Social Tools Research Articles

Obesity and Different Effect Between Exercise and Diet for Weight Loss

The worldwide increase in obesity has become a significant public health issue, linked to a range of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer. This study investigates the effectiveness of combined dietary and exercise interventions in promoting weight loss, drawing on a systematic literature review and case analysis of recent peer-reviewed research. By examining various dietary approachesincluding low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and calorie-restricted dietsalongside different exercise modalities such as aerobic training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), this research aims to identify the optimal strategies for weight management. Findings indicate that individuals participating in combined interventions experience significantly greater weight loss and improvements in metabolic health compared to those following diet or exercise regimens alone. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of personalized interventions that consider individual preferences and psychological factors, suggesting that integrating social support mechanisms and technological tools can enhance adherence and long-term success. The results emphasize the need for comprehensive weight management strategies that address the interplay of dietary and exercise components, psychological support, and social influences to effectively combat obesity and promote overall health.

Practical Social Skills Assessment for Inclusive Classroom Settings

Social skills development is essential for optimal social, educational and professional growth and well-being. The development of these skills starts from childhood through interaction with others. Educational settings are crucial for promoting social skills development because they are the first structured settings children enter, and they provide social interaction opportunities. Educators should be prepared to facilitate social skills development in a diverse student body in today's inclusive settings. Social skills interventions are essential for those children that experience more challenges in their social interactions. Therefore, educators should be familiar with social skills assessment tools that help recognize children's strengths and areas that need intervention to support their social skills development. This article provides information on a practical social skills assessment that can facilitate developing Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Exposure to Food Temptations Reduces Subsequent Consumption Through Goal Activation

ABSTRACTThe enduring availability of high‐caloric, tempting food in consumer environments has been identified as a major cause driving the obesity epidemic. The severity of the problem tends to hide the important fact that many consumers often resist food temptations. This article aims at designing consumption reduction strategies that build on the spontaneous capacity of consumers to resist food temptations. Across a series of three experiments, of which two laboratory studies and one field study, we find that physical exposure to food temptations reduces subsequent free consumption of similar foods. Building on cognitive control theory, we extend this finding and identify boundary conditions. We show that the reduction of consumption works in challenging populations (e.g., men and children) with pictures of food temptations and that it survives a delay. We also show that the effect is suppressed with explicit prohibition during pre‐exposure and with combined exposure (i.e., the combination of physical and picture temptations) in children. The findings are discussed concerning their potential as a social marketing tool.

Developing Social Apps and Websites as a Tool of L2 Learning at (B.S) University Level Bahawalpur (City)

These days, due to the advancement of technologies, numerous ways of learning have been introduced including social media platforms, especially social apps, websites and Youtube channels for L2 learning. In this research, the main focus is on social media tools and their effectiveness in second language learning at the university level. The main objectives of this study were to find highly recommended and reliable tools, to find the learners' opinions about social apps, websites, and Youtube channels, and to find the tools of learners' perception about the development of social tools in second language learning. In this research, for the collection of data, a semi-structured questionnaire was utilized, and the population of this research included the students of the 2nd & 3rd semesters of BS level at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur. The data was gathered from Eighty-six students in the English department and tabulated through SPSS version twenty-five. For the analysis of data, percentages, frequencies, mean, standard deviation, Independent sample T-test, and Non- non-parametric test were utilized. The results of the present study reveal that the majority of the students at the BS level utilize these tools for L2 learning, and these tools have a positive impact on students' performance. So, it is concluded that these tools should be utilized for second language learning at the university level, and this research would help the students, teachers, and institutions to understand the significance of social sites, apps, and YouTube channels for L2 learning.

SOCIETY OF THE MASK. THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN HONNE AND TATEMAE IN JAPANESE CULTURE AND SOCIAL PHENOMENA

The present paper explores the correlation between the mask as a major theme in Japanese art throughout history and as an important social tool, especially when constructing social hierarchies. Expanding upon Erving Goffman’s theory of self-presentation, we focus on the dissociation between subjective intentions (honne) and the social mask/façade (tatemae) as one of the leading factors behind Japan’s post-war identity crisis, reflected in the autobiographical works of authors such as Yukio Mishima and Osamu Dazai. We also seek to analyze contemporary negative social phenomena such as hikikomori through the lens of this cultural conflict.

The Evolution of Digital Communication: Zelensky and the Use of Instagram in Wartime

Social media platforms have played a significant role in the widespread dissemination of propaganda images during recent conflicts. This phenomenon underscores the importance of these tools as vehicles for the spread of political narratives, ideologies, and propaganda messages. This study aims to investigate the role of visual propaganda in the current era of social media, with a focus on the use of spectacularization as part of the communication strategy employed by the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, within the context of the Instagram platform. The objective of this analysis is to explore how Zelensky uses Instagram as a tool to spectacularize his political persona and promote his agenda. We examine the nature and mechanisms of spectacularization, with a specific focus on how the Ukrainian President constructs a public image that combines elements of entertainment and politics. To examine the use of Zelensky's public image and personal style in the ongoing conflict, we employed a combination of social media analysis tools. These platforms allowed us to monitor and delve into the effectiveness of Zelensky's public appearances from February 24, 2022, to February 24, 2023, providing us with a comprehensive overview of the current state of affairs. The collected data were analyzed using a multidisciplinary approach that combines political communication theory and media analysis. The results indicate that the President's personal style, characterized by a predominantly informal and de-institutionalized appearance, significantly impacts the public perception of his political persona. Within the landscape of social media-based information warfare, various issues are addressed and explored. Overall, this context highlights the importance of understanding how visual imagery is used as a tool of manipulation and persuasion within the dynamics of social media. Keywords: propaganda, spectacularization, communication strategies, Zelensky, Instagram

Exploring Esports game addiction among college students in multiplayer online battle arena: a quantitative model centered on self-control and motivation

PurposeWith the widespread popularity of Esports, Esports game addiction has attracted wide attention. This research explores the causes of Esports game addiction among college students in Mainland China and the influence of specific participation motivation and self-control on college students’ Esports game addiction.Design/methodology/approachThis research applied the organismic integration theory (OIT) instead of the basic psychological needs theory using Honor of Kings, the most popular Esports game in the form of multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) among Chinese college students. A total of 339 completed questionnaires were finally analyzed. SmartPLS 2.0 M3 was used to perform the PLS-SEM analysis on the relationship between self-control, participation motivation and Esports game addiction.FindingsOnly introjected regulation and a motivation positively impacted Esports game addiction, while intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation, identified regulation and external regulation had surprisingly no effect on Esports game addiction.Originality/valueScant studies have explored Esports game addiction in MOBA games, especially in Asia. Results showed that parents, schools and society should consciously strengthen the education and exercise of students’ self-control ability to prevent Esports game addiction. Game developers should appropriately adjust game structures and functions to prevent college students from using them as social tools or games to escape reality.

Decoding Chinese undergraduates’ conceptions of assessment: a repeated measures replication study of the C-SCoA inventory

ABSTRACT How students understand the nature and purpose of assessment can be evaluated with the Chinese Student Conceptions of Assessment (C-SCoA) inventory, developed for the Chinese context. To date, surveyed samples have not included undergraduate bachelor’s degree students, nor has test–retest reliability been demonstrated. The present study provides partial validation evidence of the C-SCoA for research purposes by surveying 448 undergraduate students (split into honours and ordinary groups) at an elite Chinese university. An eight-factor correlated model with 26 items was preferred compared to the previously reported hierarchical, eight-factor, 33-item model. Invariance testing after one semester found scalar equivalence, a promising development for the application of the C-SCoA as a research tool in Chinese higher education. Results corresponded to previous studies of Chinese students’ conceptions of assessment as being reliable, relevant, competitive, and social tools but with little impact from families.

Strategy-as-practice in Irish construction professional service firms (PSFs)

Much has been said around the dynamics/process of competition and gaining business advantage within the construction sector, however, much less investigation has gone into the practice-based elements of firms in the construction sector, particularly high knowledge intensive professional service firms(PSFs). The strategy-as-practice viewpoint is one of the most recent approaches to strategic management, which focuses on the people, practices and praxis elements of organisations. There is a lack of research on people within the construction industry who are the link between strategy practice (social, symbolic, and material tools and processes) and praxis (how strategic activity is accomplished). These people form the critical link between organizational and extra-organizational levels, making them a critical element in strategic analysis. The realization of strategic goals depends on these people, and for the strategy to be effective within construction organizations, it needs to be properly interpreted in the organizational context by these people. This study presents a unique strategy-as-practice lens of construction professional service firms (architectural, engineering, and surveying consultancies) using a sample of 27 Irish firms. The findings advance knowledge on the who (people) is involved in strategy within PSFs, what they engage in for strategizing (practices) and how they achieve the same (praxis).

Public Interest in Online Information on Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Is Greatest for Information with the Poorest Publication Quality.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections. With many patients turning to the Internet as a health resource, this study seeks to understand public engagement with online resources concerning recurrent UTIs (rUTIs), assess their reliability, and identify common questions/concerns about rUTIs. Methods: Social media analysis tool BuzzSumo was used to calculate online engagement (likes, shares, comments, views) with information on rUTIs. The reliability of highly engaged articles was evaluated using the DISCERN questionnaire. Highly engaged categories were entered as keywords in Google Trends to quantify search interest. To categorize patient-specific concerns, a database containing anonymously collected patient questions about rUTIs was created. Results: BuzzSumo revealed four search categories: general information, treatment, causes, and herbal remedies. DISCERN scores indicated moderate reliability overall; however, the "herbal remedies" category demonstrated poor reliability despite high engagement. Google Trends analysis highlighted "causes" and "treatment" searches as highest in relative interest. The 10 most popular categories of concern were antibiotics, microbiome, vaccines, prevention, pelvic pain, sex, testing, symptoms, diet/lifestyle, and hormones. Conclusions: People living with rUTIs demonstrate key concerns and often seek information online, yet articles with high engagement often contain unreliable information. Healthcare professionals may consider counteracting misinformation by providing evidence-based information online about rUTIs.

Social Networking through Music: A Study of Netease Cloud Music Users’ Media Practices

Social networking through music has developed into a mediated practical activity for individuals in a variety of contexts, including going out, playing games, sports, and working. This is due to the mobile mediatization of daily life. A social ecosystem centered around music has developed as a result of mobile music applications, such as NetEase Cloud Music, which have progressively exposed the social aspects of music. From the standpoint of media practices, this study investigates the relationship between people’s social practices and music as a medium, highlighting the social role and relevance of music as well as the various ways in which users use it for social interactions. Users employ music as a medium to engage in social interactions, establishing meaningful connections. Social networking through music socialization is generated in personal sharing and multidimensional interaction. The NetEase Cloud Music platform recognizes the importance of music as a social communication tool, creating a novel kind of social music engagement and fully valuing music. A thorough examination of music socialization in the context of media practice is important because it gives us a practical perspective on how music, media, and society interact in day-to-day living.

ON THE ISSUE OF SPEECH DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

The review article theoretically substantiates the peculiarities of the speech development of children with Down syndrome. Emphasized the importance of speech development as a key tool of socialization and cognitive activity of a child with Down syndrome, which helps to become part of a social group, improve self-esteem and reduce alienation. It is noted that the peculiarities of the speech of children with Down syndrome are manifested in a noticeable lag in the development of the child's active speech, which is accompanied by an insufficient level of understanding of the speech of others. The main characteristics of the speech of children with Down syndrome are revealed: physiological and anatomical features (muscle hypotonia, peculiarities of the structure of the oral cavity, difficulty breathing), delay in speech development (late speech development, difficulty in constructing sentences), pronunciation and articulation (problems with the articulation of sounds , monotony of speech), cognitive and communicative features (cognitive impairments, difficulties in understanding and reproducing speech, well-developed visual-spatial memory), individual progress. The main problems of speech development in children with Down syndrome are indicated, which are associated with a delay in both expressive and receptive speech, which affects the ability to learn and social interaction; peculiarities of articulation and phonetics (due to the hypotonia of the muscles of the face and oral cavity, children often have difficulties with the pronunciation of sounds and words, which makes it difficult to understand their speech), cognitive difficulties (intellectual disabilities can reduce the ability to master complex grammatical constructions and expand vocabulary), sensory integration. Prospects for further research are outlined: improvement of individualized approaches to a child with Down syndrome, taking into account his strengths; development of innovative technologies for speech development; research of alternative and additional communication; working out the algorithm and tools of early intervention in the speech therapist's work with a child with Down syndrome.

Enhancing risk and crisis communication with computational methods: A systematic literature review.

Recent developments in risk and crisis communication (RCC) research combine social science theory and data science tools to construct effective risk messages efficiently. However, current systematic literature reviews (SLRs) on RCC primarily focus on computationally assessing message efficacy as opposed to message efficiency. We conduct an SLR to highlight any current computational methods that improve message construction efficacy and efficiency. We found that most RCC research focuses on using theoretical frameworks and computational methods to analyze or classify message elements that improve efficacy. For improving message efficiency, computational and manual methods are only used in message classification. Specifying the computational methods used in message construction is sparse. We recommend that future RCC research apply computational methods toward improving efficacy and efficiency in message construction. By improving message construction efficacy and efficiency, RCC messaging would quickly warn and better inform affected communities impacted by current hazards. Such messaging has the potential to save as many lives as possible.

From Traditional to Digital: Transforming Local Administrative Organization Workflows in Thailand Through Social Listening Tools

Digital transformation offers transformative potential for public service delivery, yet many local administrative organizations (LAOs) in Thailand struggle with integrating digital tools effectively into their workflows. This study investigates the integration of social listening tools (SLTs) to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of public service delivery in Thailand’s LAOs. The primary goal is to redesign traditional, manual workflows through the development of a digital-by-design framework, addressing inefficiencies in public engagement and service provision. Employing a mixed-method approach, this research combines interviews and focus groups with municipal staff from four municipalities in Northeast Thailand to identify challenges and co-create solutions. The redesigned workflow integrates digital practices into existing organizational structures and achieves a significant 282% improvement in efficiency, measured in transactions per manpower-hour. Additionally, the new process enhances operational speed, responsiveness, and public engagement. To ensure sustainability, this study recommends a phased implementation strategy and consistent staff training. This research contributes to the public administration literature by providing a practical, scalable framework for digital transformation in local governance. It underscores the potential of SLTs to modernize public sector workflows, enabling more dynamic, responsive, and citizen-centric interactions between LAOs and the communities they serve.

The Evolution and Impact of Multiplayer Cooperative Adventure Games in Open World Environments

The popularity of a multiplayer cooperative adventure game increases in proportion to its social interaction and interactivity level. The advancement of graphics processing technology and online connectivity has significantly contributed to the development of these games, enabling players to interact and explore expansive, intricately designed open worlds. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and case studies to examine the development of these games, significant characteristics, and impact on individuals and communities. Games like "Destiny 2," "Monster Hunter: World," and "Sea of Thieves" have tried to engage players by incorporating shared goals, dynamic events, and social tools. Empirical data demonstrates that these games not only enhance team collaboration and communication skills but also foster the capability to establish and expand virtual communities. This study highlights the capacity of cooperative mechanics, engaging content, and social aspects to stimulate player interaction and foster the building of communities. Future research will focus on implementing innovative designs to enhance player interaction and promote community development in multiplayer cooperative adventure games.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AS A DIRECTION OF DIAGNOSTICS OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN MARTIAL

The article notes that the extremely difficult conditions in which our country currently finds itself have a negative impact on all spheres of society. The most valuable resource is the human one. The war prompted a significant part of the economically active population to leave abroad, many employees of enterprises were forced to leave their permanent place of work due to the occupation of territories, a large proportion of former qualified workers became defenders of the country. Under such conditions, an extremely important issue is the development of measures to support the activities of both large and small enterprises, because timely paid taxes are the key to the country's stability in war conditions. The article substantiates that in a general sense, human resource management is a complex process that combines economic, social, psychological, demographic and other tools and factors of reproduction, advanced training and influence on the labor behavior of employees in order to increase labor efficiency. This requires management to take a systematic approach to the use of human capital. At the same time, the effectiveness of the use of labor potential is manifested in three areas: practical activity, the employee's orientation to meeting his own needs and orientation to the future of the enterprise. Personnel management is at the center of organizational management. The article notes that the literature considers four levels of personnel management (human capital): political - personnel policy of the state; strategic - labor resources management; tactical - actual personnel management of the industry and enterprise, operational - direct work with personnel. It is emphasized that personnel management methods are divided into: economic (forecast and planning of personnel work, formation of labor resources and sources of their provision); organizational and administrative (establishment of organizational ties, legal provisions and norms); socio-psychological (specific means of influencing the process of formation and development of the labor collective and individual employees); state and administrative (regulation of the movement of labor resources, labor market at the state and regional levels).

Child protagonism as social pedagogy tool in early childhood education: experience of a Brazilian educational centre

This article gives an account of a research experience in the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Centre, a Brazilian school located on the outskirts of Salvador de Bahia, run by the Fundação Betânia O.N.L.U.S. of the Franciscan Fraternity of Bethany. The Centre, which is free of charge, is responsible for the education of children aged 0 to 6 who come from highly disadvantaged social, economic and family backgrounds.The research aimed to investigate the applicability of the Reggio Emilia Approach in the context of the province of Salvador de Bahia and to investigate how the social value of this initiative is perceived by the protagonists of the Center. This article highlights a convergence between European and Brazilian education; the same pedagogical principles are valid and effective in different and distant contexts, in time and space. The child experiences a place where he or she can feel cared for, loved and appreciated; thanks to its protagonism, the simplicity of the educational contexts and the freedom to explore the environment, the child is able to enhance beauty and to be amazed. Child-centered pedagogy gives the school a social and human value, which identifiable in the recognition of the child’s dignity. The protagonism of the child, the main construct of the Emilian approach, reveals itself as the main tool of social emancipation, as Freire understood it, and therefore appears particularly reconcilable with a Brazilian pedagogical culture, that is the background to the social pedagogy projects of the educational Center analyzed.

Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of "Game" from the Perspective of Students Studying in the Department of Recreation

Play is not just a form of entertainment and leisure activity; it is also one of the most important tools for socialization. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to reveal how students in the recreation department conceptualize their thoughts on “play” through metaphors. The study utilized qualitative research methods and employed a phenomenological design. The study group was selected using purposive sampling and determined through the convenience sampling technique. The study group consists of 32 students aged between 18-34 who are studying in the recreation department. Participants were asked one metaphor question. The findings revealed that the metaphors related to the concept of recreation included categories such as psychological well-being, learning by doing, fun, necessity, teamwork, socialization, time management, communication, and freedom. As a result, the concept of play was perceived by recreation students under various metaphorical categories as a multifaceted phenomenon that provides happiness, emphasizes the sense of pleasure, is considered necessary for making life livable, and is energizing.

Personality-Driven Adoption of WhatsApp and Facebook for Educational Collaboration: Academic Performance as a Mediator

The Big Five Personality Traits—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism—are widely regarded as a comprehensive framework for understanding individual differences. These traits influence various behaviors, including social interactions, learning preferences, and technology adoption. Objectives of the study were; 1) To analyze the relationship between the Big Five Personality Traits and students' adoption of WhatsApp and Facebook for educational collaboration. 2) To investigate the association between social network site usage and academic performance of the students. 3) To evaluate the mediating role of academic performance in the relationship between the Big Five Personality Traits and the educational use of WhatsApp and Facebook. All 8617 Students of grade 10th of District Attock, (4,868 Boys & 3,749 Girls) at secondary and higher secondary school level in 248 public schools were the population of the study. 816 students were the sample for this study from the population. Proportional Sampling technique was used for sampling. Big Five Personality Tool consists of 39, Usage of Social Network Sites tool consists of twenty nine different items for five basic and commonly used Social Network Sites. Reliability of the tools was found by using Cronbach’s Alpha. For content validity, both research tools were validated from the experts of field of education while for construct validity, EFA was performed. The findings from the PROCESS procedure (Model 4) offer insights into the relationships between Big Five Personality Traits (BFPTs), Academic Performance (AP), and Social Network Sites (SNSs). The analysis shows that BFPTs significantly predict Scholastic Performance (SP), with a positive coefficient of 1.528 (p < 0.01). The model's R-squared value of 0.528 indicates that 52.81% of the variance in Scholastic Performance can be explained by BFPTs. This relationship suggests that students' personality traits are strongly related to their academic performance. Hence, it is recommended that, Interventions should focus on improving both Scholastic Performance and personality traits to help students manage their social media usage effectively.

State support for companies employing people with disabilities as a tool for labor market stabilization

The increasing number of people in risk groups within the labor market has led to growing state interventions. Social support policies regulate the labor market and integrate specific groups, such as people with disabilities, into the workforce. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, these individuals are recognized as disabled and receive disability pensions. As of March 2022, people with disabilities constituted more than 13% of the Czech Republic's population (Czech Statistical Office, 2023). Governments are continuously adopting measures to eliminate discrimination and support a stable labor market, but addressing the needs of people with disabilities remains challenging with significant socioeconomic and political impacts (IZA, 2016). This study examines how corporations employing people with disabilities respond to increasing government interventions through employer incentives. The research aimed to validate the income equation proposed by Sedláková (2024) for enterprises employing workers with disabilities. Validation was conducted across all countries, despite differing social policies. The study worked with a sample of 14 251 to 14 312 data points from the period 2020 to 2022. Results confirm the income equation's applicability, with adjustments needed for specific firms and countries, such as corporate tax contributions and data management practices. The null hypothesis was rejected annually. The Czech social policy was found to be the most effective, with the lowest unemployment rate and lowest income component from employing workers with disabilities, significantly influencing the labor market with lower costs compared to other countries. Specific adjustments, like reimbursing costs for modifying workplaces, are noteworthy. In Slovakia, these costs can be covered by state funds. Despite the Czech Republic having the lowest average incomes for companies employing people with disabilities, its social policy tools are more effective than those of Slovakia and Hungary in encouraging the employment of this group, reflected in the lowest unemployment rates.