Significant Effect Of Time Research Articles

Improving Empathy and Peer Relationships in Adolescents: A Social Cognition Training Approach

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a social cognition training intervention in enhancing empathy and peer relationships among adolescents. By focusing on these critical social and emotional competencies, the research sought to provide empirical evidence supporting the utility of targeted interventions in developmental psychology. Methodology: Employing a randomized controlled trial design, the study involved 30 adolescents aged 13-16 years, randomly assigned to either an experimental group undergoing a structured social cognition training program or a control group receiving no intervention. The program comprised 10 sessions, each lasting 75 minutes, focusing on developing empathy, understanding peer dynamics, and enhancing interpersonal skills. Empathy and peer relationships were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at a three-month follow-up using standardized tools, with data analysis conducted via SPSS-27 using ANOVA with repeated measurements and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Findings: Significant improvements were observed in the experimental group, with empathy scores increasing from a pre-test mean of 55.92 (SD = 13.37) to a follow-up mean of 63.95 (SD = 14.44), and peer relationship scores rising from a pre-test mean of 51.71 (SD = 9.66) to a follow-up mean of 58.99 (SD = 10.21). The control group showed negligible changes. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of time and group, as well as time × group interactions for both empathy (Time × Group: F = 8.30, p < 0.01) and peer relationships (Time × Group: F = 7.33, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The social cognition training intervention significantly enhanced empathy and peer relationships among adolescents, underscoring the potential of such programs to foster essential social skills and emotional understanding. These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions in supporting adolescent social and emotional development.

Reducing Work Stress through Employee Engagement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an Employee Engagement Training Program in reducing work-related stress among employees. The research sought to determine whether structured training could foster employee engagement and alleviate stress, contributing to improved job satisfaction and organizational success. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 40 full-time employees experiencing mild to moderate work-related stress. Participants were divided into an experimental group, which received the Employee Engagement Training Program, and a control group, which did not receive any intervention. The training consisted of 8 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, focusing on stress management, communication skills, resilience, and goal setting. Data were analyzed using a two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with repeated measurements and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in perceived work stress levels among participants in the experimental group compared to the control group. Specifically, the experimental group showed a notable decrease in work stress from pre-test to post-test and maintained this reduction at the two-month follow-up. The ANOVA revealed significant effects for time, group, and their interaction on work stress levels, indicating the training program's effectiveness. The Employee Engagement Training Program significantly reduced work-related stress among participants, underscoring the importance of structured training in enhancing employee engagement and well-being. These findings suggest that organizations can benefit from implementing similar programs to foster a positive work environment, improve job satisfaction, and achieve organizational success. Future research should aim to explore the long-term effects of such interventions and their applicability across different sectors.

Enhancing Selective Attention in Children with Learning Disorders: Efficacy of Executive Functions Training

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an executive functions training program in improving selective attention among children with specific learning disorders. It sought to assess the immediate and sustained impacts of the intervention by comparing changes in selective attention scores between experimental and control groups across pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measurements. A total of 40 children diagnosed with specific learning disorders were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental (n=20) or control (n=20) groups. The experimental group underwent a comprehensive executive functions training program, while the control group received no intervention. Selective attention was assessed for all participants at three time points: pre-test, immediately post-intervention (post-test), and at a follow-up session. Descriptive statistics, mixed-model Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were employed to analyze the data. The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in selective attention scores from pre-test to post-test (mean difference = 6.40, p = 0.001) and maintained these improvements at follow-up (mean difference = 6.55, p = 0.001). In contrast, the control group showed minimal changes across the same periods. Statistical analyses confirmed significant effects of time, group, and time × group interaction on selective attention scores, with large effect sizes (Eta² > 0.37) indicating the substantial impact of the intervention. The executive functions training program was highly effective in enhancing selective attention among children with specific learning disorders. The intervention led to significant and sustained improvements, highlighting the potential of targeted cognitive training in supporting children with learning challenges. These findings suggest that incorporating executive functions training into therapeutic and educational strategies for children with learning disorders could substantially benefit their cognitive development and academic performance.

Improving Illness Perception Through Self-Care Behavior Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Self-Care Behavior Training intervention on individuals' perception of illness by comparing experimental and control groups over time, with measurements taken at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. The study involved a total of 40 participants, divided equally into experimental and control groups. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the baseline characteristics of both groups. A mixed-design ANOVA was conducted to explore the effects of time (pre-test, post-test, follow-up), group (experimental, control), and their interaction on the perception of illness. The Bonferroni post-hoc test was applied to assess differences between individual time points for the experimental group. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in illness perception from pre-test to post-test (mean difference = 26.73, p=0.001) and maintained this improvement at follow-up (mean difference from pre-test = 27.74, p=0.001). There was no significant change between post-test and follow-up (mean difference = 1.01, p=1.00), indicating the intervention's lasting effect. The control group did not demonstrate significant changes over time. The ANOVA results confirmed significant effects of time (F=10.83, p<0.01), group (F=10.55, p<0.01), and their interaction (F=10.03, p<0.01) on illness perception. The intervention significantly improved the experimental group's perception of illness, with these improvements sustained over time. The control group's stable illness perception across all stages emphasizes the intervention's efficacy. These findings suggest that targeted interventions can effectively alter illness perceptions, which may have important implications for patient care and recovery processes.

The Effectiveness of Integrated Gross Motor Skill Program on The Symptoms of Cerebal Palsy among Children

he primary aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an integrated gross motor skills program intervention on improving motor functions compared to a control group, with evaluations conducted at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. This study involved 40 participants, divided equally into experimental and control groups (N=20 for each group). Both groups were assessed for motor functions at three different times: before the intervention (pre-test), immediately after the intervention (post-test), and a follow-up phase. The experimental group received a specific intervention aimed at improving motor functions, whereas the control group did not receive this intervention. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance with repeated measurements, and Bonferroni post-hoc tests to evaluate the differences between and within the groups over time. The experimental group showed significant improvement in motor functions from pre-test to post-test (mean increase of 11.99, p=0.001) and maintained these improvements at follow-up (mean increase from pre-test of 12.40, p=0.001). The control group's scores remained stable across all time points, indicating no significant change. The analysis of variance confirmed significant effects for time, group, and the interaction between time and group, suggesting that the intervention was effective in enhancing motor functions. The study concluded that the experimental intervention significantly improved motor functions in the participants compared to the control group. These improvements were evident immediately after the intervention and were maintained at the follow-up, highlighting the long-term benefits of the intervention on motor function recovery.

The Effectiveness of Strength-Based Intervention on Attitude Toward Marital Infidelity and Sexual Self-Concept in Women with Marital Conflict

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a strength-based intervention on altering attitudes toward marital infidelity and enhancing sexual self-concept among women experiencing marital conflict. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was employed with 30 women from the Mehravar Counseling Center in Tehran, divided equally into intervention and control groups. The intervention consisted of eight 75-minute sessions based on strength-based principles. Data were collected at three points using the Attitudes Towards Infidelity Scale (ATIS) and the Sexual Self-Concept Inventory (SSCI). Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA with repeated measurements and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, utilizing SPSS-27. Findings: The intervention group showed significant improvements in both measured outcomes. Attitudes toward marital infidelity decreased from a pre-test mean of 42.53 (SD = 5.67) to 37.82 (SD = 5.12) at follow-up. Sexual self-concept increased from a pre-test mean of 30.88 (SD = 4.45) to 35.64 (SD = 3.72) at follow-up. The ANOVA results revealed significant time effects and time x group interactions for both variables (p < .001). Conclusion: The strength-based intervention was effective in significantly improving attitudes toward marital infidelity and sexual self-concept among women with marital conflicts. These findings suggest that such interventions can be beneficial in marital counseling settings, offering a promising approach for enhancing marital satisfaction and individual well-being.

Comparing undergraduate research experiences before, during, and after the COVID-19 quarantine: The successful adaptation of the BUILD PODER Summer JumpStart program.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many in person undergraduate research experiences (UREs) to pivot to remote online training. To investigate how the COVID-19 quarantine disrupted student URE outcomes over time, the current study examines Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Promoting Opportunities for Diversity in Education and Research (PODER) URE outcomes across different platforms (in-person, remote, and hybrid models) by comparing student survey data from 2019 to 2021. Participants consisted of three cohorts: 2019 (n = 26 students), 2020 (n = 33), 2021 (n = 34). The BUILD PODER Summer JumpStart program (SJS), which aims to increase diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by recruiting mostly underrepresented students, was conducted in person in 2019, remotely in 2020 and using a hybrid model in 2021. All students completed an online survey on the first and last day of the four-week SJS program. We used one-way and mixed ANOVA models to analyze Cohort, Time (pre-test vs. post-test scores), and interaction of Cohort and Time for Research Self-Efficacy, Sense of Belonging, Mentor Relationship, Mentee Knowledge, Health, Stress, and Student Program Satisfaction measures. Despite the platform changes, student scores increased significantly over time for all measures. There was a significant main effect of Time for Research Self-Efficacy, Sense of Belonging, Mentor Relationship, Mentee Knowledge, Health Assessment, and Stress Management. Findings indicate that URE programs that are implemented remotely and using a hybrid format can provide students with experiences similar to in-person URE programs. In addition, remote UREs may provide added benefits compared to in-person programs. For instance, remote UREs could engage more historically minoritized students, who may experience barriers to access, such as work/family commitments, financial constraints, and geographic limitations.

Emotion Regulation Training as an Add-on in the Treatment of Obesity in Young Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Superiority Trial

In an inpatient treatment center for pediatric obesity, the effectiveness of an emotion regulation (ER) training on top of the multidisciplinary obesity treatment (MOT) was tested by means of an RCT. The ER training was evaluated on primary outcomes: ER and emotional eating, and secondary outcomes: well-being and weight loss, taking into account pre, post, and follow-up measurements.Of the 115 10- to-14-year old adolescents with obesity (52.2% girls), 65 were allocated to the ER training. Physicians measured their height and weight objectively (4 times). Participants also filled out questionnaires on ER competencies (ER abilities and ER strategies), emotional eating and well-being (3 times).Significant pre-post interactions were found for “emotional awareness,” “problem solving,” and “evoking a positive mood.” Moreover, the positive effects of the ER training on emotion regulation strategies were maintained at follow-up. Concerning well-being, no significant pre-post interaction effects were found but a significant interaction effect was found when comparing pre with follow-up. Analyses show a significant main effect of time on weight loss, but this was not qualified by a Time × Condition interaction effect.The current RCT study shows limited but promising effects of adding an ER training to the MOT. Further research should investigate whether the positive short-term effects will be maintained.

Post-Thaw Storage Temperature Influenced Boar Sperm Quality and Lifespan through Apoptosis and Lipid Peroxidation.

Cryopreservation deteriorates boar sperm quality and lifespan, which restricts the use of artificial insemination with frozen-thawed boar semen in field conditions. The objective of this study was to test the effects of post-thaw storage time and temperature on boar sperm survival. Semen ejaculates from five Landrace boars (one ejaculate per boar) were collected and frozen following a 0.5 mL-straw protocol. Straws from the five boars were thawed and diluted 1:1 (v:v) in BTS. The frozen-thawed semen samples were aliquoted into three parts and respectively stored at 5 °C, 17 °C, and 37 °C for up to 6 h. At 0.5, 2, and 6 h of storage, sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptotic changes were measured. Antioxidant and oxidant levels were tested in boar sperm (SPZ) and their surrounding environment (SN) at each timepoint. The results showed significant effects of post-thaw storage time and temperature and an impact on boar sperm quality (total and progressive motility, VCL, viability, acrosome integrity), early and late sperm apoptotic changes, and changes in MDA levels in SPZ and SN. Compared to storage at 5 °C and 37 °C, frozen-thawed semen samples stored at 17 °C displayed better sperm quality, less apoptotic levels, and lower levels of SPZ MDA and SN MDA. Notably, post-thaw storage at 17 °C extended boar sperm lifespan up to 6 h without obvious reduction in sperm quality. In conclusion, storage of frozen-thawed boar semen at 17 °C preserves sperm quality for up to 6 h, which facilitates the use of cryopreserved boar semen for field artificial insemination.

Development and Evaluation of Online Suicide Preventive Tool iAlive to Increase Competences in Engaging With a Suicidal Person.

Background: Online implementation of suicide prevention interventions offers many advantages, facilitating the dissemination of large-scale suicide prevention interventions. An online tool iAlive aimed at raising awareness and increasing suicide prevention competences in lay people was developed and implemented in Slovenia. Aims: To develop, implement, and evaluate the iAlive tool. Method: Following the development and implementation of the tool, a nonrandomized controlled study with 310 participants was conducted. One hundred fifty-six of them fully completed the study [intervention group (used the iAlive tool): N = 85, control group (did not use the tool): N = 71]. Perceived competences in engaging with a suicidal person were assessed in both groups at baseline and at follow-up (3-4 weeks apart), which also represents the time of the intervention. Results: A significant effect of time and condition [F(1,149) = 6.62, p = .011, ηp2 = .043] showed that the intervention group assessed their perceived competences on intervention exposure more positively compared to the control group. Limitations: Additional data on different populations and people's engagement with the tool in relation to perceived competences are needed. Conclusion: The study suggests that the interactive online tool iAlive effectively increases perceived competences in engaging with a suicidal person. These results provide a background for further dissemination of the tool.

Effect of Temperature Humidity Index (THI) on resting pattern of dairy cows in different regions of Sri Lanka.

The ability to spend time resting is extremely important for dairy cattle welfare. Through this study, lying behaviour of dairy cows in to Up-Country (UP), Mid-Country (MC), Coconut-Triangle (CT) and Western-Province (WP) of Sri Lanka was studied to get an insight into their resting pattern. Resting pattern was assessed in 170 Holstein-Friesian/ Jersey crossed, tie-stalled lactating cows (UP = 49, MC = 49, CT = 48 and WP = 24) using electronic data loggers. Appropriate resting behaviours were attained in UP and MC regions, with longer lying time (11.7, 11.3 h/day) and lying bout durations (78.0, 84.9 min) respectively, where lower THI ranges were observed compared to other regions. WP and CT resulted with lower lying times (9.00, 9.26 h/day) and lying bout durations (48.3, 64.3 min) respectively with higher THI. There is a slight variation of the environmental temperature of each region with the time period of experiment. Cows in all regions prefer to lie on their left side (UP-6.1, MC-6.1, CT-4.4, WP-4.7 h/d) and with significant differences (P<0.05) between MC-WP, MC-CT, UP-CT and UP-WP. A negative significant (P<0.05) correlation was observed between THI and lying behaviours. There were significant effects of time (hour) and time × region interaction (P<0.05) on the lying down pattern. More lying down was observed in late night and early morning with a peak rest around the hours of 21:00-05:00. Overall, according to the results of the current study, the existing environmental conditions of four regions affected the resting pattern of dairy cows and, identification of possible mechanisms to modify the environment to enhance cow comfort is vital.

Determinant factors for berry derived anthocyanin persistency in stirred yoghurts

The development of healthy and functional ingredients has been limited because of their low stability under given environmental and processing conditions, anyhow the use of anthocyanin as a natural food colorant has been recognized through the last decades. Therefore, the main objective of this study is stabilizing the natural colour of stirred yogurts fortified with berry fruit pulps during the entire shelf life of the product by evaluating the factors that affect the stability of anthocyanins. Initially the effect of time-temperature combinations applied in processing fruit pulps was analyzed through 6 different treatments; 85 °C for 1 second, 85 °C for 20 minutes, 90 °C for 2 seconds, 90 °C for 20 minutes, 95 °C for 2 seconds, and 95 °C for 20 minutes. Besides, varying sugar levels (0 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %) incorporated fruit pulps, and six yoghurt bases composed with different ratios of Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP), modified starch and gelatin were tested against the color stability of the stirred yoghurt fortified with berry fruit pulps. The color variations in the stirred yoghurts were evaluated in terms of “L, a, b” values represented by the colorimeter. There was a significant (p<0.05) effect of berry fruit pulp processing time and temperature on the colour of the stirred yogurt and processing berry fruits at 95 °C for 20 minutes was identified as the most appropriate treatment to get an optimum colour in stirred yoghurt. Further analysis with varying sugar levels and different yoghurt bases revealed that, both factors are potential determinants that exert a significant effect on the color stability in stirred yoghurts throughout the shelf life. Interestingly, the L color value was greatly affected with varying quantities of sugar and there was no considerable effect of SMP level on the color properties of the yoghurt. However, the modified starch level emphasized an increase in all the three-color properties. Conclusively, the relationship between these determinant factors and the anthocyanin biochemistry should be further studied to obtain the therapeutic as well as industrial advantage of anthocyanin.

A Single Dose of Microencapsulated Cocoa Supplementation Does Not Speed up Muscle Force Recovery after Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Crossover Study

Exercise-induced muscle damage is associated with symptoms such as inflammation, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and impaired muscle performance. The intake of cocoa polyphenols has been suggested to improve muscle recovery due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. However, their bioavailability presents a challenge. Therefore, food microencapsulation may be an alternative to protect polyphenols, ensuring their biological effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a single dose of microencapsulated cocoa on the changes in muscle damage markers after eccentric exercise. In this randomized, double-blind, crossover study, fourteen healthy volunteers with previous resistance training experience performed 6 × 10 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of their elbow flexors using an isokinetic dynamometer after ingesting 25 g of microencapsulated cocoa or placebo. Peak isometric torque was measured using maximal voluntary isometric contractions, and pain was measured using a visual analogic scale both before and 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after the damage protocol. Plasma glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, and concentrations of myoglobin and C-reactive protein were determined using a fluorescence immunoassay analyzer. Significant decreases were seen in the peak isometric torque and pain measures from pre- to 72 h post-eccentric exercise. A significant main effect for time was found only for plasma myoglobin at 2 h, 48 h, and 72 h, and for C-reactive protein at 2 h, compared to the pre-eccentric exercise values. No significant time-treatment effects were observed (all p &gt; 0.05). This study demonstrated that microencapsulated cocoa cannot improve muscle recovery after eccentric exercise, at least when a single dose is consumed.

SOCIAL SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION: A STUDY OF THREE TIME POINTS IN THE CLSA

Abstract Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older adults exhibit mental health disparities stemming from a lifetime accumulation of minority stress experiences. Psychological resources like social support may buffer against these poor mental health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine indicators of depression and social support by sexual orientation over time in a sample of Canadian adults ages 45-85. We used data collected at three time points in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA; baseline, 2011-2015; follow-up 1, 2015-2018; and follow-up 2, 2018-2021). Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CESD-10) and social support was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS). For depression symptoms (n=38,244; 830 LGB), results indicated a significant effect of sexual orientation (F(2, 38242)=35.93, p&amp;lt;.001) such that LGB participants had more depression symptoms than heterosexual participants. There was also a significant effect of time on depression symptoms (F(2, 38242)=26.07, p&amp;lt;.001); mean depression scores decreased over time. For social support (n=35,795; 770 LGB), results indicated a significant effect of sexual orientation (F(2, 35794)=45.31, p&amp;lt;.001) such that LGB participants reported lower levels of social support than heterosexual participants. There was also a significant effect of time (F(2, 35794)=5.98, p=.003); the mean scores for social support increased over time. The potential role of social support in moderating depression symptoms will be discussed. This study adds to our understanding of potential protective factors influencing the mental health of older LGB people.

The effect of time of day on Special Judo Fitness Test in active judokas: Evaluation in terms of chronotype

ABSTRACT The present cross-sectional study aims to examine the effect of time of day on the judo-specific performance in judokas, considering their chronotypes. Twenty-four male judokas participated in the study where the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire was administered, and on it, they were divided into morning-type (MT:12-judokas) and evening-type groups (ET:12-judokas). Afterwards, the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) was applied to both groups at three different times (morning: 09:00 h, afternoon: 13:00 h and evening: 17:00 h) with body temperature measured before and after every SJFT performance. As a result, the Group*Test Time interaction significantly affected overall throwing performance during SJFT [F(2,44) = 29.437, p = 0.001, η2p: .572]. Furthermore, a significant time effect was found for the SJFT index [F(2,44) = 5.118, p = 0.010, η2p: .189] and for the Group*Test Time interaction with the mean value of the index [F(2,44) = 24.424, p < 0.001, η2p: .526]. Furthermore, body temperature had a significant time effect [F(2,44) = 301.454, p < 0.001, η2p: .932] and the Group*Test Time interaction [F(2,44) = 5.802, p = 0.006, η2p: .209]. In conclusion, coaches and exercise experts should consider judo athletes’ chronotype when planning special training programs to improve judo-specific anaerobic capacity. Furthermore, to minimize the impact of time of day and chronotype on athletes’ performance in competitions, it is recommended that MT athletes develop their judo-specific anaerobic capacity in the evening hours, when their performance is lower, while ET athletes should do so in the morning hours when their performance is lower via randori training.

CULTIVATING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE: A BRIEF GRATITUDE INTERVENTION FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN

Abstract Gratitude interventions have emerged as a promising approach to ameliorate the negative impact of pain and enhance quality of life. Despite the high prevalence of older adults with chronic pain, there are very few gratitude intervention studies in this population. The current study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a two-week daily gratitude journaling intervention in a sample of 38 older adults (M=67.53 years) with chronic knee or hip pain. Participants were randomly assigned to the gratitude group (n=21), who wrote down three things they were grateful for every day, or the attention-matched control group, who did not journal. All participants completed pre- and post-intervention interviews and received 14 nightly phone calls, allowing for “global” (pre/post interviews) and “daily” (nightly calls) analyses of the study aims. Aim 1 examined the effects of gratitude on well-being using regression and multilevel model analyses, while Aim 2 examined the effects of the intervention on changes in well-being using repeated measures analyses of variance and multilevel model analyses. In Aim 1, significant associations were found between trait and state gratitude and well-being, supporting previous research and a multifaceted conceptualization and measurement of gratitude. In Aim 2, significant main effects for time emerged, suggesting that participants’ well-being improved regardless of their treatment group. Income level was also a consistent predictor of well-being, demonstrating disparities in chronic pain. The impact of small sample size, COVID-19, and methodological limitations will be discussed. Future research plans and recommendations will also be provided.

READ TO SUCCEED: HOW BOOK CLUBS CAN IMPROVE INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONS AND FOSTER AGE FRIENDLINESS IN COMMUNITIES

Abstract Intergenerational programming is recommended to improve age friendliness in communities, but there is little empirical research to support its effectiveness (Canedo-García et al., 2017). This project examined whether a multimodal intergenerational book club challenged age stereotypes and reduced ageism among participants (N=41). Twenty-one older adults (61-82) and 20 younger adults (18-22) read A Man Called Ove and met three times to introduce themselves (Time 1) and discuss the book (Time 2 and 3). Before the first meeting and after subsequent meetings, participants completed a survey to assess ageist beliefs and stereotypes. We expected ageist beliefs and stereotypes to decrease across time during the book club program. There was a statistically significant interaction between age group and time on benevolent ageism F(2, 52)= 5.23, p= .009 , partial η2= .167, such that benevolent ageism was more endorsed in younger adults (M=6.64, SE= 2.48, p= .011) compared to older adults at Time 1. This difference was not observed at Time 2 or Time 3 due to younger adults’ decreased overall endorsement. For positive generational stereotypes about older adults, there was a statistically significant main effect of time, F(2, 52)=7.095, p=.002, partial η2= .214, such that both younger and older adults increased their endorsement of these stereotypes from Time 1 to Time 3; similar findings occurred for positive stereotypes about younger adults F(2, 46)=4.53, p=.016, partial η2= .165. Results indicate intergenerational book clubs are an effective means to improve intergenerational relations and reduce ageist attitudes in younger adults.

Software tools for calculating the main parameters of the drying process of anisotropic materials

Modern technologies for processing anisotropic materials require an integrated approach to controlling the drying process, which significantly affects the quality and properties of the material. This paper investigates the development of software tools for calculating the main parameters of the drying process of anisotropic materials. The use of cellular automata in this context allows modeling and controlling the distribution of temperature, moisture content, and stresses in the dried material. The work includes the development of a structural diagram and a modeling algorithm, in particular, taking into account the anisotropy of the physical and mechanical characteristics of wood. One of the key features of the work is the possibility of extending the existing transition rules for the cellular automaton model, which allows determining the initial moisture content in the cells based on its gradient at the boundaries and in the center of the wood. Software tools implemented in C++ programming language using the cross-platform environment "Code::Blocks" and the library "wxWidgets" provide the user with an intuitive and user-friendly graphical interface. The user can define input parameters, including geometric dimensions of the material, dryer characteristics, and other process parameters. An important function of the program is the output of results in the form of graphs illustrating the distribution of temperature, moisture content and stresses at different stages of drying. The user can also specify parameters for detailed analysis and export data for further research in Microsoft Excel. The study was conducted on pine wood material, taking into account various drying parameters. The modeling results demonstrate a significant effect of time and process parameters on the distribution of moisture and stresses in the material, which is in line with real-world conditions.

A single session of action observation therapy versus observing a natural landscape in adults with chronic neck pain – a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAction observation (AO) has emerged as a potential neurorehabilitation therapy for patients with neck pain (NP), but evidence of its effectiveness is scarce. This study aims to assess the effect of a single session of AO when compared to observing a natural landscape on NP intensity, fear of movement, fear-avoidance beliefs, neck muscles’ strength, pressure pain threshold, and tactile acuity.MethodsSixty participants with NP were randomly allocated to the AO group (n = 30) or control group (n = 30). Both groups watched an 11-minute video: the AO group watched a video of a person matched for age and sex performing neck exercises, while the control group watched a video of natural landscapes. Neck pain intensity, fear of movement, fear-avoidance beliefs, tactile acuity, pressure pain thresholds, and neck muscle strength were assessed both at baseline and post-intervention. General linear models of repeated measures (ANCOVA of two factors) were used to explore between-group differences at post-intervention.ResultsThere was a significant main effect of time for pain intensity (p = 0.02; η2p = 0.09; within-group mean change and 95% CI: AO=-1.44 (-2.28, -0.59); control=-1.90 (-2.74, -1.06), but no time versus group interaction (p = 0.46). A time versus group significant interaction was found for one out of the six measurement sites of two-point discrimination and the neck flexors strength (p < 0.05) favoring the control group. No other statistically significant differences were found for the remaining variables).ConclusionsResults suggest a similar acute benefit for both a single session of AO and observing natural landscapes for promoting hypoalgesia, but no impact on kinesiophobia, fear-avoidance beliefs, or pressure pain thresholds. Also, AO had no positive effect on two-point discrimination and muscle strength. Further research is needed, with longer interventions.Trial registrationClinialtrials.gov (NCT05078489).

Efficacy of Hypnosis and Catalepsy Induction in Functional Neurological Disorders.

Patients with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) experience complex patterns of motor and/or sensory symptoms. Treatment studies of psychological interventions are promising but limited. The aim of the current pilot study is to investigate the effect of treatment consisting of a combination of hypnosis and catalepsy induction on FND symptom severity. A within-subject waiting list-control design was used with 46 patients diagnosed with FND. The treatment consisted of 10 sessions. The primary outcome measure was FND symptom severity (The Psychogenic Movement Disorder Rating Scale; PMDRS). The secondary outcome measures were psychological distress and quality of life. The repeated measures (RM) ANOVA for the PMDRS as outcome measure revealed a significant effect for time with a large effect size (η2 = 0.679). Pairwise comparisons indicated that the effect of time in the treatment period was significant for the measure of FND symptom severity, whereas the waiting list period was not. The effect remained stable even at 8 weeks post treatment. As for the additional measurement, general psychological distress and quality of life, no statistically significant differences between individual time points were found. This pilot study showed that eight sessions of treatment consisting of a combination of hypnosis and catalepsy induction was effective in reducing FND symptom severity. Some explanations and limitations are provided in the paper as well as several avenues of future research.