Narrative Format Research Articles

Nail Society of India Recommendations for Treatment of Onychomycosis in Special Population Groups.

Onychomycosis (OM) is a difficult-to-treat condition, especially considering the limited armamentarium of antifungal drugs, need for prolonged treatment, and poor compliance. This problem is further confounded while treating OM in special populations such as children, elderly, immunosuppressed patients, pregnant or lactating women, and patients with chronic liver or kidney disease. In the absence of standardized treatment guidelines, the antifungal therapy is either withheld or compromised, as it is largely governed by personal preferences or based on anecdotal reports. Hence, an expert group of the Nail Society of India worked towards drafting guidelines based on established literature and inputs from experts, with practical recommendations for the treatment of onychomycosis in special population groups. An extensive analysis of available English language literature on onychomycosis in special populations, published during a 10-year period (2014-2023 until date) was done. The available studies and reports were evaluated, cross-references read, and evidence compiled, graded, and discussed by the expert group to derive consensus recommendations for practice. The evidence and recommendations based on it are presented in a narrative format to guide treatment choices when dealing with population groups with special considerations.

The impact of doctor-patient communication on medication adherence and blood pressure control in patients with hypertension: a systematic review.

This systematic review aims to present existing evidence concerning the effects of doctor-patient communication on medication adherence and blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. Two researchers independently conducted comprehensive searches of five databases and screened relevant studies published from the inception of these databases up to July 21, 2024. The titles, abstracts, and full texts of all the retrieved articles subsequently underwent rigorous duplicate screening, according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We then synthesized the findings in a narrative format of the included studies. Finally, two researchers independently assessed study quality. Eighteen observational studies encompassing 21,542 patients and seven randomized controlled trials with 2,804 patients were included in the systematic review. Diverse approaches were employed for evaluating doctor-patient communication and medication adherence in these studies, with identified themes including communication content and communication skills. Various facets of doctor-patient communication, including patient satisfaction with doctor-patient communication, the specific content discussed, the style of communication, the comprehensive communication skills of doctors, and the duration of these conversations, were scrutinized. In general, the results suggest a promising link between effective doctor-patient communication and increased medication adherence and blood pressure control. Nonetheless, the presence of nuanced variations and subtle distinctions within the literature underscores the imperative for deeper exploration and consideration in clinical practice. Additionally, effective communication interventions must attain a certain threshold of intensity and endure for an adequate duration. This review underscores the pivotal role of robust doctor-patient communication in improving both medication adherence and blood pressure control. Nevertheless, additional research may be warranted to address the disparities and subtleties in the literature and to establish precise implications for clinical practice. Moreover, in clinical practice, strategies to enhance doctor-patient communication should be incorporated, given the potential to improve medication adherence and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024503112.

How Do We Know What We Don't Know About Maternal Mortality After Dobbs v Jackson?

This narrative information graphic contextualizes the lack of current maternal morbidity and mortality data in the United States since the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in 2022.

Identifying Peking Opera Roles Through Vocal Timbre: An Acoustical and Conceptual Comparison Between Dan and Laosheng

Chinese jingju (Peking opera) typically distinguishes several stock character types differentiated by narrative function, appearance, and vocal timbre. Though aspects of jingju music and dramaturgy have been thoroughly mapped by scholars, the contribution of timbre to the differentiation and characterization of dramatic roles has not been theorized. Here we sampled 20,000 excerpts of a cappella recordings of dan (woman) and laosheng (old man) singers from a large corpus. We analyzed the acoustic characteristics of the two roles both qualitatively and computationally, extracting and comparing relevant acoustic descriptors including spectral centroid, roughness, inharmonicity, and spectral fluctuation. We found statistically significant differences between the roles in spectral centroid (controlling for differences in fundamental frequency), roughness, and spectral flux (16­00­–3200 Hz). Lower normalized spectral centroid and reduced roughness in dan timbre is semiotically congruent with this virtuous and gentle female role; higher normalized spectral centroid, roughness, and spectral flux in laosheng timbre are congruent with an elderly, powerful, and educated man, indicating the contribution of vocal timbre in communicating identification and narrative information to audiences. These timbral attributes also reflect traditional Confucian ideals for music, gender, and age. These patriarchal and filial hierarchies are reiterated through Peking opera vocal timbre, displaying the effectiveness of music, and timbre specifically, in reflecting and reinforcing cultural and societal scripts.

Application of Honey Therapy to Decrease Stool Frequency in Children with Diarrhea: A Case Study

Diarrhea is characterized by the presence of watery bowel motions that occur three or more times within 24 hours. Inadequate management of diarrhea in children might lead to fatality. One method involves administering honey treatment to decrease the frequency of bowel movements. The objective was to elucidate the implementation of a way to reduce bowel movement frequency. The design involved a case study conducted on two toddlers suffering from diarrhea. The solution involved administering honey therapy three times daily for five days. Data analysis and presentation in case studies were conveyed through written text, which presented the facts in a narrative format. The use of honey therapy resulted in a reduction in the frequency of bowel movements in subjects 1 and 2. The post-intervention frequency of bowel movement in subject 1 was three times per day, with a mushy consistency. In subject 2, it was four times per day, again with a mushy consistency. Nurses at the Community Health Center (Puskesmas) can offer guidance on using honey therapy to parents whose children are suffering from diarrhea.

How Transformative Education Empowers Social Justice: Bridging the Gap between Knowledge and Action

This paper examines how transformative education can empower social justice by bridging the gap between knowledge and action. It presents a theoretical framework for transformative education, which is grounded in critical reflection, dialogue, and action. By fostering critical consciousness, transformative education enables students to challenge the systemic issues that perpetuate inequality and injustice. Drawing on examples from different educational contexts, this paper highlights the importance of adopting a transformative approach to education in order to create meaningful change in individuals and communities. Ultimately, it argues that transformative education can serve as a powerful tool for promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice in society.
 This study would base on a literature review of the existing research on transformative education and its relationship with social justice. The literature review draws on various academic databases, including research works, papers, articles, books, and reports published in several journals. The paper adopts a qualitative approach to analyze and synthesize the literature on transformative education and uses thematic analysis to identify key themes and concepts. The findings are presented in a narrative format and related illustration in the topic’s case study which is organized around the theoretical framework of transformative education. The paper also includes case studies and examples from different educational settings to illustrate the transformative potential of education in promoting social justice.

Exploring the Impact of Parent Gathering Programs on Cultivating Religious Character in Early Childhood: A Case Study

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the positive impact of the parent gathering program implemented at TKIT Baitul Izzah Nganjuk on building children's religious character. The motivation for this study stems from the prevalent crisis in the country involving children, characterized by increasing violence, crime, and poor habits. Addressing these issues, the study explores the necessity of implementing a collaborative program between schools and parents to foster children's religious character. Design/methods/approach – The study was conducted at TKIT Baitul Izzah Nganjuk using a qualitative research method presented in a narrative format. Data collection comprised observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis was performed using the Miles and Huberman model. Findings – The study revealed that the parent gathering program included three main components: workshops, socialization, and evaluation. The religious character education implemented encompassed routine activities, periodic activities, and teaching and learning activities. The program's benefits were observed in shaping effective parenting patterns and fostering in children an awareness of worship, faith, and good behavior. Research implications/limitations – This research recognizes its scope limitations, focusing solely on the parent gathering program for new students. Practical implications – The findings indicate that the parent gathering program is a valuable tool for building the religious character of early childhood, necessitating cooperation between the school and parents. Originality/value – The implementation of the parent gathering program has shown effectiveness in nurturing religious character from an early age. Paper type Case study

Religion and Violence: Unraveling Ahmad Syafii Maarif’s Philosophical Thought on the Muslim Community’s Internal Conflict

This article outlines the philosophical view of Ahmad Syafii Maarif (ASM) in addressing internal conflicts within Muslims by tracing its root causes among Arab elites, starting from the time of the Prophet’s companions to inter-Arab conflicts in the contemporary era. This research is qualitative with a narrative approach using data from ASM’s writings and other related sources. The researchers collected, summarized, and presented data in a narrative format before concluding the data. Data analysis was conducted using Miles and Huberman’s thematic analysis technique. This article shows that the conflict among Muslims today, including in Indonesia, according to ASM, is the result of the legacy of conflict among Arab elites that began with the Prophet’s companions until the conflict between Arab nations in the contemporary era. The root of the problem in the conflict is the desire for political power by Arab elites. ASM’s post-Chicago studies resulted in substantial shifts in his attitude and philosophical perspective. He reevaluated the role of Islamic ethics in society concerning the concept of an Islamic state, encouraged interreligious tolerance among Muslims, questioned traditional female roles in Islam, and took a more critical stance toward sectarian differences within the faith. Indeed, ASM’s thought is supposed to be an alternative for resolving the internal conflict among Muslims worldwide.

A Delta of Time

In the early modern Low Countries, narrative cartography was a thriving new medium aimed at disseminating information about events concerning the Dutch Revolt. News maps combined spatial and narrative information in order to tell the story of a recent event to a large audience, representing actions, moments, and (spatial) change. They were in essence temporal products. To keep the maps topical, map publishers released new map states by modifying their copperplates and adding the latest news, sometimes multiple times. This article analyses the ‘updated’ map series by the Amsterdam publisher Claes Jansz Visscher that reported on events in the Scheldt river area between Bergen op Zoom and Antwerp (such as the 1631 Battle of the Slaak). The central question is how and why Visscher incorporated temporal information into his news maps. First, it shows the tools and strategies how Visscher, in comparison to other Northern and Southern Netherlandish news map publishers, added temporal information to his maps. Then, the rhythm of mapping and the map narratives are put in the context of real-time events and news culture, and the circulation and use of the maps are interpreted in the context of memory culture and historical consciousness. The article shows how news maps imply specific narratives of events and invite contemporary and later users to engage with and ‘navigate’ the past, present, and future in ways that transcend the limiting idea of time as a linear progress.

Deflating the Chinese balloon: types of Twitter bots in US-China balloon incident

As digitalization increases, countries employ digital diplomacy, harnessing digital resources to project their desired image. Digital diplomacy also encompasses the interactivity of digital platforms, providing a trove of public opinion that diplomatic agents can collect. Social media bots actively participate in political events through influencing political communication and purporting coordinated narratives to influence human behavior. This article provides a methodology towards identifying three types of bots: General Bots, News Bots and Bridging Bots, then further identify these classes of bots on Twitter during a diplomatic incident involving the United States and China. In the balloon incident that occurred in early 2023, where a balloon believed to have originated from China is spotted across the US airspace. Both countries have differing opinions on the function and eventual handling of the balloon. Using a series of computational methods, this article examines the impact of bots on the topics disseminated, the influence and the use of information maneuvers of bots within the social communication network. Among others, our results observe that all three types of bots are present across the two countries; bots geotagged to the US are generally concerned with the balloon location while those geotagged to China discussed topics related to escalating tensions; and perform different extent of positive narrative and network information maneuvers. The broader implications of our work towards policy making is the systematic identification of the type of bot users and their properties across country lines, enabling the evaluation of how automated agents are being deployed to disseminate narratives and the nature of narratives propagated, and therefore reflects the image that the country is being projected as on social media; as well as the perception of political issues by social media users.

A thousand words tell more than just numbers: Financial crises and historical headlines

We show that financial crises are preceded by changes in specific types of narrative information contained in newspaper article titles. Our novel international dataset and the resulting empirical evidence are gathered by integrating information from a large panel of economic news articles in global newspapers between the years 1870 and 2016 with conventional macroeconomic and financial indicators. We find that the predictive information of newspaper article titles that signals coming crisis episodes is substantial over and above the macroeconomic and financial indicators. Feature contribution analysis and crisis case studies reveal that the new indicators capture more detailed, but still generalizable information on the buildup of crises.

AI vs. Human Voices: How Delivery Source and Narrative Format Influence the Effectiveness of Persuasion Messages

AI communicators (e.g., AI voice assistants) play an increasingly important role in how individuals receive information, and, sometimes, calling for a more comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of messages communicated through human and non-human sources. Through a web-based experiment (N = 228), we tested how the persuasive effects of messages are influenced by their format (narrative vs. non-narrative) and the communicator (human voice vs. AI voice) in the scenario of debunking myths about COVID-19 vaccination. The findings revealed that the human communicator was perceived to be more credible and had more influence on participants’ attitude than the AI communicator. Further, the human communicator was particularly persuasive than the AI communicator in delivering a narrative persuasive message, but the effect was not mediated by perceived communicator credibility. The findings augment the literature on narrative persuasion by comparing human and non-human communicators as the delivery source. It also reveals the importance of considering non-human information communicators in research on narrative persuasive messages.

Children's Elaborated Responses to Yes-No Questions in Forensic Interviews About Sexual Abuse.

Children tend to answer yes-no questions with unelaborated "yes" and "no" responses, but the types of details likely omitted from unelaborated answers have not been explored. This study examined 379 4- to 12-year-olds' answers to yes-no questions in forensic interviews about CSA (N = 11,187), focusing on age differences in elaborated responses. As expected, older children elaborated more frequently than younger children. Our novel categorization of elaboration types revealed that although there were no age differences in children's use of nominal corrections (correcting a label), or in emphatic negations (giving forceful denials), older children were more likely to give narrative elaborations (providing additional narrative information), wh-elaborations (answering implicit wh-questions), and qualified elaborations (avoiding potentially misleading implications of unelaborated "yes" and "no" responses). The results suggest that children's developing understanding of the implied meaning of questions and responses helps to explain age differences in elaborative responses to yes-no questions.

The Popular Ballad, Rumours and Memories as a Special Narrative Format

In principle, the new folksongs or folk ballads of the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century telling about dramatic events could also be called versified media news, as their aim was to mediate topical shocking events, in particular accidents or murders, thus serving as rumours, news and entertainment all in one. The popular ballad ‘Saatuse vangis’ (‘Bound by Fate’) tells a sensational story from southern Estonia. The song spread together with hearsay concerning the central event, the circumstances of the making of the song, and the characters involved. Over time, a specific type of story-telling developed, that mingled prose with parts of the song. The ballad together with the pertaining lore allows us to view the events descried from different aspects, creating a broader picture of the development and meaning of a popular text. The rumours, comments and personal memories accompanying the song helped both the contemporary and subsequent generations to understand and interpret the event. The stories spreading in the community by word of mouth addressed various circumstances “beyond the song”, and the narrator’s own emotions and opinions on the matter.

Metanarration and the Reassessment of Narrative Information in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Abstract: Notwithstanding that scholarly discussions generally commend the deployment of metafictive techniques in children's literature, metafiction's subversive edge is blunted in those children's books that depict the solace offered by books as the panacea for all the conflicts within a given narrative. That said, as Joe Sutliff Sanders contends, it is possible for a children's book to highlight the salvific power of books while encouraging close reading. In A Series of Unfortunate Events (1999–2006), written by Daniel Handler using the pseudonym Lemony Snicket, the defamiliarized relationship between metanarrative signifiers and their referents induces readers to adopt a critical approach toward Snicket's story. Drawing on Gerald Prince's theory of metanarrative signs, the present study explores the ways in which Handler's exploitation of metanarrative space destabilizes the narrative methods incorporated in his own story, thereby propelling readers to consider forming a more interrogative relationship with books and fictional narratives.

User-Centered Design of a Gamified Mental Health App for Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: Multicycle Usability Testing Study.

There is an urgent need for scalable psychological treatments to address adolescent depression in low-resource settings. Digital mental health interventions have many potential advantages, but few have been specifically designed for or rigorously evaluated with adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. This study had 2 main objectives. The first was to describe the user-centered development of a smartphone app that delivers behavioral activation (BA) to treat depression among adolescents in rural South Africa and Uganda. The second was to summarize the findings from multicycle usability testing. An iterative user-centered agile design approach was used to co-design the app to ensure that it was engaging, culturally relevant, and usable for the target populations. An array of qualitative methods, including focus group discussions, in-depth individual interviews, participatory workshops, usability testing, and extensive expert consultation, was used to iteratively refine the app throughout each phase of development. A total of 160 adolescents from rural South Africa and Uganda were involved in the development process. The app was built to be consistent with the principles of BA and supported by brief weekly phone calls from peer mentors who would help users overcome barriers to engagement. Drawing on the findings of the formative work, we applied a narrative game format to develop the Kuamsha app. This approach taught the principles of BA using storytelling techniques and game design elements. The stories were developed collaboratively with adolescents from the study sites and included decision points that allowed users to shape the narrative, character personalization, in-app points, and notifications. Each story consists of 6 modules ("episodes") played in sequential order, and each covers different BA skills. Between modules, users were encouraged to work on weekly activities and report on their progress and mood as they completed these activities. The results of the multicycle usability testing showed that the Kuamsha app was acceptable in terms of usability and engagement. The Kuamsha app uniquely delivered BA for adolescent depression via an interactive narrative game format tailored to the South African and Ugandan contexts. Further studies are currently underway to examine the intervention's feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms.

Managing the KIR LIBA Program for Enhancing Writing Skills in State Madrasah Aliyah Students: A Case Study

This study focuses on assessing the administration of the KIR LIBA program's impact on enhancing students' writing abilities at MAN 1 Yogyakarta. It employs a qualitative research approach and data collection methods such as observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis involves data reduction and the presentation of findings in a narrative format. The research is framed within the context of the POAC management objectives theory. The research findings reveal the following aspects of the KIR LIBA program's management: (1) Planning: The KIR LIBA program initiates its planning phase by setting objectives and preparing program-related matters for the upcoming year. It includes creating work programs and budget estimates for the period; (2) Organizing: Organizational management structures are established to facilitate the division of responsibilities and tasks among different divisions, ensuring that each division fulfills its designated responsibilities and work programs; (3) Implementation: The program puts the prepared work programs into action for the year. KIR LIBA involves eight types of work programs and activities carried out throughout the year, with each program executed on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis; (4) Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring occurs during every activity, and an annual evaluation takes place during the handover process and the submission of management accountability reports. The madrasah head conducts the evaluation, the head of student affairs, and the KIR LIBA coaching staff. The management strategies employed by the KIR LIBA team have contributed to notable improvements in students' writing skills at MAN 1 Yogyakarta. This improvement is exemplified by the increased number of students successfully participating in international writing competitions during the study period. However, it is worth noting that this research provides a broad overview of program management without delving into specific details. Therefore, it is recommended that future researchers explore these aspects in more depth. It could include sharing specific examples of recent evaluation outcomes conducted by relevant institutions to further assist in achieving the program's implementation objectives.

Robotics in Nursing: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

Globally, health care systems are challenged with the shortage of health care professionals, particularly nurses. The decline in the nursing workforce is primarily attributed to an aging population, increased demand for health care services, and a shortage of qualified nurses. Stressful working conditions have also increased the physical and emotional demands and perceptions of burnout, leading to attrition among nurses. Robotics has the potential to alleviate some of the workforce challenges by augmenting and supporting nurses in their roles; however, the impact of robotics on nurses is an understudied topic, and limited literature exists. We aim to understand the extent and type of evidence in relation to robotics integration in nursing practice. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist will guide the scoping review. The MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Cochrane Library, and IEEE Xplore electronic bibliographic databases will be searched to retrieve papers. In addition, gray literature sources, including Google Scholar, dissertations, theses, registries, blogs, and relevant organizational websites will be searched. Furthermore, the reference lists of included studies retrieved from the databases and the gray literature will be hand-searched to ensure relevant papers are not missed. In total, 2 reviewers will independently screen retrieve papers at each stage of the screening process and independently extract data from the included studies. A third reviewer will be consulted to help decision-making if conflicts arise. Data analysis will be completed using both descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results will be presented using tabular and narrative formats. The review is expected to describe the current evidence on the integration and impact of robots and robotics into nursing clinical practice, provide insights into the current state and knowledge gaps, identify a direction for future research, and inform policy and practice. The authors expect to begin the data searches in late January 2024. The robotics industry is evolving rapidly, providing different solutions that promise to revamp health care delivery with possible improvements to nursing practice. This review protocol outlines the steps proposed to systematically investigate this topic and provides an opportunity for more insights from scholars and researchers working in the field. PRR1-10.2196/50626.

The 3D Sound Power of Immersion Processing and Psychophysiological Effects of Binaural versus Stereo Audio Stories

ABSTRACT Many people are listening to fiction stories in podcasts and audiobooks. Some techniques, such as 3D or binaural sound, might improve the listeners’ sensory experience in this kind of format. However, few audio productions are produced with binaural sound, and research about their effects on cognitive processing is scarce. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the impact of binaural sound in audio stories compared to their stereo versions on the listeners’ cognitive processing and physiological responses. Fifty participants listened to two stories produced in two versions: binaural and stereo, and they assessed enjoyment, engagement, and imagery while their physiological responses were measured (heart rate and electrodermal activity). Also, they performed a recognition test. The results showed that the binaural version achieved higher narrative engagement, enjoyment, imagery, and information recognition than the stereo stories. The psychophysiological responses indicated the highest attention and arousal in binaural stories.

Integrating Technological and Educational Collaborations: Enhancing Leadership and Participation in STEM Fields

This study investigates the advancement of underrepresented groups in leadership roles within the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), areas traditionally dominated by their male counterparts. Through a convergent sequential mixed method, data was collected using 105 questionnaires and six semi-structured interviews involving students, lecturers, government officials, and university admissions administrators in the STEM disciplines. A concurrent triangulation strategy was applied for simultaneous quantitative and qualitative data analysis, utilizing MS Excel for the numerical data and thematic analysis for the narrative information. The research also examined statistical documents to assess the enrollment disparity among underrepresented groups and the presence of specific development programs in universities aimed at addressing this imbalance. Findings suggest that targeted and culturally informed collaborative efforts can effectively encourage the ascent of underrepresented demographics into STEM leadership roles in South African universities. The implications of the study are broad, given that the research spanned two distinct universities, implying that the strategies identified could inform actions across different educational institutions to foster inclusivity and equality in STEM leadership.