Beliefs in times of corona: Investigating the relationship between media use and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs over time in a representative Dutch sample

We investigated the relationship between different media sources (traditional media, online news media, online health sources, social media) and COVID-19 related conspiracy beliefs, and how these change over time, using four-wave panel data from a representative sample of the Dutch population (N = 1,166). Across waves, 0.1%–3.4% of our sample were certain the selected conspiracy theories were true, though this belief was unstable over time. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models revealed that individuals’ temporary level of conspiracy beliefs did not significantly depend on their temporary level of media use at a previous occasion, or vice versa. However, significant correlations at the group level indicated that more frequent use of health-related and social media sources were associated with higher levels of conspiracy beliefs. These results suggest that relationships between media use and conspiracy beliefs are nuanced. Underlying processes should be investigated to develop tailored communication strategies to combat the ongoing infodemic

Differences in Internet use and eHealth needs of adolescent and young adult versus older cancer patients:Results from the PROFILES registry

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The internet has become an important health information source for patients with cancer. AYAs (adolescents and young adults; 18–39 years at time of diagnosis) can be considered as digital natives; they work with the internet and related technologies in their daily lives. It is likely that AYAs are more used to using the internet, while older cancer patients might prefer former ways of information provision to obtain health-related information. The question arises whether internet use and eHealth needs of AYA cancer patients are comparable to those of older ones. By conducting a cross-sectional survey, we evaluated differences in cancer-related internet patterns between AYAs and older cancer patients (40+ years at time of diagnosis). A better understanding of differences between generations will help inform healthcare providers on how to guide cancer patients of different ages regarding cancer-related internet use. ABSTRACT: Background: Our aim was to evaluate differences in cancer-related internet patterns between AYAs (adolescents and young adults; 18–39 years at time of diagnosis) and older adult cancer patients (40+ years). Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were distributed among AYA and older adult cancer patients regarding cancer-related internet use and eHealth needs. Results: 299 AYAs (mean age 31.8 years) and 270 older adults (mean age 55.8 years) participated. AYAs searched significantly more often on the internet on a daily basis just before diagnosis (45% vs. 37%), right after diagnosis (71% vs. 62%) and during treatment (65% vs. 59%) compared to older adults. During follow up, there was a trend that AYAs searched less often on the internet compared to older adults (15% vs. 17%). AYAs searched more often on topics, such as alternative or complementary therapies, treatment guidelines, fertility, end of life, sexuality and intimacy, lifestyle and insurance. AYAs felt significantly better informed (75%) after searching for cancer-related information compared to older adults (65%) and had significantly less unmet needs regarding access to their own medical information (22% vs. 47%). AYAs search more on the internet on a daily basis/several times per week in the diagnosis and treatment phase than older cancer patients. They search on different topics than older adults and seems to have less unmet eHealth needs.It is important that these are easy to find and reliable

The effect of nitrification inhibitor on N2O, NO and N2 emissions under different soil moisture levels in a permanent grassland soil

[EN] Emissions of gaseous forms of nitrogen from soil, such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO), have shown great impact on global warming and atmospheric chemistry. Although in soil both nitrification and denitrification could cause N2O and NO emissions, most studies demonstrated that denitrification is the dominant process responsible for the increase of atmospheric N2O, while nitrification produces mostly NO. The use of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) has repeatedly been shown to reduce both N2O and NO emissions from agricultural soils; nevertheless, the efficiency of the mitigation effect varies greatly. It is generally assumed that nitrification inhibitors have no direct effect on denitrification. However, the indirect impact, due to the reduced substrate (nitrate) delivery to microsites where denitrification occurs, may have significant effects on denitrification product stoichiometry that may significantly lower soil borne N2O emissions. Soil-water status is considered to have a remarkable effect on the relative fluxes of nitrogen gases. The effect and mechanism of NI on N2O, NO and N-2 emission under different soil water-filled pore space (WFPS) is still not well explored. In the present study, we conducted a soil incubation experiment in an automated continuous-flow incubation system under a He/O-2 atmosphere. Ammonium sulfate was applied with and without NI (DMPP) to a permanent UK grassland soil under three different soil moisture conditions (50, 65, and 80% WFPS). With every treatment, glucose was applied to supply enough available carbon for denitrification. Emissions of CO2, N2O, NO and N-2 were investigated. Additionally, isotopic signatures of soil-emitted N2O were analyzed. Generally, higher WFPS led to higher N2O and NO emissions, while N-2 emissions were only detected at high soil moisture condition (80% WFPS). Different processes were responsible for N2O and NO emission in different phases of the incubation period. The application of DMPP did significantly reduce both N2O and NO emissions at all three soil moisture conditions. Furthermore, DMPP application increased N-2 emissions and decreased the N2O/(N2O + N-2) product ratio at 80% WFPS. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Rothamsted Research is sponsored by the BBSRC. This study was in part funded by BBSRC project BB/K001051/1 and supported by the Chinese Scholarship Council (scholarship no. give number 201306350130).Wu, D.; Cárdenas, LM.; Calvet, S.; Brüggemann, N.; Loick, N.; Liu, S.; Bol, R. (2017). The effect of nitrification inhibitor on N2O, NO and N2 emissions under different soil moisture levels in a permanent grassland soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 113:153-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2017.06.007S15316011

Customisation versus personalisation of digital health information. Effects of mode tailoring on information processing outcomes

Health information is increasingly conveyed to patients in digital formats, such as through health websites, patient portals, and electronic health records. However, for people to be able to process information effectively, information must be presented in a suitable format. This study examines the effectiveness of different strategies for tailoring the mode of presentation (i.e., using textual, visual, and/or audio-visual formats) on information processing outcomes among different audiences (i.e., lower vs. higher health literates; younger [25-45 years] vs. older adults [?65 years]). In an online experiment participants viewed either a customized, personalized, or non-tailored (mismatched) website based on individual preferences for presentation mode. We analysed a 3 (condition) × 2 (health literacy level) × 2 (age group) between-subjects design, examining effects on: time spent online, attention, perceived relevance, website involvement, website satisfaction, and information recall. Results (N = 490) showed that mode tailoring, by both customization and personalisation, is more effective than no tailoring. However, contingent on the outcome variable (i.e., attention, website satisfaction, information recall), or health literacy level, and age group, different tailoring strategies show different effects. Designers of digital health information should strategically consider employing personalized information modes or to have people to customize their own information materials

From speaking like a person to being personal: The effects of personalized, regular interactions with conversational agents

As human-AI interactions become more pervasive, conversational agents are increasingly relevant in our communication environment. While a rich body of research investigates the consequences of one-shot, single interactions with these agents, knowledge is still scarce on how these consequences evolve across regular, repeated interactions in which these agents make use of AI-enabled techniques to enable increasingly personalized conversations and recommendations. By means of a longitudinal experiment (N = 179) with an agent able to personalize a conversation, this study sheds light on how perceptions – about the agent (anthropomorphism and trust), the interaction (dialogue quality and privacy risks), and the information (relevance and credibility) – and behavior (self-disclosure and recommendation adherence) evolve across interactions. The findings highlight the role of interplay between system-initiated personalization and repeated exposure in this process, suggesting the importance of considering the role of AI in communication processes in a dynamic manner.<br/

From self-reliers to expert-dependents:Identifying classes based on health-related need for autonomy and need for external control among mobile users

Mobile health apps are seen as promising tools to support autonomous consumers in their quest for better health. However, individual differences in the need for autonomy and need for external control may impact the degree to which individuals perceive mobile health apps to be useful in their daily life. Using data from a representative sample of the Dutch population (N = 1,027), we applied latent class analysis to identify subtypes among mobile users based on their need for autonomy and need for external control, and to examine differences among these subtypes. We identified four subgroups: the self-reliers, confirmation-seekers, expert-dependents, and indifferents. Next to demographic differences, self-reliers and confirmation-seekers were generally more e-health literate and expressed more privacy concerns than the expert-dependents and indifferents. Our findings demonstrate that subgroups of people express different degrees of health-related need for autonomy and need for external control, which should be taken into account in online and mobile health communication efforts

Breaching the contract? Using social contract theory to explain individuals’ online behavior to safeguard privacy

This study applies social contract theory to examine whether perceptions of a social contract explains adaptive behavior to safeguard online privacy. We (1) identify and (2) estimate the prevalence of subgroups that differ in their perceived “social contract” (based on privacy concerns, trust, and risk), and (3) measure how this perceived social contract affects adaptive online behavior. Using a representative two-wave panel survey (N = 1,222), we distinguished five subgroups of internet users; the highly-concerned, wary, ambivalent, neutral (the largest group), and carefree users. The former three were more likely to adapt their behavior than the latter two subgroups. We argue that the implied social contract represents an important construct that helps to identify whether individuals engage in privacy protection behavior