Future Peer Research Articles

A Stochastic Analytical Modeling Framework on ISP–P2P Collaborations in Multidomain Environments

Cooperation between peer-to-peer (P2P) overlays and underlying networks has been proposed as an effective approach to improve the efficiency of both the applications and the underlying networks. However, fundamental characteristics with respect to Internet service providers (ISP) business relationships and inter-ISP routing information are not sufficiently investigated in the context of collaborative ISP–P2P paradigms in multidomain environments. In this paper, we focus on such issues and develop an analytical modeling framework for analyzing optimized interdomain peer selection schemes concerning ISP policies, with the main purpose of mitigating cross-ISP traffic and enhancing service quality of end users. In addition, we introduce an advanced hybrid scheme for peer selections based on the proposed analytical theory framework, in accordance with practical network scenarios, wherein cooperative and noncooperative behaviors coexisting. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme incorporating ISP policies is able to achieve desirable network efficiency as well as great service quality for P2P users. Our analytical modeling framework can be used as a guide for analyzing and evaluating future network-aware P2P peer selection paradigms in general multidomain scenarios.

Regional Peer Coaching Program for Basic Science Faculty

Junior basic science faculty teaching in the foundational sciences courses at Central Michigan University (CMED), Oakland University (OUWB), and Western Michigan University (WMED) new medical schools outnumber senior faculty resulting in limited opportunities for mentoring support from experienced colleagues. Faculty developers at these new medical schools created a distance (using telecommunications) peer coaching program that would provide support to basic science faculty in their teaching, research, and career development. This program shows promise for future peer coaching initiatives and could be applied to faculty from other disciplines and expanded to include faculty from beyond the region.

Identifying challenges and opportunities for student composer and performer peer learning through newly-composed classical piano scores

Limited consideration has been given to the challenges young composers and performers face when learning to communicate through notation in contemporary classical music, and the specific opportunities presented for peer learning. This article describes a project at a Swiss music conservatory in which two student composers wrote pieces for solo piano which were performed by three student pianists. Students were deprived of collaborative opportunities, with communication limited to score markings and legends. Results from individual interviews are discussed in relation to categories of approaches drawn from existing studies on learning new piano works, on notation and on collaboration, plus new categories arising from this research. The challenges and potential opportunities arising from this approach are examined here, highlighting specific areas to be targeted for future peer learning.

Processing Speed Mediates the Longitudinal Association between ADHD Symptoms and Preadolescent Peer Problems.

We investigated the relation between dimensional aspects of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity in childhood and peer problems 4 years later, as well as the potential mediating effects of intellectual function. The sample included 127 children (32 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity were assessed via parent and teacher reports on Swanson Nolan and Pelham-IV questionnaire. Peer problems were assessed by parent reports on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and children's intellectual functioning by the third edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Linear regressions showed a significant effect of inattention on future peer problems, partially mediated by slow processing speed. These effects remained significant when ADHD status was covaried. Findings highlight the importance of processing speed in explaining the predictive relation between childhood inattention and later peer problems. Inattention and processing speed in early childhood are potentially malleable factors influencing adolescent social functioning.

Social Control Versus Social Learning: Self-Efficacy for Future Academic Success and Peer Delinquency as Mediators of the Parental Support–Delinquency Relationship

The purpose of this study was to determine whether low self-efficacy for future academic success and peer delinquency mediated the relationship between weak parental support and delinquency, and if so, establish the order of mediation. Members of the Flint (Michigan) Adolescent Study ( N = 850) served as participants in this study, which compared a pathway based on social control principles (weak parental support → low self-efficacy → peer delinquency → participant delinquency) with a pathway based on social learning principles (weak parental support → peer delinquency → low self-efficacy → delinquency). Path analysis was conducted and revealed that the social control pathway was significant, the social learning pathway was nonsignificant, and the difference between the two pathways was significant. These results suggest that low parental support facilitates delinquency, in part, by lowering self-efficacy for future academic success, a component of the larger construct of self-efficacy for conventional behavior, which, in turn, promotes delinquent peer associations. From a theoretical perspective, these results are more consistent with a social control interpretation of the parental support–delinquency relationship than with a social learning interpretation, although aspects of social learning theory were also supported by the results of this study.

Peer Support and the HIV Continuum of Care: Results from a Multi-Site Randomized Clinical Trial in Three Urban Clinics in the United States.

Racial/ethnic minorities living with HIV and behavioral health co-morbidities are more likely to be disengaged from HIV primary care. Peer programs have been effective in HIV outreach and prevention but effectiveness of such programs for retention in care and viral suppression is understudied. Subjects (n=348) were randomized in equal allocation to a peer navigation and education intervention versus standard clinical care at three urban clinics in the United States. The intervention group received seven structured interventions plus weekly contact to address medical and social needs. Primary outcomes included time-to-first 4-month gap in HIV care and viral suppression up to 12months of follow-up. Intention-to-treat analysis showed no difference between groups on 4-month gap in HIV primary care, but subgroup analysis showed a suggestive effect of the peer intervention in reducing gaps in care among stably housed subjects. Fully compliant subjects in the peer intervention experienced significantly fewer 4-month gaps in HIV primary care (p<0.0001). Those in the peer group who had more clinical face-to-face encounters in the first 3months were also significantly more likely to have better retention in care (p=0.04). There were no significant differences between any study subgroups in viral suppression at 12months. Peer interventions may improve retention in primary care among subgroups of people living with HIV from racial/ethnic minority communities, although such improved retention may not increase viral load suppression. Attending and completing structured educational sessions along with early, intensive contact with peers could improve retention in HIV primary care for patients. Future peer programs should consider training on housing referral systems to help increase retention for patients who are not stably housed. clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT01616940.

A Developmental Perspective on Reentry: Understanding the Causes and Consequences of Family Conflict and Peer Delinquency during Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood.

Despite the uniqueness of an incarceration experience for adolescents, there remains a shortage of research on adolescents and emerging adults who have been recently released from detention centers and are returning home during the transitional time period of "reentry". Drawing from the developmental literature, the current study uses a diverse (54% Black, 20% White, 26% Other Race) longitudinal survey of 337 male adolescents living in the United States to examine the interrelationships among crime, substance use, family conflict, and peer delinquency. A series of cross-lagged dynamic panel data models using four waves of data demonstrate that while family conflict and peer delinquency relate to increased offending and substance use, conflict in the family is a major driving force behind both future family conflict and peer delinquency. Overall, findings suggest that family conflict is an overlooked, but absolutely critical, factor in explaining deviance and deviant peer associations alike for adolescents and emerging adults who have been recently incarcerated and released.

Reproducible Research for Computing in Science &amp; Engineering

The editors of the new track for reproducible research outline the parameters for future peer review, submission, and access, highlighting the magazine’s previous work in this field and some of the challenges still to come.

Protocol for a nationwide survey of primary health care in China: the China PEACE (Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events) MPP (Million Persons Project) Primary Health Care Survey

IntroductionChina has pioneered advances in primary health care (PHC) and public health for a large and diverse population. To date, the current state of PHC in China has not been...

Interview support on perceptions of organizational attractiveness

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine how interview support materials provided on a company’s website would impact potential employees’ perceptions of organizational attractiveness (OA). This study examined the effects of interviewer, interview support and employee variables on employees’ perceptions of OA.Design/methodology/approachThis study obtained data from 276 working adults. The participants were asked to visualize that they were selected for an interview, then were given one of four manipulations (with interview support, without interview support; informed participant interview would be with a potential peer, or interview would be with a potential supervisor) and post-manipulation measures (OA perception, trait anxiety, demographics).FindingsThis study’s results indicated that interviewer characteristics (peer or supervisor) were not significant; however, women and individuals with a lower socio-economic (SES) status found organizations to be more attractive when provided with interview support. There was an opposite effect on men and those with a higher SES.Research limitations/implicationsThis study recognizes that the lack of demographic diversity and realism were limitations that must be considered; however, this study also recognizes that these findings have several practical implications (considering offering interview support, potential ideas to increase OA) and social implications (increasing demographic diversity in the workplace by also aiding historically disadvantaged groups).Practical implicationsKnowledge of who would be conducting the selection interview potential future peer versus a future supervisor did not affect organizational attraction OA ratings. Interview support offered on a company website had a positive impact on perceptions of OA for women and individuals with lower SES; however, the same support had a negative impact on perceptions of OA for men and individuals with higher SES.Originality/ValueIn addition to the social and practical implications this study holds, the authors of this study are not aware of any additional studies that examine gender and SES on organizational attraction.

Peer Victimization and Eating Disorder Symptoms in College Students

The extant literature suggests that peer victimization is a risk factor for eating disorders. This study examined the relationships between peer victimization, occurring prior to and during college and three types of eating disorder symptoms (bulimic symptoms, dietary restraint, and drive for muscularity) in undergraduate men and women. Participants completed self-report measures using an online system at two time points approximately eight weeks apart. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses revealed that pre-college peer victimization was associated with higher levels of drive for muscularity and bulimic symptoms. Peer victimization occurring during college predicted increases in all three types of subsequent eating disorder symptoms. Finally, bulimic symptoms, but not dietary restraint or drive for muscularity predicted increases in future peer victimization. The findings expand the understanding of the bidirectional relationship between peer victimization and eating disorder symptoms among college m...

Delivering a Level Playing Field for Offshore Bank Accounts. What the New OECD/Global Forum Peer Reviews on Automatic Information Exchange Must Not Miss

The OECD’s Global Forum is set to publish the terms of reference for peer reviews on automatic exchange of information pursuant to the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS) in the near future. This paper anticipates those terms and proposes concrete elements that future peer review should contain for them to be effective in protecting the integrity of the CRS. Chief among these elements are specific statistics to ensure compliance, identify avoidance schemes and allow evaluation by independent and excluded parties (e.g. developing countries and civil society). We have written several reports identifying fundamental loopholes, gaps and biases in the CRS, and proposed fixes to them. However, we understand that neither the Global Forum nor the upcoming Terms of Reference for peer reviews can change or fix the CRS. For this reason, this report focuses only on recommendations for what peer reviews can do to ensure that the CRS, as it is, will be effectively implemented.

Value Assigned to Employees Who Preserve the Social and Organizational Environment

In this study, we were interested in the behaviors of individuals who preserve the social and organizational environment by ensuring sustainability. More specifically, we are interested in allegiant behaviors. Numerous studies have highlighted the normative character of allegiance. Therefore, we questioned the value attributed to allegiance. We questioned 170 employees on social values that they attribute in terms of desirability and utility to a future colleague (subordinate or peer) starting from the responses that these future colleagues were supposed to have submitted to an allegiance questionnaire. It was observed that desirability and utility make reference to two independent dimensions, utility being often more important. It was also noted there is greater severity assigned to endo-group targets (future peers) than to exo-group targets (future subordinates). Finally, it was noted that there was not so much a valuation of allegiant targets, but rather a rejection of rebel targets, which raises the question of the bi-dimensionality of the valuation-devaluation process.

Undergraduate Students’ Failure in Programming Courses in Institutions of Higher Education in Developing Countries: A Nigerian Perspective

AbstractUniversities of developing countries are faced with increased dropout rate from computing degrees due to the high failure rate of introductory programing courses. In this paper, we apply a grounded theory approach to investigate why student's fail introductory programming courses in a Nigeria University. A qualitative method of data collection was adopted to examine the students’ views about the factors that contribute to student's failure in introductory programming courses. The findings identified lack of intrinsic motivation, lack of future expectation, anxiety, peer influences, and poor lecturer skills and behavior as the challenges resulting in a high failure rate in introductory programming courses. The study contributes to the research on computer education in developing countries by proposing a model to understand the factors that affect IS student learning process when undertaking introductory programming courses. We conclude with some recommendations following recommendations that could help students to overcome the challenges in learning computer programming.

Predictive effects of social anxiety on increases in future peer victimization for a community sample of middle-school youth

This longitudinal study focused on clarifying the direction of effects between social anxiety and victimization in a community-based sample. In addition, we studied the moderating effect of gender on this association. A total of 1,649 children (45% boys, approximately 12 years old) of 65 secondary-school classes participated in the study. Self-reports and peer nomination data of victimization as well as self-reports of social anxiety were gathered in the fall of Grade 1 (T1, wave one) and in the spring of Grade 1 (T2, wave 2). Latent multiple-group cross-lagged analyses were conducted. Results showed that higher social anxiety scores predicted incremental change in future peer- and self-reported victimization in boys, but not in girls, over and above the stability of victimization. Reverse cross-lagged effects of victimization predicting incremental change in future social anxiety, were not found. Although gender differences were significant, they were small.

Feasibility of Parent-to-Parent Support in Recently Diagnosed Childhood Diabetes: The PLUS Study.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to develop and test the feasibility of a parent-to-parent support intervention for parents whose child has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the United Kingdom.MethodsThe research team conducted a formative evaluation, working with parents to design an individual-level parent-to-parent support intervention. Issues of recruitment, uptake, attrition, pattern of contact, and intervention acceptability were assessed.ResultsA US program was adapted in collaboration with a parents’ advisory group. Of 19 parents nominated as potential mentors by their pediatric diabetes specialist nurses, 12 (63%) volunteered and 11 continued for the 12-month intervention period. Thirty-three children were diagnosed with diabetes in the study period, with 25 families eligible to participate as recipients of the intervention; 9 parents from 7 of those families participated, representing 28% of those eligible. Feedback from parents and clinic staff identified peer support as a welcome service. Lessons were learned about the nature of the supporting relationship (eg, proximity, connectedness, and managing endings) that will enhance the design of future peer support programs.ConclusionsParent-to-parent support in the context of newly diagnosed childhood diabetes in the United Kingdom is feasible to deliver, with good engagement of mentors and clinic staff. The program was acceptable to parents who chose to participate, although uptake by parents whose child had been recently diagnosed was lower than expected. The results merit further investigation, including exploration of parent preference in relation to peer support.

An Integrative Review of Peer Mentorship Programs for Undergraduate Nursing Students.

The purpose of this integrative review was to appraise and synthesize the evidence for the design, implementation, and evaluation of peer mentorship programs for undergraduate nursing students and to provide recommendations for future undergraduate nursing peer mentorship programs. Using an integrative review methodology, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies were searched using six electronic databases. Studies were screened, assessed for eligibility, and appraised with critical appraisal tools. Data were extracted and synthesized using thematic analysis. Eleven studies were included in the integrative review. Appraisal demonstrated overall poor methodology. All programs were designed based on a perceived need expressed by faculty and students and involved a multistep process of implementation. Positive outcomes for nursing students were found through the use of peer mentorship programs; however, various challenges to program success were identified. This review provides evidence that can be used to inform the design, implementation, and evaluation of future peer mentorship programs.

Peer Support Workers in Health: A Qualitative Metasynthesis of Their Experiences.

ObjectivePeer support models, where an individual has a specific illness or lifestyle experience and supports others experiencing similar challenges, have frequently been used in different fields of healthcare to successfully engage hard-to-reach groups. Despite recognition of their value, the impact of these roles on the peer has not been systematically assessed. By synthesising the qualitative literature we sought to review such an impact, providing a foundation for designing future clinical peer models.MethodsSystematic review and qualitative metasynthesis of studies found in Medline, CINAHL or Scopus documenting peer worker experiences.Results1,528 papers were found, with 34 meeting the criteria of this study. Findings were synthesised to reveal core constructs of reframing identity through reciprocal relations and the therapeutic use of self, enhancing responsibility.ConclusionsThe ability of the Peer Support Worker to actively engage with other marginalised or excluded individuals based on their unique insight into their own experience supports a therapeutic model of care based on appropriately sharing their story. Our findings have key implications for maximising the effectiveness of Peer Support Workers and in contributing their perspective to the development of a therapeutic model of care.

Analysis of Peer Review Comments: QM Recommendations and Feedback Intervention Theory

Because feedback is a critical component of the continuous improvement cycle of the Quality Matters (QM) peer review process, the present research analyzed the feedback that peer reviewers provided to course developers after a voluntary, nonofficial QM peer review of online courses. Previous research reveals that the effects of feedback on performance are not consistently positive; however, these findings are frequently ignored by those who assume that all feedback improves performance. Feedback Intervention Theory (FIT) organizes the wide variability in this body of research by outlining conditions when feedback can be expected to improve or impair performance. In the present research, peer review comments were analyzed in comparison to the QM guidelines for writing effective recommendations and FIT to evaluate the feedback from the peer review process. Results of this study are applied to inform future training and peer review implementation.

How will things be the next time? Self in the construction of future events among school-aged children.

This study examined among school-aged children the role of the self in perceived valence changes from the past to the future. Nine- to 11-year-old children (N=57) recalled positive and negative personal events of various situations and imagined a future personal event involving the same situation following each recall. Children's self-knowledge was assessed in terms of self-concepts for past, present, and future selves, and self-evaluations for social and cognitive competences. Children who viewed their future selves more positively and those who evaluated their cognitive competence more positively anticipated greater upward (positive) changes and smaller downward (negative) changes in their future academic performance. Children who evaluated their social competence more positively anticipated greater upward changes in their future peer relations. Furthermore, children who anticipated greater upward changes and smaller downward changes in their personal futures exhibited greater well-being. These findings shed new light on the role of self in mental time travel.