Effect of visual feedback on maximum phonation time

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2007.Also available in print.Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2007.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science

Usage of Mobile Applications Amongst Older Adults: Retrospect and Prospect

Addressing age-specific issues related to IT usage is becoming increasingly significant. To consolidate the existing knowledge on the usage of mobile apps amongst older adults, this study synthesizes the research nature, patterns, and theoretical foundations in existing studies through a systematic literature review. Based on our investigation into the 22 identified articles, we find that previous studies on this topic focus mainly on app usage behaviors, app development and evaluation, and app usage learning and training. Prior studies are still fragmented and a more comprehensive and integrated framework is required to guide future research. Finally, we discuss the key antecedents of older adults’ app usage identified in reviewed articles and highlight seven heuristic topics with corresponding research questions for future research. Limitations of this review are also discussed

Life satisfaction in UK emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Current research indicates that young adults are at a higher risk of deteriorating wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to older adults. Drawing upon the Understanding Society COVID-19 survey, this study examined the trajectory of life satisfaction in UK emerging adults from May 2020 to September 2021 with social, health, financial, and demographic factors as covariates. The analytic sample included 880 participants (612 females, 268 males) between the ages of 18–29. Growth curve modelling was used to estimate the trajectory of life satisfaction and examine whether the covariates account for variation in the mean level and/or slopes. The trajectory of life satisfaction declined slightly between May 2020 and January 2021 and then increased to September 2021, aligning with the tightening and easing of UK COVID-19 policies. Greater perceived current financial difficulties, pre-existing mental health and physical health conditions, and higher self-reported loneliness were associated with lower life satisfaction. Being female and living with a romantic partner, more face-to-face social interactions, and higher household income were associated with more life satisfaction. Gender interacted with pre-existing mental health conditions. Women with no pre-existing mental health conditions reported the highest level of life satisfaction, while women with pre-existing mental health conditions reported the lowest level, compared to men who reported a similar level of life satisfaction regardless of their mental health. The findings from the present study contribute toward the current understanding of changes in life satisfaction throughout the pandemic among emerging adults. Implications for intervention are discussed

Health Misinformation on Social Media: A Literature Review

Health misinformation on social media is considered as a major public concern. This study evaluates the current state of this issue by conducting a systematic literature review. Based on a stepwise literature search and selection procedure, we have identified 21 articles relevant to the topic of health misinformation on social media. We find that health misinformation on social media is a new and emerging topic in multiple disciplines. One very important insight of this review is that most studies are theoretical and exploratory in nature. There is only a small number of studies have solid theoretical foundations. Finally, we discuss the implication of the literature review for future research

When Socialization Goes Wrong: Understanding the We-Intention to Participate in Collective Trolling in Virtual Communities

Although collective trolling poses a growing threat to both individuals and virtual community owners, the information systems (IS) literature lacks a rich theorization of this phenomenon. To address the research gaps, we introduce the concept of we-intention to capture the collective nature of collective trolling in virtual communities. We also integrate the social identity model of deindividuation effects (SIDE) and situational action theory to invoke the sociotechnical perspective in theorizing collective trolling in virtual communities. The objective of this study is to use the sociotechnical perspective to understand the we-intention to participate in collective trolling in virtual communities. We test our proposed model using data gathered from 377 Reddit users. Our moderated mediation analysis elaborates how technical elements (i.e., anonymity of self and anonymity of others) influence the we-intention to participate in collective trolling via individual-based social elements (i.e., perceived online disinhibition and social identity), with an environment-based social element (i.e., the absence of capable guardianship) as a boundary condition. We contribute to research by explaining collective trolling in virtual communities from the group-referent intentional action perspective and sociotechnical perspective. We also offer practical insights into ways to combat collective trolling in virtual communities

Evaluation of a Brief Sodium Screener in Two Samples

The Sodium Screener© (SS©), as developed by NutritionQuest (Berkeley, CA, USA), was designed to reduce the burden of repeated dietary or urinary sodium measurements, but the accuracy of daily sodium intake estimates has not been reported. Associations were examined between sodium intakes derived from the SS© scores and repeated 24-h recalls (24DR) in two studies with different administration modes. In one study, 102 registered dietitians (RD) completed three Automated Self-Administered 24DRs (ASA24©), version 2014, followed by the SS©; both were self-administered and web-based. In the second sample, (the Study of Household Purchasing Patterns, Eating, and Recreation or SHoPPER), trained dietitians conducted 24DR interviews with 69 community-dwelling adults in their homes; all the community adults then completed a paper-based SS© at the final visit. In the RD study, SS©-predicted sodium intakes were 2604 ± 990 (mean ± Standard deviation (SD)), and ASA24© sodium intakes were 3193 ± 907 mg/day. In the SHoPPER sample, corresponding values were 3338 ± 1310 mg/day and 2939 ± 1231 mg/day, respectively. SS© -predicted and recall sodium estimates were correlated in the RD study (r = 0.381, p = 0.0001) and in the SHoPPER (r = 0.430, p = 0.0002). Agreement between the SS© and 24-h recalls was poor when classifying individuals as meeting the dietary sodium guidelines of 2300 mg/day or not (RD study: kappa = 0.080, p = 0.32; SHoPPER: kappa = 0.207, p = 0.08). Based on repeated 24DR either in person or self-reported online as the criterion for estimating daily sodium intakes, the SS© may require additional modifications

Improving the mass determination of Galactic Cepheids

We have selected a sample of Galactic Cepheids for which accurate estimates of radii, distances, and photometric parameters are available. The comparison between their pulsation masses, based on new Period-Mass-Radius (PMR) relations, and their evolutionary masses, based on both optical and NIR Color-Magnitude (CM) diagrams, suggests that pulsation masses are on average of the order of 10% smaller than the evolutionary masses. Current pulsation masses show, at fixed radius, a strongly reduced dispersion when compared with values published in literature.The increased precision in the pulsation masses is due to the fact that our predicted PMR relations based on nonlinear, convective Cepheid models present smaller standard deviations than PMR relations based on linear models. At the same time, the empirical radii of our Cepheid sample are typically accurate at the 5% level. Our evolutionary mass determinations are based on stellar models constructed by neglecting the effect of mass-loss during the He burning phase. Therefore, the difference between pulsation and evolutionary masses could be intrinsic and does not necessarily imply a problem with either evolutionary and/or nonlinear pulsation models. The marginal evidence of a trend in the difference between evolutionary and pulsation masses when moving from short to long-period Cepheids is also briefly discussed. The main finding of our investigation is that the long-standing Cepheid mass discrepancy seems now resolved at the 10% level either if account for canonical or mild convective core overshooting evolutionary models.Comment: 14 pages, 4 postscript figures, accepted for publication on ApJ Letter