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Online search involves multitasking and may demand better working‐memory capacities (WMC) and additional cognitive aids. Given the constraints of human cognition, we tested the effectiveness of note‐taking strategies on university students' online search performance. Also examined were the profile configurations of WMC tests in silence and in irrelevant speech as well as its interaction effects with note‐taking strategies on online search performance. Among the participants of 60 university students, we found a four‐group WMC profile composition that differed significantly across WMC scores in both silence and irrelevant speech. Results showed that WMC profiles, note‐taking groups and their interaction effect were significant factors on online search performance. Both Free Note and Matrix Note were beneficial for the students in low silent WMC profile groups. Study results have both theoretical and practical implications, advancing our understanding of the interrelationship of WMC under different conditions and informing instructional practice of online search performance. Lay Description: What is already known about this topicWorking memory capacity is fundamental to multitasking ability.Online search is a typical multitasking behavior that requires constant switching between different information sources.Students who take note perform better than those who do not while reading materials with seductive but irrelevant information.What this paper addsStudents working memory capacity is examined under silent and irrelevant speech conditions.Students exhibited different profile patterns in their working memory capacity under silent and irrelevant speech conditions.Taking note, either in matrix form or free form, can significantly improve students' online search performance for those with high WMC ONLY in irrelevant speech or for those with low WMC in both silent and irrelevant speech conditions.Implications for practiceNote‐taking as auxiliary support may facilitate students' integration and evaluation of the online information across multiple sources during their online search.Instructions on how to self‐construct matrix note are needed to help students develop advanced note‐taking skills for their learning involving online search. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Sarcopenia is a well-recognized geriatric syndrome, which is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its associative clinical characteristics in Taiwan. Methods Data of the I- Lan Longitudinal Aging Study ( ILAS) were retrieved for this study. Sarcopenia was defined according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria, and comparisons of demographic characteristics, physical performance, body composition, cardiometabolic profiles and functionality indicators were carried out. Results Overall, data of 1008 participants (mean age 65.2 ± 9.3 years, male 50.6%) were retrieved for analysis. The cut-off value of relative appendicular skeletal muscle was 7.0 kg/m2 for men and 5.9 kg/m2 for women. Sarcopenia was significantly related to low body mass index, smaller waist circumference, poor nutrition and poor cognition. The mean carotid intima-media thickness and cardiometabolic parameters showed no statistically significant findings. Conclusions The present paper showed the epidemiology of sarcopenia, and the strong connection to functionality indicators. However, sarcopenia was not associated with cardiometabolic risk or carotid intima media thickness in the present study. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14 (Suppl. 1): 36-45. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have investigated maternal fatigue, particularly fatigue throughout the duration of pregnancy and the postpartum period. The purpose of this study was to explore changes related to maternal fatigue from pregnancy to postpartum and the factors influencing fatigue. This prospective longitudinal study surveyed 197 pregnant women beyond 24 gestational weeks monthly until one month postpartum. The Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale and one question about fatigue were used. Women at late pregnancy experienced a significant increase in level of fatigue, which remained high after childbirth. Those who were not happy about the pregnancy or were multiparas experienced a higher level of prenatal fatigue than their counterparts. At postpartum, mothers who were unemployed, had no one to help with childcare, or felt that the baby's night-time sleep pattern was a serious problem had a higher level of fatigue. Interventions can be planned and implemented at early pregnancy to reduce the prevalence of fatigue. Encouraging pregnant women to share experiences and thoughts about pregnancy and being a mother is suggested. Further studies that evaluate culturally sensitive instruments for fatigue are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate factors affecting smoking cessation in male smokers with coronary artery disease. Design A descriptive, correlation, cross-sectional study was conducted. Methods Data were collected using a questionnaire constructed by a literature review of research on smoking cessation in male smokers including demographics and smoking background, as well as psychological, interpersonal and environmental factors. A total of 130 male patients with coronary artery disease were recruited from the cardiac clinic at a regional hospital in Taiwan from August to December 2008. The response rate was 93% ( n = 121). Descriptive statistics, chi-square, t-tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted. Results During the survey, 64.5% of the respondents reported that they had stopped smoking after a coronary event. Five factors were significantly associated with smoking cessation after diagnosis of coronary artery disease: age, the severity of heart diagnoses, antismoking norms (perceived that smoking was against the social norms), nicotine dependence level, and contrary views of smoking (perceived negative expectancy of smoking). Multivariate analysis revealed antismoking norms to be the most important predictor ( AOR = 4.27; P < .05) after adjusting age. Conclusion The study highlights the need to develop smoking cessation interventions that specifically counsel patients with coronary artery disease about these information, such as the disease risk and development, health consequences of smoking, and dependence therapy. Additionally, government support for tobacco control programmes in hospitals and elsewhere is designed to have a beneficial effect on patients' smoking behaviours primarily by increasing antismoking norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]