Greater Engagement Research Articles

Integration of AI Applications in High School Physics, Kolb’s Convergent Style

This study explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in physics teaching at the secondary level. An interactive approach based on Kolb's learning model; The authors evaluated the convergent style of the kolb cycle with the use of simulations and AI-based data analysis systems to improve students' understanding of abstract physics concepts. The results show that these AI tools allow a more intuitive visualization of phenomena and facilitate the interpretation of experimental data. Students who used these resources demonstrated better performance and greater engagement with the subject. This research highlights the potential of AI to enrich physics learning in high school and opens the way to new innovative educational approaches.

Mortality in people living with dementia who self-harmed: An Australian data linkage study.

This study aimed to examine mortality for people living with dementia/mild cognitive impairment who self-harmed. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in New South Wales, Australia, using data ranging from 2001 to 2015. From people who accessed hospital services in the study period, we identified 154,811 people living with dementia/mild cognitive impairment, 28,972 who self-harmed and 1511 who had a record of both dementia/mild cognitive impairment and self-harm. We examined rates, causes and predictors of death for people with dementia/mild cognitive impairment and/or self-harm diagnoses using flexible parametric survival analyses. We explored rates of repeat self-harm in people living with dementia who self-harmed. Circulatory disorders accounted for 32.0% of deaths in people with a living with dementia who self-harmed, followed by neoplasms (14.7%), and mental and behavioural disorders (9.6%). Death was more likely for someone who had self-harmed if they developed dementia/mild cognitive impairment. Predictors of death included male sex, greater physical comorbidity, a history of delirium, more previous emergency department presentations and fewer previous mental health ambulatory service days. Greater engagement with outpatient mental health services predicted a decreased likelihood of repeat self-harm. We found that mortality increases when people who self-harm develop dementia. We argue post-diagnosis support offers a potential opportunity to reduce mortality rates in people with both dementia and self-harm diagnoses.

Desire for cultural tightness: The associated between COVID-19 infection concern and mental health and protective behavior during- and post-COVID-19 lockdown in China

The COVID-19 global health crisis has caused widespread concern among people worldwide, affecting their mental health and behavior. People’s response to this crisis varied greatly from country to country, with cultural tightness being one of the key influences. Countries, like China, with tighter cultures demonstrated a clear advantage. Its strict anti-pandemic measures prompted the population to adopt more effective protective behavior to curb the spread of the virus while protecting their mental health. However, research on people's attitudes towards such cultural tightness is lacking. Additionally, previous studies have mainly focused on individuals' concern of their own infections, neglecting their concern about the infections of people around them. Lastly, it is unclear whether this process varies during and post COVID-19 lockdown. To address those questions, a study of 614 mainland Chinese participants was conducted. The results indicate that, Chinese individuals were more concerned about their family, significant others and the public being infected than they were about themselves being infected. In terms of infection concern of oneself and public, individuals who more concerned desired more cultural tightness, which in turn led to better mental health and greater engagement in protective behavior. Interestingly however, people who more concerned about their family members being infected expect a looser culture during the lockdown and desire a tighter culture post-lockdown, which promotes more protective behavior and better mental health. Furthermore, the association between the desire for tightness in response to concern about COVID-19 infection and promoting mental health and protective behavior was more pronounced post-lockdown compared to lockdown phase.

The role of personality traits and online behavior in belief in fake news

The current study examines how careless online behavior and personality traits are related to the detection of fake news. We tested the relationships among accurately distinguishing between fake and real news headlines, careless online behavioral tendencies, and the HEXACO and dark triad personality traits. Poorer discernment between fake and real news headlines was associated with greater careless behavior online (i.e., greater online disinhibition, greater risky online behavior, greater engagement with strangers online, and less suspicion of others’ intentions online), as well as lower Conscientiousness, Openness, and Honesty-Humility, and greater dark triad traits. Implications for the literature as well as potential interventions to reduce susceptibility to misinformation and fake news are discussed.

Bringing men and masculinities into political science

Most politicians are men, yet there is a surprising lack of focus within political science on the causes and consequences of male dominance. This article outlines how political science could benefit from greater engagement with scholarship on men and masculinities. The concept of ‘political masculinities’ has focused on the importance of ‘the political’ to masculinities scholarship; we argue for extending this concept to analyse men and masculinities within political science. We identify insights from scholarship on masculinities that would deepen our understanding of power within formal political arenas. We consider how gender and politics scholarship could benefit from expanding its focus on men. We highlight feminist institutionalism as a tool for bringing masculinities into the study of political institutions. We then offer a framework for taking this research agenda forwards, showing how we can better understand male dominance by thinking about how men access, exercise, maintain and reproduce power.

Theorizing epidemiology, the stories bodies tell, and embodied truths: a status update on contending 21st c CE epidemiological theories of disease distribution.

This critical review considers the status of 21st-century epidemiological theories of disease distribution, updating to 2024 prior analyses published up through 2014, and discusses the implications of these theories for research, practice, and pedagogy. Three key trends stand out: (a) the continued dominance of individualistic biomedical and lifestyle theories; (b) growth and elaboration of social epidemiological alternatives; and (c) the ongoing inattention to epidemiologic theories of disease distribution in the training of epidemiologists and public health professionals and in current efforts to improve the rigor of epidemiological research and causal inference. In a context of growing global political polarization, climate crisis, broader environmental and ecological crises, and stubbornly persistent health inequities within and between nations, producing actionable knowledge relevant to improving the people's health and advancing health justice will require much greater engagement with social epidemiologic theories of disease distribution in research, pedagogy, and practice. At issue is critically engaging with the embodied truths manifested in the stories bodies tell in population patterns of health, disease, and well-being.

Engaging Asian American Family Caregivers in Clinical Trials: Awareness, Preferences, and Concerns.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Asian American caregivers' experiences and concerns related to clinical trials and the types of information they trust, use, and prefer before enrolling their older relative in a clinical trial. We conducted an online, cross-sectional survey with Asian American family caregivers between July 2022 and April 2023. Of all respondents (n = 98), 62.2% reported knowing only a little about clinical trials. Respondents expressed wanting information about (a) the purpose, design, and components of the trial; (b) trial research ethics and safety; and (c) their responsibilities as the caregiver. Greater engagement between clinicians and family caregivers of culturally diverse older adults could help minimize sociocultural barriers to participation in clinical trials. Providing key information to family caregivers in a comprehensive and accessible way without adding burden could help caregivers understand their responsibilities through the clinical trial process.

Factors associated with engagement in nursing workers

Objective: to measure the engagement of nursing workers and verify the association between engagement and sociodemographic variables in these workers. Method: quantitative cross-sectional research, with nursing workers, from the Mother and Child Department, of a private and philanthropic hospital, in the city of São Paulo - SP/Brazil. Data collection took place in 2022, via the REDcapTM digital platform, with sociodemographic questions and the UWES-9 (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale). Descriptive analyzes were carried out and correlations between variables were obtained using Spearman's correlation coefficient, using the free software R version 4.2.2 for the analyses. Result: for half of the 210 respondents, all dimensions and the total scale score presented median values above 5.00, indicating high worker engagement. The variables Age and Professional category had a positive statistical association with engagement, and it was identified that nursing workers who did not have health issues in the previous month had a higher median score. Conclusion: the study showed high participant engagement, with all items scoring greater than or equal to 5.00. Engagement was positively correlated with the variables age, with greater engagement among older ages, and with the professional category, which showed the highest median score among nursing assistants and technicians, 5.33, while nurses had a median score of 5.06.

A Compensatory Role of Physical Activity in the Association Between Sleep and Cognition.

We synthesize evidence investigating the hypothesis that greater engagement in physical activity (PA) may compensate for some of the negative cognitive consequences associated with poor sleep in older adults. Potential mechanistic pathways include glymphatic clearance, influences on depression, and other comorbidities. The evidence base is largely cross-sectional and observational, and further experimental studies are required.

“Older people will die of old age. I’ll die of climate change”: engaging children and young people in climate decision making for public health

BackgroundThe climate crisis is a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of children, young people, and future generations. While there are calls for children and young people’s engagement in climate decision making, current power structures limit their participation. This paper aimed to understand children’s perspectives about the impact of the climate crisis on their futures, their ability to influence climate decisions, and strategies and mechanisms to facilitate their greater engagement in decisions made about the climate crisis.MethodsOnline in-depth interviews were conducted with n = 28 children (aged 12–16 years) across Australia. Photo elicitation techniques were used to prompt discussion about how the climate crisis impacted their futures, their ability to influence climate decisions, and strategies and mechanisms to engage them in climate decision making. A reflexive approach to thematic analysis was used to construct three themes from data. Images were analysed for ascribed meanings.ResultsFirst, participants stated that they and future generations will inherit the climate crisis from older generations, specifically decision makers. Second, they described a need to address a range of age-related barriers that limit children and young people’s engagement in climate decision making, including perceptions about their capabilities. Finally, they discussed strategies and mechanisms to embed children and young people’s perspectives within climate decision making, including at civic and political levels.ConclusionsChildren and young people have the right to be involved in decisions made about the climate crisis which significantly impact their futures, including their health and wellbeing. They argue for structural changes to embed their views in climate decision making, and describe a range of engagement strategies and mechanisms to structure their perspectives and knowledge with decision making processes. Furthermore, genuine involvement of children and young people in climate discussions must avoid youthwashing and tokenistic participation. The public health community can help address barriers to youth participation in climate action and should actively engage and collaborate with children and young people to facilitate their political and democratic influence over the climate crisis. This involves making room and creating an accessible seat at the decision making table to ensure their perspectives are embedded in climate decisions.

Use of hashtags from MusemWeek in 2022-2023 in online social network service X

The research aims to collect and analyze data on hashtags used by MuseumWeek in Online Social Network Services. The research has a qualitative-quantitative approach, with a descriptive objective and a methodological procedure anchored in a case study with an altimetric approach using the descriptive-statistical analysis application. The research universe is the MuseumWeek event in Online Social Network Services, with a delimited sample of publications and hashtags used in 2022 and 2023 on X (formerly Twitter). The results showed an increase in publications about the event despite signals that the increase was the impact of a few institutions in the sample. There was a balanced distribution in the use of hashtags for 2022 and a greater incidence of use of the hashtags #MeioAmbienteMW and #Web3MW for 2023. Also, we observed that the hashtags published on the first day of each year (#InovacaoMW - 2022 and #MeioAmbienteMW – 2023) have greater engagement than those broadcast on other days. We concluded that Online Social Network Services and MuseumWeek are valuable components in contemporary scientific dissemination. However, there is a requirement for constant data collection to form a historical series, as Online Social Network Services do not allow data collection from previous years.

Regulating digital security by design? Implications of the perspectives from DSbD programme stakeholders

Purpose As part of the growing necessity for inter-organisational and multi-disciplinary interaction to facilitate complex innovation in digital security, there needs to be greater engagement with regulation in the innovation process. This is particularly true in the case of security technologies that are embedded within wider systems and that are largely invisible to most of the users of that system. This paper aims to describe stakeholders’ perspectives on regulation in the digital security innovation process and evaluates the implications of these perspectives on anticipatory regulation in digital security. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured expert interviews and ethnographic participant observation, the study draws on the authors’ involvement in a formally organised programme of academia–industry–government collaboration called Digital Security by Design (DSbD). Findings The study highlights a relational dimension to establishing regulatory responsibilities that is enabled through interdisciplinary dialogue. The study contributes to understanding the multifaceted roles of regulation in digital security innovation across organisations and areas of expertise. It does so by identifying four themes in how regulation is perceived in the DSbD programme: ethical imperative, adding value, adoption lever and passive compliance. Practical implications Incorporating regulatory responsibilities through dialogue early in the innovation process, rather than only once a security technology’s deleterious effects are noticeable, which could make digital innovation and transformation safer and better regulated. It can also make regulation successfully adopted, rather than an exercise in damage control or an adversarial process between regulators and organisations. Originality/value This paper presents original empirical research on how regulation is considered by stakeholders in a novel multi-disciplinary digital security innovation process. It then uses these findings as a basis to evaluate the implications for establishing regulatory responsibilities for a class of security technologies that are embedded within wider systems and that are largely invisible to most of the users of those wider systems.

1920-LB: Strong Correlation between More Readings in Tight Range and Greater Engagement with the OneTouch Reveal Diabetes App in a Real-World Dataset of 23,147 People with Type 1 Diabetes

1920-LB: Strong Correlation between More Readings in Tight Range and Greater Engagement with the OneTouch Reveal Diabetes App in a Real-World Dataset of 23,147 People with Type 1 Diabetes

Attitudes and engagement about cascade genetic testing in a population-based cohort of women diagnosed with cancer.

10589 Background: Cascade testing in families with hereditary cancer syndromes is challenging because patients are responsible for engaging their relatives about test results and clinical support is limited. There are concerns that patient engagement with relatives may not be well matched to the clinical relevance of their test results, with particular concern about variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Methods: We selected patients from the Georgia California Genetic Linkage Initiative, which identified all patients diagnosed with cancer 2013-19 in the 2 states who linked to a germline genetic test. We surveyed 2100 women diagnosed with breast, ovarian or uterine cancer in 2018-19 in Georgia and California who reported "a pathogenic variant (PV) that increases the risk of cancer" on testing about 4 years after diagnosis. We also surveyed a comparable sample of 1300 women diagnosed during the same period who reported a VUS-only result. The expected response rate from the cohorts is 55% (N=1900). We present preliminary results on patient attitudes about cascade family testing and report of engagement with genetic counselors and relatives about test results. Results: The 2 cohorts were comparable in age (mean 54 vs 58 for VUS, p<.001) and education (college graduate or more 52% vs 53% for VUS p=.971). The Table shows that for patients who reported a PV, belief in the utility of testing in relatives (test results useful for family; wanted family members tested) was high. A substantial proportion reported that a genetic counselor encouraged them to talk to relatives and talked directly with relatives about testing. PV carriers informed most first-degree relatives about their test results. Patients who reported VUS only were less likely to endorse the utility of testing in relatives; less likely to report that a genetic counselor encouraged family engagement or engaged family directly about testing; and were less likely to have informed relatives about their test results. Conclusions: Compared to patients with VUS-only test results, women with PVs on germline genetic testing after diagnosis of cancer had more positive attitudes about the utility of testing of family members and greater engagement with clinicians and family members about test results. These findings suggest that engagement with family about genetic testing after cancer diagnosis matches the clinical relevance of the results. [Table: see text]

Understanding Health Beliefs and Health Behaviors in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease.

There are significant public health benefits to delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in individuals at risk. However, adherence to brain healthy behaviors is low. The Health Belief Model proposes that specific beliefs are mediators of behavior change. To characterize health belief measures from the Science of Behavior Change Research Network (SBCRN) in an older adult population and associations between health beliefs, AD risk, and current health behaviors. A total of 172 individuals from the Rhode Island AD Prevention Registry participated. SBCRN health belief measures included assessments of future time perspective, self-efficacy, deferment of gratification, and consideration of future consequences. Outcome measures included individual AD risk index score, dementia risk awareness, and lifestyle behaviors including physical, cognitive, and social activity. Participants who were older had higher scores for AD risk, lower future time perspective, and lower generalized self-efficacy (all at p < 0.001). Higher generalized self-efficacy was related to increased physical activity (p < 0.010). Higher future time perspective (p < 0.001) and generalized self-efficacy (p = 0.48) were associated with lower AD risk score. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) was associated with lower self-efficacy, ability to delay gratification, and a less expansive future time perspective. Greater self-efficacy and perceived future time remaining were associated with lower AD risk and greater engagement in physical activity. SCD was associated with health beliefs that may negatively affect engagement in positive brain health behaviors. Assessment of and psychoeducation about these intrapersonal health belief constructs may be important targets for behavioral interventions to reduce AD risk.

Talent development in female soccer: Developmental activities of professional players in England

ABSTRACT The activities soccer players engage in during their formative years are thought to significantly contribute to the acquisition of expert performance. Whilst this area has seen great interest in male players, there has been little research in females. The study examined developmental activities engaged in by professional female soccer players in England. 56 female soccer players that had either progressed to professional status in adulthood (professional), or did not (ex-academy), completed the Participant History Questionnaire. Professional players started engaging in soccer at an earlier age than their ex-academy counterparts, resulting in greater engagement in practice and play during childhood. During adolescence, professional players engaged in higher amounts of practice than ex-academy players. Engagement in competition and practice was rated as high in physical and cognitive effort by all, yet ex-academy players reported higher levels of physical effort during early adolescence, and cognitive effort during late adolescence. Findings provide an illustration of the talent pathways of professional female soccer players in England and may inform future talent development systems. Large interindividual variation in soccer-specific and other-sport activity data highlight the importance of further understanding the environments of individual soccer nations and their potential impact on the talent identification and development processes.

A Community of Inquiry approach to learning design in a community-engaged learning program

The Medicine in Context (MiC) program is the flagship community-engaged learning and teaching program at the Western Sydney University School of Medicine. MiC students attend placements at community organisations, General Practice clinics and face-to-face tutorials and lectures for two fiveweek blocks. Responding to students’ lack of engagement and preference for more flexible delivery modes, a blended learning approach using the Community of Inquiry framework to guide the design has been gradually introduced since 2014. The MiC webpage was revised to simplify access to key information and resources. Five lectures were transformed into online modules and one workshop was converted into a flipped classroom. Multi-media open educational resources were added to replace some reading materials. Online “Weekly Study Guide” scaffolds, paces and aligns students’ self-directed learning with MiC learning outcomes. Moving program evaluation and some assessments to an online platform enables more timely feedback. These developments have resulted in novel, engaging learning activities. Preliminary evaluation indicates students’ greater engagement with the MiC program and deeper levels of learning indicated by increased levels of reflection and the demonstration of MiC learning outcomes being satisfied.

Are women politicians outperformed by men? The impact of gender on legislative activity in Japan

AbstractObjectivesGiven the distinct political landscape of Japan, this study aims to explore the impact of gender on the parliamentary behavior of Japanese legislators.MethodsUtilizing a self‐constructed data set covering the 44th–48th Diets (2005–2021), this study examines the individual‐level parliamentary activities of male and female legislators in Japan. Key metrics analyzed include the frequency of speeches delivered in both plenary and committee sessions, alongside the submission of memorandums to the Diet.ResultsThe findings indicate that on the whole, gender exerts only a minimal effect on parliamentary activities. However, upon closer examination of members belonging to opposition parties during specific time periods, female legislators emerge as more active in terms of questioning and memorandum submission compared to their male counterparts.ConclusionThis study unveils a noteworthy trend wherein women legislators in Japan demonstrate equal or greater engagement in parliamentary activities than their male counterparts. These findings underscore the importance of exploring gender dynamics within political systems beyond the Western sphere. Moreover, they emphasize the necessity for ongoing research into gender representation and participation within Japan's political arena.

Preferences of Young Adults With Psychosis for Cannabis-Focused Harm Reduction Interventions: A Cross-Sectional Study: Préférences des jeunes adultes souffrant de psychose pour les interventions de réduction des méfaits axées sur le cannabis : une étude transversale.

Cannabis use is common in people with early-phase psychosis (EP) and is associated with worse treatment outcomes. Few targeted interventions for cannabis use behaviour in this population exist, most focusing on abstinence, none focusing on harm reduction. Many people with EP will not seek treatment for their cannabis use with current therapeutic options. Understanding preferences for cannabis-focused harm reduction interventions may be key to improving outcomes. This study aimed to determine preferences of young adults with EP who use cannabis for cannabis-focused harm reduction interventions. Eighty-nine young adults across Canada with EP interested in reducing cannabis-related harms were recruited. An online questionnaire combining conventional survey methodology and two unique discrete choice experiments (DCEs) was administered. One DCE focused on attributes of core harm reduction interventions (DCE 1) and the second on attributes of boosters (DCE 2). We analysed these using mixed ranked-ordered logistic regression models. Preference questions using conventional survey methodology were analysed using summary statistics. Preferred characteristics for cannabis-focused harm reduction interventions (DCE 1) were: shorter sessions (60 min vs. 10 min, odds ratio (OR): 0.72; P < 0.001); less frequent sessions (daily vs. monthly, OR: 0.68; P < 0.001); shorter interventions (3 months vs. 1 month, OR: 0.80; P < 0.01); technology-based interventions (vs. in-person, OR: 1.17; P < 0.05). Preferences for post-intervention boosters (DCE 2) included opting into boosters (vs. opting out, OR: 3.53; P < 0.001) and having shorter boosters (3 months vs. 1 month, OR: 0.79; P < 0.01). Nearly half of the participants preferred to reduce cannabis use as a principal intervention goal (vs. using in less harmful ways or avoiding risky situations). Further research is required to see if technology-based harm reduction interventions for cannabis featuring these preferences translate into greater engagement and improved outcomes in EP patients.

Do organisation career support programs draw on career guidance practices? A reading of career support programs for students and families of refugee and new migrant backgrounds

Accessing high-quality career development to support successful transitions into post-compulsory education and employment can be a challenge for newly arrived students of refugee and migrant backgrounds. In Australia, not-for-profit organisations provide career guidance to students within schools that enrol refugee and migrant families. Through programs, not-for-profit organisations can provide mentoring, support and other career services. This research explores the marketing materials of organisation-provided career guidance programs based in Australian secondary schools. A close textual reading of how the programs engage with the discipline and practices of career guidance reveal a deficit framing of students and their families, with limited focus on promoting agency across programs. In light of the increasing resettlement of refugees and migrants in Australia, these findings highlight a need to balance social justice principles with greater engagement with the discipline of career education when enacting career interventions with vulnerable groups.