Positive Impression Research Articles

The relationship between dental students' perceptions of their educational environment and their life satisfaction and psychological resilience

Aims: Students' positive perceptions of the learning environment increase learning efficiency by contributing to increased participation. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between students' perceptions of the educational environment and life satisfaction and psychological resilience. Methods: As part of the research, students were asked questions under 7 subheadings, including age, gender, parents' health status, education level, number of siblings, family income level, systemic diseases, if any, and their impressions of the faculty. In addition, life satisfaction and psychological resilience scales were administered face-to-face. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyse the data. The significance level was set at p = 0.05. Results: A majority of undergraduate students (90.8%) reported positive initial impressions of their educational institutions. Additionally, a considerable proportion (93.4%) indicated satisfaction with the physical infrastructure, including the number of classrooms and laboratories. While 68.4% of respondents indicated that the intensity and cost of the educational process was negative, 77.6% reported that dental education was stressful. The psychological resilience of the students was examined, and it was found that 44 (57.8%) exhibited low resilience, 23 (30.2%) exhibited medium resilience, and 9 (11.8%) exhibited high resilience. In terms of life satisfaction, 26 (34.2%) of the participants were found to be at a medium level, 13 (17.1%) at a high level, and 3 (3.9%) at a very high level. Nevertheless, 36 (47.3%) of the participants exhibited a low level of life satisfaction. Conclusion: Despite the generally positive perceptions of the faculty held by students, they perceive the cost of dentistry education as high and the stress associated with it as considerable. Given that students' life satisfaction is low and their psychological resilience is moderate to weak, it is necessary to review educational programmes and psychological support systems.

Design of a Technology-Based Magic Show System with Virtual User Interfacing to Enhance the Entertainment Effects

The integration of interactive technology into magic performances was explored in this study, with a focus on leveraging virtual user interfacing and interactive video projection techniques to enhance the entertainment effects. A thorough literature review identified transformation techniques between virtual and real forms in the magic performance, along with various digital magic effects. Design principles derived from the review were applied in constructing a magic show system named “FUI Magic”, where FUI stands for fantasy user interface. The system is based on virtual user interfacing, implemented via laser range-finding and video projection techniques. The “FUI Magic” system facilitated the development and presentation of a digital-multimedia magic show titled “Fantasy Doves”, publicly showcased in an exhibition. Statistical evaluation of the feedback from expert interviews and a questionnaire survey revealed positive audience impressions and confirmed the effectiveness of incorporating virtual user-interfacing technology for captivating entertainment. This study affirms the significance of visual design through virtual user interfacing in enhancing technological ambiance and magic effects, suggesting its practicality for further exploration in diverse applications.

Exploring patient-centered design solutions of a telehealth app for HIV − A qualitative study

BackgroundThe Communication and Tracing App HIV (COMTRAC-HIV) project is developing a mobile health (mHealth) app for integrated care of HIV patients in Germany. The complexity of HIV treatment and continuous care necessitates the need for tailored mHealth solutions. This qualitative study explores design solutions and a prototype to enhance the app's functionality and effectiveness. MethodsA total of eight HIV patients and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users, recruited at the HIV Center Frankfurt, participated in focus groups and thinking-aloud tests (TA test). In the focus groups, design solutions were discussed for user-interface clarity, leading to the development of an interactive prototype, the usability of which was evaluated with a TA test. Data collection involved video/audio recordings. Qualitative analysis was conducted using a deductive category system, and focused on app design and usage in focus groups, and layout, navigation, interaction, terminology, comprehension, feedback, and level of satisfaction in TA tests. ResultsThe app was commended for its simple, clear design, especially its medication reminders and health tracking features. Opinions on the symptom diary varied however, respondents noting it more suitable for HIV users than PrEP users. Privacy concerns suggest avoiding display of HIV-specific information. Suggested improvements include e.g. image uploads, drug interaction checks and prescription tracking. A total of 25 usability issues were identified in the TA test, with most found in the layout (n = 6), navigation (n = 5), interaction (n = 5), and terminology (n = 5) categories. Two examples are non-intuitive controls and illogical button placement. Despite these disadvantages, participants noted positive impressions (n = 5) in the satisfaction category. ConclusionThe study emphasizes the need for patient-centered design in mobile HIV care solutions, highlighting to the app's user-friendliness and potential to enhance care. Further research is necessary to refine the app’s functionality and to align it with clinical and patients' privacy needs.

Bimbingan Teknis Pementasan Teater dalam Melestarikan Teater Tradisi Lombok

The Community Service Activity in the form of Technical Guidance (bimtek) on Traditional Theatre is a collaborative effort between Bumigora University Mataram and Bale Agung Ajar Wali Foundation to support the development and preservation of traditional theatre arts in the region. This activity aims to provide an in-depth understanding of traditional theatre arts and train participants in various aspects of traditional theatre performance, including acting, dance movements and traditional music. In this activity, participants are encouraged to actively participate in presentation sessions, discussions and practical exercises where they can apply the concepts learnt in practical situations. The material presented covered the history, techniques and basic skills of traditional theatre arts, as well as the cultural values contained within them. The results of this activity showed that all participants followed all the materials well and the results of the traditional theatre practice sessions were also very satisfactory. The overall evaluation showed a high level of satisfaction of the participants with the activity as a whole, as well as positive impressions of the quality of the materials and the organization of the event.

“Be your best self – but be hot while doing it”: influencers pairing motivational captions with sexualized images

ABSTRACT Influencers are pairing motivational captions with sexualized imagery in a recent Instagram trend. The negative impact of thin-ideal social media images paired with fitspiration captions (i.e. fitness-based captions) or disclaimer captions (i.e. warning labels) on women has been established; however, this study explored a new caption: the motivational caption. Unlike their accompanying images that emphasize a sexualized, thin-ideal body, motivational captions do not mention appearance but instead provide (seemingly) uplifting content. Utilizing an experimental survey, 589 emerging adult women were randomly assigned to view sexualized photos paired with one of three caption types: sexualizing, motivational, or neutral. Participants reported mood pre- and post-exposure, appearance comparison, self-objectification, belief that sex is power, and impressions of models. Findings revealed mood worsened in the sexualizing caption condition pre- to post- exposure compared to neutral captions. Women in the motivational caption condition reported more positive impressions of the models than women in the sexualizing caption condition. The discussion explores the potential implications of an influencer’s sexualized image/motivational caption’s implied message: in order to achieve mental/emotional success, you must also achieve a sexualized physical self. Further, findings shed light on how alternative options for caption framing affect mood and well-being.

Four Ways to Make a Positive First Impression

Four Ways to Make a Positive First Impression

USE OF AUDIOMARKETING TO PROMOTE THE SERVICES OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

The aim of the study is to substantiate the importance and peculiarities of using audio marketing tools to promote tourism services in the tourism industry. The article proves that the use of neuroimaging methods in marketing is gaining popularity, as it provides marketers with information that cannot be obtained using conventional marketing methods. Musical content is increasingly integrated into the marketing communications system, covers the points of interaction with tourists, and contributes to the personalization of audiocommunication. It has been determined that audio marketing is an important element of modern marketing strategies, and its tools not only influence the behavior and psycho-emotional state of consumers of tourism services, but also significantly enhance the effectiveness of other marketing tools aimed at obtaining the expected result. Well-chosen music helps to improve interaction and form a positive perception of tourism products and services among tourists, creates sound comfort, ensures a good mood, enhances positive impressions, builds commitment, increases loyalty, extends the time of stay, and increases both planned and spontaneous purchases. The article substantiates that the choice of background music is of great importance in the formation of audio design, which provides tourists with positive emotions, creates an appropriate atmosphere and a pleasant overall impression. It is proved that in order to achieve an effective result of music's influence on consumers of tourist services, producers of tourist services need to constantly conduct marketing research on the needs and behavior of tourists; monitor and analyze the impact of music on tourist behavior; and conduct training and professional development of marketers.

How theory of mind leads to positive first impressions.

A common conjecture is that social success relies on "theory of mind"-the everyday skill of imputing mental states to others. We test the hypothesis that individuals with stronger theory of mind skills and motivation garner more positive first impressions because of how they interact with others. Participants included 334 young adults who were paired with a peer for a first-time meeting. Dyads completed a cooperative Lego-building task, which was videotaped and later coded for behavioral manifestations of theory of mind by independent raters. Theory of mind accuracy and motivation were assessed with validated laboratory tasks and a self-report questionnaire, respectively. First impressions were assessed based on partner's ratings of participant likeability, enjoyment of the interaction, and changes in positive affect. Results of actor-partner interdependence mediation models revealed that the associations between theory of mind and first impressions are indirect and mediated through behaviors. Specifically, participants with stronger theory of mind demonstrated greater cognitive sensitivity and pragmatic conversational skills. However, only cognitive sensitivity subsequently predicted more favorable first impressions. This research shows that social-cognitive skills can affect others' social impressions through their behavioral manifestations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Negative Pressure Level and Effects on Bacterial Growth Kinetics in an in vitro Wound Model.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) has been widely adopted in wound healing strategies due to its multimodal mechanism of action. While NPWT's positive impression on wound healing is well-established, its effect on bacterial load reduction remains equivocal. This study investigates NPWT's efficacy in reducing bioburden using an in vitro porcine skin model, focusing on the impact of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Custom-made negative pressure chambers were employed to apply varying negative pressures. Porcine skin was cut into 5 × 5 cm squares and three standardized wounds of 6 mm each were created using a biopsy punch. Then, wounds were infected with S. aureus and S. epidermidis bacterial suspensions diluted 1:10,000 to obtain a final concentration of 1.5 × 104 CFU/ml and were placed in negative pressure chambers. After incubation, bacterial counts were expressed as colony-forming units (CFU) per ml. For S. aureus at 120 hours, the median CFU, mean area per colony, and total growth area were notably lower at -80 mmHg when compared to -250 mmHg and -50 mmHg, suggesting an optimal negative pressure for the pressure-dependent inhibition of the bacterial proliferation. While analyzing S. epidermidis at 120 hours, the response to the negative pressure was similar but less clear, with the minor CFU at -100 mmHg. The influence of intermittent negative pressure on the S. epidermidis growth showed notably lower median CFU with the interval therapy every hour compared to the S. aureus control group. This study contributes valuable insights into NPWT's influence on the bacterial load, emphasizing the need for further research to reformulate its role in managing contaminated wounds.

Provider Impressions of Inpatient Teleneurology Consultation.

Teleneurology usage has increased during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. However, studies evaluating physician impressions of inpatient teleneurology are limited. We implemented a quality improvement initiative to evaluate neurologists' impression following individual inpatient teleneurology consultation at a satellite hospital of a large academic center with no in-person neurology coverage. A REDCap survey link was embedded within templates used by neurologists for documentation of inpatient consultations to be completed immediately after encounters. All teleneurology encounters with completed surveys at a single satellite hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Health System Neurology Department between May 10, 2021, and August 14, 2022, were included. Individual patient-level and encounter-level data were extracted from the medical record. A total of 374 surveys (response rate of 54.05%) were completed by 19 neurologists; 341 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Seven neurologists who specialized as neurohospitalists completed 231 surveys (67.74% of total surveys completed), while 12 non-neurohospitalists completed 110 (32.36%). The history obtained was rated as worse (14%) or the same (86%) as an in-person consult; none reported the history as better than nonteleneurology encounters. The physician-patient relationship was poor or fair in 25% of the encounters and good or excellent in 75% of visits. The overall experience was judged to be worse than in-person consultation in 32% of encounters, the same in 66%, and better in 2%. Fifty-one percent of providers responded that there were elements of the neurologic examination that might have changed their assessment and plan of care if performed in-person. Encounters with peripheral or neuromuscular-related chief complaints had the most inadequate examinations and worse overall experiences, while the most positive impressions of these clinical experiences were observed among seizure-related chief complaints. Determining best practices for inpatient teleneurology should consider the patient chief complaint to use teleneurology in scenarios with the highest likelihood of a positive experience. Further efforts should be made to the patient experience and to improve the remote examination to enhance the applicability of teleneurology to the full spectrum of inpatient neurologic consultations.

Effect of changes in surface visual properties of heat-treated wood on the psychological preference

Heat treatment of wood is an attractive, environmentally friendly modification, which can change surface visual properties of wood including color and grain, but it is unclear how heat-treated wood is perceived and evaluated compared with untreated wood. In this paper, Chinese fir was heat-treated at 160, 180, 200, or 220 °C for 2 or 4 h. The changes of wood surface color and grain contrast were measured. A subjective questionnaire and eye-tracking technology were used for psychological evaluation. The results showed that changes in the visual properties of heat-treated wood had a significant effect on psychological preference—heat-treated wood was generally more preferred than the untreated, particularly at 200 °C for 4 h. Grain contrast and hue played an important role in the preference for heat-treated wood. The preference gave people the positive psychological impression of warmth, weight, cost, prevalence, and comfort. Eye-tracking analysis showed that Chinese fir heat-treated at about 200 °C with high hue value and clear grain contrast was easier to gain more visual attention. The results would have a high technical reference value for the heat-treated wood in product visual design.

Impact of politeness and performance quality of android robots on future interaction decisions: a conversational design perspective.

Despite robots being applied in various situations of modern society, some people avoid them or do not feel comfortable interacting with them. Designs that allow robots to interact appropriately with people will make a positive impression on them resulting in a better evaluation of robots, which will solve this problem. To establish such a design, this study conducted two scenario-based experiments focusing on the politeness of the robot's conversation and behavior, and examined the impressions caused when the robot succeeds or slightly fails at a task. These two experiments revealed that regardless of whether the partner is a robot or a human, politeness not only affected the impression of interaction but also the expectations for better task results on the next occasion. Although the effect of politeness on preference toward robot agents was smaller than those toward human agents when agents failed a task, people were more likely to interact with polite robots and human agents again because they thought that they would not fail the next time. This study revealed that politeness motivates people to interact with robots repeatedly even if they make minor mistakes, suggesting that the politeness design is important for encouraging human-robot interaction.

MODERNIZATION AND FUNCTIONING OF PRINCIPLES OF CIVIL PROCEDURAL LAW OF UKRAINE IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESSES

Introduction. The signing of the association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union became a powerful impetus for the optimization of law-making processes aimed at improving domestic legislation. The series of commitments adopted by Ukraine regarding the imitation and fixation of European legislative values ​​in the domestic legal field has become a proper reference point for the legislator in matters of modernization and addition of existing provisions in the leading branches of law in general, and in the field of civil procedural law, in particular. Adoption of the new version of the Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine in 2017 was a major step in bringing the field of civil justice closer to the standards of the European Union and improving it. The review of the revised provisions in terms of the functioning and implementation of the principles of civil procedural law makes a positive impression in terms of compliance with the latest requirements of the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. Renewal of approaches to the understanding of the essence of some principles of civil justice led to the formation of new doctrinal conclusions on the basic meaning of such principles and their interaction.Summary of the main results. The doctrinal study of the processes of novelization of the principles of civil procedural law in the light of European integration processes made it possible to formulate the following theses: expanding the list of sources of civil procedural law, as a way of revising the principle of the Rule of Law, strengthened the latter both in the aspect of expanding the tools for ensuring the competitiveness of the process and in the processes of law-making and application practice; precedent practice of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court is considered as an element of legal certainty of the principle of the rule of law; it legally enshrined possibility of filing a claim using the "Electronic Court" services strengthened the principle of the Rule of Law in terms of ensuring human rights, as well as expanded the mechanisms of dominance and implementation of the principle of dispositiveness (in terms of the possibility of choosing methods of filing claims on the merits of the case, etc.); it was established that the establishment of the principle of proportionality in Article 11 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine is an additional guarantee of ensuring the proper justification of the decision made by the judge (in the context of writing the motivational part of the court decision). Conclusion.The conducted doctrinal study of the content of the Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine through the prism of the practice of the ECtHR provided an opportunity to draw conclusions of general theoretical importance, which can be used in further scientific development of issues of the functioning and interaction of the principles of civil procedural law

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors in first-treatment drug-naïve schizophrenia patients: A large-scale cross-sectional study.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a condition that includes several risk factors specific for cardiovascular disease, is commonly detected among patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). This study elucidated the factors contributing to the development and severity of MetS in first-treatment drug-naïve (FTDN) patients with SCZ. The study enrolled 668 individuals with FTDN SCZ, aged 18-49 years, who had no exposure to antipsychotic medications and been hospitalized between February 2017 and June 2022 at the largest psychiatric specialty institution in central China. Patient sociodemographic and general clinical data were collected, and their psychopathology scores and illness severity were assessed using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity of Illness (CGI-SI), respectively. MetS score was calculated to determine the disease severity. The prevalence of MetS among this study population was 10.93%. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed onset age, female sex, total cholesterol, and red blood and white blood cell counts as risk factors for MetS, and deemed free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) and CGI-SI score as protective factors. Multiple linear regression analysis result confirmed older SCZ onset age as a risk factor for elevated MetS score. This study determined the prevalence of MetS in patients with FTDN SCZ and revealed the factors that influence the occurrence and severity of the disease. These findings will allow development of specific prevention and treatment strategies in clinical practice.

Factors influencing telehealth awareness, utilization, and satisfaction in KSA: A national population-based study

BackgroundTelehealth involves delivering healthcare remotely through digital platforms such as telephone and video calls. Use of telehealth surged during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the need for contactless healthcare. The Saudi Ministry of Health established the “937 telephone medical consultation call center” almost 10 years ago. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine public awareness of, utilization of, and satisfaction with the 937 call center service, and to assess associated factors. Materials and methodsThis national community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted through multistage sampling with proportional allocation from 20 health directorates. Participants were selected from the general population in public places and were interviewed with a validated questionnaire. ResultsOf 7951 approached individuals, 7692 agreed to participate (response rate 96.7%). Seventy-eight percent of participants were aware of the 937 service, and 56.4% had previously used the service. Most (86%) users were satisfied with the service. Long waiting times were the most frequent reason (46.6%) for dissatisfaction. In multivariable analysis, service awareness and utilization were both significantly associated with having higher education (aOR 4.03, 95%CI: 3.17–5.12 and aOR 3.42, 95%CI: 2.64–4.42, respectively). Positive impressions of telephone medical consultation services, Saudi nationality, having children, having medical insurance, and having a history of chronic disease were significantly associated with awareness of, utilization of, and satisfaction with the service. ConclusionThe study revealed high awareness of, utilization of, and satisfaction with the 937 telephone medical consultation call center, thus suggesting increased public acceptance of the service. Moreover, the study identified socio-demographic factors influencing public awareness of, utilization of, and satisfaction with telehealth. Further studies are required to increase understanding of the facilitators of, and barriers to, the use of service among various population groups.

A prospective multicenter European observational study of a single incision sling (Altis®): A safe and effective treatment option for women

Introduction:Single-incision slings were introduced for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatment to decrease surgery time, postoperative pain, and the amount of mesh used. Objective:This multicenter study aims to examine Altis® usage in real-world clinical practice, its effectiveness in treating SUI, patient satisfaction, quality of life, sexual function, and complication rates. Methods:Between 2015 and 2022, a prospective single-arm observational cohort study was conducted across 33 European centers involving 564 patients, investigating the clinical effectiveness of the Altis® sling. Patients were monitored for 36 months. The primary endpoint (success) was a positive impression of improvement and absence of serious/severe/Clavien Dindo (CD) ≥ III-related adverse events at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included effectiveness at 36 months, impact on quality of life, and risk factors for failure. Results:An Altis® was implanted in 564 women. At 12-months, 86.6% of patients achieved success, 97.2% endorsed the surgery, and 90.4% were satisfied with the outcomes. At 36 months, 83.0% reported significant improvement, 94.5% endorsed the surgery, and 89.9% were satisfied. Altis® demonstrated decreased daily pad usage and improved quality of life. Dyspareunia and sexual function largely remained unchanged. However, 11.3% reported pain, and there were instances of serious adverse events. Conclusion:The Altis® implant demonstrated substantial improvements in symptoms and overall quality of life for a majority of women with SUI. Potential complications such as mesh exposure, reoperation, voiding dysfunction, and urinary retention emphasize the importance of preoperative counseling. The Altis® implant is a viable option within the available surgical treatments of SUI.

Simulation training on respectful emergency obstetric and neonatal care in north-western Madagascar: a mixed-methods evaluation of an innovative training program

BackgroundThe rates of maternal and neonatal deaths in Madagascar are among the highest in the world. In response to a request for additional training from obstetrical care providers at the Ambanja district hospital in north-eastern Madagascar, a partnership of institutions in Switzerland and Madagascar conducted innovative training on respectful emergency obstetric and newborn care using e-learning and simulation methodologies. The training focused on six topics: pre-eclampsia, physiological childbirth, obstetric maneuvers, postpartum hemorrhage, maternal sepsis, and newborn resuscitation. Cross-cutting themes were interprofessional communication and respectful patient care. Ten experienced trainers participated in an e-training-of-trainers course conducted by the Swiss partners. The newly-trained trainers and Swiss partners then jointly conducted the hybrid remote/in-person training for 11 obstetrical care providers in Ambanja.MethodsA mixed methods evaluation was conducted of the impact of the training on participants’ knowledge and practices. Trainees’ knowledge was tested before, immediately after, and 6 months after the training. Focus group discussions were conducted to elicit participants’ opinions about the training, including the content and pedagogical methods.ResultsTrainees’ knowledge of the six topics was higher at 6 months (with an average of 71% correct answers) compared to before the training (62%), although it was even higher (83%) immediately after the training. During the focus group discussions, participants highlighted their positive impressions of the training, including its impact on their sense of professional effectiveness. They reported that their interprofessional relationships and focus on respectful care had improved. Simulation, which was a new methodology for the participants native to Madagascar, was appreciated for its engaging and active format, and they enjoyed the hybrid delivery of the training. Participants (including the trainers) expressed a desire for follow-up engagement, including additional training, and improved access to more equipment.ConclusionThe evaluation showed improvements in trainees’ knowledge and capacity to provide respectful emergency care to pregnant women and newborns across all training topics. The hybrid simulation-based training method elicited strong enthusiasm. Significant opportunity exists to expand the use of hybrid onsite/remote simulation-based training to improve obstetrical care and health outcomes for women and newborns in Madagascar and elsewhere.

SCIENTIFIC FOREIGN LANGUAGE ETIQUETTE AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN FORMING THE HUMANITARIAN CULTURE OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

SCIENTIFIC FOREIGN LANGUAGE ETIQUETTE AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN FORMING THE HUMANITARIAN CULTURE OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

“What Scares Me Is the Speed at Which Artificial Intelligence Is Developing”: Students' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Foreign Language Teaching

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an integral part of our daily lives, the concern of the teaching community about the illegal use of these technologies in the educational process is increasing. In order to adapt the education system and teaching practices to new technological challenges, it is necessary to analyze the opinions of all the parties concerned. The purpose of this study is to identify the attitude of students of Kazan Federal University to the use of artificial intelligence technologies in the educational process and the practice of their application in foreign languages learning process. To achieve this goal, an online survey of students of Kazan Federal University was conducted. The survey touched upon the practical aspects of the use of artificial intelligence in language teaching, the advantages and disadvantages of AI tools from the students’ point of view, as well as their opinion regarding the prospects of AI in education. As a result of the study, we came to the conclusion that at the moment AI tools are not widespread enough in teaching foreign languages. Only one-fifth of the respondents use these tools, but the respondents’ comments suggest that the number of users will grow. The attitude of students towards the use of AI is ambiguous, with responses ranging from enthusiastic to skeptical. Students’ positive impressions are mainly related to saving time and effort, as well as to the ability of AI to present complex materials with understandable language. Among the main disadvantages, the respondents noted unreliability of data and fake content. Despite the fact that students are generally positive about the use of AI, a significant part of respondents do not trust software products such as ChatGPT, since, in their opinion, it provides answers of average quality that need to be corrected. Based on the data obtained, the authors attempted to formulate recommendations on improving the methods of teaching and control in the process of teaching foreign languages at universities.

The Relationship between EFL Learners’ First Impression of their Instructors and their Speaking Performance

The paper examines the relationship between EFL learners' first impressions of their instructors and their speaking performance. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a test and a questionnaire to provide a comprehensive analysis. The participants were 81 EFL learners at Taif University. The results revealed that the correlation coefficient (r) for the scores and all the constructs was small and not significant, indicating that the first impression of the students of their instructors did not affect their performance on the speaking test. We observed that the correlations among the constructs ranged from medium to high positive correlations. The study used a questionnaire to collect data on the factors that influence the first impression of the instructors, such as physical appearance, attitude, and communication style. The results showed that physical appearance and attitude were the most significant factors that affected the first impression of the instructors. The study also found that the participants who had a positive first impression of their instructors tended to perform better in speaking tasks and had higher levels of motivation and engagement.