and the scale-CVI was .95. The CIs identified items that required modification. The reliability coefficient of the pilot-test was .83 and subscale reliabilities ranged from .31 to .93. Discussion: The translation process provided confirmation for the appropriateness of the translated tool to Arabic.

Labor Power in the Repair Shop: Circuits of Repair Between Solidarity and Poor Economy

ABSTRACT This paper presents the findings of comparative research into the labor, organizational and spatial practices of a new kind of hybrid civic spaces that we refer to as “social impact-driven repair shops.” These are an emerging typology of urban spaces dedicated to repaired and up-cycled items that also go beyond the functions of a traditional shop. Significantly, these shops are run not purely for economic reasons, but rather to position themselves as local, socio-political interventions aiming to confront the environmental impacts of waste, support ethical and affordable consumption, alongside providing new opportunities for employment. We focused our fieldwork (2017–2019) on three such “repair shops”: ReTuna Återbruksgalleria in Sweden, The Loop in the United Kingdom and RiMaflow in Italy. We discuss the differing labor and spatial practices taking place within each while highlighting some of the tensions that emerge, and the implications for some of the wider debates in repair studies, “green work” and circular economies. We conclude by identifying two divergent and potentially antagonistic circuits of repair which we name “repair as solidarity” and “repair as poor economy,” which we propose as a lens to better grasp the different logics underpinning the transition to circular economies.

Physical literacy in children: Exploring the construct validity of a multidimensional physical literacy construct

Physical literacy (PL) is highlighted as a construct that can positively impact physical activity (PA). Measurement methods and definitions for PL exist, but vary between research groups. This variation affects the ability to compare research findings. The purpose of this study was to assess the construct validity of PL in children. PL was operationalised according to Whitehead’s (2001 ) definition, comprising confidence, motivation, physical competence, and knowledge and understanding. Participants ( n = 1073; mean age 10.86 ± 1.20 years: 53% male) were measured on: (i) confidence (Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale; Bartholomew et al., 2006 ), (ii) motivation (Behavioural Regulation in Exercise-Adapted; Sebire et al., 2013 ), (iii) physical competence (health-related fitness: 20 m shuttle run, back-saver sit-and-reach, handgrip strength, plank); balance (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency 2; Bruininks, 2005 ); object-control and locomotor skills (Test of Gross Motor Development-3rd edition (TGMD-3); Ulrich, 2016 ); and (iv) knowledge and understanding (PA and sedentary guidelines). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to analyse the factor structure of PL. The best-fitting model (χ2 = 209.8, df = 99, p < 0.001; comparative fit index = 0.95, normed fit index = 0.91, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.93, root mean square error of approximation = 0.032, 95% confidence interval: 0.026–0.038) was a three-component model containing the domains of motivation, confidence, and physical competence. The knowledge and understanding domain did not fit the model well. Factor loadings were highest for confidence and motivation. Findings support the adoption of a pragmatic approach to PL measurement. CFA results indicated a similar factor structure as has been identified in other studies which have used different tools to measure PL domains.

Conceptualising comorbidity and multimorbidity in dementia: A scoping review and syndemic framework.

BackgroundOlder people and people with dementia experience a high prevalence of multiple health conditions. The terms ‘comorbidity’ and ‘multimorbidity’ are often used interchangeably to describe this, however there are key conceptual differences between these terms and their definitions. This has led to issues in the validity and comparability of research findings, potentially inappropriate intervention development and differences in quality of health care.ObjectiveTo review how the terms ‘comorbidity’ and ‘multimorbidity’ are defined within peer-reviewed dementia research and propose an operational framework.DesignA scoping review of definitions within dementia research was carried out. Searches took place across five databases: Academic Search Premier, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed.ResultsContent analysis revealed five key themes, showing significant overlap and inconsistencies from both within, and between, the comorbidity and multimorbidity definitions; 1. Number of conditions; 2. Type of health conditions; 3. The co-occurrence of conditions; 4. The inclusion of an index disease (or not); 5. Use of medical language. The analysis also revealed gaps in how the underlying concepts of the definitions relate to people with dementia living with multiple health conditions.ConclusionThis scoping review found that current definitions of comorbidity and multimorbidity are heterogeneous, reductionist and disease-focussed. Recommendations are made on the design of research studies including transparency and consistency of any terms and definitions used. A syndemic framework could be a useful tool for researchers, clinicians and policy makers to consider a more holistic picture of a person with dementia’s health and wellbeing.

A Comparative Study of Abbreviations in Burmese and Chinese

With the rapid development of politics, science, technology, economy, and culture, people generally seek more economical and concise language expressions, and concise and bright abbreviations that cover all aspects are produced. There are many abbreviations in modern Burmese and Chinese vocabulary systems, but there has been no comparative research on them. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the word formation and pronunciation characteristics of abbreviations in Burmese and Chinese, and then to derive the abbreviation law. On the one hand, it can improve the comparative research findings of Burmese and Chinese researchers. Language, on the other hand, is inextricably linked to social life. With increasing economic and cultural exchanges between China and Myanmar, strengthening comparative language studies promotes scholars' understanding of Myanmar's politics, economy, and culture, and has some practical implications for the friendly development of China-Myanmar relations.

Understanding alcohol-related indicators from population surveys: answering the "Five W's of Epidemiology".

The harmful use of alcohol is a major risk factor for the global burden of disease, and public policies are the most effective strategies to prevent it. Population-based surveys are milestones for planning, implementing, and monitoring those policies. However, there are numerous ways to measure alcohol consumption which may result in different indicators. Researchers and stakeholders should find common ground in the understanding of these measures to avoid misinterpretation and confusion in the field. Answering to the "Five W's Epidemiology", when interpreting alcohol-related information, may improve the communication, as well as reproducibility and comparability of research findings. This paper aims to exemplify this approach by describing some indicators from the World Health Organization's Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH) and the corresponding data available from the latest Brazilian household surveys. Notably, none of the Brazilian surveys reports on all the nine selected GISAH indicators, and only two provided the necessary methodological details to be fully reproducible. A stronger agenda is of the utmost importancefor advancing in the monitoring and prevention of alcohol-related harms in Brazil.

Investigation on performance enhancement due to rib roughened solar air heater

Solar air heaters are widely used in industrial areas due to their economical design. However, their low thermal efficiency makes them unsuitable for transporting thermal energy. The usefulness of a solar air heater (SAH) can be boosted by applying ribs on the absorbing surface. To measure the heat transfer (HT) rate and friction factor (fr), the absorber plate of ribbed solar heater is designed with combination of circular and semi-circular ribs. To improve the performance of SAH, the findings of comparative research of smooth and rough SAH are presented in this article. In this research work a computational study of HT enhancement and fluid flow (FF) behaviours of a SAH having proposed ribs arranged in a different fashion are presented. The details of HT and FF behaviours due to periodic ribs have been analysed using CFD. The analysis was performed with the V2f model in ANSYS software. Present computational investigation was done for different P/e values and Re ranging from 3800 to 18,000. The result showed that the proposed rib with lower pitch gives the highest Nur at highest Re. The result also showed that the proposed rib with lower pitch gives the highest fr at lowest Re.