Programming Skills Research Articles (Page 1)

The study explores the pedagogical and technological potential of the online platform Canva in the context of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The article focuses on how the integration of AI-powered tools within Canva’s Magic Studio – namely Magic Write, Text-to-Image, and Canva Code – transforms the process of creating educational materials and enhances teachers’ digital and creative competencies. The research aim is to analyze the educational value of Canva as a multifunctional AI ecosystem that supports teachers in content creation, visualization of complex concepts, and development of interactive learning tools without programming skills. Methodologically, the study employs analytical and experimental approaches to demonstrate the implementation of Canva’s AI features in the design of text-based, visual, and interactive educational resources. The results indicate that Magic Write significantly accelerates the preparation of lesson materials, Text-to-Image facilitates the generation of customized illustrations, and Canva Code enables interactive components that promote engagement and inclusivity in the learning environment. The use of Canva in education contributes to the realization of STEM and STEAM principles, encouraging interdisciplinary learning, creativity, and problem-solving. The findings confirm that Canva serves not merely as a design platform but as an intelligent, human-centered system that fosters a new culture of educational design adapted to the needs of the 21st century. Prospective directions for future research involve addressing ethical, copyright, and legal aspects of using generative AI in educational content creation.

Parental hesitancy toward vaccines is associated with multiple factors—historical, cultural, and socioeconomic—along with new perspectives related to vaccine confidence since the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to understand parents’ perceptions of the vaccination phenomenon and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic period. A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis of the results were conducted. Searches were carried out in the Medline, Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, and Lilacs databases. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). After applying inclusion criteria, nine studies comprised the meta-synthesis. Thematic synthesis followed the approach proposed by Thomas and Harden. Rumors and concerns about vaccine efficacy, distrust in government, and lack of perceived disease severity were associated with low confidence. Confidence and acceptance were related to protection, return to normal routines, disease severity, risk of infection, concern with comorbidities, and previous experiences. The media, government, community leaders, social networks, health organizations, and healthcare professionals were identified as influential actors in vaccination decisions. Strategies are needed to bring the population closer to scientific reality and to foster citizens’ confidence in vaccines.

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds significant potential to enhance operational efficiency and quality in healthcare. However, despite substantial investment, its widespread, sustained implementation is limited, necessitating a thorough risk assessment to overcome current adoption barriers. Methods: This scoping review, guided by the Arksey and Malley framework, systematically mapped 13 articles published between 2019 and 2024, sourced from five major databases (including CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed). A rigorous, systematic process involving independent data charting and critical appraisal, using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool, was implemented, followed by thematic synthesis to address the research questions. Results: AI demonstrates a significant positive impact on both operational efficiency (e.g., optimised resource allocation, reduced waiting times) and patient outcomes (e.g., improved patient-centred, proactive care, and identification of readmission risks). Major implementation hurdles identified include high costs, critical data security and privacy concerns, the risk of algorithmic bias, and significant staff resistance stemming from limited understanding. Conclusions: Healthcare managers must address key challenges related to cost, bias, and staff acceptance to leverage the potential of AI fully. Strategic investments, the implementation of robust data governance frameworks, and comprehensive staff training are crucial steps for mitigating risks and creating a more efficient, patient-centred, and effective healthcare system.

Abstract This study presents a numerical model of the interference pattern in the reflected light formed by laser illumination of small-sized particles deposited on the surface of a plane-parallel glass plate. Designed with educational use in mind, the model is implemented in Python and incorporates both geometric interference conditions and the angular scattering intensity distribution, the latter approximated using Mie theory. Particle radii are generated according to a lognormal distribution, reflecting the statistical fluctuations characteristic of real powdered materials.
The proposed approach enables interactive visualisation of interference patterns in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats, construction of radial profiles, and variation of optical parameters. The numerical model has been tested for stability with respect to random variations in input data and validated through comparison with experimental interference images obtained from fragments of destroyed Lycopodium spore shells and powdered sugar.
The results show good agreement between the numerical model and experimental observations in terms of the positions of interference rings and the shape of the central maximum. The developed tool can be effectively utilised in educational courses on optics at the school and undergraduate levels, offering a practical way to visualise and explore interference phenomena. The source code is freely available and designed for use by students with minimal programming skills, for reproduction, modification, and integration into teaching activities or student-led research projects.

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and academic procrastination among pre-service teachers, with the mediation role of social media addiction. For this aim, the data was collected from the pre-service teachers enrolled in diverse teacher training programs, and several hypotheses were tested through a mediation model. The findings first revealed that the difficulties in emotion regulation significantly and positively predict both academic procrastination and social media addiction among pre-service teachers. Besides, pre-service teachers’ academic procrastination levels were significantly and positively predicted by their social media addiction levels. The mediation analysis further showed that social media addiction partially and significantly mediates the association between difficulties in emotion regulation and academic procrastination among pre-service teachers. The obtained findings suggest that as the difficulties in emotion regulation experienced by pre-service teachers increase, their addiction levels to social media platforms or applications likewise increase, which in turn leads to an increased level of academic procrastination among them. The findings of the current study emphasize the need to enhance pre-service teachers’ emotion regulation skills in teacher training programs to improve both their well-being and academic achievement. The findings were discussed with the relevant studies, and recommendations were offered in this regard.

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and academic procrastination among pre-service teachers, with the mediation role of social media addiction. For this aim, the data was collected from the pre-service teachers enrolled in diverse teacher training programs, and several hypotheses were tested through a mediation model. The findings first revealed that the difficulties in emotion regulation significantly and positively predict both academic procrastination and social media addiction among pre-service teachers. Besides, pre-service teachers’ academic procrastination levels were significantly and positively predicted by their social media addiction levels. The mediation analysis further showed that social media addiction partially and significantly mediates the association between difficulties in emotion regulation and academic procrastination among pre-service teachers. The obtained findings suggest that as the difficulties in emotion regulation experienced by pre-service teachers increase, their addiction levels to social media platforms or applications likewise increase, which in turn leads to an increased level of academic procrastination among them. The findings of the current study emphasize the need to enhance pre-service teachers’ emotion regulation skills in teacher training programs to improve both their well-being and academic achievement. The findings were discussed with the relevant studies, and recommendations were offered in this regard.

ABSTRACT Background Computational thinking (CT) is an essential skill for preparing the younger generation to succeed in an AI‐driven world, with pair programming emerging as a widely used approach to foster these skills. However, the role of individual factors and mutual engagement in shaping CT skills within pair programming remains underexplored, particularly in middle school contexts. Objectives This study investigates how individuals' attitudes towards programming and collaboration, as well as individuals' prior computer and programming experience, influence CT skills in pair programming. Given the collaborative nature of pair programming, this research extends beyond individual outcomes to explore the mutual influence between partners, examining how these factors shape both individual and partner CT skills. Additionally, it evaluates mutual engagement as a moderator of these relationships. Methods Eighty‐four eighth‐grade students participated in pair programming sessions using P5.js, a creative coding platform. Through the Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model and dyadic data analysis, we evaluated the actor and partner effects of each individual factor and their interactions with mutual engagement. Results and Conclusions Students' CT scores were positively associated with their attitudes towards programming and collaboration, but not with prior computer or programming experience. Their attitudes towards collaboration and programming frequency also positively influenced partners' CT performance. Mutual engagement moderates the actor effect of prior experience and the partner effect of social value (a subcomponent of attitudes towards programming) on CT performance. These findings enhance understanding of the social and cognitive dynamics in pair programming and provide actionable insights for designing activities that foster CT among young learners.

Evidence-Based Surgery Curriculum With Journal Clubs: Pilot Study at a Community-Based Hospital Residency Program.

Attitudinal barriers to psychological support-seeking among carers of people with a chronic physical health condition: A qualitative meta-synthesis.

Given the complex challenges facing people experiencing homelessness, existing mental health recovery models are probably insufficient for this population. To investigate qualitative accounts of mental health personal recovery in people with experience of homelessness, and to adapt the widely adopted connectedness, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment (CHIME) model of personal recovery to better represent the experiences of this population. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023366842. A systematic review identified qualitative studies investigating first-person accounts of mental health personal recovery in people with experience of homelessness. Nine databases were searched: CINAHL, SCOPUS, Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, ASSIA and Social Services Abstracts. Risk of bias was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Studies Checklist. Included studies underwent 'best fit' framework synthesis, comprising deductive analysis using the CHIME first- and second-order themes, as well as inductive analysis to capture aspects not covered by the a priori framework. The review expanded the CHIME model and identified the following recovery processes in this population: security and stability; encouragement and hope; constructing identity; understanding and meaning; relationships and connectedness; and empowerment and dual recovery (SECURED). Importantly, security and stability were identified as a necessary prerequisite for the other recovery processes. Challenges within each recovery process were also identified. SECURED offers a transdiagnostic framework to support understanding of mental health personal recovery in the context of homelessness. Findings support the Housing First model of service provision. However, findings also highlight that housing alone is not sufficient and that the other processes must also be supported.

Increasing healthcare demands and physician shortages have prompted many countries to expand clinical responsibilities of pharmacists. Although Canada, the UK, and the US have implemented pharmacist prescribing, other nations lag behind. This review compares international roles, identifies inferred competencies, and explores implications for role expansion. A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library was conducted using the PICO framework; studies were appraised with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists, and interrater reliability assessed via Cohen’s Kappa. Data from 23 studies were thematically synthesized following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Four themes emerged: (1) expanding clinical and public health roles and pharmacists’ self-perceived readiness; (2) regulatory frameworks defining legal authority, qualifications, and temporary pandemic exemptions; (3) inferred competencies, including micro-skills (patient assessment, guideline application) and macro-capabilities (clinical judgment, accountability, reflective practice); and (4) contextual barriers such as training gaps, limited funding, unclear legal provisions, and workflow challenges. Implementation implications were synthesized and included training, funding, acceptance, and integration. Evidence indicates pharmacist prescribing is safe and patient-centered when supported by regulation, structured training, and systemic integration. Insights from established models can guide incremental implementation, optimizing medication management, enhancing healthcare access, and promoting equitable care.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) has a multifactorial etiology. Vitamin E and vitamin D play an important role in lung development and can potentially be beneficial in the prevention of BPD. The study aimed to compare the risk of BPD occurrence in preterm neonates supplemented with vitamin D or E versus those who did not get supplementation. The literature search was conducted for this systematic review by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to December 2022. Randomized controlled trials involved administering vitamin D or E to preterm neonates and examining the occurrence of BPD. We excluded non-English articles, and articles with non-relevant and insufficient data. We used the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist to assess the quality of the included studies. We used Egger's test to evaluate the risk of bias among the included studies. Heterogeneity was also assessed through Q-test and I2. We applied the random effect model for analysis. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. All the statistical analysis in the current study was performed using STATA 14. The Relative Risk (RR) was calculated as the effect size with 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Three eligible studies seeking the role of vitamin D in the prevention of BPD were analysed. Meta-analysis revealed that receiving vitamin D supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of BPD in preterm infants (RR = 0.357, 95% CI: 0.189-0.675, I2 = 0.0%; p = 0.002). Similarly, for assessing the role of Vitamin E in the prevention of BPD, three eligible studies were analysed. Vitamin E supplementation was not found to play a significant role in the reduction of BPD (RR = 0.659, 95%CI = 0.243-1.786, I2 = 38.7%; p = 0.412). Vitamin D supplementation could be beneficial in preventing BPD in preterm infants. However, evidence is not enough regarding vitamin E's role in reducing the incidence of BPD in preterm infants.

Military and other specialist personnel may be exposed to malaria during deployment. Doxycycline is a frequently prescribed malarial chemoprophylaxis, but its use is associated with gastrointestinal adverse effects. The aim was to investigate the association between extended use of doxycycline malarial chemoprophylaxis within a military population and the development of GI conditions. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic search of academic databases was undertaken. Dedicated inclusion and exclusion eligibility criteria were applied to ensure only studies meeting the research intent were retained. Remaining studies were assessed for study quality using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) appraisal tools. The study protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework. Eleven studies randomized control field trials (RCTs), n = 3: retrospective quantitative (mainly) survey-based studies n = 8) from seven different countries, meet the eligibility criteria. Reports of adverse GI effects (n = 2322) were recorded representing between 3% and 79% (median 39%) of participants across the studies. RCTs CASP appraisal results were generally higher (high quality) as compared to the survey-based studies (moderate quality). The unique focus of this systematic review enabled scrutinization of the frequency, severity and potential risk to long term health of extended doxycycline use for currently serving and veteran population. Within the population studied, doxycycline chemoprophylaxis is frequently associated with a range of GI-related adverse effects from mild to severe and chronic conditions which, with extended use, have the potential to impact long-term health and quality of life. Pragmatic recommendations targeted to military and veteran organizations aim to minimize some adverse outcomes. Large-scale, longitudinal studies are needed to more accurately establish the risk profile of extended doxycycline use for malarial prophylaxis.

ABSTRACT Objective: Report results of a single-arm pilot trial examining the efficacy of I-InTERACT Preterm (I2P), an accessible, eHealth parenting skills intervention adapted for the special needs of parents of children born very preterm (VPT). Methods: We recruited caregivers of children ages 3–8 who were born at <32 weeks gestational age and exhibited behavioral challenges (e.g. noncompliance, emotion dysregulation). Measures of parent-child interaction (Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System) and child behavior problems (Child Behavior Checklist; Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. I2P includes seven online modules providing parent-skills training and psychoeducation paired with live coaching with a therapist. Exploratory brain MRI scans collected volumetric and graph theoretical data. Results: Fourteen children and 11 parents completed the intervention. Findings indicated significant increases in positive parenting behavior and significant decreases in negative parenting behavior. Improvements in child outcomes were more evident in children who displayed at least modestly elevated behavior problems at baseline. Neuroimaging showed a slight decrease in white matter hyperintensity volume, although this was not significant. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest potential efficacy in strengthening parenting behaviors and reducing child behavior problems for families of VPT children. I2P can be adaptable to different populations with neuropsychological needs, pointing to the necessity for larger-scale trials. Further research is needed on the neural underpinnings of behavioral change in this population.

This study investigates text messages that potentially contain signs of informational-psychological operations (IPSOs). The task addressed aims to solve the problem of detecting signs of IPSOs in the media space. An innovative method for detecting such signs has been proposed, based on the construction and analysis of semantic networks and implemented without the use of program code by using large language models (LLMs). This makes it possible to generate formalized analytical queries to LLMs in the form of a code-free system based on the composition of structured prompts. The method's unique feature is the parallel analysis of data from two sources of knowledge: internal and external. The internal one contains generalized IPSO patterns formed on the basis of a wide corpus of data. The external one includes verified examples of fake messages from social networks, news outlets, and archives of fact-checking organizations. To improve the accuracy of analysis, semantic normalization of concepts is used, which employs embedded vectors to unify terminology, as well as comparison of causal paths in semantic networks to identify connections. The assessment of the probability of a message belonging to IPSO is formed by aggregating the results using a weighted average, which makes it possible to take into account semantic and structural similarity. An example of applying the method to the analysis of a disinformation message is given, demonstrating the ability to detect key signs of psychological influence: manipulative narratives, emotional loading, and cause-and-effect relationships. The proposed method is flexible, reproducible, and accessible to researchers without programming skills, which makes it a valuable tool for monitoring information threats and analyzing disinformation in the context of information confrontations

Women's experiences of declining recommended or routine maternity care: A systematic review.

Structural variants (SVs) influence gene regulation, disease progression, and diagnostics, yet integrating SV calls across platforms remains difficult due to inconsistent annotations, limited merging flexibility, and fragmented workflows. Ambiguous breakend (BND) annotations, which comprise many variant calls, are often discarded or misclassified, hindering variant characterization. Existing tools lack advanced merging operations essential for precise identification of disease-specific or somatic variants across samples or patient groups. Additionally, current SV analysis pipelines require extensive manual intervention and complex parameter tuning, compromising reproducibility and scalability. Addressing these gaps is crucial for improving the accuracy, interpretability, and clinical utility of SV analyses. We developed OctopuSV and TentacleSV to address these long-standing challenges in SV analysis. OctopuSV features a specialized BND correction module that converts ambiguous BND annotations into canonical SV types, recovering important variants that are often overlooked by existing tools. Additionally, it provides advanced set operations (difference, complement, custom-defined) that enable sophisticated variant filtering without programming expertise, critical for identifying tumor-specific SVs or variants unique to specific sample groups. TentacleSV completes our solution by automating the entire SV analysis process from raw sequencing data to high-confidence callsets, ensuring consistency and reproducibility across projects. Benchmarking across short-read and long-read platforms showed superior F1 score, complete SV type consistency compared to existing tools. Our framework enables experimental biologists and clinical researchers to perform sophisticated analyses ranging from cancer subtype-specific SV identification to multi-sample comparative studies without requiring specialized programming skills. All codes are available at https://github.com/ylab-hi/OctopuSV; https://github.com/ylab-hi/TentacleSV. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Achondroplasia is the most common form of disproportionate short stature and is associated with reduced life expectancy. It is not clear to what extent cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for this. The primary aim of this systematic review was to identify the prevalence of CVD in individuals with achondroplasia. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines by two independent reviewers using two databases. There were no language or date restrictions. The search strategy consisted of the terms: "achondroplasia" AND "vascular" OR "cardiovascular" OR "metabolic". Quality assessment was undertaken using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists. In total, 300 articles which met the inclusion criteria were screened. Of these, 33 (11%) were included for analysis published between 1972 and 2023, encompassing >5000 individuals with achondroplasia. Techniques of cardiovascular assessment included measures of adiposity in 20 (61% of included studies), metabolic parameters in 9 (27%), blood pressure in 6 (18%), physical activity in 6 (18%) and morbidity and mortality secondary to CVD in 5 (15%). People with achondroplasia were found to be at increased risk of obesity, impaired glucose regulation and hypertension. There is significant heterogeneity in the outcomes measured to assess CVD risk in people with achondroplasia. As a result, there remain significant gaps in the literature regarding the development of CVD in individuals with this condition. Longitudinal studies offering detailed cardiovascular phenotyping should be considered in people with achondroplasia to mitigate the risks of CVD-related morbidity and mortality.

This study aims to determine the influence of the Independent Learning Independent Campus Program (MBKM) on the soft skills of students of the class of 2021 in the Department of Economic Education, Gorontalo State University. The method used is quantitative with an explanatory approach, which aims to explain the causal relationship between the variables of the MBKM program and students' soft skills. Primary data was obtained through the distribution of questionnaires to 35 respondents who were active students in the batch. Data analysis was performed using simple linear regression with the help of SPSS software version 21. The results of the study show that the MBKM Program has a positive and significant influence on students' soft skills. This means that the higher the level of student involvement in the MBKM program, the better their abilities in terms of communication, teamwork, time management, adaptability, and confidence. The magnitude of the influence of the MBKM program on students' soft skills reached 65.3%, while the remaining 34.7% was influenced by other factors that were not discussed in this study. These findings provide important implications for the development of curriculum and learning strategies in higher education, especially in integrating the MBKM program as an effort to improve the quality of graduates who are ready to face the challenges of the world of work and global society.

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of movement skill-specific practices in physical education and play lessons on the gross motor skills of third-grade elementary school students. The study group consisted of 16 students from the 3rd grade, 9-year-old group, at an elementary school in Istanbul, Turkey. In this study, a fundamental movement skills program using physical activity cards was applied to the study group during physical education and play lessons for 26 hours of instruction. To assess the students' gross motor skills, both pre-test and post-test evaluations were conducted using the TGMD-3. Fundamental movement skills were examined in two sub-dimensions: locomotor skills and ball skills. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and differences between pre-test and post-test scores were analyzed with the Dependent Samples t-test and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. Significant differences were found between the pre-test and post-test scores for running, galloping, hopping, jump, sliding, and total movement skills (p &lt; 0.05). Significant differences were found between the pre-test and post-test scores for two-handed striking, overhead throw, underhand throw, and total object control skills (p &lt; 0.05). Based on the results, it is emphasized that the movement skill practices in the physical activity cards played a significant role in the development of motor skills and the enhancement of object control skills for third-grade elementary school students. The development of these skills is crucial for children. Therefore, it is recommended that physical education teachers, classroom teachers, and researchers implement practices that promote the development of motor skills in children and regularly investigate and monitor their skill development.