Unified Percept Research Articles

Large Si isotope fractionation reveals formation mechanism of quartz in silicon-poor carbonatite

Abstract Carbonatites, the most silica-poor igneous rocks, have a close relationship with rare earth element (REE) ore deposits, where low SiO2 activity is considered to contribute to economic REE mineralization. However, a paradox is raised by quartz, commonly regarded as a Si-saturation proxy, which occurs in some giant carbonatites or carbonatite-related REE deposits such as those at Bayan Obo, China, and Mountain Pass, California, USA. A unique perception for the origin of quartz in carbonatites is provided here using Si isotope analysis. Quartz grains from the Bayan Obo carbonatite and REE ores commonly occur as inclusions in fluorite, or they coexist with fluorite, thus implicating the importance of fluorine in their hydrothermal origin. The quartz grains have remarkably large variations in δ30Si values, ranging from −4.55‰ to 1.71‰ in secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses, which have not been documented elsewhere in high- to medium-temperature magmatic-hydrothermal processes. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that such large Si isotopic fractionation can be generated during the formation and breakdown of Si-O and Si-F bonds due to their difference in bond strength. These results imply the presence of silicon fluoride species in the fluid and highlight the role of fluorine in quartz formation in silicon-poor carbonatite. The exsolved fluids from carbonatite magmas containing silicon fluoride species may decrease silica activity, which has the potential to impede incorporation of REEs into magmatic apatite, and thus facilitate late-stage hydrothermal REE enrichment and formation of REE orebodies.

The role of network structure in integrated water management: a case study of collaboration and influence for adopting nature-based solutions

IntroductionIntegrated water management (IWM) involves a range of policies, actions, and organizational processes that go beyond traditional hydrology to consider multifaceted aspects of complex water resource systems. Due to its transdisciplinary nature, IWM comprises input from diverse stakeholders, each with unique perceptions, values, and experiences. However, stakeholders from differing backgrounds may disagree on best practices and collective paths forward. As such, successful IWM must address key governance principles (e.g., information flow, collective decision-making, and power relations) across social and institutional scales. Here, we sought to demonstrate how network structure impacts shared decision-making within IWM.MethodsWe explored a case study in Houston, Texas, USA, where decision-making stakeholders from various sectors and levels of governance engaged in a participatory modeling workshop to improve adoption of nature-based solutions (NBS) through IWM. The stakeholders used fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) to define an IWM model comprising multifaceted elements and their interrelationships, which influenced the adoption of NBS in Houston. We applied grounded theory and inductive reasoning to categorize tacit belief schemas regarding how stakeholders viewed themselves within the management system. We then used FCM-based modeling to explore how unique NBS policies would translate into more (or less) NBS adoption. Finally, we calculated specific network metrics (e.g., density, hierarchy, and centrality indices) to better understand the structure of human-water relations embedded within the IWM model. We compared the tacit assumptions about stakeholder roles in IWM against the quantitative degrees of influence and collectivism embedded within the stakeholder-defined model.Results and discussionOur findings revealed a mismatch between stakeholders' external belief statements about IWM and their internal assumptions through cognitive mapping and participatory modeling. The case study network was characterized by a limited degree of internal coordination (low density index), high democratic potential (low hierarchy index), and high-efficiency management opportunities (high centrality index), which transcended across socio-institutional scales. These findings contrasted with several of the belief schemas described by stakeholders during the group workshop. We describe how ongoing partnership with the stakeholders resulted in an opportunity for adaptive learning, where the NBS planning paradigm began to shift toward trans-scale collaboration aimed at high-leverage management opportunities. We emphasize how network analytics allowed us to better understand the extent to which key governance principles drove the behavior of the IWM model, which we leveraged to form deeper stakeholder partnerships by identifying hidden opportunities for governance transformation.

E11 The burden of illness perception among patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract Background Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a debilitating condition that can negatively impact the life of children [1]. Indeed, because of a prolonged course of active disease, patients may experience several limitations and tend to have their unique perception of their illness. Objectives This study aimed to to investigate the illness perception of patients with JIA. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study including children with JIA (according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR)), recruited from our rheumatology department. Sociodemographic data and disease characteristics were collected. The patients were invited to answer the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) to quantify their perception of the disease and how it affects their life. For the patients under the age of 11 years old, we asked the parents to answer the questionnaire. The BIPQ is a nine-item questionnaire rated using a 0-to10 response scale that assesses cognitive illness representations: consequences, timeline, personal control, treatment control, identity, emotional representations and illness comprehensibility [2]. Result Our study involved 31 patients with an average age of 28.7 [9–45] years and consisted of 12 (38.7%) males and 19 (61.3%) females. The mean age at onset and the duration of the disease were 6.6 years [2–13] and 255.84 [36–444] months, respectively. The distribution of the different forms of JIA was as follows: oligoarticular (n = 6), enthesitis-related arthritis (n = 4), polyarticular with positive rheumatoid factor (RF) (n = 9), polyarticular with negative RF (n = 7) and systemic form (n = 5). Regarding treatment modalities, 13 (41.9%) were on corticosteroids, 21 (67.7%) were treated with Cs-DMARDS and 11 (39.3%) were on anti-TNF alpha. Eleven patients required total hip replacement. The mean PGA was 27.6/100. Only eight patients had moderate to severe disease activity. All the patients responded to the entire BIPQ questionnaire with an average score of 46.48/80 [18–68]. Regarding the first question assessing the impact of the disease on life, our patients responded with an average score of 4.7/10 reflecting a healthy perception of the disease. There was a significant association between how much patients experience their symptoms and the emotional impact of the disease (r = 0.8; P = 0.001). Moreover, patients who had a personal and treatment control, were less prone to be affected by the disease emotionally (r = -0.006; P = 0.9). Conclusion Our work highlighted the importance of assessing illness perception of patients with JIA. This condition should be evaluated from different perspectives in order to implement a personalized management strategy. Ethics This work is ethically approved Key words: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, illness perception

Perception on Brand Positioning of Three Star Hotels in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

The purpose of brand positioning is to change the perception of prospective customers compared to other brands in the same product category. Many business organisations try to steer the customer's mind on the target brand and its advantage in the market. To determine whether the positioning of a certain brand is a success or not, a company should observe whether its brand is salient or not to the customers. Positioning or brand positioning includes choosing a particular product characteristic from the whole set of features associated with the brand. The main aim of this research is to determine the factors influencing the brand positioning of three-star hotels among residents in Kuala Terengganu. The first objective is to examine the relationship between the price and brand positioning of three-star hotels. The second objective is to determine the effect of brand image on the brand positioning of a three-star hotel. The third objective is to define the value of the brand positioning of a three-star hotel. The researcher disseminated 384 sets of questionnaires to 384 respondents in Kuala Terengganu and used SPSS version 20 to analyse the data. By using the data gathered, the researchers can produce frequency analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson test correlation analysis, regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and also the interpretation of objectives. The finding shows that two independent variables (price and brand image) have a significant relationship with the brand positioning of three stars hotels. Brand image is the vision of hotels in the industry more than what hotels' records show and the price represents the standard of service as perceived by the customers. Positioning is the use of marketing to project differentiation in the hotel and its services to targeted customers. Building and maintaining a strong brand positioning is critical in that it will help create a positive image and create unique perceptions among present and potential customers. A hotel with a positive brand positioning will transform a satisfied customer into loyal guests.

An imbalance of excitation and inhibition in the multisensory cortex impairs the temporal acuity of audiovisual processing and perception.

The neural integration of closely timed auditory and visual stimuli can offer several behavioral advantages; however, an overly broad window of temporal integration-a phenomenon observed in various neurodevelopmental disorders-could have far-reaching perceptual consequences. Non-invasive studies in humans have suggested that the level of GABAergic inhibition in the multisensory cortex influences the temporal window over which auditory and visual stimuli are bound into a unified percept. Although this suggestion aligns with the theory that an imbalance of cortical excitation and inhibition alters multisensory processing, no prior studies have performed experimental manipulations to determine the causal effects of a reduction of GABAergic inhibition on audiovisual temporal perception. To that end, we used a combination of in vivo electrophysiology, neuropharmacology, and translational behavioral testing in rats to provide the first mechanistic evidence that a reduction of GABAergic inhibition in the audiovisual cortex is sufficient to disrupt unisensory and multisensory processing across the cortical layers, and ultimately impair the temporal acuity of audiovisual perception and its rapid adaptation to recent sensory experience. Looking forward, our findings provide support for using rat models to further investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the audiovisual perceptual alterations observed in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, and dyslexia.

The Body Becomes Image: The Dance Montage of Hsiao-Mei Ho

<p>臺灣舞蹈家、編舞家何曉玫的作品不斷探究身體的極限，透過舞蹈創造出獨特的觀看場域，使身體成為一種有生命之影像。當肉身即是影像，舞蹈亦等同於由關節與肌肉啟動的蒙太奇。正是在此，一種獨特的舞蹈知覺得以被傳遞，身體亦將在觸與碰的邊界間被重新組構。本論文以《默島新樂園》（2017）與《極相林》（2018）兩部舞作之間的劇烈變化開始，將彼此之差異視作影像的多樣性生成，並聚焦於身體的視覺化，諸如身體與影像共舞、無可區分等狀態，甚至是肉身轉化為螢幕、景框或影格般的存有。匯聚著對於舞蹈的身體、影像技術、視覺藝術以及哲學思想等問題辯證，本文試圖將肉身與影像這一組原先對立的概念思考為一種共時創造，以極具生機的狀態思考舞蹈的當代性。</p> <p> </p><p>Taiwan dancer, choreographer Hsiao-Mei Ho’s works constantly explore the limits of the body and create unique viewing fields through dance, making the body become a living image. While the body is the image, dance is also equivalent to a montage of joints and muscles. In here, a unique perception of dance is transmitted and the body is reorganized between the boundaries of touch and being touched. This thesis starts with the dramatic changes between New Paradise of Silent Island (2017) and Renaissance of Its Ashes (2018), regarding the differences between the two dance works as diverse becoming of image, and focuses on the visualization of body, such as the indivisible status of dance with body and image, and even the mode of being that the flesh transformed into screen, frame, or photogram. The dialectics of dancing body, technics of image, visual arts and philosophical thoughts converge in this thesis attempting to consider the body and image, which were originally opposite concepts, as a kind of synchronic creation and think about the contemporaneity of dance in a very vital state.</p> <p> </p>

Bibliometric analysis of research trends on disability in Indonesia

Indonesian people have a unique perception of understanding the concept of disability. Researchers use various terminologies to address topics of disabilities in their published studies. There is no national roadmap for disability research that may integrate and guide studies on the subject. This study investigated scientific outputs made by academics researching disabilities topics in Indonesia. Publications on topics of disabilities it found 3,220 publications, indexed in the national indexing service “Garuda” (abbreviation for Garba Rujukan Digital, meaning: Digital Reference Portal), published from 2010 to 2019. This study employed a bibliometric approach, browsing and analyzing numerical trends of several publications, quantitative distribution of publication years, authors’ characteristics, publishers, subject names, and keywords used. Findings research were compared with relevant references to provide a holistic picture of trends in disability studies over the last decade. Research result showed that the number of publications increased significantly from 2010 to 2019, and discussions on relevant and current disabilities conditions progressed according to the development of national and global works on the subject. Most studies focus on educational topics, dictating publication trends, with some published works, authors, subjects, and keywords being dominated by disability papers on education, with authors and publishers from western Indonesia dominantly publishing a significantly higher number of publications than their counterparts in the central and eastern parts. This study concludes that research trends on disability in Indonesia show significant development from year to year regarding the number of publications, the distribution of authors, and subject specifics.

Visitors’ eco-innovation adoption and green consumption behavior: the case of green hotels

PurposeGreen hospitality studies have not adequately focused on the diffusion of eco-innovative hotels amongst visitors. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying green hotel attributes that influence visitors’ adoption of eco-friendly hotel and their intentions to partake in green initiatives.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a mixed-method approach to explore the drivers of customers’ green hotel adoption and consumption. In the qualitative phase, data were collected via 20 open-ended interviews and analyzed to derive a measurement scale. The scale was then tested through a survey comprising 500 respondents using structural equation modelling.FindingsThe study results elucidate how guests’ visit intentions and green consumption behavior is built through their perception of newness and uniqueness of eco-innovative attributes. Findings shed light on how green hotel’s sustainable communication and corporate social responsibility outreach efforts positively influence guest visit intentions.Research limitations/implicationsStudy results reveal perceived eco-innovativeness as an important antecedent of visit intentions. Based on guest’s preferences, green hotels striving to increase its visitors’ base could begin by expanding their eco-innovative attributes.Originality/valueContrasting previous studies that have exclusively used the theory of planned behavior constructs, this study argues that diffusion of innovation constructs also offer valuable insights into guests’ visit intentions. While existing studies have covered limited number of eco-innovative attributes, this study adds to the literature by presenting a comprehensive set of attributes including trustworthiness of communication and observability of its social impacts.

ID: 210957 Automated ECAP Growth Curve Collection and Threshold Detection as an Assistance to Perceptually Referenced Programming

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) uses electrical pulses delivered to the spinal cord as a drug-free treatment for chronic pain. The pulse parameters are individualized based on the patient’s unique perception of SCS. Configuration of these parameters takes specialized training, experience, and time. The evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) contain information about the type and degree of neural activity in the spinal cord (1) and may be used as an indicator of the patient’s perception of SCS (2). By analyzing the relationship between the stimulation amplitude and the ECAP response we demonstrate the ability to detect ECAP threshold as an indicator of patient perception that can be used for automated, perceptually referenced programming.

Queer Mapping as Decolonial Praxis

Queer Mapping as Decolonial Praxis

Pentingnya Customer Service Terhadap Permintaan dan persepsi Pelanggan Cafe Life Style Hotel Surabaya

In every consumer decision-making process to purchase a product, the underlying intention of the consumer is to fulfil their needs and desires. Additionally, each consumer has their own unique perception of their choices when selecting a product. Consumer perception is not solely dependent on physical stimuli but also on stimuli related to the surrounding environment and individual circumstances. This engagement activity was conducted at Cafe the Lifestyle Hotel Surabaya. The purpose of this engagement was to analyse consumer activities in the demand and supply conveyed by Cafe the Lifestyle Hotel Surabaya. The engagement employed active participation, observation, interviews, and related documentation methods to obtain valid data and information regarding consumer behaviour. The results of this engagement indicated that the perception of service quality was highly favourable among the visitors of Cafe the Lifestyle. As a result, the visitors felt satisfied and remained loyal. Furthermore, the perception of pricing was positive as the prices offered by the Cafe were deemed appropriate, and the services provided were in line with visitors' expectations.

Use of Cloud-Based Virtual Reality in Chinese Glove Puppetry to Preserve Intangible Cultural Heritage

Chinese traditional glove puppetry is a folk art with a long history. It is worth inheriting and safeguarding this distinguished intangible cultural traditional art using virtual reality. With this background, this study integrates the digital resources of glove puppetry from the perspective of satisfying users’ performance needs. In this study, a multi-user, cloud-based virtual reality glove puppetry system was developed that enhances the classic works of glove puppetry. Each user has a unique perception of the virtual environment and can interact remotely. The system involves human–computer and human–human interactions. This study also describes the design and control of glove puppets. The virtual reality system provides a unique entertainment experience to users of all ages. Through a questionnaire administered to 30 subjects after the user play, this study investigated the operation and experience of this system. According to the research findings, the proposed cloud-based VR system is not only easy to use, but also helps to preserve traditional intangible culture. Our research has high theoretical value and can help preserve traditional glove puppetry. Our cloud-based virtual reality system offers a new application for disseminating and preserving intangible cultural heritage.

Searching for a social optimum: Chasing a ghost?

A new methodological approach to identify the nature of the group optimum is employed. Its constituent elements are the rejection of a unified perception of the problem in relation to all types of groups, as well as its separate consideration in conditions of certainty and uncertainty. The social optimum is considered as a state of coherence of the interests of members of society, and its nature is identified within the framework of the analysis of a “simple integral group” under conditions of certainty. The necessity of an “institutional lining”—an agreed principle of social choice—between individual preferences and the social optimum is substantiated. The limited possibilities for obtaining and processing information, which is characteristic of conditions of uncertainty, give rise to the need for the formation of a mechanism of social choice, designed to provide the possibility of maximum approximation to the social optimum constructed in this way. It is shown that the most important consequence of the existence of systemic costs associated with the operation of any such mechanism is the emergence of small groups and the transformation of a simple integral group into a complex one. The characteristic features of the three most important types of small groups are determined: the governing bodies of a “large group,” enterprises (firms), and households, which play the most important role in the functioning of the economic system. The absence of an unambiguous definition of the point of the social optimum and the ideal mechanisms for achieving it are opposed by the awareness by members of society of the undoubted benefits from cooperation with each other. As a result, social structures are relatively stable. At the same time, in comparison with natural objects, they have obvious characteristic features, which inevitably affects the nature of the social sciences.

A childhood dream that can be a memory: Magical Realism and Memory in the "Ocean at the End of the Lane"

The novel "The Ocean at the end of the Lane" sheds light on the children's view of the world and the unique perception of reality, which is completely different from the perception of adults. The object of the study is the manifestations of memory impairment in the novel. The subject is the analysis of changes in memory with age, as well as its role in overcoming stress caused by trauma. The purpose of the article is to understand, in the light of personality psychology and memory research, how and why the memories of the child protagonist change and merge with the imagination as the narrative changes. This helps to identify oppositions of imagination and reality in the novel, which echoes the perception of the world by the main character-a child in parallel with the perception of the world by adults. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that psychological research is used in the article in order to show how magical realism reflects the problem of memory changes in the novel "Ocean at the End of the Lane", and, therefore, provides a basis for further opportunities to study children's magical perception, realistic memory in postmodern novels. The results of the study demonstrate to what extent the style of magical realism expresses the transformation of mental abilities and perception of reality during the transition from childhood to adulthood in the novel. In this sense, "The Ocean at the end of the Lane" is an image of the world seen both from the point of view of adult life and from the point of view of childhood.

Smoking cessation patterns, usefulness of quitting methods, and tobacco cessation motivators and barriers to quit in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tobacco use is highly discouraged in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to related short and long-term health implications. We aimed to evaluate smoking cessation patterns in patients with RA. In addition, we ascertained perceptions on the usefulness of quitting methods, and perceived motivators and barriers to quit. We surveyed adults with RA enrolled in the FORWARD Databank who self-identified as former or current tobacco users. Three hundred forty-eight participants completed the survey and responded to the question "do you currently smoke" (former use = 319; current use = 29). Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was perceived as extremely/somewhat useful by 31%, followed by individual 27% and group counseling 21%. Experiencing a major health event was the most common motivator to quit. Current users on average smoked 17 cigarettes per day. Six of the 29 current users had used electronic cigarettes in the past 30days. The most frequent methods used to quit were "cold turkey quitting," NRT, and prescription medicines. Only 8 of the 23 current users had plans to quit or expressed being ready to make changes to quit. Reasons most frequently listed to not quit were using smoking to manage negative emotions, as a pleasurable habit, to manage other addictions, and to provide a sense of control (e.g., to cope with RA). Current users expressed several negative emotions including coping with the disease and "being a pleasurable habit" when trying to quit. Future cessation programs should address these barriers to support patients with RA. Key Points • First study characterizing the smoking behavior of patients with RA in the USA. Current users were younger, had a shorter disease duration, and worse disease outcomes compared to former smokers. •Former and current users reported similar motivators to quit, with experiencing a major health event being most common. Only about a third of participants who quit or who were still smoking received advice from a health professional. • The most common reasons for not quitting were that smoking help to manage negative emotions and was a pleasurable habit. Future studies should focus on cessation programs that support participants with RA by addressing the unique perceptions about smoking in this population.

The introduction and current status of the multidimensional model of pain neurobiology.

Conceptual models are useful because they guide our practical actions related to whatever is represented by the model; this includes research that reveals the limitations of these actions and the potential for their improvement. These statements apply to many aspects of daily life and especially to pain as a challenge for both clinical practice specifically and neurobiology generally. In the first half of the 20th century, our conceptual model of pain, to the extent that it existed at all, was based on evidence supporting the proposition that pain emerged from activity within a very spatially limited set of central nervous system (CNS) structures located within the cerebral cortex and it's oligosynaptic connections with the thalamus. This CNS activity was strongly associated with the activation of physiologically distinct and specialized somatovisceral afferent fibers. All, or nearly all, aspects of the pain experience were thought to arise from, and be modified by, changes in that localized CNS activity. There was no compelling and widely accepted reason to consider an alternative model. However, neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, behavioral, and clinical evidence emerging in the late mid-20th century prompted a reconsideration of the prevailing model of pain neurobiology. Based on this new evidence and the perceived limitations of the prevailing model, pain could then be reasonably conceived as a multidimensional experience arising from the conjoint activation of physiologically and anatomically distinct but interacting CNS structures each separately mediating sensory discriminative, affective, and cognitive aspects of pain. This brief historical review describes the intellectual climate at the time this multidimensional model was proposed, the dispositions for resisting or accepting it, and concludes with a comment on the current status of the model as a fusion of distributed activations that create a unified perception of pain.

REFORMULATION OF STATE PROPERTIES AS A GUIDELINE FOR THE DIRECTION OF INDONESIA'S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Discourse of reviving the direction of the country is still ongoing as an effort to correct the national development planning system that is currently used. The pros and cons of coloring efforts to revive the direction of the country. The revival of the direction of the state is considered a manifestation of the return of the authoritarian system of authoritarianism in the new order era. On the contrary, the positive response to reviving PPHN is able to ensure that national development is more thorough, directed, integrated, sustainable and accountable. The problem is how the urgency of forming PPHN as a guideline for the direction of national development in the future? This research is normative juridical research using a statutory approach (statute approach) and a conceptual approach (conceptual approach). The national development system based on the SPPN Law has various weaknesses. this system is still executive heavy and vulnerable to abuser practices has various weaknesses. this system is still executive heavy and vulnerable to abuse of power. In addition, the current national development system provides a gap between the pattern of government development at the central, provincial, district/city levels plus between the leadership before and after it so as to create development that is directed, sustainable and more accountable. It is necessary to reformulate the PPHN which is regulated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and subsequently implemented in the system of administering state government power in Indonesia. The granting of constitutional authority to the MPR in the formation and determination of the PPHN will provide a unified perception considering that all colors of political parties take a common consensus for the interests of the nation and state. The implementation of development will be accountable to the MPR in the form of a performance report, even though the president is no longer the mandate of the MPR. This accountability is an effort to revive the principle of checks and balances on the implementation of national development.

Non-verbal Communication as an Indicator of the Cultural and National Specificity of a Literary Text

The article is a description of the stylistic function of various means of non-verbal communication in literary texts. The authors objectify the idea that the mutual understanding of representatives of different ethnic groups involves both the acquisition of languages ​​and the awareness of cultural national codes that inform about native speakers and about the special ways of intercultural communication that are available. The scientific and practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the identification of national and cultural stereotypes of the mentality of ethnic groups in the modern globalized space is a socio-political, economic, psychological and historical factor in the formation of a nation as a linguistic community. The research methodology is based on a comparative analysis of Kazakh, Russian and non-linguistic forms of communication, the identification of full, partial equivalents in the compared languages ​​and the analysis of non-equivalent gestures, facial expressions, signs of non-verbal communication. The value of the study is determined by the understanding that non-verbal forms of communication capture and reflect the social and cultural experience of the linguocultural community, are reflected both in the universal, common for all mankind, and in the unique, national-cultural, picture of the world, characterize the common and peripheral core, reflecting the national and cultural specifics of the Kazakh and Russian philosophical worldview and showing a unique perception of the surrounding reality. The practical significance of the results of the work is determined by the possibility of introducing this material into the teaching of disciplines of postgraduate education (master's and doctoral studies), which are associated with cognitive, intercultural, linguoculturological aspects of language learning: «Ethnolinguoculturology», «Russian language and intercultural communication», «Theory and practice of intercultural communication».

Substance Use in U.S. Vietnam War Era Veterans and Nonveterans: Results from the Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Substance use (SU) is associated with physical injury and mental health disorders in older persons, but recent research has scarcely examined SU in U.S. Vietnam-era veterans who are mostly in or near their eighth decade of life. Objectives: We compared the prevalence of self-reported lifetime and current SU and modeled current usage patterns in a nationally representative sample of veterans versus a matched nonveteran cohort. Methods: Cross-sectional, self-reported survey data were analyzed from the 2016–2017 Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study (VE-HEROeS) (n = 18,866 veterans, n = 4,530 nonveterans). We assessed lifetime and current alcohol and drug use disorders; lifetime and current use of cannabis, opioids, stimulants, sedatives, “other drugs” (psychedelics, prescription or over-the-counter drugs not prescribed/used as intended); and current SU patterns (alcohol-use-only, drug-use-only, dual-SU, no SU). Weighted descriptive, bivariable, and multivariable statistics were calculated. Covariates in multinomial modeling included sociodemographic characteristics, lifetime cigarette smoking, depression, potentially traumatic events (PTEs), and current pain (SF-8TM). Results: Prevalence of lifetime opioid and sedative use (p ≤ .01), drug and alcohol use disorders (p < .001), and current “other drug” use (p < .001) were higher in veterans versus nonveterans. Current use of alcohol and cannabis was high in both cohorts. In veterans, very severe/severe pain, depression, and PTEs were highly associated with drug-use-only (p < .001) and dual-SU (p < .01), but these associations were fewer for nonveterans. Conclusion: This research confirmed existing concerns over substance misuse in older individuals. Vietnam-era veterans may be at particular risk due to service-related experiences and later-life tribulations. Era veterans’ unique perceptions toward healthcare assistance for SU may need greater provider focus to maximize self-efficacy and treatment.

English Education in Japan and Its Transformation in the Era of COVID-19

English has a unique perception in Japan. While it is considered as one of the important tools to gain knowledge and success, Japanese society also has its own sentiment and seen it as a language of the elites. This perception heavily influenced the curriculum, teaching methods, and students’ motivation in mastering the language. English proficiency in Japan itself, however, is still considered very low. Many argued that the curriculum and the outdated teaching style are the ones to blame. Japanese government have been trying several initiatives to improve its English education quality. In the past few years, non- formal English educations institution and native English teachers has also been increasing in demand, mainly thanks to Tokyo Olympic 2020. The spread of COVID-19, however, brought a lot of new challenges and left the future of English education in jeopardy. This paper is intended to give an overview of how English is perceived by Japanese society, how it is learnt in each educational level, and later how COVID-19 affected the system.