Usage Survey Research Articles

Effect of plastic-free diet, education and Bisphenol A exposure feedback on urine BPA in adolescent

Abstract Background BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical and is mostly taken orally. Adolescence is the critical sensitivity to these chemicals is maximum. This study was conducted to compare the effects of a plastic-free diet program, plastic-free diet education program and BPA exposure feedback on urine BPA levels in adolescents with high use of packaged products. Methods The first phase of the two-phase study is descriptive, the second phase is a single-centre, single-blind, three-arm non-randomized experimental design. The study was conducted at Antalya/Türkiye in the 2022-2023 academic year, and in the first stage, adolescents with high use of plastic packaged products and low attitudes towards healthy nutrition were identified. In the second stage, participants were assigned to the group-1 (n = 36), group-2 (n = 36) and group-3 (n = 36) by simple random sampling method. An eight-week plastic-free diet program was applied to the group 1, plastic-free diet education program and BPA exposure feedback was given to the group-2, and only BPA exposure feedback was given to the group-3. Plastic Packaged Product Usage Survey, Attitude Scale towards Healthy Nutrition, and spot urine samples were used to collect data. Results It was found that 2% of adolescents used low plastic packaging, 34% medium, 57% high, and 7% very high. Pre-posttest urine BPA levels ng/ml (µg/g creatinine) were 1.98 (2.54), 1.43 (1.51) in the intervention1 group, respectively; 1.91 (2.35), 1.43 (1.47) in the intervention2 group; It was found to be 1.97 (2.49) and 1.49 (1.66) in the intervention3 group. The effect sizes of pre-posttest BPA/creatinine values were calculated as 1.38, 1.13 and 1.09 in intervention1-2-3 groups, respectively. Conclusions All three interventions (plastic-free diet program, plastic-free diet education program and BPA exposure feedback) were effective in reducing urinary BPA levels, reducing plastic-packaged product use levels, and increasing attitudes towards healthy eating. Key messages • Since all three interventions are effective in reducing adolescents’ urinary BPA levels, it may be recommended to use the intervention appropriate to the field conditions. • In the post-tests, the use of plastic packaged products by adolescents in all three groups decreased and their attitudes towards healthy nutrition increased.

An Investigation of Gender Differences in E-Commerce Shopping Frequency During COVID-19: Evidence From Türkiye

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s daily lives, individuals’ shopping habits have begun to change. This study investigates factors associated with citizens’ e-commerce shopping frequency, taking into account gender differences during COVID-19. The study utilized the Household Information Technologies Usage Survey microdata set conducted by TurkStat in 2021. Various factors related to citizens’ e-commerce shopping frequency, specifically considering gender differences during the COVID-19 period, were examined using the generalized ordered logit model. According to the research results, the frequency of e-commerce shopping inversely decreases with age for both men and women. The number of e-commerce purchases made by individuals, regardless of gender, increases in direct proportion to their education levels. Additionally, as individuals’ incomes rise, their engagement in e-commerce purchases increases. Men who actively search for information about products and services are more likely to participate in e-commerce compared to those who do not. This dynamic differs for women based on the quantity of their intakes. Regarding gender distribution, it was determined that, moving from east to west, women make more e-commerce purchases than men. For both local governments and service providers, developing healthier, sustainable, and more predictable policies and strategies for extraordinary situations such as pandemics is crucial. Businesses are recommended to build customer and supplier portfolios, focusing on areas such as platform accessibility, inventory management, distribution, transportation, and payment methods. Strengthening infrastructure and keeping systems up-to-date are also crucial for effectively responding to consumer demands.

관공서 스마트 오피스 구축에 관한 연구 : 사용자 조사 및 국내·외 사례조사 분석을 중심으로

In recent years, the social trend of emphasizing work-life balance (Work-Life Balance) and the introduction of the 52-hour workweek system have highlighted the need for smart offices focused on work efficiency. Public institutions are also actively pursuing the implementation of smart offices. This paper aims to provide guidelines for establishing smart offices in public institutions, based on field surveys and user studies of a public office currently undergoing relocation planning. Through a spatial usage survey of Public Office A, which is in the process of relocation planning, and user surveys and interviews with staff, this study identifies office space improvement needs and requirements. Furthermore, by analyzing domestic and international case studies of smart office implementations in public institutions, this paper offers practical directions for the establishment of smart offices in public institutions. Based on the surveys and interviews conducted, the study addresses the specific requirements of each department, ensures a clear understanding of and engagement with spatial needs, and incorporates insights from successful international examples. This paper highlights the importance of applying innovative spatial designs that can improve the current organizational culture, facilitating active communication and collaboration.

Comparison of factors affecting Turkish citizens’ search for online health information before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundHealth information consumers can acquire knowledge regarding health problems, combat health problems, make health-related decisions, and change their behaviour by conducting health information searches. This study aims to identify the sociodemographic and economic factors affecting individuals’ search for health information on the internet before and during COVID-19.MethodsIn this study, micro data sets of the Household Information Technologies (IT) Usage Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2018 and 2021 were used. The binary logistic regression analysis was also used in the study.ResultsIt was determined that age, gender, education level, occupation, social media use, searching for information about goods and services, internet banking use, e-government use, having a desktop computer, having a tablet computer, and region variables were associated with the status of searching for health information on the internet during the COVID-19 period.ConclusionThe main reasons for the increase in health information searches during the COVID-19 epidemic can be attributed to several key factors, such as society’s need for information and meeting its need for information, access to up-to-date health data and increased trust in official sources. The study’s findings serve as a valuable resource for health service providers and information sources attempting to identify the health information-seeking behaviour of the public and to meet their needs in this context.

The Interrelations Between Virtual and Physical Spaces: The Case of Smartphone Usage Among Adolescents

Today’s adolescents are digital natives who have constant access to virtual spaces through their smartphones. Based on a comprehensive literature review, we propose a novel framework of fused spaces for understanding and studying the evolving interrelations between adolescents’ consumption of physical environments and virtual spaces emerging through smartphone use. The framework is evaluated through a smartphone usage survey among 546 adolescents in two distinct neighborhoods in Tel Aviv. Our findings suggest that for adolescents, physical and virtual spaces are highly integrated. Activities in virtual space are extensive and habitual and include multiple types of usage. They can affect and be affected by activities in the physical space, including what we refer to as environmental motivation, the qualities of an environment or situation that can encourage or discourage smartphone usage. Therefore, we conclude that to fully comprehend human spatial behavior today, studies must consider behaviors that occur in both physical and virtual spaces as occurring in one continuance space, a fused space.

Postoperative Opioid Usage and Disposal Strategies After Arthroscopic Procedures in a Young Cohort: A Prospective Observational Study.

Although several studies have noted that patients are routinely overprescribed opioids, few have reported usage after arthroscopic surgery. To determine opioid consumption and allocation for unused opioids after common arthroscopic surgeries. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Patients between the ages of 15 and 40 years who were scheduled to undergo anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), labral repair of the hip or shoulder, meniscectomy, or meniscal repair were prospectively enrolled. Patients were prescribed either 5 mg hydrocodone-325 mg acetaminophen or 5 mg oxycodone-325 mg acetaminophen based on surgeon preference. Patients completed a daily opioid usage survey during the 2-week postoperative period. In addition, patients completed a survey on postoperative day 21 inquiring about continued opioid use and medication disposal, if applicable. Opioid medication consumption was converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). Of the 200 patients who were enrolled in the study, 176 patients had sufficient follow-up after undergoing 85 (48%) ACLR, 26 (14.8%) hip labral repair, 34 (19.3%) shoulder labral repair, 18 (10.2%) meniscectomy, and 13 (7.4%) meniscal repair procedures. Mean age was 26.1 years (SD, 7.38); surgeons prescribed a mean of 26.6 pills whereas patients reported consuming a mean of 15.5 pills. The mean MME consumption in the 14 days after each procedure was calculated: ACLR (95.7; 44% of prescription), hip labral repair (84.8; 37%), shoulder labral repair (57.2; 35%), meniscectomy (18.4; 27%), and meniscal repair (32.1; 42%). This corresponded to approximately 39% of the total opioid prescription being utilized across all procedures. Mean MME consumption was greatest on postoperative day 1 in hip, shoulder, and meniscal procedures and on postoperative day 2 in ACLR. Only 7.04% of patients reported continued opioid use in the third postoperative week. Patients had a mean of 11 unused pills or 77.7 MMEs remaining. Of the patients with remaining medication, 24.7% intended to keep their medication for future use. The results of our study indicate that patients who undergo the aforementioned arthroscopic procedures consume <75 MMEs in the 2-week postoperative period, translating into a mean of 10 to 15 pills consumed. Approximately 60% of total opioids prescribed went unused, and one-fourth of patients intended to keep their remaining medication for future usage. We have provided general prescribing guidelines and recommend that surgeons carefully consider customizing their opioid prescriptions on the basis of procedure site to balance optimal postoperative analgesia with avoidance of dissemination of excess opioids.

한국제품 데이터기반의 소비자제품 정량적 리스크평가방법연구

The purpose of this study is to contribute to enhancing consumer safety by researching a quantitative product risk assessment method that allows for annual monitoring of product hazards. The study proposes a method for conducting rapid and straightforward evaluations annually using accident data from the Korea Consumer Agency, product usage survey data, and resident population data. Based on the number of accidents, usage rates, and population, probabilities of occurrences were derived, and severity was calculated based on injuries and affected body parts to perform quantitative evaluations. As a result of the research, 262 consumer products were evaluated using the proposed method, identifying 12 products with severe risk ratings, 6 products with increased risk, and 11 products with decreased risk annually. These evaluation results have the significant advantage of being able to observe changes in product hazards annually. They can be utilized not only for enhancing safety, easing regulations, and consumer education policy formulation but also as foundational data for various sectors including consumers, parents, children, and educators, thereby contributing to raising awareness and policy formulation regarding domestic consumer safety.

The Pillars of Safety: Unveiling the Impact of Medication Usage on Public and Patient Wellbeing

Background: The comprehensive management of various health conditions within the community is heavily reliant on the crucial role of medications. Objective: The primary objective of this research is to investigate medication usage patterns, adherence, and associated factors among a diverse participant pool. The study aims to assess the prevalence of prescription medication use, consumption patterns, adherence rates, and the methods employed by participants for managing their medicines. Furthermore, the study explores participants' experiences with side effects and evaluates their satisfaction with prescribed treatments. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional design was employed for data collection, utilizing a self-administered Medication Usage Survey distributed through Google Forms. Participants were recruited through various channels, and data were collected anonymously. Results: A total of 103 participants contributed to the study, with a diverse demographic composition. The majority identified as female (60.19%), and participants spanned various age groups, reflecting a comprehensive representation. Geographically, the study included participants from multiple locations, with Bengaluru being the predominant location (80.58%). Participants reported diverse health conditions, with 69 individuals (66.99%) on prescription medications. Consumption patterns revealed that 57.3% took medications daily, while adherence varied, with 36.9% reporting missed doses. Side effects were reported by a small percentage (12.66%) of participants, and various methods were employed for managing medicines. Overall, treatment satisfaction varied among participants. Conclusion: This research provides valuable insights into medication usage patterns and associated factors among a diverse participant pool.

유튜브 이용 실태를 통한 초등학교 미디어교육의 방향성 연구

This study explored the direction of media education according to social change through the current state of school media education as perceived by elementary school students by examining the actual use of YouTube, the way they use YouTube, their perceptions and attitudes toward YouTube, and the current state of school media education using data from the '2020 Youth Media Usage Survey and Policy Response Study I' conducted by the Korean Youth Policy Institute for students in grades 4-6. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 27 for frequency analysis and descriptive statistics. As a result of the analysis, elementary school students are searching for and watching desired content on YouTube according to their interests, but they often do not receive education on how to search for information through the Internet at school. In addition, they tend to trust information on YouTube without having the ability to judge whether it is true or not, which leads to the conclusion that it is urgent to improve media education in elementary schools.

A New Normal: A Case Study on Changing Strategies in Technology Engagement at an Academic Health Sciences Library

As academic libraries shift services to meet the changing needs of patrons after the COVID-19 pandemic, educational technologies and services to support them require updating. Patrons using technology that was once associated with hands-on learning and in-person interactions are preferring flexible and hybrid iterations. In this case study, the authors describe and analyze the pivot of three technology services at the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library in the post-COVID-19 environment. Technologies discussed include a multimedia studio, virtual reality (VR), and a three-dimensional (3D) printing service. This case study utilizes available usage stats and survey data to demonstrate and provide rationale for the changing strategy in services for each technology “hub.” The multimedia studio has been dismantled in favor of the equipment being available for checkout, VR is now available in a staff-supported classroom, and a 3D printing service has been fully automated through an online submission platform. These examples, and the rationale behind changing them, can help offer ideas for other libraries to help find solutions that meet the demands of a changing learning environment.

Urban building energy performance prediction and retrofit analysis using data-driven machine learning approach

Stakeholders such as urban planners and energy policymakers use building energy performance modeling and analysis to develop strategic sustainable energy plans with the aim of reducing energy consumption and emissions from the built environment. However, inconsistent energy data and the lack of scalable building models create a gap between building energy modeling and traditional planning practices. An alternative approach is to conduct a large-scale energy usage survey, which is time-consuming. Similarly, existing studies rely on traditional machine learning or statistical approaches for calculating large-scale energy performance. This paper proposes a solution that employs a data-driven machine learning approach to predict the energy performance of urban residential buildings, using both ensemble-based machine learning and end-use demand segregation methods. The proposed methodology consists of five steps: data collection, archetype development, physics-based parametric modeling, machine learning modeling, and urban building energy performance analysis. The devised methodology is tested on the Irish residential building stock and generates a synthetic building dataset of one million buildings through the parametric modeling of 19 identified vital variables for four residential building archetypes. As a part of the machine learning modeling process, the study implemented an end-use demand segregation method, including heating, lighting, equipment, photovoltaic, and hot water, to predict the energy performance of buildings at an urban scale. Furthermore, the model's performance is enhanced by employing an ensemble-based machine learning approach, achieving 91% accuracy compared to the traditional approach's 76%. Accurate prediction of building energy performance enables stakeholders, including energy policymakers and urban planners, to make informed decisions when planning large-scale retrofit measures.

Trends in prescription therapy for adolescents with depression in nine major areas of China during 2017–2021

ObjectiveTo date, no national-scale drug usage survey for adolescents with depression has been conducted in China, and the purpose of this study was to examine the national trends in prescriptions in Chinese adolescent depression patients from 2017 to 2021.MethodsPrescribing data were extracted from the Hospital Prescription Analysis Cooperative Project. The average number of patients per year, the cost of treatment, and the prescription patterns (monotherapy vs. combination therapy) were analyzed, and subgroup analyses were conducted depending on age, sex, and drug class.ResultsThe study included 674,099 patients from 136 hospitals located in nine major areas of China. Of all patients, the proportion of adolescents increased from 1.63% in 2017 to 6.75% in 2021. Visits by adolescent depression patients increased from 1,973 in 2017 to 9,751 in 2021, and the corresponding cost increased from 607,598 Chinese Yuan in 2017 to 2,228,884 Chinese Yuan in 2021. The incidence of adolescent depression among female individuals was far beyond that among male individuals. Combination therapy was more frequent than monotherapy, and the most commonly prescribed drugs were antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, and antianxietics. Despite the use of sertraline decreasing from 47.90 to 43.39%, it was the most frequently used drug.ConclusionIn summary, the prescriptions and cost of treatment for adolescent depression patients both increased rapidly. The widespread use of those drugs with weak clinical evidence reflects the current state of China, which should arouse our attention. The study can provide references for clinical treatment decisions and a basis for more efficient allocation of healthcare resources by the government.

Does Social Media Make Unhappy? A Research on the Effect of Social Media Platforms Usage on Happiness in Demographic Crack

The new technologies brought by the digital age are changing how individuals and societies communicate, learn, work and manage. Digital tools and platforms that have developed thanks to technology have made people's lives easier while affecting their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Thanks to digital tools, communication has become independent of time and space, and distances have become closer. People who had to be isolated due to the coronavirus epidemic have increased their use of digital technology to communicate with their loved ones, get information, work, learn, socialize, and have fun. According to the results of TÜİK's “Household Information Technologies (IT) Usage Survey, 2021”, the internet usage rate in 2021 is 82.6%, and the rate of those who use the internet regularly is 80.5%. On the other hand, according to the results of the World Happiness Report by Gallup, Turkey ranks 112th in the World Happiness Ranking. While Turkey's happiness level has shown a decreasing momentum since 2016, social media usage rates are increasing. In line with these data, the research aims to determine the effect of social media platform use on happiness. Descriptive research, one of the quantitative research types, was used in the research design with the experimental research method. Within the scope of the research, an online questionnaire was applied to 170 white-collar employees, who were reached by convenience sampling method. According to the research results, happiness is similar according to the duration of use of social media platforms.

Evaluating a social annotation tool for engagement and learning with preservice special education teachers

PurposeEmpirical validation of educational technology is critical for best practice, particularly when courses are delivered online. This study aims to investigate the predictive relationship of usage behaviors on perceptions of 30 preservice special education teachers while reading in an online social annotation reading tool.Design/methodology/approachIn this single-group quasi-experimental study, participants completed two readings in Perusall, once individually and once in small groups, then took a researcher-created survey after each reading. Descriptive data and paired sample t-tests were calculated. Predictive relationships between usage behaviors and survey results were analyzed with linear regression models.FindingsParticipants thought Perusall was useful for their learning and easier to use in small groups and that guided reading prompts were helpful. Usage behaviors did not significantly account for participant beliefs about Perusall. Instructors may wish to use guided reading prompts and small groups to maximize student learning and engagement.Originality/valueThis study addresses gaps in the literature (Suhre et al., 2019; Sun et al., 2023) by following one group of students over two semesters, using a commercially available tool, measuring actual usage behaviors and not solely student perceptions and analyzing instructor perceptions of the tool. The authors contribute further evidence that group-constructed knowledge is valuable for undergraduate learning (Kalir et al., 2020b). The authors also provide data-based suggestions for the use of social annotation tools that maximize student learning and engagement.

아동의 미디어 이용 연구

Objectives The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of parent’s media education experience on children’s media use and the variables that affect children’s ability to control media use.&#x0D; Methods For this purpose, data from the &lt;2020 Children's Media Usage Survey&gt; of the Korea Press Foundation, which conducted a survey on 2161 parents aged 3 to 9 years in August 2020, was used. To solve the research questions, Reliability analysis, T-test, and hierarchical regression analysis were used.&#x0D; Results Children of parents who received media education tended to use digital media such as computer, smartphone, and tablet PC, and various platforms and services such as portals, messengers, SNS, and games more often. On the other hand, children of parents without media education used television and online video platforms more often. Parents who received media education tended to be more actively involved in their children's media use process and positively evaluated the media's influence. Parents' media use restriction and control, parents' media use guidance, and children's media education experience were identified as predictive variables that had a positive effect on increasing children's media control ability.&#x0D; Conclusions It was empirically verified that parents' media education experiences had various effects on children's media use. In addition, in order to increase children's ability to actively use media, it was effective for parents to limit, control, and guide children's media use at home, and to educate children to use media properly. These results are significant in that they have presented a solution to help children develop the ability to appropriately control their media use in the era of multi-media digital media.

Paper 07: Postoperative Opioid Usage and Disposal Strategies Following Outpatient Arthroscopic Sports Medicine Procedures: A Prospective Observational Study

Objectives: While several studies have noted that patients are routinely over-prescribed opioids, few have reported usage following arthroscopic surgery. Nearly 2 million arthroscopic procedures are performed annually, and one study estimates that opioids are prescribed in excess in 88% of patients recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Such surplus of postoperative opioid prescription creates a conundrum, as many patients do not appropriately dispose of unused opioid pills, and the majority of recreational opioid users obtain these medications from friends or family. The objectives of this study were to determine opioid consumption, utilization of total prescription, and allocation for unused opioids following five common arthroscopic surgeries. Methods: This study is a prospective trial enrolling patients between the ages of 15-40 who were scheduled to undergo elective anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, labral repair of the hip or shoulder, meniscectomy, or meniscal repair. Patients were prescribed either 5-325 hydrocodone-acetaminophen or 5-325 oxycodone-acetaminophen based on surgeon preference. Patients completed a daily opioid usage survey during the 2-week postoperative period. In addition, patients completed a survey on postoperative day 21 inquiring about continued opioid use and medication disposal, if applicable. Opioid medication consumption was converted to morphine milliequivalents (MME) where one 5 mg oxycodone pill is equivalent to 7.5 MME and one 5 mg hydrocodone pill is equivalent to 5.0 MME. T-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to calculate differences between continuous data. Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact were used for categorical data. Results: Of the 200 patients enrolled in the study, 100 (50%) underwent ACL reconstruction, 26 (13%) underwent arthroscopic hip labral repair, 37 (19%) underwent arthroscopic shoulder labral repair, 23 (12%) underwent meniscectomy, and 14 (7%) underwent meniscal repair. The mean MME consumption in the 14 days following each procedure was calculated: ACL reconstruction (88.9), hip arthroscopy (84.8), shoulder arthroscopy (55.5), meniscectomy (24.3), and meniscal repair (31.2). This corresponded to a utilization rate of 40.4%, 36.5%, 40.7%, 37.4%, and 34.6% respectively (Table 1). Mean MME consumption was greatest on postoperative day 1 in all procedures, and only 6.6% of patients reported continued opioid use in the third postoperative week. Of the 141 patients available for follow up at 3 weeks, 113 reported having opioid medication remaining. Of the patients with remaining medication, 25.6% intended to keep their medication for future use (Figure 2). Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that patients who undergo the aforementioned arthroscopic procedures consume a mean of 70 MME in the 2-week postoperative period, translating into an average of 9-14 pills consumed, depending on medication prescribed. Few patients reported requiring opioid medication after 2 weeks postoperatively. Patients undergoing ACL reconstruction and hip labral repairs consumed the highest MME, followed by shoulder labral repair patients who consumed approximately 3 times more opioids than primary meniscal procedures. Approximately 65% of total opioids prescribed went unused, and over one fourth of patients intended to keep their remaining medication for future usage. [Table: see text]

Assessment of Factors Contributing to Consumer Attitudes and Preferences toward Chantenay Carrots using the CHAID Model

Increasing the consumption of fresh vegetables to the recommended dietary guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the top priority for many national policy makers and horticulture businesses. One growth strategy which has been shown to promote vegetable intake is introducing different vegetable varieties into the market. This research analyses factors affecting consumer attitudes and willingness to purchase a new variety of carrots imported to Australia from the UK—the Chantenay carrot. To better inform marketing tactics for this new variety and to provide insights for predictions for uptake, a general carrot usage and attitude survey was conducted in four Australian states (N = 300). Results indicated that: sustainable packaging options; the size of carrots; cooking tips; taste; and place of origin were attitudinal triggering factors for purchasing fresh carrots in this sample. These factors were compared to the characteristics of the Chantenay variety using a CHi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) model to gauge the likelihood of acceptance and uptake of the variety within the larger Australian population. This study benefits marketing practitioners and horticultural businesses to develop a new vegetable variety that meets consumer preferences successfully.

Smartphone apps for mental health and wellbeing: A usage survey and machine learning analysis of psychological and behavioral predictors.

Despite the availability of thousands of mental health applications, the extent to which they are used and the factors associated with their use remain largely unknown. The present study aims to (a) assess in a representative US-based population sample the use of smartphone apps for mental health and wellbeing (SAMHW), (b) determine the variables predicting the use of SAMHW, and (c) explore how a set of variables related to mental health, smartphone use, and smartphone "addiction" may be associated with the use of SAMHW. Data was collected via online questionnaire from 1989 adults. The data gathered included information on smartphone use behavior, mental health, and the use of SAMHW. Latent class analysis was used to categorize participants. Machine learning and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the most important predictors of SAMHW use and associations between predictors and outcome variables. While two-thirds of participants had a statistically high probability for using SAMHW, nearly twice more had high probability for using them to improve wellbeing compared to using them to address mental health problems (43% vs. 18%). In both groups, these participants were more likely to be female and in the younger adult age bracket than male and in the adult or older adult age bracket. According to the machine learning model, the most important predictors for using the relevant smartphone apps were variables associated with smartphone problematic use, COVID-19 impact, and mental health problems. Findings from the present study confirm that the use of SAMHW is growing, particularly among younger adult and female individuals who are negatively impacted by problematic smartphone use, COVID-19, and mental health problems. These individuals tend to bypass traditional care via psychotherapy or psychopharmacology, relying instead on smartphones to address mental health conditions or improve wellbeing. Advising users of these apps to also seek professional help and promoting efforts to prove the efficacy and safety of SAMHW would seem necessary.

Initial Reports of ALLFTD Participant Internet and Social Media Usage Survey

AbstractBackgroundThe ARTFL LEFFTDS Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ALLFTD) Study, is the unification of prior FTD research studies, ARTFL and LEFFTDS. ALLFTD aims to evaluate sporadic (s‐) and familial (f‐) frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients and asymptomatic family members of f‐FTLD patients, characterizing the cohorts longitudinally and informing clinical trial design.MethodALLFTD participants completed the ALLFTD‐specific, Internet and Social Media (ISM) Usage Survey. This survey was created to learn more about participants’ ISM habits. The survey asks participants to report on the frequency with which they use ISM for personal reasons and contains additional questions about reasons for use and general gaming and social media habits.ResultIn conjunction with their scheduled ALLFTD visit, 194 participants completed the ALLFTD ISM Usage Survey. Fifty one percent of participants identified as female. The mean age was 56.6 (SD 14.61), and the mean education level was 15.9 (SD 3.53). Most participants reported using ISM 1‐5 hours per day (56.7%). Participants also reported using ISM at less common frequencies: more than 5 hours per day (12.9%), less than 1 hour per day (13.9%), weekly (3.1%), 2‐3 times a week (2.1%), 2‐3 times a month (2.1%), and never (9.3%). “Moderate and Severely impaired” participants (CDR© + NACC FTLD &gt; = 2) reported using ISM less frequently than “mildly symptomatic” participants (CDR© + NACC FTLD = 1, p&lt;0.0001), and those who are “normal and questionably impaired” CDR© + NACC FTLD &lt; = 0.5, p&lt;0.0001). Those who are mildly symptomatic reported using ISM at a similar frequency to those who are normal or questionably impaired (p&lt;0.01). When reporting on personal use, most participants stated that they used the internet for email (45.5%), news (37.5%), social media (32.4%), and entertainment (33.5%). Additionally, most participants reported playing games (56.2%) and using social media (59.8%). Participants predominantly indicated that they use social media to connect with family and friends (90.5%). Comparison of ISM usage frequency to reported anxiety, agitation, or depression on the NPI‐Q found evidence of a difference in ISM usage frequency; directional comparison studies are forthcoming.ConclusionFrequency of ISM usage is consistent between ALLFTD participants. Additional analyses of ISM usage are forthcoming.

Examining the Factors Affecting the Problem of Experiencing Difficulties while Online Shopping in Turkey with Categorical Data Analysis

The growth of Internet use, along with the ever-evolving and changing technology, has shifted trade made by traditional methods to electronic media. Although there are several definitions, online shopping can be defined as any step in the reciprocal exchange of money, commodities, or services between the buyer and seller through the use of internet technologies. Online shopping has evolved into one of the most important mega-trends in the world economy, with a broad scope. The scope of Internet buying activities is quite broad, extending from individuals to other businesses, governments, and other relevant organizations, and it is possible to reach any market or consumer through quick communication. As a result, economic, political, legal, institutional, cultural, social, and other aspects influence online shopping activities.&#x0D; When purchasing goods or services through the Internet, buyers encounter a variety of problems. The goal of this study is to look into the socio-demographic and economic elements that are important in cases when people experience problems with their online purchases. The study used a micro data set from the 2021 Information and Communication Technology Usage Survey in Households conducted by Turkey Statistical Institute. The research's sampling method is a 2-stage stratified cluster sampling. The factors connected to the problems individuals have with online purchases have been determined using binary logistic regression analysis.&#x0D; In the last three months, 52.4% of the men in the research said they had problems with purchases made through the website or mobile application. According to the study, 51.9% of individuals in the eastern region reported having difficulty with transactions made through the website or mobile application. As a result of the research, it has been discovered that education level, income level, age, gender, profession, family size, financial transactions conducted over the Internet, and regional characteristics are all linked to experiencing problems with online shopping.