Habits Research Articles

Rancangan Strategis Pemantapan Literasi Membaca Di Sekolah Di Era Digital

Literacy is the ability to read and write that a person has. Literacy plays an important role in student character building. Character is something that is inherent in every individual and is not formed from birth, but rather influenced by various factors such as in the school, family and community environment. This article aims to explore the role of literacy culture in shaping students' character. Reading literacy is a very important basic skill for primary school students as it serves as a foundation for learning at the next level of education. This article aims to identify and explain effective strategies in improving reading skills and fostering interest in reading among students. Various methods such as the phonetic approach, shared reading and story-based learning are discussed as practical solutions to be implemented in the classroom. Through the implementation of effective literacy strategies, it is hoped that schools can create a learning environment that supports reading skills and encourages the formation of reading habits from an early age.

Optimal investment, consumption, and life insurance decisions for households with consumption habits under the health shock risk

. This article investigates the optimal investment, consumption, and life insurance strategies for households under the impact of health shock risk. Considering the uncertainty of the future health status of family members, a non homogeneous Markov process is used to model the health status of the wage earner. Drawing upon the theory of habit formation, we investigate the influence of different consumption habits on households’ investment, consumption, and life insurance strategies. Based on whether the wage earner is alive or not, we formulate and solve the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equations for the two scenarios of wage earner survival and wage earner’s demise, respectively, and obtain explicit expressions for the optimal investment, consumption, and life insurance strategies of households. Through sensitivity analysis of important parameters, it has been shown that the presence of health shocks within households has a negative impact on investment and consumption decisions, while the formation of consumption habits increases household propensity for precautionary savings.

A UTAUT2 Model Expansion: Investigating the Effect of Interactive Learning Environment and Gamification on Duolingo User Base in China

This paper filled the research gap by integrating the two elements of interactive learning environment (ILE) and gamification (GMF) into the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) to explore Chinese users’ behavioral intention (BI) to use Duolingo for language learning. By collecting 1,007 questionnaires in China and conducting data analysis, we found that (1) performance expectancy (PE), habit (HB), ILE, and GMF have a positive effect on users’ BI to use Duolingo, while social influence (SI) has a negative effect on BI; (2) effort expectancy (EE) and hedonic motivation (HM) have no significant effects on BI; (3) ILE has a significant positive effect on users’ PE, EE, SI, HM, and HB; (4) GMF has a positive effect on users’ PE, EE, SI, HM, and HB; (5) in the mediating analysis, ILE can positively influence BI via PE and HB; (6) GMF can positively influence BI via PE.

Desert Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thaumastellidae): New records and review of the distribution and habitat of this relict group.

The known distribution and habitat information of the three described species of the genus Thaumastella Horváth, 1896 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Pentatomoidea: Thaumastellidae) are reviewed. In addition a fourth, undescribed species is reported from South Africa (Western Cape). Thaumastella aradoides Horváth, 1896, is recorded for the first time from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the states of Khartoum and Sennar in Sudan. Additional records of Thaumastella namaquensis Schaefer & Wilcox, 1971, from Namibia (Hardap, ||Kharas) and South Africa (Northern Cape), as well as information on habitat of Thaumastella namaquensis and Thaumastella elizabethae Jacobs, 1989, are provided. Photographs of the holotypes of the three already described species and their labels are also presented. The distribution of all four species is mapped.

Optimal planning in habit formation models with multiple goods

Optimal planning in habit formation models with multiple goods

Limits of speech in connected homes: Experimental comparison of self-reporting tools for human activity recognition

Data annotation for human activity recognition is a well-known challenge for researchers. In particular, annotation in daily life settings relies on self-reporting tools with unknown accuracy. Speech is a promising interface for activity labeling. In this work, we compare the accuracy of two commercially available tools for annotation: voice diaries and connected buttons. We retrofit the water meters of thirty homes in the USA for infrastructure-mediated sensing. Participants are split into equal groups and receive one of the self-reporting tools. The balanced accuracy metric is transferred from the field of machine learning to the evaluation of the annotation performance. Our results show that connected buttons perform significantly better than the voice diary, with 92% median accuracy and 65% median reporting rate. Using questionnaire answers, we highlight that annotation performance is impacted by habit formation and sentiments toward the annotation tool. The use case for data annotation is to disaggregate water meter data into human activities beyond the point of use. We show that it is feasible with a machine-learning model and the corrected annotations. Finally, we formulate recommendations for the design of studies and intelligent environments around the key ideas of proportionality and immediacy.

A systematic study of some lichenized fungi from Pakistan using nrITS marker

In a detailed investigation of lichen diversity in different regions of Pakistan, utilizing molecular and morphological techniques, we identified and reported three species – Dimelaena altissima, Lecanora chlarotera, and Usnea lapponica – as new records for Pakistan. Furthermore, nrITS sequences for Evernia prunastri, Lecanora horiza, L. hybocarpa, Peltigera polydactylon, and P. praetextata were generated for the first time from Pakistan. Detailed morpho-anatomical descriptions, habitat information, distribution data, and results of biochemical analyses are also provided for a better understanding of the lichen diversity and ecology in this region.

A Qualitative Study of School Mental Health Providers’ Experiences with Chart Notes: Perceived Utility, Burden, and Areas for Growth

ABSTRACT Background Despite the ubiquity of chart notes and their well-known impact on medical providers’ job stress and satisfaction, little is known about how mental health providers interact with and are impacted by documentation requirements, particularly in school environments. Objective This qualitative study sought to investigate school mental health providers’ perspectives on and experiences with documentation. Method Four focus groups with eight school mental health providers were conducted. Providers were asked about their current documentation practices and desired changes to their electronic health record system. Recordings of focus groups were transcribed and analyzed for themes using a rapid qualitative analytic approach. Results Key themes revolved around the purpose, features, time demands, training needs, and writing processes surrounding chart notes. Providers reported spending substantial time and energy on documentation and viewed chart notes primarily as a billing requirement, but also valued their utility for treatment planning, outcome monitoring, and clinical accountability. Providers expressed frustration with redundant data entry, lack of protected time for documentation, insufficient training for and communication around updates to documentation requirements, and strained interactions with supervisors during editing. Providers highlighted scheduling protected work time for documentation, enhancing documentation training with a focus on habit formation, standardizing supervisory expectations and providing documentation specific training for supervisors, and redesigning electronic health record interfaces with automation and checklists as strategies that could improve their experiences with chart notes. Conclusions Providers highlighted the ways current training and supervision practices, time constraints, and electronic health record functionality contribute to job stress and burnout while also noting the value of documentation for treatment planning and processing difficult emotions. Roadmaps outlining further research that is needed to understand these suggestions from providers in the larger context of clinical documentation, as well their potential benefits and tradeoffs for providers and other stakeholders, are discussed.

During and after COVID-19: understanding entertainment consumption shifts through habit and customer value perspectives

Purpose As situational changes result in changing consumption patterns, this study aims to understand the entertainment consumption shifts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Particularly, how users’ habits and use behavior have changed and how these constructs subsequently impact their continuance intention has been investigated. The study proposes a research model based on customer value and habit theory. Design/methodology/approach The study proposes a research model based on customer value and habit theory. The data collected during (n = 192) and after (n = 138) COVID-19 situation in the over-the-top (OTT) platforms setting through purposive sampling was analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The study elucidates that customer perceived value (utilitarian and hedonic values) impacts habit and continuance intention in different situations: during and after COVID-19. It was also shown that habit partially mediates the influence of utilitarian and hedonic values on continuance intention. Further, the extent of use had a negative moderation effect on the habit-continuance intention relationship during COVID-19 but did not moderate the relationship in the post-COVID-19 situation. Finally, it was demonstrated that the effect of utilitarian value increased, whereas that of hedonic value decreased on the continuance intention of OTT platforms in the after-COVID-19 situation compared to during COVID-19. Practical implications Although set up in the OTT context, the practitioners from other online entertainment services, and any online service in general, may utilize the study findings to reinforce habit and continuance intentions to address unwanted consequences due to situational changes. The study suggests to the OTT service providers ways to facilitate the habit formation of OTT users. The study recommends constant monitoring of the extent of the use of OTT consumers and user engagement tactics for nurturing the OTT consumption habits of heavy users. The recommendations for maintaining and strengthening the perceived value-continuance intention relationship were also made, which would help the OTT service providers immensely. Originality/value The study establishes the mediation effect of habit and the robustness of perceived value in determining continuance intention in varying situations. The results also highlighted the changes in the impact of perceived value and habit on the continuance intention of OTT platforms. The study also advances the literature by demonstrating the differential influence of the extent of use on the habit-continuance intention relationship during and after COVID-19.

A multi-method feasibility trial of a multi-component behaviour change intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity among ethnically diverse older adults

IntroductionEvidence suggests that sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA) are important indicators of well-being and quality of life in older adults (OAs). However, OAs are the least active and...

Exploring Large Language Models and the Metaverse for Urologic Applications: Potential, Challenges, and the Path Forward.

The metaverse, a 3-dimensional digital platform that enables users to interact and engage in realistic virtual activities beyond time and space limitations, has garnered significant investment across industries, particularly in healthcare. In the medical field, the metaverse shows promise as a digital therapeutic platform to enhance interaction between medical professionals and patients. Concurrently, generative artificial intelligence, especially large language models, is being integrated into healthcare for applications in data analysis, image recognition, and natural language processing. In urology, large language models (LLMs) support are increasingly used in urology for tasks such as image diagnosis, data processing, patient education, and treatment assistance in order to provide significant support in clinical settings. By combining LLMs with the immersive capabilities of the metaverse, new possibilities emerge to improve urologic treatment in areas that require consistent treatments, habit formation, and long-term management. This paper reviews current research and applications of LLMs in urology, discusses the challenges associated with their use including data quality, bias, security, and ethical issues, and explores the need for regulatory standards. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of a metaverse-based digital platform to improve urologic care and streamline information exchange to maximize the benefits of this integrated approach in future healthcare applications.

Optimal pricing scheme for addictive goods

AbstractThis article analyses how consumers' habit formation and addiction affect firms' pricing policies. I consider both sophisticated consumers, who realize that their current consumption will affect future tastes, and “naive” consumers, who do not. The optimal contract for sophisticated consumers is a two‐part tariff. The main result is that the optimal pricing pattern when the consumer is naive is a “bargain then rip‐off” contract, namely a fixed fee, with the first units priced below cost, and then priced above marginal cost. This holds both under symmetric and asymmetric information about the consumers' degree of sophistication.

Can mobile promotion automation decrease overall purchases? The role of promotion pattern predictability in customer habit formation

Automating mobile promotions facilitates customization through geo-location and temporal targeting; however, this can lead the geographic and temporal patterns of promotions to become predictable. We argue that this predictability enables customer habit formation as the promotion, the context in which it is received, and the purchase behavior become associated in the customer's memory through repeated co-occurrence. This results in the customer purchasing only when promotions are expected to occur, decreasing their overall purchase likelihood. Across four studies, including empirical data from two different industries in different global regions and two controlled laboratory experiments focused on different purchase scenarios, we find that customers exposed to predictable promotion patterns shift their purchases to when promotions are expected, decreasing overall purchase probability. These effects are stronger for customers with consistent past purchase patterns or low involvement with the product, and predictability of promotion patterns does not impact customer attitudes, providing evidence that they are driven by customer habit formation.

Persistent defensive reactivity during extensive avoidance training as a potential mechanism for the perpetuation of safety behaviors.

Safety behaviors are core features of anxiety-related disorders, specifically involving behaviors that do not completely terminate aversive situations, but rather prevent the risk of the occurrence of the expected aversive outcome (US). This study aimed to examine the dynamics of defensive reactivity associated with safety behaviors, both before and after their execution, and to investigate changes in these reactions following extensive training. Twenty-four healthy participants underwent a US-avoidance task as an experimental analog to model safety behavior, requiring a button press to avoid the US without terminating the associated warning cue (CS). Two CS+ were used, with one being devalued during a devaluation procedure to assess the formation of avoidance habits. Defensive reactivity was assessed using fear-potentiated startle (FPS) and skin conductance responses (SCR). Participants showed pronounced defensive reactivity to both CS + vs. CS- before the avoidance action, which decreased upon the opportunity to avoid the US. Contrarily, after the avoidance action, a re-emergence of defensive responses was observed as indicated by FPS and increased SCR. Only one participant showed signs of avoidance habit formation. The findings reveal a re-emergence of defensive reactivity following safety behaviors challenging the prevailing belief that relief is the primary sustaining factor of safety behavior.

Risk factors for the gambling, smoking and alcohol consumption triad in Portuguese adolescents

Abstract Background Addiction to gambling, tobacco, and alcohol poses significant risks to mental, social, and physical health, particularly during adolescence, a critical period for habit formation. This study investigates risk factors linked to these habits among Portuguese adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study used the 2019 ESPAD questionnaire, targeting 16-year-old adolescents. The sample comprised 4,365 responses. Descriptive analysis determined the prevalence of gambling, smoking, and alcohol use, as well as social, economic, and behavioral factors. Bivariate associations were assessed using the Exact Fisher test, and multiple logistic regression identified key predictors for the outcome of interest (cumulative presence of gambling, smoking and alcohol consumption). Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS version 29.0, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results Among adolescents, 6.2% presented probable problematic gambling according to the Lie/Bet test, with 3.7% spending at least 30 minutes a day gambling. In the past 30 days, 14.3% smoked, 42.7% drank alcohol, and 10.5% engaged in binge drinking. The behavioral triad was observed in 56 individuals. Male gender (OR = 2.024; 95% CI: 1.097-3.734; p = 0.024), problematic online gaming behavior (OR = 2.041; 95% CI: 1.005-4.144; p = 0.048) and going out at night at least once a week (OR = 1.439; 95% CI: 1.242-1.669; p < 0.001) significantly increased the risk of the behavioral triad. In contrast, parental control (parents knowing where the adolescent is on Saturday night) had a significant protective effect (OR = 0.162; 95% CI: 0.086-0.303; p < 0.001). Conclusions The study underscores the importance of parental supervision to curb risky behaviors in adolescents. It suggests implementing public health programs in schools, leveraging gaming for early screening, and tightening online gambling regulations to mitigate future health risks associated with gambling, smoking, and alcohol use. Key messages • Absence of parental supervision, male gender, problematic online gaming and frequently going out at night are risk factors for this behavioral triad. • Public health strategies are needed to prevent gambling addiction, emphasizing parental awareness, identification of at-risk students, and comprehensive school-based approaches.

Advancing open education through open-source software: examining UTAUT 2 factors in adoption and implementation

PurposeThis study aims to examine the factors influencing university students' adoption of open-source software (OSS) within the context of open educational practices (OEP) by applying an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT 2) model.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs a quantitative approach, gathering data from 156 students at Hong Kong Metropolitan University through an online survey. The survey was designed to test nine hypotheses derived from the UTAUT 2 model, incorporating additional constructs relevant to OSS. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data and test the relationships between constructs.FindingsThe results indicate that Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Price Value (PV), Self-Efficacy (SE) and Value Alignment (VA) significantly influence students' Behavioral Intention (BI) to adopt OSS. Conversely, Social Influence (SI), Facilitating Conditions (FC), Hedonic Motivation (HM) and Habit (HT) were not significant predictors. The findings suggest that while UTAUT 2 provides a useful framework for understanding OSS adoption, it requires adaptation to fully capture the unique characteristics of OSS in educational settings.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by extending the UTAUT 2 model to the context of OSS adoption in higher education, highlighting the importance of economic factors and user alignment with OSS values. The results offer practical insights for higher education institutions aiming to promote OSS, emphasizing the need for support structures, training, and the promotion of OSS’s economic and collaborative benefits.

Enhanced powder characteristics of succinic acid through crystallization techniques for food industry application

During crystallization, succinic acid, an important food additive, exhibit severe agglomeration behaviour, uneven crystal size distribution (CSD), and irregular crystal morphology, resulting in poor powder flow properties. This paper presents an innovative approach to optimize succinic acid crystallization through investigation of novel blade milling method, seeding, and inclusion of green additive, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). CTAB for crystal habit regulation and formation of desired cubic-like morphology. We employ Mask R-CNN, a deep learning-based image analysis tool to quantitatively assess crystal and powder flow properties. Results demonstrate that the inclusion of 0.5 wt% CTAB with two-stage cooling method yields uniform CSD ranging from 30 μm to 160 μm and improves powder properties, reducing the agglomeration degree by 46% and caking ratio to only 6.78%, indicating a decreased tendency for clumping. The integration of crystallization with the proposed deep learning framework not only improves succinic acid food functionality but also showcases highly efficient method for optimizing crystal properties, setting new standard for food crystallization processes. It has been adequately presented with real-time high-precision analysis of CSD, agglomeration, etc, facilitating rapid screening for optimized food quality improvements.

Factors Promoting Physical Activity and Physical Development in Early Childhood

This research explored factors promoting physical activity and development in early childhood in urban and rural areas. A sample of 488 urban and 387 rural students was selected through random sampling. Data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The findings revealed that urban schools have more environmental factors promoting physical activity than rural schools. Urban students had better physical development scores than those in rural areas. The study also found that school location correlates with students' physical development in the form of good hygiene habits, consuming nutritious food and clean water, regular exercise, good body coordination, and good hand-eye coordination.

Prevalence of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders Among Tobacco Users in Kolkata: A Hospital-Based Study.

Introduction Tobacco consumption is a significant public health threat worldwide and a looming pandemic. World Health Organization data display that about five million people face premature death per year worldwide due to tobacco use. India is a leading nation among tobacco users in this regard. The aim of the present study was to determine the most prevalent tobacco consumption habit and the oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) found in such users with an assessment of awareness and change in various habits. Material and methods A cross-sectional study over a duration of six months was carried out, in which every patient visiting the hospital OPD was assessed and evaluated for tobacco-related habits. A detailed history of the duration and frequency of the habit, the type of tobacco product consumed, and the predominant reason for its consumption among males and females were recorded and evaluated. An oral examination was performed to determine the evidence of OPMDs. Subjects under the age of 13 years and with systemic/metabolic disorders with oral manifestations were excluded from the study. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Stata Statistical Software, version 13.1 for Windows (released 2013 StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX). Results Data revealed a higher prevalence of tobacco consumption in males, with chewing tobacco followed by smoking and a mixed form of habit being predominant. Misri chewing was most common in females. Subjects in the 20-50 years age group were most commonly affected, with tobacco pouch keratosis being the most prevalent lesion followed by leukoplakia, with stress being a major causative factor for tobacco consumption. Conclusion The present study promulgated the prevalence of OPMDs in consumers of various kinds of tobacco products, which is highly valuable in the early detection of OPMDs. OPMDs remain unnoticed until advanced stages due to their asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic nature and due to a relative lack of awareness about the deleterious effects of tobacco usage despite an upsurge in tobacco cessation-related content on digital media. Thus, healthcare sector professionals can be appropriately guided to ensure efficient patient care at an early stage.

Look, over there! A streaker! – Qualitative study examining streaking as a behaviour change technique for habit formation in recreational runners

ABSTRACT Background Running as a form of physical activity is beneficial to overall health and wellbeing. The aim of the study is to examine ‘run streaking’ (i.e. running on consecutive days, for a minimum period of time or distance, typically at least one mile) as a technique for habit formation and behaviour change. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 21 recreational adult runners (11 female and 10 male). Run streak length ranged from a minimum of 100 days to over 4500 days. Transcripts were analysed using a hybrid deductive–inductive thematic analysis. Results Run streaking was reported to lead to several benefits, health improvements and a sense of accomplishment, although many run streakers reported running through injuries and lack of recovery. Accounts of run streaking showed features of automaticity indicative of habitual behaviour. Other behavioural processes identified included motivation, identity, self-regulation and social support. Behavioural streaking showed the potential to influence change in behaviours other than running. Conclusion Accounts of run streaking demonstrate an interplay between automatic and deliberate processes in the maintenance of running behaviour. Behavioural streaking is a technique that could be used in other behaviour change contexts beyond running to support habit formation.