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BackgroundWeb-based interventions are thought to overcome barriers to treatment, such as accessibility and geographical location, which can undermine the effectiveness of traditional face-to-face interventions. Owing to these features, researchers are increasingly testing the efficacy of web-based interventions as ways to reduce alcohol misuse, binge eating, and gambling. However, many web-based interventions have poorly defined mechanisms of action; therefore, it is often uncertain how they propose to bring about behavior change. ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to identify effective behavior change techniques (BCTs) present in web-based interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption, binge eating, or gambling. MethodsThis systematic review covered research conducted in the last 20 years. Inclusion criteria for interventions were web-based administration; targeting alcohol use, binge eating, and/or gambling; and reporting on baseline and postintervention measures of behavior. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines were followed. We coded intervention effectiveness, study quality, and BCTs present in the interventions. ResultsFollowing removal of 4152 ineligible articles, 45 were included in the review: 32 (71%) targeted alcohol misuse, 6 (13%) targeted binge eating, and 7 (16%) targeted gambling. In total, 5 frequency counts were performed to identify the most commonly used BCTs: all studies, effective interventions, high-quality studies at 2 thresholds, and both high quality and effective studies. The results obtained from this were integrated to identify 7 BCTs. These 7 BCTs were problem solving, feedback on behavior, self-monitoring of behavior, self-monitoring of outcomes, instruction on how to perform a behavior, information about social and health consequences, and social comparison. A total of 4 BCTs were found in all frequency counts: feedback on behavior, self-monitoring of behavior, instruction on how to perform a behavior, and social comparison. Self-monitoring of outcomes of behavior was found in 3 of the 5 frequency counts, problem solving was found in 2 frequency counts, and information about social and health consequences was found in 1 frequency count. ConclusionsThis systematic review identified 7 of the most frequently used BCTs used in web-based interventions focused on alcohol misuse, binge eating, and gambling. These results can inform the development of evidence-based eHealth interventions that have the potential to lead to effective, positive behavior changes in all 3 areas.

To demonstrate how the history classroom could become an important site for addressing climate change, this article describes the piloting of three lessons. Our qualitative case study occurred in an elective environmental education course with teacher candidates who participated in the lessons and were invited to provide feedback. We describe the lessons and their development, and share results from surveys and an interview. Participants identified several educational benefits and expressed feeling better prepared to teach both history and critical thinking in general. Our findings suggest that these lessons may serve as useful examples for developing new resources to support educators in teaching climate change alongside critical and historical thinking.

Technology continues to form an important part of the educational landscape, although the value of portable devices as learning tools is still being explored and debated. In light of the technology-based teaching methods suddenly brought into effect in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the deliberate use of technology for learning is increasingly significant. The purpose of this article is to highlight student perspectives of learning with portable devices to inform the use of portable technology in the Canadian school system going forward. To gather student perceptions, the research team surveyed 704 students in Grades 6 to 9 about their use of iPads in the classroom during a 1:1 technology initiative. While students were enthusiastic about the presence of portable technology, they also shared mixed feelings about the use of such technology as a learning tool. Key themes fell into three categories--engagement, inclusivity, and learning--as students shared their insight into the academic, social, and physical barriers that exist as a result of the technology. In the discussion, we identify lessons learned, especially in the area of self-regulation, and make recommendations on how to harness the power of this multi-faceted learning tool and minimize the chaos it can create when not utilized deliberately and carefully.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate first-generation students' perceptions of how their lived experiences have impacted their academic and nonacademic success. We utilized focus groups consisting of first-generation students who attended a rural community college and a large, public, metropolitan, research university, and compared their lived experiences. Our findings confirmed some past research that found that a lack of social capital, academic preparation, financial resources, and family support challenge this population of students in their transition to college. However, some of our results contradict past findings which have concluded that part-time enrollment increases the risk of first-generation student attrition. Most of our findings were consistent between the two groups of participants. Findings related to awareness of the availability of support services differed between the two samples.

Despite a global interest in the musical experiences of young children, the everyday musical lives of young New Zealanders remain unexamined. Using data collected through the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study, we explore the early musical experiences of approximately 6,800 infants and toddlers. Data collected from the primary caregivers and their partners pre-birth, when the children were 9 months old, and 2 years old are used to explore five areas: parental singing; active musical play; music listening; involvement in music groups; and participation in wider cultural events. Musical engagement is analysed with respect to various child, parental and family characteristics, including parental education, socio-economic status, and parental knowledge of and appreciation for the arts. The results provide a holistic description of the musical environments of young children in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background: Ultra-processed food (UPF) is currently not included in most countries' dietary guidance. However, there may be growing public interest and consumer avoidance of UPF due to media reporting of studies on the negative health outcomes associated with UPFs. Methods: We surveyed 2386 UK adults (M age = 45 years, 50% female) during February–April 2024. Participants completed measures on awareness of the term UPF, whether the UPF status of foods affects their dietary decision-making, and confidence in identifying UPFs. Participants categorised a list of 10 foods (5 UPFs and 5 non-UPFs) as UPF vs. not, before rating whether information about studies linking UPF to worse health impacts on their negative affect and acts as a deterrent to consuming UPFs. Results: Most participants (73%) were aware of the term UPF and 58% reported that their food choices are determined by whether they believe a food is ultra-processed or not. Participants with the highest income and education levels were most likely to report both being aware of, and, avoiding consuming UPFs. Most participants could not accurately categorise whether foods were UPFs. Some sociodemographic groups (e.g., higher education levels) were more likely to accurately categorise UPFs but were also more likely to incorrectly believe that non-UPFs were UPFs. Participants tended to report that UPF-health risk information increases negative affect and acts as a deterrent to consuming UPFs. Conclusions: In this study, a large number of UK adults reported avoiding consuming UPFs. This was particularly pronounced among those with the highest education and income levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Headwater streams are reliant on riparian tree leaf litterfall to fuel brown food webs. Terrestrial agents like herbivores and contaminants can alter plant growth, litter production, litter quality, and the timing of litterfall into streams, influencing aspects of the brown food web. At Mount St. Helens (USA), early successional streams are developing willow (Salix sitchensis) riparian zones. The willows are attacked by stem-boring herbivores, altering litter quality and the timing of litterfall. Within a established experimental plots, willows (male and female plants) were protected from herbivores using insecticides and provided with experimental additions of nitrogen. This enabled us to test the interacting influences of herbivores, nitrogen deposition, and willow sex on leaf litter quality, aquatic litter decomposition, and microbial and invertebrate detritivores. We found weak litter quality effects (higher N and lower C:N) for the herbivore treatment, but no effect of nitrogen deposition. Although litter decomposition rates were not strongly affected by litter treatments, detritivore communities were altered by all treatments. Nitrogen deposition resulted in decreased bacterial richness and decreased fungal diversity in-stream. Aquatic macroinvertebrate communities were influenced by the interacting effects of herbivory and nitrogen addition, with abundances highest in herbivore litter with the greatest N addition. Shredders showed the highest abundance in male, herbivore-attacked litter. The establishment of riparian willows along early successional streams and their interacting effects with herbivores and nitrogen deposition may be influencing detritivore community assembly at Mount St. Helens. More broadly, global changes like increased wet and dry N deposition and expanded ranges of key herbivores might influence tree litter decomposition in many ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Development and implementation of the Townsville Lung Cancer Referral Pathway [TLCRP] aims to reduce delays and improve referral patterns of people with suspected lung cancer in north Queensland, Australia. Reported in this paper is the experiences and perspectives of general practitioners [GPs] and specialists of the TLCRP. Methods: This was a descriptive qualitative study nested within a larger project evaluating TLCRP, utilising a broader implementation science framework. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with GPs and specialists were conducted. An iterative, inductive thematic analysis of interview transcripts was used to derive key codes, then grouped into themes regarding participant experiences and perceptions. Results: Data analysis identified two major themes and several sub-themes. The major themes were variation in the uptake of TLCRP and enhancing coordinated care and communication. Discussion: Several enablers and barriers to implementing TLCRP were identified. Barriers to adaptation of TLCRP included lack of clinical time, resistance to changing referral patterns, lack of familiarity or experience with HealthPathways and technology issues. Conclusion: Emerging themes from this study may be used to reduce the barriers and improve uptake of TLCRP and other health care pathways in the local health service and may have wider relevance in other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]