Significant Differences In Participants Research Articles

Evaluations of solo piano performances: The role of performing with and without a musical score

The act of performing without a musical score is common and expected in many contexts. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of performing with and without a musical score on listeners’ evaluations of solo pianists. We also investigated whether the effects of score use differed according to the perceived expertise of the performer. Participants ( N = 69) were collegiate music students who observed two video recordings of a pianist performing an excerpt from Schubert’s Impromptu Op. 90, No. 2. In one of the videos, the pianist used a musical score and in the other video the pianist did not use a score. One group of participants was informed at the outset that the pianist was an expert performer and the other group was told that the pianist was a student auditioning for a graduate program as a piano major. Participants rated each performance and indicated which recording they preferred. Results indicated no significant difference in ratings by performance condition overall, but significant interaction effects indicated that the effect of performance condition was dependent upon both the perceived expertise of the performer and presentation order. Chi-square results indicated no significant differences in participants’ preferences between conditions.

Robotic Delivery Worker in the Dark: Assessment of Perceived Safety from Sidewalk Autonomous Delivery Robots’ Lighting Colors

Sidewalk autonomous delivery robots (SADRs) share sidewalks with pedestrians and may affect their perceived safety. In outdoor nighttime environments, the color of the lights on SADRs serves as a noticeable form of communication that can influence human emotions. Therefore, this study investigated whether the perceived safety of SADRs varied with the colors of their lighting. In this study, an experiment (n = 30) was conducted where participants walked towards a robot from opposite directions to interact. The perceived safety of five different lighting colors (red, yellow, blue, green, and white) on SADRs was measured before and after the interaction using two perceived safety scales. The results showed significant differences in participants’ perceived safety for the robot’s red, green, blue, and yellow lighting before and after the interaction. Red lighting was rated the least perceived safe, while white and yellow lighting were rated the most perceived safe. Additionally, gender significantly influenced the perceived safety assessments, with females reporting lower perceived safety than males. These findings are valuable when designing SADRs that enhance pedestrians’ perceived safety, thereby facilitating their integration into broader environments in the future.

Predicting changes in task difficulty perception based on visual behavior in mobile health information search

With the proliferation of online health resources, mobile health information search has become the new norm, in which the task difficulty perception in search affects the user's search experience. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between visual behavior that reflects users' cognitive processing and changes in perceived task difficulty, thereby predicting such changes.This study was conducted through a controlled experiment. 46 participants were recruited to complete four tasks. Visual behavior data were collected through eye-tracking technology, and changes in task difficulty perception were measured through pre-task and post-task questionnaires. The mobile health information search process is divided into three search activities: querying, browsing, and viewing activities. Predictors were inspected from the overall session and individual search activity levels using the Mann-Whitney U test, and then K-Nearest Neighbor, Extreme-Trees, Naive Bayesian, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression algorithms were used to predict and evaluate prediction effects.The results showed significant differences in participants' fixation and saccade behaviors between increases and decreases in task difficulty, both at the overall session and individual search activity level. The logistic regression algorithm demonstrated the highest predictive performance, Furthermore, visual behavioral indicators for the browsing activity proved to perform better relative to the other search activities.This study highlights the importance of visual behavioral indicators as reliable predictors of changes in users' perceived task difficulty in mobile health information search. It can help health information providers and administrators to provide timely and targeted assistance and implement effective guidance strategies.

“No Days Off”: Using Self-Determination Theory to Better Understand Workaholism in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Coaches

Workaholism (i.e., working excessively and compulsively) is associated with negative physical, psychological, and social consequences. Researchers have previously examined antecedents of workaholism, but the experiences of sport coaches have not yet been investigated. This study explored (a) differences in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I coaches’ workaholism, as well as need satisfaction and frustration based on gender, coaching role, gender of athletes coached, age, and years of coaching experience; and (b) how coaches’ perceptions of their three basic psychological needs are associated with tendencies to work excessively and compulsively. A total of 873 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I coaches participated in the research. Data analyses revealed significant differences in participants’ workaholism as well as need satisfaction and frustration. Structural equation modeling indicated a significant relationship between reported levels of workaholism and perceptions of the three needs. Findings illustrate the importance of basic psychological needs in preventing coaches’ workaholism and maintain optimal functioning.

Risk perception evaluation of epidemic maps using event-related potentials

ABSTRACT Epidemic maps, by incorporating outbreak characteristics and visually presenting the data, have become the primary means for the public to grasp spatiotemporal risk insights. This study aims to provide design strategies to enhance the readability and risk perception effectiveness of epidemic maps, optimizing their visual design to improve information acquisition efficiency and risk perception efficacy. Employing a synthesis of event-related potentials and questionnaires, we integrate participants’ subjective perceptions for six epidemic map types with EEG metrics, probing the cognitive underpinnings as they engage with diverse symbol and risk categorizations. The results reveal significant differences in participants’ subjective risk perception scores across the six types of epidemic maps, with notable variances in the amplitude and latency of P200 and P300 components triggered by these different maps. The above findings indicate: (1) Point-symbol epidemic maps exhibit a higher arousal level, more effectively capturing individual attention; (2) Area-symbol characteristics in low-risk contexts aid in enhancing information retrieval efficiency; (3) High-level risk information garners more attentional resources from individuals.

Peer-mediated education and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool inclusive programs: the power of games

ABSTRACT This study investigated how peer-mediated structured game activities changed and improved peer relations in an inclusive preschool classroom for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A case study was used in which 17 typically developing (TD) children aged 60–71 months, a 66-month-old boy diagnosed with ASD and the preschool teacher participated. Data were collected before and after peer-mediated structured game activities. The peer tutors engaged in structured activities with the child with ASD for six months. Interviews and observations, picture sociometry, researcher’s diary, teacher’s diary, and structured play were used to collect the data. The findings revealed significant differences in participants’ functional skills before and after the peer-mediated structured game activities. It was observed that the TD children and the boy with ASD improved their social, emotional, and language skills. Children played together for longer. Play time increased, the number of participating children increased. Typically developing children cooperated more and assumed more responsibility. The child with ASD tried to produce meaningful words and participation in play activities was observed. In addition, the peer-mediated structured activities positively supported the teacher’s classroom management and classroom climate. In addition, the teacher’s level of practical knowledge improved.

The impact of kinesthetic instructional strategies and manipulatives on fourth grader’s self-efficacy and self-confidence toward multiplication

ABSTRACT Self-efficacy and self-confidence are listed as significant contributors to students’ general attitudes and performance in mathematics. Having negative beliefs toward mathematics is commonplace for children in the United States. These beliefs have an impact on the amount of effort, persistence, and resilience an individual will spend when engaging in any activity. Educators are seeking ways to improve self-efficacy and self-confidence in math through kinesthetic instructional strategies and manipulatives that use repetitive, action-based movements shown to strengthen our brain’s neuroplasticity, which improves computational efficiency and speed of learning. This research examined the effectiveness of kinesthetic learning strategies on 111 fourth-grade students’ self-efficacy and self-confidence toward math and multiplication. Quantitative data analysis was used to determine significant differences in student efficacy from pre-assessment to post-assessment. Quantitative analysis of results revealed statistically significant differences in participants’ self-efficacy and self-confidence toward multiplication after the implementation of kinesthetic instructional strategies and manipulatives.

Comparative utility of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic classifications of eating disorders of recurrent binge eating in an Australian community-based sample.

The present study aimed to compare the estimated prevalence, sociodemographic features and impacts of Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED; BN or BED of low frequency and/or limited duration) when comparing the DSM-5 with the broader ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for size and specifiers of binge-eating episodes in a general population epidemiological sample. 2977 individuals (1524 women and 1453 men) aged ≥15years from randomly selected households in South Australia were interviewed in person. Participants were asked questions relating to sociodemographic features, symptoms of eating disorder pathology, physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL; SF-12) and role impairment. The estimated prevalence of only one diagnosis, namely BED, was lower when applying DSM-5 criteria than when applying ICD-11 criteria, largely due to the Criterion B binge-eating specifiers of the DSM-5. There were no significant differences in participants' demographic features, HRQoL, or role impairment between the comparable diagnosis of either scheme. There were few differences in distribution and similar levels of health impacts when applying either diagnostic scheme in this epidemiological study. However, cases of BED may be missed when using the stricter criteria of DSM-5 in epidemiological surveys. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical utility of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic specifiers of binge-eating.

The Impact of Real Estate “COVID” Factors on Expressed Satisfaction of Residents during COVID-19 Pandemic

This article addresses research questions on participants’ satisfaction with the essential “COVID” factors of home ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyses statistically significant differences in participants’ demographic characteristics in relation to the various “COVID” factors. The main instrument used to measure the participants’ satisfaction was a questionnaire from our previous study in 2010. The participants expressed as the most important “COVID” factors the possibility of setting up a home office, internet in the flat and the possibility of setting up a mudroom, a separate, independent space and contact with nature, which can include good natural lighting and ventilation. The results show that the statistically significant differences between the year 2010 and 2021 in terms of living conditions in the property are expressed in the participants’ satisfaction with their current living conditions, brightness of natural light, proximity to kindergartens, schools, work opinions and health centres, maintenance costs and sense of belonging to the neighbourhood. This understanding gives our study a special significance. Our study investigates the parameters of the interior of properties, so in the future, it would make sense to expand the studies in this field to include living parameters, the building, the surroundings and the neighbourhood.

Chinese senior secondary students’ attitudes towards national, regional and foreign languages: the case of Chongqing

ABSTRACT This paper reports on language attitudes towards the national language (Putonghua), the regional dialect (Chongqing) and the key foreign language (English) of a group of senior high school students (N = 321) in Chongqing in mainland China. Unlike the numerous other studies of language attitudes in China this one is situated outside the more socially-economically developed east coast cities (such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong), focuses on high school students and uses an innovative multidimensional combination of direct and indirect measurements in order to measure and compare the dimensions of integrative/instrumental attitudes and overt/covert attitudes. The findings reveal clear and statistically significant differences in participants’ attitudes towards Chongqing dialect (their mother tongue), Putonghua (their national language) and English (their foreign language). These participants attach the highest integrative value to Chongqing dialect (followed by Putonghua then English) but the highest instrumental value to English (followed by Putonghua then Chongqing dialect). Their overt attitudes are more positive than their covert attitudes towards all three language varieties and there is generally more consistency in overt attitudes than in covert attitudes.

The impact of playful titles and posters on learners’ interest in academic sessions: An observational study

Introduction: Academic sessions require active participation and attendance to ensure effective knowledge dissemination. In this context, we aim to investigate the influence of playful titles and posters on learners’ interest in attending educational sessions at our radiology department. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was distributed to the department staff gauging their opinions on topics for the grand rounds of the radiology department for the academic year 2021–2022. It contains demographics, responses to “Formal” and “Playful” posters across ten pairs of radiology-related topics, and factors that could affect their attendance. Results: Forty-three department staff participated in the survey, with a mean age of 33 ± 7 years. Participants found the “Playful” posters more amusing compared to “Formal” posters. With the “Playful” posters, there were no significant differences in the agreement levels between the interest in attendance and finding the poster amusing unlike most of the “Formal” posters. There were no significant differences in participants’ interest in attendance between the “Playful” and “Formal” posters. Using linear regression analysis, the “poster interest score” was a statistically significant predictor of the “attendance score” with both styles. However, the “Formal” posters were more appropriate predictors when both analysis models were compared. Sixty-five percent of participants indicated that a topic relevant to their specialty would increase their interest in attendance, with higher agreement in older age groups. In addition, male participants preferred playful titles, those provoking curiosity and utilizing visual aids. Conclusion: The interest in posters is a strong predictor of interest in attendance, with formal posters explaining this relationship better in our cohort. Age and sex influence the preference for title presentation and playful posters. Educators should tailor their educational methods accordingly. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Interpersonal and communication skills, Medical knowledge, Professionalism, Systems-based practice.

Effect of the Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor Febuxostat on the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Asymptomatic Patients with Hyperuricemia and Liver Dysfunction: A Sub-Analysis of the PRIZE Study.

The effect of uric acid (UA)-lowering therapy with xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibitors on the development of cardiovascular disease requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of febuxostat on arterial stiffness, focusing on liver function. The PRIZE study involved random assignment of patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia to receive either add-on febuxostat treatment (febuxostat group) or non-pharmacological treatment (control group). Of the 514 participants, 23 and 14 patients in the febuxostat and control groups, respectively, underwent assessment of arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). The participants in each group were further grouped on the basis of their baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (above or below the media value or 30 U/L). The primary endpoint was the change in the CAVI from baseline to 12 and 24 months. Overall, no significant differences were found between the control and febuxostat groups in the least-squares mean estimates of changes in CAVI at 24 months (mean between-group difference, -0.41 [95% CI, -1.05 to 0.23]; p=0.204). However, there were significant differences in participants with higher baseline ALT or AST levels above 30 U/L at 24 months (mean between-group difference, -1.12 [95% CI, -2.23 to -0.01]; p=0.048 for ALT ≥ 30 U/L and -1.08 [95% CI, -2.13 to -0.03]; p=0.044 for AST ≥ 30 U/L). Two-year treatment with febuxostat demonstrated a beneficial effect on CAVI in patients with hyperuricemia and liver dysfunction.

Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at different sites for peripheral facial paralysis: a prospective cohort study.

There are very few studies on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for facial paralysis and no studies comparing the efficacy of central and peripheral TMS in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis (PFP). To observe the therapeutic effect and security of central and peripheral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on PFP. Patients with unilateral onset of peripheral facial paralysis within 1 month were prospectively recruited, 97 patients with PFP were divided into the peripheral group, central group, and control group. The control group was given common treatment (drug therapy and acupuncture), and the peripheral and central groups received rTMS in addition to conventional treatment. After 2 weeks of treatment, the House-Brackmann (HB) grading scale, Sunnybrook facial grading system (SFGS), and modified Portmann scale (MPS) were used to evaluate the facial muscle function of patients in the three groups. After 2 weeks of rTMS treatment, the HBGS/SFGS/MPS scores of the three groups were significantly better than before (p < 0.05), and the mean change values of HBGS, SFGS, and MPS scores were significantly higher in participants in Peripheral Group (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p = 0.003; respectively) and Central Group (p = 0.004; p = 0.003; p = 0.009; respectively) than in Control Group. But the mean change values of HBGS, SFGS, and MPS scores showed no significant differences in participants in the Peripheral Group than in the Central Group (p = 0.254; p = 0.139; p = 0.736; respectively) after 2 weeks of treatment (p > 0.05). Our study shows that rTMS can be a safe and effective adjuvant therapy for patients with PFP. Preliminary studies have shown that both peripheral and central stimulation can effectively improve facial nerve function, but there is no significant difference in the efficacy of the two sites.

Public Awareness and Attitudes towards Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Epilepsy is surrounded by stigma and unfavorable attitudes as a result of several inaccurate or insufficient knowledge linked to the disease, and individuals have negative views of the disorder. They must have up-to-date knowledge and an acceptable approach to epilepsy and antiepileptic medications. This study aimed to assess the public general awareness of epilepsy and attitude toward persons living with epilepsy and its associated factors. A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in Taif, Saudi Arabia, targeting the general public with a self-administered validated Arabic questionnaire. The questionnaire, which comprised two sections and included the responder's demographic information, was distributed over social media platforms between March 18, 2022, and June 3, 2022. A total of 500 respondents who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The characteristics of the subjects were described using descriptive statistics, and differences were assessed using the independent sample t-test and 2-way ANOVA. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. A total of 500 individuals who met the inclusion criteria were included. The mean (standard deviation) score for general epilepsy awareness was 6.78(1.74), which is altogether considered as insufficient. Female participants had a substantially higher mean (SD) awareness score than male participants: 32.58(7.67); 95% CI: 31.34-33.68 versus 29.94(8.79); 95% CI: 28.93-30.95, P0.001. There were no significant differences in participants' awareness scores based on their nationality or occupation. Participants' attitudes towards PWE were mainly favorable, with 482 (96.4%) reporting that they would not be embarrassed if someone in their family had epilepsy, and that PWE should not hide their condition. According to this study, more people are aware of epilepsy and have a good attitude toward it. Furthermore, the study discovered a link between the three variables of interest and ...

Acute effects of exergaming on young adults' energy expenditure, enjoyment, and self-efficacy.

This study investigated the effects of a dance-based exergaming on Chinese college students' energy expenditure, self-efficacy, and enjoyment in comparison with the traditional aerobic dance exercise. Forty young adults (33 females; Mage = 21.55 years, SD = 2.06) completed two separate 20 min exercise sessions with 10 min intervals on the same day: (1) Xbox 360 Kinect Just Dance exergaming session; and (2) a traditional instructor-led aerobic dance exercise session. Participants' energy expenditure (Kcal/session) was measured by the ActiGraph GT9X Link accelerometers, and their perceived self-efficacy and enjoyment were assessed via validated surveys following each session. Dependent t-test indicated significant differences in participants' enjoyment (t = -1.83, p = 0.04). Specifically, participants in the dance-based exergaming session reported a higher level of enjoyment (M = 3.96, SD = 0.65) as compared to the aerobic dance session (M = 3.61, SD = 0.54). However, there was no significant difference in energy expenditure and self-efficacy between the two sessions. Findings suggest that college students had comparable energy expenditure as the traditional aerobic dance session while experiencing more fun and enjoyment. This suggests that exergaming can be a fun exercise alternative for promoting physical activity among young adults.

Perceptions and Coping Strategies in English Writing Among Chinese Study-Abroad Graduate Students

With the internationalization of higher education, more Chinese students are pursuing their postgraduate study in English-medium instruction (EMI) institutions abroad. Related studies have mostly investigated EMI policies and implementation and students’ attitudes; however, they have not examined how Chinese students cope in English-as-a-second-language environments, specifically in academic writing. This study examines Chinese students’ perceptions of English academic writing, difficulties, and coping strategies to complete academic writing requirements in Malaysian universities. Respondents, totalling 128, filled out a 51-item questionnaire. T-test was used for data analysis, and nine students were selected for qualitative interview. The results indicate significant differences in participants’ chances of practicing English writing before and after studying in Malaysia. Although they experienced challenges, such as insufficient prior English writing practice, lack of knowledge in English academic terms and expressions, and difficulty in identifying research gaps, they succeeded with help from teachers, peers, and workshops. Implications for EMI are provided.

Live Well, Eat Well, Be Active With Diabetes Curriculum Improves Type 2 Diabetes Management

Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease with several modifiable lifestyle factors. The Extension ‘Live well, Eat well, be Active with Diabetes’ curriculum provides four 90-minute lessons teaching individuals to live well, eat well, and be active with diabetes. Fourteen Extension educators implemented and evaluated the curriculum with 107 participants. Participants reported the program helped them feel better able to take care of their health. We observed significant differences in participants’ retrospective pre and post ‘Live well,’ ‘Eat well’ and ‘be Active’ total scores. Extension has a unique opportunity to educate individuals so they may better manage their diabetes.

Store layout design and consumer response: a behavioural and EEG study

ABSTRACT A novel approach was used to evaluate the impact of retail store layouts on consumer responses, by triangulating subjective feedback, behavioural data and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the context of a virtual environment. Participants (n = 45) were assigned to one of three store layout conditions. While there were no significant differences in participants subjective/conscious evaluations of the layout complexity, they demonstrated reduced product-recall scores, and greater cognitive workload in visual/spatial-processing brain regions, in store environments with more complex layouts. This study explores the correlation between perceived visual complexity and perceived store attractiveness and examines how pleasure and processing fluency mediate this relationship. The results demonstrate a strong association between these factors, with processing fluency playing a more significant role in mediating the effect (78%) compared to pleasure (22%). Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the psychological factors that influence consumer perceptions of store environments. The findings demonstrate the value of an EEG/VR-based approach in studying human behaviour during the building design process for identifying neural mechanisms and responses that self-reported feedback may obscure. The result of this study has implications for building designers and retailers, suggesting that simpler store layouts might be more effective in terms of product recall and reduced cognitive workload.

Fostering Social Support and Professional Learning for Special Educators: Building a Community of Practice

Special educators working with students with emotional and behavioral disorders often report experiencing collegial isolation, exclusion from school communities, and high levels of burnout and stress. At the same time, many special educators have limited professional development and networking opportunities, which could mitigate these negative experiences. In response, we adapted Project Extension Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) to connect and support special educators who work with students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). The ECHO model creates a learning loop between a team of specialists and educators. Through participation in the ECHO, educators and specialists engaged in case-based learning and shared best practices for supporting students with EBD. We used a pre–post group design to examine how the ECHO model can address issues related to educator stress and emotional exhaustion while building a community of practice. Though participants agreed that ECHO creates a community of practice and experienced the program as beneficial, we found no statistically significant differences in participants’ stress and emotional exhaustion between the pre/post survey. Our findings suggest that brief interventions are insufficient for addressing the complexities of teacher burnout.

The relationship between subjective oral frailty and adverse health outcomes or medical and dental expenditures in the latter-stage older adult: A 6-year longitudinal study.

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between subjective oral frailty and adverse health outcomes or medical and dental expenditures in the latter-stage older adult through a 6-year longitudinal study. The participants enrolled in the cross-sectional study were 3564 Tokushima City residents aged 75, 80, 85, and 90 years old who received oral health examinations and who responded to a questionnaire on oral conditions and health behavior at baseline. The data forthe occurrence of disability or mortality, and the monthly medical expenditures, dental expenditures, and total medical expenditure of each participant were obtained from the National Health Insurance Database. The total medical expenditure showed significant differences in participants who had difficulties in eating tough foods, difficulties in swallowing tea or soup, and dry mouth when compared to that of healthy participants, in addition to the current medical treatment against the general disease. The 6-year longitudinal study revealed that participants with subjective oral frailty symptoms, including difficulties in eating tough foods and difficulties in swallowing tea or soup at baseline, had significantly higher medical, dental, and total expenditures among 538 participants without certified nursing care. In addition, those with subjective oral frailty or with less than 19 teeth present were shown to have a higher possibility for the occurrence of disability or mortality by the cox proportional hazard analysis. Furthermore, it was found that medical and total expenditures in older adults with adverse health outcomes were higher than that of healthy participants. These results suggest that subjective oral frailty in the latter-stage older adult is related to subsequent adverse health outcomes and an increase in medical and dental expenditures.