Academic dishonesty when doing homework: How digital technologies are put to bad use in secondary schools

The growth in digital technologies in recent decades has offered many opportunities to support students’ learning and homework completion. However, it has also contributed to expanding the field of possibilities concerning homework avoidance. Although studies have investigated the factors of academic dishonesty, the focus has often been on college students and formal assessments. The present study aimed to determine what predicts homework avoidance using digital resources and whether engaging in these practices is another predictor of test performance. To address these questions, we analyzed data from the Program for International Student Assessment 2018 survey, which contained additional questionnaires addressing this issue, for the Swiss students. The results showed that about half of the students engaged in one kind or another of digitally-supported practices for homework avoidance at least once or twice a week. Students who were more likely to use digital resources to engage in dishonest practices were males who did not put much effort into their homework and were enrolled in non-higher education-oriented school programs. Further, we found that digitally-supported homework avoidance was a significant negative predictor of test performance when considering information and communication technology predictors. Thus, the present study not only expands the knowledge regarding the predictors of academic dishonesty with digital resources, but also confirms the negative impact of such practices on learning

What is “technology integration” and how is it measured in k-12 education? A systematic review of survey instruments from 2010 to 2021

This systematic review provides an overview and analysis of the survey instruments measuring technology integration (TI) in educational settings from 2010 to 2021. Given the importance of addressing aspects related to the quality of TI (e.g., the use of technology to support pedagogical goals), we paid particular attention to them. Search results from the PsycINFO, ERIC, Web of Science, and Scopus databases yielded 695 records. Thirty-five different survey instruments used in 36 studies met our eligibility criteria and were then analyzed by applying content analysis. Our results indicate that the diversity of operationalizations is very high and that several instruments have no explicit conceptual or theoretical underpinnings. Most of the instruments measure aspects related to classroom practices and measure TI from the teachers' point of view. The most frequently measured pedagogical aspects of TI in instructional practices include the use of technology to (1) enhance students’ cognitive engagement, (2) promote collaboration between students, and (3) allow students to conduct research online. The study concludes with some perspectives for future research, an attempt to formulate a definition of TI, and some more general recommendations to ensure terminological unambiguity in TI research

Using virtual reality to train infection prevention: what predicts performance and behavioral intention?

Training medical professionals for hand hygiene is challenging, especially due to the invisibility of microorganisms to the human eye. As the use of virtual reality (VR) in medical training is still novel, this exploratory study investigated how preexisting technology acceptance and in-training engagement predict VR hand hygiene performance scores. The effect of training in the VR environment on the behavioral intention to further use this type of training device (a component of technology acceptance) was also investigated. Participants completed a VR hand hygiene training comprising three levels of the same task with increasing difficulty. We measured technology acceptance, composed of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and behavioral intention, pre- and post-training, and in-training engagement using adaptations of existing questionnaires. We used linear regression models to determine predictors of performance in level-3 and of behavioral intention to further use VR training. Forty-three medical students participated in this exploratory study. In-training performance significantly increased between level-1 and level-3. Performance in level-3 was predicted by prior performance expectancy and engagement during the training session. Intention to further use VR to learn medical procedures was predicted by both prior effort expectancy and engagement. Our results provide clarification on the relationship between VR training, engagement, and technology acceptance. Future research should assess the long-term effectiveness of hand hygiene VR training and the transferability of VR training to actual patient care in natural settings. A more complete VR training could also be developed, with additional levels including more increased difficulty and additional medical tasks

Practice-Based Evidence to Support Return to Work in Cancer Patients

BackgroundInternational research emphasizes the importance of providing early, hospital-based support in return to work (RTW) for cancer patients. Even though oncology health professionals are aware of the scientific evidence, it remains unclear whether they implement this knowledge in current practice. This paper presents the knowledge and viewpoints of health care professionals (HCPs) on their potential role in their patients' RTW process.MethodsSemi-structured interviews with oncology HCPs were used to describe current practice. Results of these interviews served as input for focus group discussions with managers in oncology hospitals, which led to an agreement on of best practice.ResultsThis research had the participation of 75% of Belgian institutions involved in oncology health care services. Five themes were identified that influence care providers and staff to implement scientific evidence on RTW in cancer patients: (1) Opinions on the role that care institutions can take in RTW support; (2) Current content of RTW support during oncology care; (3) Scientific bases; (4) Barriers and success factors; and (5) Legislation and regulations. The key elements of the best practice included a generic approach adapted to the needs of the cancer patient supported by a RTW coordinator.ConclusionsHealth care providers include RTW support in their current care, but in very varied ways. They follow a process that starts with setting the indication (meaning the identification of patients for whom the provision of work-related care would be useful) and ends with a clear objective agreed upon by HCPs and the patient. We recommend that specific points of interest be included in regulation at both the patient and hospital levels

Gas-phase Dissociation of homo-DNA Oligonucleotides

Synthetic modified oligonucleotides are of interest for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, as their biological stability, pairing selectivity, and binding strength can be considerably increased by the incorporation of unnatural structural elements. Homo-DNA is an oligonucleotide homologue based on dideoxy-hexopyranosyl sugar moieties, which follows the Watson-Crick A-T and G-C base pairing system, but does not hybridize with complementary natural DNA and RNA. Homo-DNA has found application as a bioorthogonal element in templated chemistry applications. The gas-phase dissociation of homo-DNA has been investigated by ESI-MS/MS and MALDI-MS/MS, and mechanistic aspects of its gas-phase dissociation are discussed. Experiments revealed a charge state dependent preference for the loss of nucleobases, which are released either as neutrals or as anions. In contrast to DNA, nucleobase loss from homo-DNA was found to be decoupled from backbone cleavage, thus resulting in stable products. This renders an additional stage of ion activation necessary in order to generate sequence-defining fragment ions. Upon MS3 of the primary base-loss ion, homo-DNA was found to exhibit unspecific backbone dissociation resulting in a balanced distribution of all fragment ion series. Figure

Occupational therapy and return to work: a systematic literature review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The primary aim of this review study was to gather evidence on the effectiveness in terms of return to work (RTW) of occupational therapy interventions (OTIs) in rehabilitation patients with non-congenital disorders. A secondary aim was to be able to select the most efficient OTI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic literature review of peer-reviewed papers was conducted using electronic databases (Cinahl, Cochrane Library, Ebsco, Medline (Pubmed), and PsycInfo). The search focussed on randomised controlled trials and cohort studies published in English from 1980 until September 2010. Scientific validity of the studies was assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Starting from 1532 papers with pertinent titles, six studies met the quality criteria. Results show systematic reviewing of OTIs on RTW was challenging due to varying populations, different outcome measures, and poor descriptions of methodology. There is evidence that OTIs as part of rehabilitation programs, increase RTW rates, although the methodological evidence of most studies is weak.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Analysis of the selected papers indicated that OTIs positively influence RTW; two studies described precisely what the content of their OTI was. In order to identify the added value of OTIs on RTW, studies with well-defined OT intervention protocols are necessary.</p

Occupational advice for Patients undergoing Arthroplasty of the Lower limb: An intervention development and feasibility study (The OPAL Study)

Background Hip and knee replacements are regularly performed for patients who work. There is little evidence about these patients’ needs and the factors influencing their return to work. There is a paucity of guidance to help patients return to work after surgery and a need for structured occupational advice to enable them to return to work safely and effectively. Objective(s) To develop an occupational advice intervention to support early recovery to usual activities including work which is tailored to the requirements of patients undergoing hip and knee replacements. To test the acceptability, practicality and feasibility of this intervention within current care frameworks Design An intervention mapping (IM) approach was used to develop the intervention. The research methods employed were: rapid evidence synthesis; qualitative interviews with patients and stakeholders; prospective cohort study; survey of clinical practice; modified Delphi consensus process. The developed intervention was implemented and assessed during the final feasibility stage of the IM process. Setting Orthopaedic departments within NHS secondary care. Participants Patients in work, and intending to return to work following primary elective hip and knee replacement surgery; healthcare professionals and employers. Interventions Occupational advice intervention. Main outcome measures Development of an occupational advice intervention. Fidelity of the developed intervention when delivered in a clinical setting. Patient and clinician perspectives of the intervention. Preliminary assessments of intervention effectiveness and cost. Results A cohort study (154 patients), 110 stakeholder interviews, survey of practice (152 respondents) and evidence synthesis provided the necessary information to develop the intervention. The intervention included information resources, personalized return to work plan and co-ordination from the healthcare team to support the delivery of 13 patient and 20 staff performance objectives (POs). To support delivery, a range of tools (e.g. occupational checklists, patient workbooks, employer information), roles (e.g. return-to-work coordinator) and training resources were created. Feasibility was assessed in 21 of the 26 patients recruited from 3 NHS trusts. Adherence with the defined performance objectives was 75% for patient POs and 74% for staff POs. The intervention was generally well received although the short timeframe available for implementation and concurrent research evaluation led to some confusion amongst patients and those delivering the intervention regarding its purpose and the roles and responsibilities of key staff. Limitations Implementation and uptake of the intervention was not standardized and was limited by the study timeframe. Evaluation of the intervention involved a small number of patients which limited the ability to assess it. Conclusions The developed occupational advice intervention supports best practice. Evaluation demonstrated good rates of adherence against defined performance objectives. However, a number of operational and implementation issues require further attention Future work The intervention warrants a randomised controlled trial to assess its clinical and cost effectiveness to improve rates and timing of sustained return to work after surgery. This research should include the development of a robust implementation strategy to ensure adoption is sustained. Funding This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme (project number 15/28/02) Trial Registrations International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number Trial ID: ISRCTN27426982 International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) Registration: CRD4201604523

Return to work in breast cancer patients: development of an occupational therapy intervention to bridge the gap between health care and work

Return to work in breast cancer patients: development of an occupational therapy intervention to bridge the gap between health care and work. Huget Désiron1, Elke Van Hoof 2,3, Angelique De Rijk4 and Peter Donceel5 1 Department of Occupational Therapy, University College of Hasselt, Belgium; 2Cancer center, National Institute of Health, Belgium;3 Experimental and applied psychology, Faculty of Psychological and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium; 4 Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands; and 5 Department of Occupational, Environmental and Insurance Medicine, KULeuven, Belgium. Although the number of breast-cancer survivors is increasing, occupational reintegration is not a priority in medical treatment as the primary aim focuses on survival. Moreover, in existing rehabilitation programs, the main focus is on physical functioning. Social participation in daily life and professional reintegration often remain underrated. Contrary, both research results and clinical experience suggest that assisting these patients in their vocational rehabilitation will not only help them to stay employed but will subsequently increase their quality of life. Professional reintegration after breast cancer treatment remains a challenge for all those involved. Possible barriers are (1) the side-effects of the treatment and (2) the lack of support. The purpose of this research project is to develop Occupational Therapy (OT) intervention as a structural part of rehabilitation for breast cancer survivors by supporting their re-entry on the job. A systematic literature review will be presented. This systematic review examines existing evidence and research results regarding possible interventions to increase occupational functioning. A quantitative (and qualitative) evaluation study of an occupational therapy intervention, based upon consensus and best practice will be developed. Indeed, by interviewing and studying breast cancer survivors and including an expert-group consisting of members of existing rehabilitation teams, the necessary components should be detected.status: publishe

Comparaison de l'utilisation de sciure ou d'un mélange paille-sciure comme matériau de litière accumulée pour porcs charcutiers

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