Exploring the interplay between aptitude, vocabulary learning strategies, and achievement in pre-service language teachers

Emerging market firms play an important and growing role in global value chains (GVCs) due to their low-cost resources and responsiveness to the needs of lead firms. However, emerging market firms, particularly new ventures, are frequently disempowered in GVCs. To improve their competitive advantage and position in GVCs, they may seek broader GVC participation, which can lead to functional upgrading. However, such a strategy comes with additional complexity and demands on resources and capabilities. To understand this tension, we examine how broader GVC participation, measured by the number of types of GVC activities, relates to the performance of emerging market new ventures and suggest that social networks may enable broader participation. By using a unique, high-quality dataset collected in Vietnam over a ten-year period, our results confirm a relationship between GVC participation and financial performance but not productivity. The results also show that social networks positively moderate both relationships, albeit in different ways. We contribute to the GVC and emerging market literature by conceptualizing GVC participation in a novel way and by theorizing the effect of GVC participation on productivity and financial performance. We also contribute to the new ventures literature by explaining how new ventures from emerging markets can achieve functional upgrading through GVC participation.

Creativity in the age of AI: Exploring moderated mediation relationships between AI use, AI dependence, and academic support in higher education.

The study investigates the relationship between psychological factors like Well-being and Intercultural Sensitivity with Food Neophobia. The sample studied was a population of 310 Indian young adults, with ages ranging between 18 to 30. The results showed that Intercultural Sensitivity has a significant, moderate and negative relationship with Food neophobia, whereas, Well-being shows a weak, non-significant, negative relationship. Findings imply that being open and accepting towards other cultures, not of their own, helps in reducing Food neophobia. Compared to general well-being, being more exposed to other cultures, through in person exposure or virtual exposure can foster better culinary exploration, which allows for lesser neophobia towards new foods. The study also presents possibilities of future research, by using specific psychological variables (which could also b the pillars of well-being according to PERMA), instead of a general component like Well-being, as used in this study.

The quality of groundwater in floodplain environments is determined by a complex interrelationship of geogenic processes, geomorphological settings, soil texture and land-use practices. The current study assesses the physico-chemical properties of ground water in Saharsa District, Bihar, an area in the Koshi megafan and one that is extremely vulnerable to floods and agricultural intensification. The study area is mainly comprised of Quaternary alluvium with geomorphic features including active floodplains, paleochannels and oxbow lakes, and is therefore hydrogeologically sensitive. Ground water samples were taken across spatial units and analyzed to major physico-chemical parameters. A Hydro-Health Water Quality Index (HH-WQI) was calculated with respect to the health-related impact and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and two-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was used to evaluate the association between groundwater chemistry and geomorphology, soil texture, and land-use/land-cover (LULC). Results show that there is considerable spatial variation in the quality of ground water. High levels of total hardness, TDS, and phosphate ions were found in southern Saharsa, which is affected by the use of fertilizers and saturation of floodplains. The levels of arsenic and iron were significantly higher in younger alluvial plains and calcareous aquifers due to the significant geogenic input in reducing conditions. Oxbow lakes were characterized by low water quality because of nutrient buildup and limited natural attenuation, and paleochannels were characterized by relatively high water quality with less anthropogenic stress. The analysis of soil texture revealed that fine loamy soils have a high retention of contaminants and thus the WQI is highly variable, whereas sandy soils have low retention and a dilution effect. CCA established a moderate and significant relationship between LULC classes (particularly agricultural and sand-dominated areas) and the groundwater chemistry. The paper concludes that the groundwater quality of Saharsa is both controlled by natural hydro-geological processes and human-induced pressures, especially intensive agriculture. These observations emphasize the importance of comprehensive land and water management policies, which should be based on sustainable agricultural practices and periodic surveillance in vulnerable floodplain areas.

The present research study focuses on analysing the impact of work-from-home (WFH) on employee productivity and work-life balance. In recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations across various sectors have increasingly adopted remote working practices as a flexible working model. This shift has significantly changed the way employees perform their tasks, communicate with colleagues, and manage personal as well as professional responsibilities. The primary objective of this study is to examine whether work-from-home positively or negatively affects employee productivity and to identify the key factors influencing employee performance in a remote working environment. The study also aims to understand the relationship between flexibility, communication, distractions, time management, and work-life balance in the context of remote work. The research is based on primary data collected from 50 respondents through a structured questionnaire using a Likert scale. The study follows a descriptive and analytical research design. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, tabulation, graphical representation, and correlation analysis have been used to interpret the collected data. The findings of the study indicate that work-from-home offers several benefits such as flexible working hours, reduced commuting time, and improved work-life balance, which positively contribute to employee productivity. However, the study also highlights challenges such as household distractions, communication gaps, lack of proper workspace, and limited interaction with team members that may negatively affect employee performance. The correlation analysis shows a moderate positive relationship between work-from-home and employee productivity. The study concludes that work-from-home can be an effective working model when supported by proper communication systems, organizational support, technological resources, and employee discipline. It further suggests that a balanced hybrid work model can help organizations achieve improved productivity and employee satisfaction.

Subjective and objective cognition in early-stage, treatment-naïve Parkinson's disease: Relationships with mood.

Health-related behaviors among university students have become an increasing concern, particularly among student activists who face substantial academic and organizational demands. Individual characteristics, including personality traits, may be associated with variations in health-related behaviors within this population. This study aimed to examine the association between conscientiousness and healthy living behaviors among student activists at UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta. A quantitative correlational design was employed, involving 230 undergraduate student activists selected through cluster random sampling from campus-based student organizations (UKK/UKM). Data were collected using the conscientiousness subscale of the Big Five Inventory and a Healthy Living Behavior Scale, both of which demonstrated adequate internal consistency in the present sample. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s product–moment correlation. The results indicated a statistically significant positive association between conscientiousness and healthy living behaviors (r = 0.456, p < 0.001), reflecting a moderate relationship. Descriptive analysis showed that most respondents fell within the moderate category for both conscientiousness and healthy living behaviors, based on mean and standard deviation criteria. These findings indicate that conscientiousness is meaningfully associated with healthier lifestyle practices among student activists, although the cross-sectional design does not permit causal inference. The results underscore the importance of considering personality traits alongside other psychological and contextual factors when examining health-related behaviors in student populations.

Objectives Understanding posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in older adults is often complex, given decades of mental health history and prevalence of lifetime trauma exposure. Incorporating pervasive and long-standing personality traits (general and pathological) may be a useful framework for further understanding PTSS in later life. Additionally, the amount and developmental timing of trauma exposure may also influence these relationships, which this study sought to examine. This study examined the impact of personality traits and the timing of traumatic exposure on late life PTSS. Method Participants consisted of trauma-exposed older adults (n = 185) who completed self-report questionnaires on trauma history, PTSS, and both general and pathological personality traits. Results Hierarchical regression results revealed that the general personality trait domains of neuroticism and extraversion and the pathological personality trait domains of psychoticism and detachment were most strongly related to PTSS, in expected directions. Additionally, the amount of traumatic events experienced in young adulthood was significantly related to PTSS with small-medium effect sizes. However, trauma exposures in young adulthood did not moderate relationships between personality traits and PTSS. Conclusion Findings highlight the usefulness of considering personality traits when understanding, assessing, and treating older adults with PTSS. Clinical implications are discussed.

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Direct Instructional Strategy for Teaching and Remediation (DISTAR) in enhancing the reading skills of Grade 7 learners at Lipa City National High School, with particular attention to the role of parental involvement. Using a descriptive-correlational design, data were gathered through validated questionnaires and analyzed using weighted means and Pearson’s correlation. Findings revealed that DISTAR was highly effective in promoting spelling, fluency, and word recognition, though challenges remained in oral accuracy and long-term retention. Parental involvement was consistently supportive, especially in encouragement and monitoring, but less evident in shared reading and proactive teacher consultation. Correlation analysis showed moderate, positive, and significant relationships between DISTAR effectiveness, parental involvement, and learners’ reading skills, confirming that structured instruction paired with active family engagement yields stronger literacy outcomes. The study was anchored on Sociocultural Theory and Behaviorist Learning Theory, emphasizing the interplay of structured reinforcement, motivation, and social support in literacy development. Results underscored the urgent need for targeted interventions in the Philippine context, where national assessments such as PISA and World Bank reports highlight persistent reading challenges among learners. Based on the findings, an intervention plan was proposed to strengthen DISTAR implementation by integrating reinforcement strategies, socio-emotional support, and active parental participation. The study concludes that DISTAR is an effective instructional model, but its impact is maximized when complemented by sustained home-school collaboration, thereby contributing to improved literacy culture and academic success among junior high school learner.

We investigated the specificity of auditory-motor impairment in people with hyperfunctional voice disorders (HVDs) and relationships with dysregulated perilaryngeal muscle activation during voicing by measuring muscle activity during adaptive vocal learning. Fifty-two participants (26 HVDs, 26 controls) completed auditory discrimination and adaptive vocal learning tasks for the vocal parameters intensity and fundamental frequency (fo). Surface electromyographic measures were collected from suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles. We examined the effects of HVD status and singing experience on discrimination and adaptation. The effects of HVD status, vocal parameter, and time on the co-contraction index (CCI), a measure of co-activation of agonist/antagonist muscles, were also investigated. Relationships among dependent variables were examined using a mediation model. There were no significant effects of HVD status or singing on discrimination thresholds. People with HVDs adapted more to intensity perturbations than controls (p = .050), and singers adapted significantly less than nonsingers (p = .018). For fo adaptation, significantly more participants with HVDs produced large following responses than controls (p = .017). There were no significant effects of time, vocal parameter, or HVD status on CCI. However, significant moderate relationships were found between discrimination threshold, CCI, and adaptation responses for fo. Participants with better discrimination compensated less or followed the perturbation and co-contracted more. Participants who co-contracted more also compensated less or followed the perturbation. No significant relationships were found for vocal intensity. People with HVDs demonstrated different impairments in auditory feedback integration for fo versus intensity. This dissociation suggests an independence of the underlying control mechanisms. Preliminary evidence suggests a laryngeal stabilization response may occur when a speaker perceives a feedback mismatch to be externally generated. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.32114905.

Background: Health Information Management practices are crucial for the accuracy, privacy, and accessibility of patient data, which in turn enhances healthcare delivery, supports clinical decision-making, and improves patient outcomes while ensuring regulatory compliance. This project focuses on the impact of these practices on decision-making in tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State. Objectives: The work aimed to assess Healthcare Professionals' knowledge, perception, and satisfaction regarding Health Information Management (HIM) practices in tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State, as well as the impact of data quality on their decision-making processes. Design: A cross-sectional research design was employed for the study. Methods: Data was collected using quantitative methods via a self-structured four-point Likert scale questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were employed to analyze demographic data and research questions, with null hypotheses assessed at a significance level of p < 0.05 to determine statistical significance. Results: Healthcare experts demonstrate a lack of strong understanding of Health Information Management (HIM), shown by a mean score of 1.9805, indicating low knowledge levels. Conversely, healthcare professionals have moderate knowledge of patient record management (M = 2.1889) and some formal training in HIM practices (M = 2.7915). They acknowledge the importance of accurate data in healthcare (M = 2.1987), but the perceived significance of HIM for hospital operations and policy formulation received low ratings (below 2.0). Satisfaction with HIM services is moderate (M = 2.1107), but communication with HIM personnel is rated lower (M = 1.9218). Overall, there is a general disagreement about the vital role of HIM practices in research and health policy planning. Hypothesis 1 confirms a weak negative relationship between data quality and decision making, with a t-value of -1.201 (p = 0.231), indicating no significant predictive power at the 0.05 level. Hypothesis 2 reveals a strong negative relationship between HIM infrastructure and resources and decision making, supported by a t-value of -12.188 (p = 0.000), suggesting a significant influence. Hypothesis 3 shows a moderate negative relationship between HIM practices and decision making, with a t-value of -9.584 (p = 0.000), indicating significant influence, but implying that higher HIM practices correlate with lower decision-making scores, likely due to inefficiencies or misalignment in their implementation. Conclusion: Many healthcare professionals lack sufficient knowledge of Health Information Management (HIM), negatively affecting hospital operations and patient outcomes. Enhancing HIM practices is essential for patient safety and clinical decision-making. Key recommendations include improving IT infrastructure, ongoing HIM training, effective system communication, regular data quality audits, and investment in data analytics. Involving stakeholders in HIM development, establishing robust data management policies, and promoting HIM-related research are vital for advancing best practices and policy advocacy.

We extend rural educator labor market research by estimating a reformed teacher evaluation system's relationships with student achievement, identifying the settings with positive relationships, and incorporating evaluation expenditures. That the literature omits these contributions is concerning, as research implies it hinders evidence-based policymaking for rural districts, which outnumber urban districts in the USA. We apply a difference-in-differences framework to rural Missouri administrative data. Missouri districts could design and maintain reformed systems or outsource these tasks for a small fee to organizations like the Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE), an evaluation system created for rural users. NEE does not affect student achievement on average but may improve math and possibly reading achievement in rural schools where the average student's prior-year achievement score is below the state average or the average teacher's years of experience are below the state average.

This study examined the impact of digital payments on economic growth in Uganda, focusing on the role of internet-based funds transfers, debit and credit cards, and point-of-sale systems in formalising economic activity and stimulating employment. Employing correlational and survey designs, data were collected from 336 respondents, including digital finance policymakers, agent banking staff, mobile money agents, and fintech users, using purposive, simple random, and convenience sampling. The study was conducted in Kampala, Wakiso, Butambala, and Bugiri districts of Uganda. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis in SPSS version 30. The findings revealed moderate overall engagement with digital payments (M=2.71), with high usage for receiving remittances (M=4.55) and increasing cashless transactions (M=3.91), but low adoption for online purchases and international transactions. Pearson correlation showed a moderate positive relationship between digital payments and economic growth (r=0.59, p<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that digital payments explained 12.3% of the variance in economic growth (R²=0.123), with a significant ANOVA result (F=37.868, p<0.05). The regression model was: Economic Growth = 5.019 + 0.126(Digital Payments), with a beta coefficient of 0.101 (p<0.01), leading to rejection of the null hypothesis. The study concludes that while digital payments have a statistically significant positive effect on economic growth, their influence remains constrained by structural barriers such as limited internet infrastructure, geographical disparities, and low digital literacy. To fully harness the economic growth potential, targeted investments in digital infrastructure and inclusive financial literacy programmes are essential. The study also recommends that the Bank of Uganda should introduce a national payment switch to reduce blockchain charges, and as well launch a digital Shilling to transition to a cashless economy

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the global transition to remote work, requiring working parents to rapidly adapt to home-based arrangements. As work and family boundaries became increasingly blurred, concerns regarding work-family conflict (WFC) intensified. Drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory, Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), and Asymmetric Boundary Permeability Theory, the present study examined the relationships among time-based spousal support, self-efficacy, work- and family-related time demands, and WFC. Data were collected online from 211 working parents in dual-earner families engaged in pandemic-induced remote work. An a priori power analysis confirmed that the sample size was sufficient to detect medium effects. Results indicate that work-to-family conflict was higher than family-to-work conflict. While work- and family-related time demands were not directly associated with conflict, time-based spousal support moderated the relationship between work-related time demand and work-to-family conflict. Self-efficacy did not moderate time-demand relationships but was directly associated with lower levels of both work-to-family and family-to-work conflict. These results highlight the significance of contextual and personal resources in shaping work-family dynamics under crisis-driven and externally imposed work arrangements.

Background: The demands of 21st-century education require students to possess higher-order thinking skills, particularly problem-solving abilities, along with adequate digital literacy and optimal academic achievement. However, these competencies are often underdeveloped due to the continued use of surface-level instructional approaches that limit meaningful learning engagement. Aims: This study aims to examine the association between the deep learning approach, problem-solving skills, digital literacy, and student learning outcomes, as well as to provide empirical evidence of the interrelationships among these variables in the context of science education. Method: A quantitative correlational design was employed involving 121 tenth-grade students selected through proportionate random sampling from a population of 199 students. Data were collected using validated questionnaires measuring the deep learning approach, problem-solving skills, digital literacy, and learning outcomes. Prior to analysis, validity and reliability tests were conducted. Due to the non-normal distribution of one variable, Spearman’s Rho correlation analysis was applied. Results: The findings revealed significant positive correlations between the deep learning approach and problem-solving skills, as well as digital literacy, both indicating moderate relationships. A weaker but statistically significant correlation was found between the deep learning approach and learning outcomes. Additionally, problem-solving skills and digital literacy demonstrated the strongest relationship among the variables. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the deep learning approach is closely associated with the development of higher-order thinking and digital competencies, although its direct relationship with learning outcomes is limited. Therefore, integrating deep learning strategies with problem-solving and digital literacy activities is essential to enhance students’ readiness for 21st-century learning.

The European “Twin Transition” paradigm assumes a synergy between digital transformation and environmental sustainability, yet empirical evidence remains mixed, particularly in transition economies. This study examines the relationship between digital human capital and circular economy performance in Southeastern Europe (Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia). The study applies a multilevel quantitative research design combining correlation analysis, linear regression, and spatial assessment to examine the relationship between digital human capital and circular economy performance. The results indicate a moderate relationship between digital competencies and recycling performance. At the same time, regional analysis reveals that higher digital capacity does not consistently correspond to higher circular outcomes. The findings also show that national-level indicators may mask substantial territorial disparities, suggesting that aggregate indicators may not fully capture regional variation. The effectiveness of the digital–circular relationship appears to depend on broader structural conditions, including institutional capacity and infrastructure. The study highlights the importance of spatial context in understanding the twin transition in Southeastern Europe.

Cognitive and emotional dynamics of artificial intelligence-assisted English learning: A mixed-methods study in a dual instructional context.

Kilning with smoke-affected air impacts the chemical and aromatic qualities of Cascade hops.

Prosody is an intrinsic element of language production, linking together multiple levels of linguistic representation to shape both the structure and interpretation of utterances. However, common theories of prosodic phrasing in spoken language often fail to capture factors associated with planning and recovery, as well as performance-based effects related to working memory. Much of what we know about prosody, whether it be the features speakers are thought to generate or the ones listeners are believed to process, is based on forms that are atypical in spoken language. Recent developments in data analysis methods, however, allow for the efficient study of unrehearsed spoken language. The current work aims to develop more ecologically valid theories of prosody and its relationship to syntactic structure through the analysis of unrehearsed scene descriptions. Data from unrehearsed speech collected across four different studies showed only a weak to moderate relationship between prosodic phrasing and syntactic structure, such that the likelihood of a prosodic phrase boundary occurring at the end of a syntactic phrase was only slightly above chance. Additionally, correlations between occurrences of prosodic phrase boundaries and speech rate revealed that individuals who speak more slowly are likely to insert more prosodic phrase boundaries, indicating a relationship between prosodic phrasing and speech planning. The findings challenge some categorical approaches to prosody and suggest that prosodic phrasing may be a consequence of planning and recovery in language production, rather than a complement to syntactic phrasing. These results have implications for theories of language production and comprehension, formal theories of phonological structure, and computational tools for generating and interpreting language.