High Levels Of Use Research Articles

Parenting in the Digital Age: How is the Digital Awareness of Mothers?

In the study, aimed to determine mothers’ awareness of digital parenting. This quantitative study employed a descriptive survey model. This study was conducted on 306 mothers whose children enrolled in kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, and high school participated in the research. The data were collected using the Digital Parenting Awareness Scale (DPAS) and personal information form for demographic information of the mothers. Descriptive analyses, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test and Tamhane's Post Hoc tests were used in the analysis of the data. The analysis results revealed that mothers' digital parenting awareness levels were high. Additionally, no significant difference was found in digital parenting awareness by child gender, previous knowledge about digital media, and the number of children mothers have. It was also found that the level of digital neglect of mothers between the ages of 46-50 was high, mothers living in the Çankaya had a high level of being a negative model, and the mothers living in the Keçiören had a high level of efficient use of digital tools. The mothers whose children attended primary school were negative models, and those with undergraduate and graduate degrees had a high level of being negative models.

Awareness and Use of Infographic Tools among Librarians in Nigeria

Academia and practicing Librarians have worked together with the innovation of the 21st century which has made librarianship much more interesting. This study employed the descriptive non-experimental survey design. A total of 379 librarians participated in the study via online Google form were used for data collection. Data analysis was done the aid of relative importance index (RII). Findings showed that the highest rated infographic tools are Google Charts RII = 0.6 ranked 1st, Adobe Spark with RII = 0.5 ranked 2nd and ranked 3rd was Information Infographics RII = 0.5. Besides, top barrier to use of infographic among Librarians was the general perception that it is time consuming” with RII of 0.70. followed by requiring flexible budget” RII = 0.70 and poor internet network” RII = 0.70. The study concluded that contrary to the researcher’s a-priori expectation, the outcome of this study revealed a high level of awareness and use of infographic tools among librarians in Nigeria.

Innovation potantial management of a banking institution in the context of sustainable development

The article considers scientific approaches to the interpretation of the essence of innovation potential as one of the key factors of successful enterprise activity. It presents the general structure of the innovation potential of a banking institution in the form of a system of components, such as financial, personnel, marketing, material and technical, information, organizational, and it is proposed to expand this structure with elements of environmental and social components, which is extremely important in the context of sustainable development. It describes the process of managing the bank's innovation potential, which consists of developing plans, controlling processes, analyzing projects, coordinating between departments, providing resources and evaluating results. Approaches to assessing the innovation potential of an enterprise are systematized, a detailed analysis is carried out at the stage of substantiation of the possibility of an innovative project, when the goals and requirements for the components of the innovation potential are already clearly defined, and when weaknesses are identified, the bank takes measures to improve them. Diagnostic analysis is widely used in strategic management. The integral approach to assessing the innovation potential of an enterprise, which is most often used in the practice of entrepreneurship, is disclosed in detail. Taking into account the strategy of environmental and social responsibility of the bank in the context of sustainable development, it is proposed to include an assessment of the environmental and social aspects in the general methodology for assessing the innovation potential of the bank. When assessing the innovation potential of the bank, it is proposed to use the following scale: 0–4.0 – low level, 4.1–7.5 – medium level, 7.6–10.0 – high level of use of innovation potential. The results of the evaluation of each component of innovation potential are used to calculate the overall indicator of the level of innovation potential. After that, an average value is set for each component based on these estimates, which serves as the initial data for identifying the weaknesses of the bank. The integral indicator is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the total sum of all components of the bank's innovation potential.

An Investigation of the Impact of Mobile Money Services on the Profitability of Commercial Banks in Zambia

This paper sought to determine the impact of mobile money services on the profitability of commercial banks in Zambia. The study was guided by three objectives; (i) To examine the level of use of mobile money services in Zambia; (ii) to assess the measures of financial performance in the banking industry and (iii) to establish the relationship between the use of mobile money services and financial performance of the banking industry. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative research approaches mainly descriptive correlation design. The target population comprised of workers in all the commercial banks, mobile money operators (MMOs) and regulators and bank experts from Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) and Zambia Institute of Bankers (ZIOB) located in Lusaka central business district. A sample of 156 respondents was chosen using purposive sampling techniques to select retail, operations, customer service and finance department employees from banks and MMOs and two experts from ZICTA and ZIOB as key informants. Data were collected using questionnaires administered via Google forms sent to WhatsApp contacts and email addresses of respondents. Data were and analyzed using SPSS statistical packages to generate descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (regression analysis). The findings of study were presented in form of means, standard deviations, Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. According to the findings of the study, it was indicated that there is generally a high level of use of mobile money services in the banking industry observed from a high level of reliability and accessibility to the services (Means of 3.71 and 4.17 simultaneously). The findings also indicated that there is a high level of financial performance reflected by a high level of profitability (Mean=4.52) in the banking industry, a high level of loan supervision (Mean=3 .85) and relatively high revenue sources (Mean=4. 11) for the banks. It was also indicated that there is an insignificant relationship between mobile money services use and financial performance in terms of profitability of banking industry (Sig. Value=0.2l2). It was also indicated that there is an insignificant relationship between mobile money services use and loan portfolio management of the banking industry (Sig. value=0.605). Finally, it also indicated that there an insignificant relationship between mobile money services use and revenue of banking industry (Sig. Value=0.435). The study thus recommends that commercial banks in Zambia which have not yet collaborated with MMOs should adopt the use of mobile money services on their platforms as it is highly reliable, accessible and reduces congestion in bank premises by customers who come to make transactions. This will help to boost financial performance in the banking industry.

HEART Rate Variability Biofeedback for LOng COVID Dysautonomia (HEARTLOC): Results of a Feasibility Study.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome, or Long Covid (LC) refers to symptoms persisting 12 weeks after the COVID-19 infection. LC comprises a wide range of dysautonomia symptoms, including fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness, pain and brain fog. This study tested the feasibility and estimated the efficacy, of a Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV-B) programme via a standardised slow diaphragmatic breathing technique in individuals with LC. LC patients underwent a 4-week HRV-B intervention for 10 minutes twice daily for 4 weeks using the Polar H10 ECG (Electrocardiogram) chest strap and Elite HRV phone application. Outcome measures C19-YRSm (Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale modified), Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31), WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), EQ5D-5L (EuroQol 5 Dimensions) and Root Mean Square of Successive Differences between heartbeats (RMSSD) using a Fitbit device were recorded before and after the intervention. The study was pre-registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT05228665. A total of 13 participants (54% female, 46% male) completed the study with high levels of independent use of technology, data completeness and intervention adherence. There was a statistically significant improvement in C19YRS-m (P = .001), COMPASS-31 (P = .007), RMSSD (P = .047), WHODAS (P = .02) and EQ5D Global Health Score (P = .009). Qualitative feedback suggested participants could use it independently, were satisfied with the intervention and reported beneficial effects from the intervention. HRV-B using diaphragmatic breathing is a feasible intervention for LC. The small sample size limits generalisability. HRV-B in LC warrants further exploration in a larger randomised controlled study.

Heterogeneous determinants of environmental sustainability: Assessing the roles of energy consumption, economic growth, and financial development

This study offers unique insights into the heterogeneous influence of energy consumption, economic growth, and financial development on environmental sustainability in Sub- Saharan African (SSA) countries. Basically, the scarcity of evidence on this issue, especially in the context of SSA, motivates this new assessment. Thus, on the basis of the annual panel series for 22 SSA countries over the period 1999-2019, the novel quantile-based method of moments (MM-QR), and system-generalisation method of moments (sysGMM) provide the following results. First, financial development significantly degrades the region?s environmental quality. Second, energy utilisation provides varying significant increasing effects. Whereas it largely increases carbon emissions at the upper quantiles, the influence at the middle and low quantiles is inconsequential. This highlights the fact that high levels of energy use in the region significantly increase carbon emissions, which in turn reduces the region?s environmental sustainability. Third, the empirical result confirms the inverted Uform hypothesis in the region. Policy options to enhance and maintain sustainable growth in the region without compromising environmental quality have been highlighted.

The Influence of Language Strategy Use to the English Language Proficiency of Grade 11 Students: A Correlational Study

This study dealt with the influence of Language strategy use and English language proficiency of Grade 11 students in Lorenzo S. Sarmiento Sr. National High School. The primary goal of the study was to determine the level of Language strategy use, and English language proficiency in terms of their respective indicators, the significant relationship between Language strategy use and English language proficiency and what domains of Language strategy use substantially influence English language proficiency. Also, this study utilized a quantitative-correctional design with 202 respondents among Grade 11 students in Lorenzo S. Sarmiento Sr. National High School. The average weighted mean, Pearson R, and multiple regression analysis were the statistical tools used in this study. Along with this, results showed a high level of Language strategy use among grade 11 students in terms of listening strategy use, vocabulary strategy use and translation strategy use. Also, results showed a high level of English language proficiency in grade 11 students regarding speaking proficiency, reading proficiency and writing proficiency. In addition, there is a high correlation, and a significant relationship between Language strategy and English language proficiency. Hence, this leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis. Also, all domains of language strategy use showed high ratings as perceived by students. Thus, the students may continue to improve their Language strategy use so that they can easily learn the English language proficiency.

Measuring The Effectiveness of U-Dictionary in Increasing The Interest in Learning English Language Student At Madrasah Ibtidaiyah

In the current era of disruption, the need to learn English is very important, therefore several digital applications have been created to make learning English easier, especially for students. U-Dictionary is a popular English learning application that can be used as an option, therefore this research aims to analyze the effectiveness of using the U-Dictionary application in increasing students' interest in learning at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah and what students' perceptions are regarding the use of U-Dictionary in increasing interest in learning languages. English at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. This research uses mixed methods. The data collection technique used in this research is a questionnaire. Data analysis used the paired t-test data analysis technique with the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Meanwhile, the qualitative analysis uses content analysis. Based on the results of data analysis, it can be seen that the U-Dictionary application is effective in increasing students' interest in learning at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah with a significance value (<0.001). The results of the questionnaire regarding students' perceptions of using U-Dictionary, the majority of respondents had a fairly high level of use, a fairly high level of self-confidence, the ability to understand good English vocabulary, a fairly high level of interest in learning English, and felt that learning English is quite effective or very effective.

Characteristics and Treatment Responses of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive autoimmune rheumatic disease that primarily affects the joints. The goal of RA treatment is to achieve remission or low disease activity, using a treat-to-target approach. This study aims to explore the characteristics of RA patients and evaluate their treatment responses in Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital (RSCM). Methods: This cross-sectional study is conducted by collecting demographic and clinical data, as well as interviewing adult patients that have been diagnosed with RA at the Rheumatology Clinic of RSCM and have been on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) treatment for a minimum of 6 months.Results: A total of 94 patients were included in this study. Subjects were predominantly female (93.6%) and had no formal jobs (64.9%). A majority of RA patients exhibited moderate disease activity (48.9%, based on Disease Activity Score-28 with erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS-28 ESR]), with a relatively high level of steroid use (86.2%). Notably, most patients started DMARD treatment more than 2 years after the onset of symptoms (45.7%). The proportion of patients achieving therapy target (remission to low disease activity) was 41.5%, with 13.8% attaining remission. Furthermore, Health Assessment Quality (HAQ) scores were found to be significantly lower among the target-achieving group, indicating better quality of life.Conclusion: Therapy target was achieved in 41.5% of RA patients in RSCM, with 13.8% achieving remission. Further research can be conducted to evaluate factors which may affect treatment response among RA patients.

Identification of Saltwater Intrusion Distribution in North Padang Cermin Area, Lampung, Indonesia

The residential areas of North Padang Cermin are mainly located near the coastal area with a high level of groundwater use. Continuous groundwater use could potentially raise saltwater intrusion and lead to a decrease in groundwater quality. The research is conducted to identify the saltwater intrusion spread based on groundwater quality data. Geological observations were carried out to determine the geological conditions of the research area, followed by qualitative and quantitative hydrogeological observations by measuring TDS (Total Dissolved Solid), EC (Electrical Conductivity), pH, temperature, color, and taste. The Herzberg method was used to identify freshwater thickness against seawater intrusion. Hydrogeologically, the research area has four aquifer systems: aquifers with fissure and intergranular flow, aquifers with intergranular flow and wide-distribution productivity, aquifers with fissure and intergranular flow and local distribution, and aquifers with rare groundwater. Groundwater flow has a radial pattern with the most extensive hydraulic gradient with a value of 0.16 m towards the eastern part of the research area. The indications of seawater intrusion were found in the water samples measurement located on the east of the research area with water type of brackish–salty with a TDS value of 1,443 – 3,790 ppm and an EC of 3,000 – 7,580 (μS). Based on the Herzberg method, the distribution of seawater intrusion is estimated to occur at a depth of 36.8 m.

How Agile Feedback Practice Use Impacts Software Quality

ABSTRACT Although agile methodologies prescribe various practices, they universally focus on obtaining feedback. Agile practitioners argue that this feedback allows teams to better adapt to uncertainty, which can lead to increases in software quality. Using a sample of 76 agile teams across multiple organizations, we investigate the impacts of agile feedback practices of technical feedback, fast iterative delivery, and agile project management on software quality. Also, we investigate interaction effects between agile feedback practice use and six different sub-constructs of uncertainty. We find that a higher level of use of some agile feedback practices directly impacts software quality and moderates the effects of uncertainty on software quality. However, we find a more complex relationship between agile methodologies and software quality than previously identified. These findings illustrate future research opportunities into the complicated relationship between agile methodology usage and external environmental factors.

Factors Influencing the Use of Social Media to Access Market Information among Small-Scale Chicken Farmers in Arusha City, Tanzania

The study determined the level of use and factors influencing the use of social media to access market information among Small-Scale Chicken Farmers (SSCFs) in Arusha City. Data were collected from 260 SSCFs between June and August 2022 through interviews with key informants and a questionnaire. The data were descriptively analyzed to determine the level of use of social media. In addition, a binary logistic regression model was used to determine the factors influencing the use of social media in accessing market information. The study found that SSCFs had a high level of use (more than 16 times monthly) of WhatsApp as compared to Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube (all at less than 16 times monthly). Furthermore, the study identified the following factors as influencing the SSCFs use of social media to access market information: the perceived usefulness, extrinsic motivation, job-fit, attitude, relative advantage and outcome expectations, perceived ease of use, and complexity. Others include social factors and innovative image, perceived behavioural control, facilitating conditions and compatibility, and ownership of smartphone. The study revealed that perceived usefulness, extrinsic motivation, job-fit, attitude, relative advantage and outcome expectations, perceived ease of use and complexity, social factors, innovative image, and ownership of smartphone have a positive influence on the use of social media among SSCFs. Conversely, perceived behavioural control, facilitating conditions, and compatibility have a negative influence on the use of social media among SSCFs to access market information in the study area. The study recommends that the government should create a supportive environment to ensure that factors that have a positive influence on the use of social media platforms to access market information among SSCFs are maintained. Moreover, facilitating conditions, as factors with negative influence on the use of social media to access market information, need to be improved to enable SSCFs to use social media.

Using of non-pharmacological pain methods, and the perceived barriers, among nurses in critical care unit in Palestine

BackgroundPain is alleviated in one of the two common approaches, pharmacological or non-pharmacological intervention. Using non-pharmacological methods may have beneficial effect and priority on decreasing patients’ level of pain and decreasing the side effects of pharmacological methods in ICU patients. This study aimed to assess ICU Palestinian nurses use and barriers of non-pharmacological pain management.MethodsA quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect responses from a convenient sample of 215 nurses working in six hospitals in Plaestine. The timeframe for data collection was from August 2022 to December 2022. This study had three instrument packages. The first part is demographic data. The second is a tool that used 4-point Likert scale to examine ICU nursing use of non-pharmacological pain methods and it consisted of 16 items. The third is six items of perceived barriers to use non-pharmacological pain methods. All statistical procedures were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 28.ResultsMore than two-thirds of the nurses used non-pharmacological pain methods in ICU. 60% of the nurses have high levels of use, 10.2% have very high levels. The two highest perceived barriers to use nonpharmacological method were the lack of time, workload, and patient instability with 83.7% (n = 180), and 77.2% (n = 166), respectively. Demographic variables were not significantly associated with the use of non-pharmacological pain management methods, except age.ConclusionAdopting culturally sensitive non-pharmacological pain methods to decrease ICU patients’ level of pain, may positively reflected on patients’ outcome and on healthcare system. Developing, implementing and continuous monitoring of guidelines regarding using nonpharmacological for nurses and physicians are recommended which will be reflected positively on patients’ outcomes. Great efforts to overcome the barriers of lack of time and workload is impertive to increase the clinical usage of nonpharmacological pain methods.

Estimating the potential impact and diagnostic requirements for SARS-CoV-2 test-and-treat programs

Oral antivirals have the potential to reduce the public health burden of COVID-19. However, now that we have exited the emergency-phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, declining SARS-CoV-2 clinical testing rates (average testing rates = ≪\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\ll$$\\end{document}10 tests/100,000 people/day in low-and-middle income countries; <100 tests/100,000 people/day in high-income countries; September 2023) make the development of effective test-and-treat programs challenging. We used an agent-based model to investigate how testing rates and strategies affect the use and effectiveness of oral antiviral test-to-treat programs in four country archetypes of different income levels and demographies. We find that in the post-emergency-phase of the pandemic, in countries where low testing rates are driven by limited testing capacity, significant population-level impact of test-and-treat programs can only be achieved by both increasing testing rates and prioritizing individuals with greater risk of severe disease. However, for all countries, significant reductions in severe cases with antivirals are only possible if testing rates were substantially increased with high willingness of people to seek testing. Comparing the potential population-level reductions in severe disease outcomes of test-to-treat programs and vaccination shows that test-and-treat strategies are likely substantially more resource intensive requiring very high levels of testing (≫100 tests/100,000 people/day) and antiviral use suggesting that vaccination should be a higher priority.

Resource utilisation and outcomes of people with heart failure in England: a descriptive analysis of linked primary and secondary care data – the PULSE study

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is associated with high levels of resource use and mortality, but prior UK studies have not compared outcomes by HF subtype (HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)...

Ukraine’s labor market after a year and a half of full-scale war: non-standard employment and digitalization

The article describes the results of a study of the prevalence of non-standard employment in Ukraine and the relationship between non-standard employment and digitalization in Ukraine. The COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale invasion of Russia on February 24, 2022, have radically affected the labor market and the spread of non-standard employment. A year and a half after the start of the full-scale war, the share of the unemployed has decreased, and some researchers and specialists have already begun to talk about "personnel hunger" in certain areas and industries. However, despite the activation of the labor market, the work of only 30% of Ukrainians can be identified as standard employment. Moreover, there is de facto no return to the standard employment format. Another factor contributing to the spread of non-standard forms of employment is digitalization. Digitalization is often used as a general all-encompassing concept but based on information about the use of digital devices and technologies, three categories can be distinguished, corresponding to three stages of technological development - computerization, Internetization, and digitalization. At the same time, digitization can be defined as the creation of information and analytical platforms that have analytical and predictive functions. The highest level of computerization and Internetization is observed among Ukrainians whose employment can be characterized as non-standard. The highest level of computerization, Internetization, and digitalization are among sole proprietors, respondents who can work remotely and have a flexible schedule. With a fairly high level of use of digital devices and technologies (62% of surveyed Ukrainians use a laptop, tablet or smartphone at work), this level is still lower than the European average. The further spread of Internetization and digitization (information and analytical solutions and platforms) can become one of the drivers of non-standard employment, which, given its magnitude, should be, as A. Kolot notes, completely and irreversibly transformed into a ordinary, traditional social and labor reality.

Psychosocial safety climate (PSC) and working conditions, predictors of mental health and antidepressant and opioid use in Australia: a study protocol for longitudinal data linkage

IntroductionWork-related stress is a social determinant of global health that represents a huge cost to workers’ health and reduces work performance. In Australia, mental well-being is a pressing national issue—with...

Interactive effect of adverse child experiences and suicidal thoughts and behaviors on adolescent alcohol and cannabis use frequency.

Adolescents with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and suicidality may engage in high levels of substance use to alleviate distress. Most studies of associations among ACEs, suicidality, and substance use rely on retrospective reports by adults. Comparatively less is known about concurrent relationships between ACEs, suicide risk, and substance use in adolescents, which is important for prevention. This study tested if the associations between ACEs and drinking and between ACEs and cannabis use would be even stronger among youth with suicidal ideation or attempt, relative to youth without suicidal ideation or attempt. High schoolers (N = 1,625; 50.8% male; 47.1% female; 2% nonbinary) from western New York completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Ordinal regressions tested main effects and interactions of the number of ACEs and suicidal ideation/behavior (i.e., none, ideation/plan, attempt) on categories of past-month drinking and cannabis days of use, controlling for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Significant ACEs by suicide interactions on adolescent drinking indicate that the association between ACEs and drinking was stronger for adolescents with suicide attempt adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 2.63) compared to youth with no ideation or attempt (AOR = 1.56) and suicidal ideation/planning only (AOR = 1.58). Main effects of ACEs (AORs = 1.95-2.08) and suicide attempt (vs. no suicidal ideation/attempt [AOR = 2.11] and suicidal ideation/plan [AOR = 2.11]) were associated with greater cannabis use; interactions were not significant. Associations between ACEs and drinking were particularly strong for adolescents with suicide attempt. Conversely, ACEs and suicide attempt were independently associated with cannabis use. Mitigating against ACEs may reduce both adolescent alcohol and cannabis use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Cervical Cancer Screening Positivity Among Women Living With HIV in CDC-PEPFAR Programs 2018-2022.

The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief aims to address the higher risk of cervical cancer among women living with HIV by offering high-quality screening services in the highest burden regions of the world. We analyzed the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-supported sites in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for women living with HIV aged older than 15 years who accessed cervical cancer screening services (mostly visual inspection, with ablative or excisional treatment offered for precancerous lesions), April 2018-March 2022. We calculated the positivity by age, country, and clinical visit type (first lifetime screen or routine rescreening). We fitted negative binomial random coefficient models of log-linear trends in time to estimate the probabilities of testing positive and any temporal trends in positivity. Among the 2.8 million completed cancer screens, 5.4% identified precancerous lesions, and 0.8% were positive for suspected invasive cervical cancers (6.1% overall). The positivity rates declined over the study period among those women screening for cervical cancer for the first time and among those women presenting to antiretroviral therapy clinics for routine rescreening. These positivity rates are lower than expectations set by the published literature. Further research is needed to determine whether these lower rates are attributable to the high level of consistent antiretroviral therapy use among these populations, and systematic program monitoring and quality assurance activities are essential to ensure women living with HIV have access to the highest possible quality prevention services.

Updated population-level estimates of child restraint practices among children aged 0–12 years in Australia, 10 years after introduction of age-appropriate restraint use legislation

ObjectiveOptimal child passenger protection requires use of a restraint designed for the age/size of the child (appropriate use) that is used in the way the manufacturer intended (correct use).This study...