Preferred Device Research Articles

A scope of presence-related feelings in AR studies

The idiosyncrasies of augmented reality bring us advantages, as shown in literature, and a great assortment of options. On the other hand, due to its relationship with the real surroundings, it may be a challenge to deal with when evaluating these systems, especially if the intention is to understand feelings of presence-like: There are a lot of variables in the equation. This study aims to analyse a state of the art of AR evaluations that conducted presence-related feelings and discusses limitations and remarks for further research. The current research is able to state that questionnaires are the most used tool to ascertain presence-like feelings, and that mobile devices have been the preferred device to implement AR applications. The studies are fairly divided between 1) analysing a single scenario to ascertain the variable at study, and 2) creating two or more scenarios to make a comparison. When comparing two or more scenarios, a between-subjects design is preferred among researchers. Additionally, it has been identified as of paramount importance the need to study and objectively measuring the ratio between the virtual content and the real scenario in the experience, as well as to deeply research the interaction between the real scenario and the virtual elements. The importance of the types of interaction in AR applications is also highlighted.

Plantar Kinetics During Wheeled Knee Walker Use Compared to Different Assistive Walking Devices in Persons With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetic patients with foot ulcers are commonly prescribed assistive walking devices to unload the affected foot and promote tissue healing. However, the effect on shear loads to the contralateral foot is unknown. This study investigated the effect of a wheeled knee walker (WKW), compared to common devices, on compressive and shear plantar forces carried by the propulsive foot during walking in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A secondary objective investigated plantar forces' correlations with body weight unloaded (BWU). Participants walked a maximum of 200 m per condition during normal walking or when using crutches, a standard walker, and a WKW in randomized order. Plantar forces were measured with force plates, and wireless force-sensitive pads measured BWU through the hands. The WKW was instrumented to measure BWU onto the seat and handlebars. Three-dimensional motion capture confirmed gait events. The WKW produced the lowest vertical, braking, propulsive, and medial shear forces but the highest lateral shear force among all conditions. Using crutches or a walker had negligible medial and lateral shear (mean = -6.69 N and -7.80 N), with normal walking producing the highest medial shear. There was a poor relationship between BWU and assistive walking devices and shear force values. A WKW could be the preferred assistive device for unloading a diabetic foot ulcer. The magnitude of lateral force would need further investigation to determine ulceration risk, given patient susceptibility and neuropathy. Understanding shear forces on the propulsive foot is important for minimizing contralateral limb tissue damage risk while treating an ulcer. Different assistive walking devices change walking patterns and affect shear forces on the plantar surface of the foot. Although the WKW minimizes several loading metrics, a clinical trial investigating assistive walking device compliance and wound healing in diabetic foot ulcer patients across devices is needed.

Öğretmen Adaylarının Dijital Okuryazarlık Düzeyleri ile Web Ortamında Bilgi Arama ve Yorumlama Stratejileri Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

The purpose of this study is to investigate, in terms of certain characteristics, the relationship between pre-service teachers' digital literacy levels and their methods for looking up and analyzing information on the internet. During the 2019–2020 academic year, 500 teacher candidates at Necmettin Erbakan University Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Education were given the Information Search and Interpretation Strategies Scale. A statistical program was utilized to analyze the research data. Gender, grade level, weighted grade averages, daily internet usage, daily social media usage, prior digital literacy education, mother and father education levels, and the most preferred device for Internet access were all identified as a consequence of the statistical analysis. The degree of digital literacy and the methods used to find and analyze information online did not appear to be significantly correlated. The digital literacy levels, information search and interpretation tactics used in the online environment, and the most frequent internet use characteristic of pre-service teachers were found to differ significantly.

Does Online Education Make Students Happy? Insights from Exploratory Data Analysis

This study investigates the impact of online education on student happiness. Utilizing a dataset of 5715 students sourced from Bangladesh, we employed an exploratory data analysis to analyze the quantitative data. The key finding is that there is a prevalent trend of dissatisfaction with online education among Bangladeshi students, regardless of demographic factors like age, gender, education level, preferred device for access, or type of academic institution. The dissatisfaction trend highlights the need of continuous improvements and targeted interventions are essential to ensure online education not only enables academic success, but also supports the overall wellbeing and happiness of students in the context of a developing country.

RhBMP6 in autologous blood coagulum is a preferred osteoinductive device to rhBMP2 on bovine collagen sponge in the rat ectopic bone formation assay

Osteoinductive BMPs require a suitable delivery system for treating various pathological conditions of the spine and segmental bone defects. INFUSE, the only commercially available BMP-based osteoinductive device, consisting of rhBMP2 on bovine absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) showed major disadvantages due to serious side effects. A novel osteoinductive device, OSTEOGROW, comprised of rhBMP6 dispersed within autologous blood coagulum (ABC) is a promising therapy for bone regeneration, subjected to several clinical trials for diaphysial bone repair and spinal fusion. In the present study, we have examined the release dynamics showing that the ABC carrier provided a slower, more steady BMP release in comparison to the ACS. Rat subcutaneous assay was employed to evaluate cellular events and the time course of ectopic osteogenesis. The host cellular response to osteoinductive implants was evaluated by flow cytometry, while dynamics of bone formation and maintenance in time were evaluated by histology, immunohistochemistry and micro CT analyses. Flow cytometry revealed that the recruitment of lymphoid cell populations was significantly higher in rhBMP6/ABC implants, while rhBMP2/ACS implants recruited more myeloid populations. Furthermore, rhBMP6/ABC implants more efficiently attracted early and committed progenitor cells. Dynamics of bone formation induced by rhBMP2/ACS was characterized by a delayed endochondral ossification process in comparison to rhBMP6/ABC implants. Besides, rhBMP6/ABC implants induced more ectopic bone volume in all observed time points in comparison to rhBMP2/ACS implants. These results indicate that OSTEOGROW was superior to INFUSE due to ABC's advantages as a carrier and rhBMP6 superior efficacy in inducing bone.

Field study of meeting thermal needs of occupants in old residential buildings in low-temperature environments using personalized local heating

The outdated structures and heating devices in old residential buildings can no longer functionally meet the thermal needs of users and require reasonable supplementary measures to meet the demand. Personalized local heating, owing to its thermal comfort and energy-saving performance, is a good solution for addressing the thermal needs of occupants. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of personalized local heating on the thermal comfort of occupants in old residential buildings under low-temperature heating. A field study was conducted with 16 participants in typical old residential buildings under different conditions from January to February 2023. The findings revealed that all personalized local heating methods could increase the overall thermal sensation of participants at background temperatures of 16 °C and 19 °C, but only a few of them were effective in enhancing the participants' overall thermal comfort. Regardless of the chosen localized heating method, the participants’ thermal acceptance vote varied over time. When using localized heating, there were differences in the body parts selected for heating among participants at 16 °C and 19 °C. The analysis showed that the corrective power of heating devices for human thermal comfort is related to the background environment temperature, with stronger corrective power shown at lower temperatures. Furthermore, as long as the problem of uneven local heating was effectively resolved, radiant devices were the preferred environmental conditioning devices. This study provides important guidance, both for improving thermal comfort in old residential buildings and for expanding the application of personalized local heating.

Nozzles for Spraying Coal–Water Fuels

This work presents a review of modern devices for spraying coal–water fuels. The efficiency of their operation was analyzed according to several criteria: the simplicity of their design (A), the fuel channel’s predisposition to clogging (B), durability in terms of the erosive wear of the nozzle channel (C), and dispersion of the jet—the average size of droplets in the jet (D). It was established that, from the point of view of operational efficiency, the most preferred devices for spraying coal–water fuels are those with a quasi-internal mixing of fuel and spraying agents. In combination with refractory or ceramic materials and the large diameter of the fuel channel, its rapid erosion wear and the likelihood of clogging with large particles of coal or agglomerates of viscous coal–water fuel are excluded. At the same time, the possibility of forming a fine-dispersed jet remains. The cooling of the nozzle with an external mixing of fuel and spraying agents during its operation also reduces the rate of erosion wear. Narrowing the fuel channel was proven to be an undesirable solution when creating a coal–water fuel nozzle. This review will be useful for both researchers studying the processes of spraying coal–water fuels and designers involved in the creation of coal–water fuel injectors or the transfer of existing boilers to coal–water fuel.

Cathéters veineux centraux avec chambres implantables : complications à connaître: Central venous catheters with an implantable chamber complications

Implantable Chamber Catheters (ICC) are the preferred devices for prolonged treatment of cancers (chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, analgesics, blood products, antibiotics, antifungal and antiviral treatments). Their insertion is standardized, and ultrasound guidance is essential to limit thrombosis. Their handling requires experienced staff. Complications can be mechanical (linked to the implantable chamber or catheter), cutaneous, infectious, obstructive or thrombotic. The most serious complication is cutaneous necrosis (product extravasation). Infection is the most common cause of withdrawal, and probabilistic antibiotic therapy must be introduced and then adapted. Thrombosis is the most frequent complication. The ICC is left in place if functional, useful and noninfected. Curative anticoagulant treatment is recommended for at least 3 months, as long as the ICC is in place. Drug prophylaxis of ICC thrombosis is not recommended. Preventing complications of ICC is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the patient’s quality of life.1877-1203/© 2023 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Preliminary Results of Feasibility and Acceptability of Self-Collection for Cervical Screening in Italian Women.

Given the diagnostic accuracy of HPV-DNA tests in terms of self-collected samples, in order to implement self-sampling in cervical screening programs, the standardization of the pre-analytical phase, including decisions concerning the choice of medium, the volume of elution, and storage conditions, are necessary, in addition to understanding the potential factors involved in acceptability by women. On this basis, we carried out a cross-sectional study to assess (i) the stability of dry vaginal self-collected samples stored at room temperature for up to 4 weeks after elution in 2 mL of eNat® (Copan) medium, and (ii) the acceptability of self-collection in enrolled women. 185 women were enrolled in the LILT (Italian League Against Tumors) regional project. A self-sampling kit, including a dry FLOQSwab® (Copan), instructions for use, and a satisfaction questionnaire, were supplied for each woman and sent by mail to the laboratory. The HPV-DNA test was carried out using the Anyplex™ II HPV HR (Seegene) kit. To evaluate the specimen's stability, 185 dry vaginal swabs were eluted in eNat®, a lyses-based molecular medium and tested for HPV detection at two different time points (<6 days and 1 month after elution). The Cohen's Kappa coefficients and McNemar test were used to assess the agreement of HPV-DNA at different times. We found high agreement in terms of HPV-DNA results among the samples tested at two different time points (Cohen K = 0.98; p < 0.0001). Moreover, most of the women found it easy to use self-collection devices and the pictorial instructions clear to understand. Approximately half of the enrolled women declared preferring self-sampling to clinician-collected methods. Our results display the high reliability and accuracy of HPV-DNA tests using dry vaginal self-collection FLOQSwabs® devices eluted in 2 mL of molecular medium. The analysis of the questionnaire showed a high acceptability of self-collection among women, although a high percentage preferred standard collection devices. Overall, our preliminary results support the adoption of self-collection in screening programs, even though further analyses should be performed to optimize and standardize protocols for HPV tests on self-samples, and educational campaigns are needed to adequately inform and increase responsiveness in a target population.

대학생의 교육방법 선호도에 따른 온라인 학습환경과 학습경험 차이 분석

Objectives To operate online learning in higher education, which has become a primary educational method, the&#x0D; difference in the learning environment and learning experience (support experience, interaction experience) of&#x0D; online learning according to education method preference was analyzed.&#x0D; Methods To this end, an online survey targeted 506 university students in Gyeonggi-do. Preference for education&#x0D; methods was divided into face-to-face, online, and blended. The Kruskal-Wallis H Test was conducted to confirm&#x0D; the difference between each group regarding learning environment, teaching support, LMS support, and online&#x0D; interaction.&#x0D; Results First, as a result of examining the learning environment, for all university students, the laptop was the&#x0D; preferred device for efficient learning in all groups, and they mainly took online classes at home. Second, the group&#x0D; that prefers online education was highly aware of the instructor's support, LMS support, and interaction in online&#x0D; education compared to other groups.&#x0D; Conclusions This study has significance in suggesting primary data to seek teaching and learning strategies for&#x0D; successful online education operations in the future by analyzing the difference in the online education environment&#x0D; and learning experiences of university students according to their educational method preference. In addition, establishing&#x0D; a learning environment for university students and changing educational methods were proposed.

Development of Temperature Sensor Based on AlN/ScAlN SAW Resonators

Temperature monitoring in extreme environments presents new challenges for MEMS sensors. Since aluminum nitride (AlN)/scandium aluminum nitride (ScAlN)-based surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices have a high Q-value, good temperature drift characteristics, and the ability to be compatible with CMOS, they have become some of the preferred devices for wireless passive temperature measurement. This paper presents the development of AlN/ScAlN SAW-based temperature sensors. Three methods were used to characterize the temperature characteristics of a thin-film SAW resonator, including direct measurement by GSG probe station, and indirect measurement by oscillation circuit and antenna. The temperature characteristics of the three methods in the range of 30–100 °C were studied. The experimental results show that the sensitivities obtained with the three schemes were −28.9 ppm/K, −33.6 ppm/K, and −29.3 ppm/K. The temperature sensor using the direct measurement method had the best linearity, with a value of 0.0019%, and highest accuracy at ±0.70 °C. Although there were differences in performance, the characteristics of the three SAW temperature sensors make them suitable for sensing in various complex environments.

Current practice pattern among anaesthesiologists for difficult airway management: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

The practice patterns for airway management vary among anaesthesiologists, depending on various setups and geographical divides. This survey assessed practice patterns in unanticipated difficult intubation and cannot intubate or cannot ventilate (CICV) situations/complete ventilation failure among Indian anaesthesiologists'. A validated questionnaire of 22 items related to practice preferences for airway management among anaesthesiologists was sent to Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists members online through Google Forms and distributed manually to delegates in continuing medical education programme. A total of 535 responses were obtained and analysed. In unanticipated difficult laryngoscopy and intubation, the order of preference for alternative airway devices was video laryngoscope (VL, 60.1%), intubating laryngeal mask airway/laryngeal mask airway (23.5%), fibreoptic bronchoscope (13.5%) and optical stylets (1.2%). Advanced difficult airway devices were unavailable in most nursing homes and government non-teaching hospitals. Seventy per cent of respondents experienced CICV situations at least once, most during head and neck surgeries. In CICV situations, the order of choice for the front-of-neck airway access was cricothyroidotomy (CT) by narrow bore cannula (48.9%), tracheostomy by the surgeon (30%), Seldinger CT (12.5%), open surgical CT (5.4%) and scalpel bougie CT (3.2%). The VL was the most preferred airway rescue device in unanticipated difficult intubation, and intravenous catheter cricothyroidotomy was the most selected technique in CICV situations.

Use of real-time monitors to evaluate the potential exposure of secondhand electronic cigarette particulate matter inside vehicles

Electronic cigarette (ECIG) use continues to be highly prevalent, especially among youth and young adults. Potential exposure from secondhand ECIG particulate matter (PM) places bystanders in danger of inhaling harmful substances, especially in confined spaces. This study was conducted to measure the potential exposure from secondhand ECIG PM exposure in vehicles, with participants completing a 30-min ECIG use session in their own vehicle with their preferred ECIG device. Sessions included a 5-min, 10-puff directed bout (30-s interpuff interval), followed by a 25-min ad libitum bout in which participants could take as many puffs as desired. Real-time PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 (the 50% efficiency mass cut-off of that passes through a size-selective inlet at 1 μm, 2.5 μm, and 10 μm aerodynamic diameters, respectively) measurements were captured during the sessions using portable PM monitors (MiniWRAS, pDR, SidePak, and GeoAir2 low-cost monitors). A total of 56 participants with valid measurements were included in the study, with a total of 13 unique ECIG device brands, including Vuse Alto, Box Air Bar, ElfBar, Esco Bar, Aegis Legend, Hyde Edge, JUUL, Kang Onee Stick, Kang Onee Stick Plus, Nord X, Nord 2, Nord 3, and Vaporesso. During the 5-min directed bout, the highest real-time PM2.5 mean concentrations were 175 μg/m3 for the MiniWRAS, 1050 μg/m3 for pDR and 3314 μg/m3 for SidePak. The filter measurements were not detectable in most experiments, except for two participants, with one taking 205 puffs and the other taking 285 puffs, approximately 10 times the mean (30) puffs of all participants. The evaluation of GeoAir2 with the MiniWRAS showed a wide range of Pearson correlation coefficient (r) values, ranging from −0.03 to 1.00, for the 13 ECIG brands. The mass median diameter (0.31 μm–3.42 μm) and geometric standard deviation (2.47–8.21) were different based on the participants for the same ECIG brand.

Digital forensic analysis of the private mode of browsers on Android

The smartphone has become an essential electronic device in our daily lives. We carry our most precious and important data on it, from family videos of the last few years to credit card information so that we can pay with our phones. In addition, in recent years, mobile devices have become the preferred device for surfing the web, already representing more than 50% of Internet traffic. As one of the devices we spend the most time with throughout the day, it is not surprising that we are increasingly demanding a higher level of privacy. One of the measures introduced to help us protect our data by isolating certain activities on the Internet is the private mode integrated in most modern browsers. Of course, this feature is not new, and has been available on desktop platforms for more than a decade. Reviewing the literature, one can find several studies that test the correct functioning of the private mode on the desktop. However, the number of studies conducted on mobile devices is incredibly small. And not only is it small, but also most of them perform the tests using various emulators or virtual machines running obsolete versions of Android. Therefore, in this paper we apply the methodology we presented in a previous work to Google Chrome, Brave, Mozilla Firefox, and Tor Browser running on a tablet with Android 13 and on two virtual devices created with Android Emulator. The results confirm that these browsers do not store information about the browsing performed in private mode in the file system. However, the analysis of the volatile memory made it possible to recover the username and password used to log in to a website or the keywords typed in a search engine, even after the devices had been rebooted.

A STUDY TO COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING (SDL) ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE REGARDING GAMING DISORDERS AMONG ADOLESCENTS STUDYING IN SELECTED PU COLLEGES, HUBBALLI

Mobile phones are the most preferred devices but experienced gamers tend to shift to larger screens. A gamer with more than 18 months of gaming experience is three times more likely to play on a computer or laptop as they require large-screen devices. Adolescents prefer to play action and sports games. An evaluative approach was considered appropriate for the present research study. The research design used for the present study was Pre-Experimental Design: One group pre-test and post-test design without a control group was used for this study. The present research was conducted in selected PU Colleges of Hubballi. The universal population for the present research study was adolescents. The accessible population for the present research study were adolescents studying in selected PU colleges. In this study, the sample consists of adolescents studying in selected PU colleges, who fulfil inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample size selected for the present research study was 500 adolescents. The researcher for the present research study selected samples through a non-probability purposive sampling technique

Biometric Enabled Remote Voting System for Senior Citizens

- In developing countries, democracy plays a crucial role, but conventional voting systems often pose challenges due to resource and manpower consumption, potential illegal activities, and lack of transparency. To address these issues, a new confidential E-Voting system is proposed, incorporating facial recognition technology for secure and efficient voting. This system aims to provide an inclusive and accessible solution, especially for senior citizens who face difficulties with traditional voting methods due to mobility constraints. The online voting platform offers a user-friendly web interface and secure authentication using facial recognition algorithms. Seniors can conveniently vote remotely through their preferred devices, ensuring precise identification and preventing fraud. The system's implementation involved modern facial recognition technology, emphasizing usability and security. Testing and validation confirmed its effectiveness, reduced unauthorized access risks, and received positive user feedback regarding simplicity and accessibility. By incorporating facial recognition, this online voting system offers increased convenience, accessibility, and cost-efficiency, promoting inclusivity for seniors regardless of their location or mobility. The study contributes to the field of accessible voting technology and paves the way for future improvements in online voting systems catering to diverse demographic groups. Key Words: Online voting, Senior citizens, facial recognition, candidates, and voters

Clutch & Grasp: Activation gestures and grip styles for device-based interaction in medical spatial augmented reality

Presenting medical volume data using augmented reality (AR) can facilitate the identification of anatomical structures, the perception of their spatial relations and the development of mental maps compared to more commonly used monitors. However, interaction methods explored in these conventional settings may not be applicable in AR environments, or perform differently. In terms of mode activation, gestural interaction was shown to be a viable, touchless alternative to traditional input devices, which is desirable in sterile medical use cases. Therefore, we present a user study (n = 21) comparing hand and foot gestures with voice commands for the activation of interaction modes within a projector-based, spatial AR prototype to visualize medical volume data. Interaction itself was performed via hand movements captured by a data glove. Consistent, statistically significant results across measured variables suggest advantages of voice commands. In addition, a second experiment (n = 17) compared the hand-based interaction with two motion-sensitive devices held in power and in precision grip respectively. All modes were activated using voice commands. No considerable differences between tested grip styles could be determined. The findings suggest that the choice of preferable interaction devices is user and use case dependent.

Parents' Perceptions of Children's and Adolescents' Use of Electronic Devices to Promote Physical Activity: Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence.

The use of physical activity (PA) electronic devices offers a unique opportunity to engage children and adolescents in PA. For this age group (2-17 years), parents play a key role in promoting healthy lifestyles and regulating the use of electronic devices. Therefore, parents' perceptions of the use of electronic devices for PA in children and adolescents are critical for efficient intervention. The aim of this qualitative systematic review was to improve the understanding of parents' perceptions of the use of electronic devices for PA in children and adolescents. A systematic search of electronic databases (Medline/PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Scopus, OpenGrey, and Deep Blue) was conducted. Studies from inception (2010) to May 2022 were identified. Qualitative studies on the perceptions of healthy children's and adolescents' (aged 2-17 years) parents regarding PA interventions performed on electronic devices were included according to the Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group Guidance Series and the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) statement. The Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument was used for methodological validity. In total, 18 studies with 410 parents, mostly mothers, were included. Parents' perceptions were grouped into 4 categories: usefulness, advantages, general perceptions (electronic devices for health promotion, preferences for real-life PA, and concerns), and acceptability (barriers and facilitators) of electronic devices for PA. Parents perceived electronic devices as useful for increasing PA, learning new skills, and increasing motivation for PA and valued those devices that promoted socialization and family and peer bonding. In terms of general perceptions, parents had positive attitudes toward PA electronic devices; however, they preferred outdoor and real-life PA, especially for preschoolers and children. Concerns, such as physical and psychological harm, addiction, conflicts, and compliance difficulties, were found. Facilitators were identified as ease of use, appropriate feedback, promotion of socialization, and motivational strategies, such as rewards, challenges, and attractiveness. Barriers, such as discomfort, price, and difficulties in using or understanding electronic devices, were also identified. For older children and adolescents, parents were more concerned about high levels of screen time and setting limits on electronic devices and therefore preferred PA electronic devices rather than traditional ones. Overall, the participants had positive attitudes toward electronic devices for PA and perceived them as an effective way to promote PA in children and adolescents. They also perceived several benefits of using electronic devices, such as health promotion, increased awareness and motivation, and socialization, as well as barriers, facilitators, and age differences. The results of this study could provide researchers with insights into designing more effective, age-appropriate PA electronic devices for children and adolescents and improving adherence to their use. PROSPERO CRD42021292340; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=292340.

Characteristics and parental viewpoints regarding digital device use in children aged 4 to 8 years

In the present digital age, the number of digital devices and media has multiplied, giving young children and their parents access to them anytime and anywhere. The family and home environment constitutes an important ecological context for fostering and supporting the development of safe online behaviour, as well as preventing risky online behaviour in young children. During childhood, parents play an influential role in shaping a child’s use of digital technology (DT) devices through parental practices that are shaped by their beliefs about DT. The first aim of this study was to describe preferred digital devices, activities, and emotional states related to digital device use among children aged 4 to 8 years. The second aim was to describe parental viewpoints about their children’s device use. The data was collected through online interviews with 31 children (16 girls), aged 4 to 8 years, and one parent of each of the children included in the project “Digital technology in the family: patterns of behaviour and effects on child development”. The results show that smartphones are the children’s favourite device and playing video games is their preferred digital activity. Most children reported feeling happy when they used DT devices, as well as feeling sad and angry when they had to stop using them. Parental motivation for providing children access to DT devices can be child- and parent-oriented. Parents frequently emphasised the educational aspects of their children’s device use, but they were aware of the negative and positive effects on the children’s functioning. The findings indicate that children’s daily context of living in association with DT usage is characterised by small, portable devices that are used mainly for entertainment. Additionally, their parents allow the use of such devices because they believe that DT can have a positive impact on child development, and they need to occupy children’s attention in specific situations. However, DT device usage is limited due to the awareness of the negative impact on child development.

Narrative Analysis: An Analysis of Evaluative Devices in Chinese JFL Learners’ Oral Narratives

Using the picture book “Frog, where are you?” (Mayer, 1969), this study investigated the frequency and linguistic forms of evaluative devices in narratives elicited from 29 Japanese native speakers and 28 upper-intermediate Chinese learners of Japanese. The findings show that the preferred evaluative devices style differed between Japanese native speakers’ and Chinese learners’ narratives. On the one hand, although Japanese native speakers provided more evaluative devices than Chinese learners of Japanese, the ratio of evaluative clause and evaluative expression was approximately 2:8 in the narratives of both. On the other hand, Japanese native speakers provided evaluative clauses from the characters’ perspectives to create multiple-voiced discourse, and used evaluative expressions such as modality expressions of value judgments to objectify the narration. To the contrary, Chinese learners of Japanese mainly provided information supplements in narrating event clauses, durative-descriptive clauses, and evaluative clauses, adding the expressivity of the language in narratives to ensure that the communication intentions were perceived by the audience.