Willingness Of Participants Research Articles

Participant Recruitment Method Aiming at Service Quality in Mobile Crowd Sensing

With the rapid popularization and application of smart sensing devices, mobile crowd sensing (MCS) has made rapid development. MCS mobilizes personnel with various sensing devices to collect data. Task distribution as the key point and difficulty in the field of MCS has attracted wide attention from scholars. However, the current research on participant selection methods whose main goal is data quality is not deep enough. Different from most of these previous studies, this paper studies the participant selection scheme on the multitask condition in MCS. According to the tasks completed by the participants in the past, the accumulated reputation and willingness of participants are used to construct a quality of service model (QoS). On the basis of maximizing QoS, two heuristic greedy algorithms are used to solve participation; two options are proposed: task‐centric and user‐centric. The distance constraint factor, integrity constraint factor, and reputation constraint factor are introduced into our algorithms. The purpose is to select the most suitable set of participants on the premise of ensuring the QoS, as far as possible to improve the platform’s final revenue and the benefits of participants. We used a real data set and generated a simulation data set to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the two algorithms. Detailedly compared our algorithms with the existing algorithms in terms of the number of participants selected, moving distance, and data quality. During the experiment, we established a step data pricing model to quantitatively compare the quality of data uploaded by participants. Experimental results show that two algorithms proposed in this paper have achieved better results in task quality than existing algorithms.

Resource Factors Allowing People with Alcohol-addicted Parents to Overcome Their Negative Emotions: A Latent Variable Model and Content Analysis.

People with alcohol-addicted parents are at risk of psychoactive addictions, co-dependency, and suicidal behavior. Most studies of these people are aimed at confirming the inevitability of the impact of negative childhood experiences on their lives, and thus do not seek to identify resource factors which would allow them to overcome the negative emotions they experienced. The purpose of this study was to create a model of resource factors which would allow people with alcohol-addicted parents to overcome the negative emotions they experienced. The participants were 58 healthy individuals (17 men and 41 women; M=25.2; SD=4.4) whose parents were alcohol addicts (they were participants in the 12-step recovery program "Adult Children of Alcoholics"), and 50 healthy individuals (15 men and 35 women, M=24.2; SD=3.7) whose parents were not alcohol addicts. The participants completed the questionnaires "Interpersonal Guilt," "Family Emotional Communication," and "Coping Strategies," and were interviewed on the resource factors which allowed them to overcome negative emotions. We used the content analysis of the interviews and latent variable modeling to analyze the questionnaires. The model of resource factors (CFI=0.895, RMSEA=0.064) showed that the rules set by the parental dysfunctional family (the taboo on the expressing emotions, and external well-being) were associated with being unable to recognize current negative emotions and with avoiding problems. The ability to recognize negative emotions was connected with the participant's willingness to accept responsibility for his/ her life. The resource factors which allowed these subjects to overcome their negative emotions included: communication with relatives and friends; keeping a diary of emotions; and participating in recovery programs. Our model of resource factors explains the mechanism connecting dysfunctional family rules with the resource factors and negative emotions experienced by people with alcohol-addicted parents.

Clinical Trial Participant Willingness and Influencing Factors Study of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective: The study was conducted to understand the situation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to participant clinical trials and to analyze the factors affecting the clinical trial participation of patients with IBD. A clinical experiment guidance will be proved by this study to maximized the benefits to patients and to help the clinical trial to conduct successfully. Method: An anonymous questionnaire was designed and was administrated to the patients with IBD who were randomly delivered in the inpatient or outpatient departments. The survey result was analyzed. Result: Total 372 available questionnaires were returned. Among these patients, 26.3% patients with IBD indicated willingness to participate, 57.3% indicated a situation dependence, and 41.04% indicated unwillingness. Among the potential factors that may influence the patient’s willingness to participate the clinical, trusted physician’s recommendation, no proved drugs to use and accessing to free medication to release financial burden were statistically significant. Conclusion: The overall willingness of IBD patients to participate in drug clinical trials is not high. Among the patients who are willing to participate in clinical trials, the main reasons for their participation are that they trust doctors’ recommendation, can get free medication and examination, and can reduce the economic burden. Efficacy and safety were the main influencing factors in patients who were case-dependent and unwilling to participate in clinical trials.

The use of active methods of teaching sociological disciplines in distance learning

The article considers the problems of teaching and application of methods of activating the educational audience in the global pandemic COVID-19 and the transition to the format of distance and blended learning. Using examples from the experience of teaching compulsory disciplines for training specialists in sociology at the Faculty of Sociology at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev, the authors considered the possibilities of using game and projective techniques, role-based discussions, visualizing students' answers and explanations in the context of distance learning and technically mediated communication with students. The possibilities of using various online platforms and services (KNU Education Online, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Zoom, kahoot.it, triventy.com, quizizz.com, jeopardylabs.com, baamboozle.com, mentimeter.com, ArcGIS Online, Google Maps , Bing Maps) to energize student work and generate feedback from the audience. The use of distance learning methods allows us to rethink and suggest new ways to solve traditional problems of teaching in higher education, such as: the connection of theory and practice, visualization of theoretical material, activating the audience during classes. Involvement of game techniques partially overcomes the difficulties of distance learning and communication with students, which is an objective consequence of the impossibility of dialogue in the usual face-to-face format. At the same time, there are other important problems and issues of organizing the educational process, associated not only with the availability of the necessary material and technical support, but also with the willingness and ability of direct participants in the educational system to work with the necessary software — digital literacy of teachers. All this creates new challenges for the teachers, the search for alternative options for introducing the latest or updated techniques and constant reflection on the advantages and disadvantages of their use.

Impact of a Serious Game on the Intention to Change Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Web-Based Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundNursing home residents are at high risk of complications and death due to COVID-19. Lack of resources, both human and material, amplifies the likelihood of contamination in these facilities where a single employee can contaminate dozens of residents and colleagues. Improving the dissemination of and adhesion to infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines is therefore essential. Serious games have been shown to be effective in developing knowledge and in increasing engagement, and could motivate nursing home employees to change their IPC practices.ObjectiveOur aim is to assess the impact of “Escape COVID-19,” a serious game designed to enhance knowledge and application of IPC procedures, on the intention of nursing home employees to change their IPC practices.MethodsWe will carry out a web-based randomized controlled trial following the CONSORT-EHEALTH (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile Health Applications and Online Telehealth) guidelines and incorporating relevant elements of CHERRIES (Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys). Participants will be randomized to either the control or the serious game (intervention) group. First, both groups will be asked to answer a questionnaire designed to gather demographic data and assess baseline knowledge. The control group will then receive a quick reminder of the current national guidelines and links to IPC guidelines for health care professionals, while the other group will play the game. Both groups will then have to answer a second questionnaire designed to assess their willingness to change their IPC practices after having followed their respective material. After completing this questionnaire, they will be granted access to the material presented to the group they were not assigned to and receive a course completion certificate. The primary outcome will be the proportion of participants willing to change their IPC practices according to group. Secondary outcomes will include the analysis of specific questions detailing the exact changes considered by the participants. Factors associated with participant willingness or reluctance to change behavior will also be assessed. Attrition will also be assessed at each stage of the study.ResultsThe study protocol has been presented to our regional ethics committee (Req-2020-01262), which issued a declaration of no objection as such projects do not fall within the scope of the Swiss federal law on human research. Data collection began on November 5, 2020, and should be completed by December 4, 2020.ConclusionsThis study should determine whether “Escape COVID-19,” a serious game designed to improve compliance with COVID-19 safe practices, modifies the intention to follow IPC guidelines among nursing home employees.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/25595

Determinants of willingness to participate in community-based health insurance among People Living with HIV in South-East Nigeria

Background: Despite free antiretroviral treatment at designated facilities, many People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria continue to face catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) due to direct non-medical and indirect costs of illness. Waning donor funding and poor country ownership of HIV care programs are challenges to the sustainability of care for PLHIV. Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) presents a viable alternative for funding HIV care services. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of Willingness To Participate (WTP) in CBHI among PLHIV in a large tertiary hospital in South-east Nigeria. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 371 PLHIV on treatment at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Nigeria using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 20. Statistical tests were conducted at 5% level of significance. Results: Respondents were mostly males (51.8%) with mean age of 45.4 ± 10.3. The mean monthly income of respondents was N26, 665.77 ± 15,171.50 ($74,070 ± 42.14). Majority were willing to participate (825%) and to finance their participation in CBHI (65.2%). Major reasons given for unwillingness to participate in CBHI were poor understanding on how the system works, lack of regular source of income, health insurance not needed and fear of poor management of resources. On bivariate analysis, WTP in CBHI was associated with gender (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), employment type (p = 0.006), family size (p = 0.001), educational level (p < 0.001), monthly and monthly income (p < 0.001). Predictors of WTP were female gender (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.6–5.7), being currently unmarried (AOR = 4.3; 95% CI: 2.3–7.8), self-employed (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2–3.9), family size greater than 5 (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.7–5.9) and having less than a secondary school education (AOR = 4.3; 95% CI: 2.3–7.8). Conclusion: The majority of the respondents were willing to participate and finance their participation in CBHI. The vulnerable subgroups (females, unmarried, self-employed, poorly educated and those with large family size) had higher odds of WTP. To reduce CHE, there is a need to harness this high WTP among PLHIV in the design of subsidized and sustainable CBHI programs with special focus on the socially disadvantaged.

Willingness of female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda to participate in future HIV vaccine trials: a case control study

BackgroundWe anticipate large efficacy trials of novel HIV vaccines that have shown acceptable safety profiles. We determined willingness to participate (WTP) in future HIV vaccine efficacy trials among HIV negative female sex workers (FSWs) in Kampala Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a case control study in the Good Health for Women Project cohort. Cases received HIV prevention services and, enrolled in a 12-month simulated vaccine efficacy trial (SiVET) that used Hepatitis B vaccine; they underwent vaccine trial procedures as would be in an actual trial. Controls received similar health services but did not enroll in SiVET. We matched cases and controls (ratio 2:1) for age and duration in the cohort. We described a hypothetical HIV vaccine trial to cases (after 9 months in SiVET) and controls including trial attributes: randomization, delaying pregnancy, frequent blood draws (80-100mls) and study visits for 3 years. We compared WTP and willingness for vaccine trial attributes by case/control using chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests and fitted conditional logistic regression models to determine independent predictors of WTP.ResultsWe analyzed data for 311 volunteers (219 cases, 92 controls); median age 27 years (IQR: 23–32), 39.9% had ≥secondary education, 57.9% had sex work as their main job and 81.9% used illicit drugs. Compared to controls, more cases had lived in the community for > 1 year, (85.4% vs 64.1%; p < 0.001) and fewer cases reported illicit drug use in the past 3 months, (79.0% vs 89.1%; p = 0.03). Overall, 278 (89.4%) volunteers expressed WTP in an HIV vaccine trial, the most common reason being hope of protection against HIV. More cases than controls (58.2% vs 44.7%) did not need to consult anyone before trial participation (p = 0.03); cases were more willing to delay pregnancy (99.0% vs 94.0%; p = 0.03). Combining vaccine trial attributes, 249 (89.6%) of the 278 accepted all attributes. After controlling for case/ control status women with secondary education or higher expressed less WTP (aOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.04–0.80).ConclusionFSWs in Kampala demonstrated high WTP. Prior experience with trial requirements like contraception may improve their uptake during actual trials. Family involvement is important for those without prior trial experience.

Recommendations from Thai stakeholders about protecting HIV remission ('cure') trial participants: report from a participatory workshop.

BackgroundThe social/behavioral HIV Decision-Making Study (DMS) assesses informed consent and trial experiences of individuals in HIV remission trials in Thailand. We convened a 1-d multi-stakeholder participatory workshop in Bangkok. We provide a meeting summary and reactions from DMS investigators.MethodsWorkshop members viewed de-identified interview excerpts from DMS participants. They deliberated on the findings and made recommendations regarding informed choice for remission trials. Notes and recordings were used to create a summary report, which was reviewed by members and refined.ResultsWorkshop members’ recommendations included HIV education and psychosocial support to establish the basis for informed choice, key trial information to be provided in everyday language, supportive decision-making processes and psychosocial care during and after the trial. Concerns included participant willingness to restart antiretrovirals after trial-mandated treatment interruption, unintended influence of the research team on decision-making and seemingly altruistic motivations for trial participation that may signal attempts to atone for stigmatized behavior.ConclusionsThe workshop highlighted community perspectives and resulted in recommendations for supporting informed choice and psychosocial and physical health. These are the first such recommendations arising from a deliberative process. Although some elements are rooted in the Thai context, most are applicable across remission trials.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the State of Clinical and Laboratory Research Globally in Transplantation in May 2020.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the State of Clinical and Laboratory Research Globally in Transplantation in May 2020.

Pelatihan Pembuatan Telur Asin Herbal Pendukung Kebugaran Di Masa Pandemi Covid-19 Di Kelurahan Mataiwoi

Covid 19 pandemic greatly threatens people's lives. Providing training to increase body immunity is done by educating the public to make herbal salted eggs. Through this training activity, PKK mothers are taught to choose materials, understand the causes and spread of Covid 19, and herbal salted egg processing. The results of the activity showed the enthusiasm and willingness of participants to implement making herbal products of the same type in their homes, some had business plans to make and market to the surrounding community. This training activity is needed by the community and can increase their knowledge and skills. The community hopes that this activity can continue periodically as a target of Halu Oleo University with various types of products.

Dynamic Contract Design for Federated Learning in Smart Healthcare Applications

Currently, the data collected by the Internet of Healthcare Things, i.e., healthcare oriented Internet of Things (IoT), still rely on cloud-based centralized data aggregation and processing. To reduce the need for transmission of data to the cloud, the edge computing architecture may be adopted to facilitate machine learning at the edge of the network through leveraging on the amassed computation resources of pervasive IoT devices. In this article, federated learning (FL) is proposed to enable privacy-preserving collaborative model training at the edge of the network across distributed IoT users. However, the users in the FL network may have different willingness to participate (WTP), a hidden information unknown to the model owner. Furthermore, the development of healthcare applications typically requires sustainable user participation, e.g., for the continuous collection of data during which a user’s WTP may change over time. As such, we leverage on the dynamic contract design to consider a two-period incentive mechanism that satisfies the intertemporal incentive compatibility (IIC), such that the self-revealing mechanism of the contract holds across both periods. The performance evaluation shows that our contract design satisfies the IIC constraints and derives greater profits than that of the uniform pricing scheme, thus validating its effectiveness in mitigating the adverse impacts of the information asymmetry.

Resource-based agricultural non-point source pollution control using biological agents

Abstract Non-point source (NPS) pollution is a major cause of the deterioration of surface water quality. Effectively controlling NPS pollution, especially that from rural areas, is critical in improving the quality and safety of water resources. However, most of the approaches employed for NPS control are low-efficiency or impractical owing to ignorance of the willingness of participants, as well as the high cost. To improve the effectiveness and efficiency, this study newly proposes a resource-based approach for agricultural NPS pollution control via using biological agents. In this approach, the domestic organic waste and livestock manure are economically utilized to produce organic fertilizers and plant protection agents to replace harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides, respectively. The approach has been applied in the Danjiangkou catchment area in Nanyang City, and the results show that: (1) the most severe pollutants, total P and total N concentrations have been effectively reduced and their values in 2025 are predicted to be the same level as that before significant deterioration; (2) with unpowered sewage treatment and spontaneous participation of farmers, the treatment cost is significantly reduced; (3) the resource-based treatment of domestic waste and livestock manure supports the development of an efficient and sustainable agricultural economy.

Transformation of Higher Education During the Pandemic: Pain Points

The relevance of the study is due to the contradiction between the mass transition of the Russian system of higher education to the distance learning format and the insufficient willingness of participants in the educational process to work under the new requirements caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. Teachers, students and administrators of higher educational institutions in Russia have encountered a number of difficulties. Their analysis will highlight the objective and subjective factors of their occurrence and develop recommendations for the further organization of distance learning in its combination with the traditional format. The purpose of the study was to analyze the modern work experience in the remote format of one of the leading Russian universities – Kazan Federal University. On this basis, the article analyzes successes and problems of this process, shows the contradictions between traditional and distance learning, considers the main models of educational organization that involve traditional and remote learning formats using distance educational technologies. It is concluded that in the system of basic formal education at all levels and areas of training, distance learning can be considered as a form that complements and strengthens the social, pedagogical, organizational, psychological, and didactic potential of the traditional (face-to-face) educational format.The work comprehensively used the methods of theoretical (analysis, synthesis, systematization, comparison, etc.) and empirical (study of literature, conversation, questioning, observation) research.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors on Utilizing Mobile Health Technology for TB in Indonesia: A Qualitative Pilot Study.

Tuberculosis (TB) infections remain a global health burden with a high incidence rate in South-East Asia, including Indonesia. TB control strategy is founded on early case detection and complete treatment to minimize transmission and prevent the emergence of drug resistance. However, many patients face challenges to comply with daily medication, causing many to adhere inconsistently or stop prematurely. Technological solutions could enhance adherence to treatment and support national screening and follow-up policies. These include telephone video communication, enabling health professionals to watch patients take their medication, address patients' concerns, and provide advice and support. This manuscript describes the outcome of a qualitative pilot study, based on a series of focus group discussions to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, on the potential utilization of mobile technology for health purposes with a particular focus on TB treatment follow-up. The findings illustrate that general knowledge of mobile health technologies, of their legal framework of operations, and of their exact potential within the healthcare system is incomplete or poor. The novel findings are as follows: (a) the willingness of participants to learn about these technologies, (b) the open and welcoming attitude toward receiving such information even within frontline community settings, and (c) the willingness to back a government-supported, healthcare-driven set of such initiatives. Potential implementation barriers have also been highlighted. This study is an important first step toward understanding the attitudes and behaviors on utilizing mobile health technology for TB in Indonesia.

Tales for teaching German: Examining student-centered activities in terms of students' willingness to participate in the classroom

The goal of this study is to determine the willingness for participation and opinions of the high school students who learn German as a foreign language in the context of the student-centered activities carried out within the scope of a student-centered teaching approach lasting four weeks. The sample of the study consists of 20 students who continue their 11th grade education in a secondary school in Cankaya, Ankara in the spring term of the 2019-2020 academic year. The research was conducted with a mixed research method. As data collection tools, a questionnaire was used to determine the effect of student-centered activities on students' active willingness for course participation and a course evaluation form was used to determine students' opinions and views on the applied activities. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of quantitative data obtained from the questionnaire and course evaluation forms, and inductive content analysis was utilized in the analysis of qualitative data. As a consequence of the evaluation, it has been detected that student-centered activities, in which visual materials and creative work styles are used, contribute to the increase of the students' willingness to participate. Furthermore, it has been observed that these students shared the view that such activities were effective and useful for foreign language learning processes.

324 - Twelve-month progress of online intervention to prevent cognitive decline: Maintain Your Brain

Authors:Henry Brodaty, Megan Heffernan, Gavin Andrews, Kaarin Anstey, Maria Fiatarone Singh, Louisa Jorm, Nicola Lautenschlager, Anthony Maeder, John McNeill, Perminder Sachdev, Michael Valenzuela, Maintain Your Brain Collaborative Team.Abstract:In the absence of disease modifying interventions for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias there is an increased interest in dementia prevention. An issue for population-based lifestyle preventative approaches is scalability. An internet-based multicomponent Maintain Your Brain (MYB) randomised trial is currently underway.Invitations to participate in Maintain Your Brain were emailed or mailed to people aged 55-77 years from the 45 and Up study, a population-based cohort study of one in ten people aged 45 years and older (n = 267,000). To be enrolled into the study participants were required to have risk factors that made them eligible for at least one of the available modules. Modules were designed to address physical inactivity and health risks associated with inactivity (Physical Activity), adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet and health risks associated with poor nutrition (Nutrition), cognitive activity (Brain Training) and mental wellbeing (Peace of Mind).During recruitment 96,418 invitations were sent and 14,064 (14%) provided consent. Of those who completed baseline over 90% were eligible for at least two modules of the intervention. Overall, 6,236 (44%) were enrolled resulting in an overall recruitment rate of 6%, or 50% of those eligible at screening. The final sample was 64% female with a mean age of 64.9yrs (SD = 5.8, range 55-77 yrs) and mean years of education of 12.9yrs (SD = 3.0, range 2-22 yrs).Recruitment rates in MYB were comparable to other clinical trials targeting older people and who included online recruitment strategies. This is promising for the willingness of participants to engage with trials that use online rather than traditional in-person methods. Although the baseline withdrawal number (3%) remained stable after randomisation (4%), a further 25% of participants did not attempt any activities. These rates continued at the annual assessments when 4% withdrew, 31% completed no follow-up activities, 14% partially completed and 55% completed all.Online lifestyle interventions have capacity to reach broad segments of the 55-77 year old population, the majority of whom may benefit from support activities shown to be effective in reducing risk of cognitive decline and ultimately delay onset of dementia. The challenge with this new approach is encouraging continued engagement with the program over time.

Growing Healthy Hearts: Gardening Program Feasibility in a Hospital-Based Community Garden

ObjectiveTo assess feasibility in terms of acceptability, demand, and participant willingness to engage in gardening activities during an intervention delivered at a hospital-based community garden for patients at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). MethodsIn a pre-post study design, 15 adults with ≥1 CVD risk factor attended 5 education sessions over 12 weeks, tended garden beds, and completed questionnaires related to program acceptability and future gardening intentions. Interviews were used to identify areas for programmatic improvement. ResultsMost participants rated the intervention as good or excellent (93%), and 73% indicated that it was likely that they would garden next season. Areas for programmatic improvement included creating opportunities for group discussion, providing online materials, and offering more cooking and gardening content. Conclusions and ImplicationsGardening as an intervention for adult patients with CVD risk factors is feasible. Assessment of the effect of gardening on health outcomes and dietary intake is warranted.

A cross-sectional study of the role of men and the knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy in southern Mozambique

BackgroundThe role of the male partner and wider family in maternal health, especially in case of emergencies, has been receiving increasing attention over the last decade. Qualitative research has highlighted that women depend on others to access high quality maternity care. Currently little is known about these factors in relation to maternal health in Mozambique.MethodsA cross sectional household survey was conducted with men and women in southern Mozambique about decision making, financial support and knowledge of danger signs. A multivariable logistic model was used to identify factors associated with knowledge of danger signs and Cohen’s kappa for agreement among couples.ResultsA total of 775 men and women from Marracuene and Manhica districts were interviewed. Maternal health care decisions were frequently made jointly by the couple (32–49%) and financial support was mainly provided by the man (46–80%). Parental and parent-in-law involvement in decision making and financial support was minimal (0–3%). The average number of danger signs respondents knew was 2.05 and no significant difference (p = 0.294) was found between men and women. Communication with the partner was a significant predictor for higher knowledge of danger signs for both men (p = 0.01) and women (p = 0.03). There was very low agreement within couples regarding decision making (p = 0.04), financial support (p = 0.01) and presence at antenatal care consultations (p = 0.001). Results suggest women and men have a high willingness for more male participation in antenatal care, although their understanding of what constitutes this participation is not clear.ConclusionThe study findings highlight the important role men play in decision making and financial support for maternal health care issues. Strengthening male involvement in antenatal care services, by investing in counselling and receiving couples, could help accelerate gains in maternal health in Mozambique. Maternal health care studies should collect more data from men directly as men and women often report different views and behavior regarding maternal health care issues and male involvement.

A Study of Friend Abuse Perception in Facebook

Social networks like Facebook provide functionality that can expose users to abuse perpetrated by their contacts. For instance, Facebook users can often access sensitive profile information and timeline posts of their friends and also post abuse on the timeline and news feed of their friends. In this article, we introduce AbuSniff, a system to identify Facebook friends perceived to be abusive or strangers and protect the user by restricting the access to information for such friends. We develop a questionnaire to detect perceived strangers and friend abuse. We train supervised learning algorithms to predict questionnaire responses using features extracted from the mutual activities with Facebook friends. In our experiments, participants recruited from a crowdsourcing site agreed with 78% of the defense actions suggested by AbuSniff, without having to answer any questions about their friends. When compared to a control app, AbuSniff significantly increased the willingness of participants to take a defensive action against friends. AbuSniff also increased the participant self-reported willingness to reject friend invitations from strangers and abusers, their awareness of friend abuse implications, and their perceived protection from friend abuse.

“Does isometric exercise improve leg stiffness and hop pain in subjects with Achilles tendinopathy? A feasibility study”

BackgroundIn Achilles tendinopathy (AT) the ability to store and recycle elastic energy during ground contact phase is often altered. A measure of this function is represented by leg stiffness (LS). Immediate responses in LS following therapeutic intervention have not been examined. ObjectiveThe aim of this paper was to examine the feasibility of the protocol in participants with AT. DesignSingle cohort feasibility study. ParticipantsAdults with persistent AT pain, symptoms on palpation and less than 80 points on the Visa-A questionnaire. Interventionheavy isometric exercise sequence in plantarflexion. Outcome measuresFeasibility was assessed by evaluating: the willingness of participants to enroll into the study, the number of eligible participants, the recruitment rate, adherence to the intervention, the drop-out rate, the tolerability of the protocol. LS, reactive strength index, pain and rate of perceived effort were secondary outcomes. Results22 AT were eligible for data collection and 19 entered the statistical analysis. The intervention was well tolerated, no withdrawals. Pain scores were low during both the intervention and the assessment. Immediate improvements in LS and pain were recorded. ConclusionsThe isometric exercise protocol was feasible. Future research should investigate its effectiveness.