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Worldwide, information technology now plays a substantial role in the daily life of most people, whether in the developed world or in developing countries, such as Indonesia. In this fourth most populated country in the world, information technology is widely used for everyday communications and entertainment purposes, as well as for supporting education. Using a survey of 496 students enrolled in a university in Jakarta, this paper reports on a study aimed at assessing the experiences of young Indonesian students undertaking online learning and the potential of this platform for English learning. The findings show that online activities, skills, and perceived usefulness were positively correlated with positive experiences of learning English online. In particular, the perceived usefulness of the Internet and the ability to use different functions of digital devices and applications had a stronger correlation with increased benefits of online English learning. The study generates implications for Indonesian education suggesting a review of the roles of English instructors in promoting English learning through technology, improvement in English instructors' skills in utilizing technology in their teaching, and support of relevant stakeholders as well as the preparation of English teacher preparation programme to support pre-service teachers for teaching with technology.

Interest in citrate-based dialysate (Cit-D) is growing due to its benefits, including anticoagulation and dialysis efficacy. However, research on safety and efficiency of Cit-D in high-volume hemodiafiltration (HDF) via central concentrate delivery system (CCDS) is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Cit-D when switching from acetate-based dialysate (Acet-D) in high-volume HDF via CCDS. This is a retrospective analysis of 28 patients who underwent post-dilution online HDF via CCDS, who switched from Acet-D to Cit-D. The study period was divided into 3 periods for analysis: 12 weeks using Acet-D (AD period), the first 12 weeks using Cit-D (CD-1 period), and the second 12 weeks using Cit-D (CD-2 period). We collected the laboratory, dialysis, and safety parameters in each period from electrical medical records. After switching from Acet-D to Cit-D, heparin dosage decreased by 17%, whereas the incidence of complications did not increase. Kt/VBUN and urea reduction ratio increased by 4.6% and 2.1%, respectively. Pre-dialysis beta2-microglobulin concentration decreased after using Cit-D. The corrected calcium levels decreased in the CD-1 period compared to the AD period, but in CD-2, they subsequently increased to levels similar to those observed during the AD period. Symptomatic hypocalcemia did not occur, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of hyperparathyroidism. Endotoxin levels and the bacterial culture of ultrapure dialysate were unremarkable throughout all periods. These results might suggest that Cit-D could potentially offer advantages over Acet-D, such as reducing the heparin dose and increasing dialysis efficiency, in patients undergoing high-volume HDF using CCDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is linked to the diffuse‐malignant subtype and higher cognitive burden in Lewy body disease (LBD). Objective: This study explores brain β‐amyloid deposition and its association with cognitive decline across the RBD–LBD continuum. Methods: Patients with isolated RBD (iRBD), Parkinson's disease with probable RBD (PDRBD), and dementia with Lewy bodies with probable RBD (DLBRBD) underwent 18F‐florbetaben positron emission tomography, 3T magnetic resonance imaging scans, and comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. Subjects were categorized as cognitively normal (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia. Global and regional standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) were estimated in predefined cognitive volumes of interest (VOI) derived from voxel‐wise comparison analysis among the cognitive groups, namely the prefrontal, parietal, precentral cortices, lingual gyrus, and supplementary motor area. Generalized linear models assessed the relationship between 18F‐florbetaben SUVRs and neuropsychological testing, adjusting for age and sex. Subgroup analysis focused on the polysomnography‐confirmed iRBD‐continuum subset (n = 41) encompassing phenoconverters and nonconverters in our prospective iRBD cohort. Results: Eighty‐six subjects were classified as follows: 14 NC, 54 MCI, and 18 dementia. The proportion of positive β‐amyloid scans increased with advanced cognitive stages (P = 0.038). β‐Amyloid signals in cognitive VOIs were elevated in subgroups showing impairment in Trail‐Making Test B (TMT‐B). A linear association between TMT‐B z score and global cortical β‐amyloid levels was observed in the iRBD‐continuum subset (P = 0.013). Conclusion: Cortical β‐amyloid accumulates with declines in executive function within the RBD–LBD continuum. TMT‐B performance may be a useful marker associating with β‐amyloid load, particularly in the iRBD population. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus on graduate employability for Creative Industries has tended to overlook the significance of the education sector as a destination. This article makes a case for the educational logic of music careers considered as an example of the developmental agenda embedded in the concept of 'culture'. It further supports this account by looking at longitudinal graduate destination data in both Australia and the UK that shows the importance of education employment to music careers. It considers music graduate outcomes in both countries according to university tier, graduate level employment, and career satisfaction. It finds that outcomes differ significantly in terms of gender, and that careers in education are no less rewarding than those in music professions. Attention to the 'educational logic of culture' suggests there are opportunities for creative industries policy to better support links between the creative economy and education.

This study analyses data gathered as part of an international comparative study of journalistic role performance during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We situate role performance at the intersection between anterior factors that shape journalistic decision-making and practice, and the contingent events and issues journalists are tasked with communicating. Based on this, we ground our analysis by considering (a) how news is shaped by media systems, and how Australia's media system may be characterised; (b) studies of journalists' work during previous health crises; and (c) analyses of media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis focuses, firstly, on whether role performance in Australia's 2020 news coverage was discernibly "consensus-based"; and, secondly, on whether there were any indicators of Australian coverage being "polarised" during this period. Our findings suggest role performance in 2020 was broadly reflective of a relative political consensus and that evidence of polarisation was limited. We find, nevertheless, that there were notable differences between different mediums and outlets, and reflect on factors that may have contributed to such differences. In light of this, we emphasise the importance of taking account of the relationship between local contexts and historical contingency in considering how role performances are produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various forms of Parkinson's disease, including its common sporadic form, are characterized by prominent α‐synuclein (αSyn) aggregation in affected brain regions. However, the role of αSyn in the pathogenesis and evolution of the disease remains unclear, despite vast research efforts of more than a quarter century. A better understanding of the role of αSyn, either primary or secondary, is critical for developing disease‐modifying therapies. Previous attempts to hone this research have been challenged by experimental limitations, but recent technological advances may facilitate progress. The Scientific Issues Committee of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) charged a panel of experts in the field to discuss current scientific priorities and identify research strategies with potential for a breakthrough. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]