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  • Interdependent relationship between depression and Internet gaming disorder in parent-child dyads: The mediating role of family relationship and gaming time

    by Qian Li, Yilun Huang, Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong, Winnie W. S. Mak, Xue Yang

    Background and objective

    A well-established link exists between depression and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) at the individual level, while it remains unexplored within the family system. This study aims to investigate the interdependent relationship between parent and adolescent depression and IGD, and to identify the potential mechanisms.

    Methods

    A cross-sectional dyadic study was conducted with adolescents and their parents (primary caregiver) in Hong Kong. Adolescents completed anonymous surveys in classrooms, and parents completed online surveys via WhatsApp or phone interviews. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) and Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) were utilized to test the interdependence and mediators between depression and IGD in parent-child dyads, respectively.

    Results

    A total of 1,277 parent-child dyads were included. Depressive symptoms in parents (β = 0.072) and adolescents (β = 0.273, both p < 0.05) were positively associated with their own IGD symptoms (actor effect). Adolescent depressive symptoms were positively associated with parental IGD symptoms (β = 0.078, p < 0.05). Family relationships and adolescent gaming time mediated the association of adolescent depressive symptoms with adolescent IGD symptoms (indirect effect accounting for 21.5%) and parental IGD symptoms (74.3%).

    Conclusions

    Adolescent depressive symptoms were positively associated with their own and parental IGD symptoms, which were mediated by adolescent-reported family relationships and adolescent gaming time. The influence of adolescents’ mental health problems on parents’ problematic behaviors within the family system should not be overlooked.



  • Dialogic reading at age 2 is linked to frontal activation related to executive function at age 5: An fNIRS study

    by Ming Yean Sia, Chia-Feng Lu, Ovid J. L. Tzeng, Shinmin Wang

    This study investigates the relationship between children’s dialogic reading (DR) experiences with parents at age 2 and their frontal neural responses related to executive function (EF) at age 5. To assess how the intensity of DR influences brain development, we quantitatively measured parental engagement in DR when children are at 2 years of age. Neural activations in frontal regions associated with EF were evaluated using functional near-infrared spectroscopy when children reached age 5. Our results reveal a significant positive correlation between parental dialogic interaction during shared book reading at age 2 and the activation of key brain regions related to EF – the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus – during a Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task at age 5. This correlation persisted even after controlling for maternal education and children’s expressive vocabulary, indicating a robust relationship between early DR experiences and subsequent neural correlates of EF. The results suggest that early DR may help cultivate the neural infrastructure necessary for EF development. By focusing on DR at a young age and assessing neural activity during a classic EF task, the DCCS, our findings contribute additional evidence regarding the role of DR in shaping neural development associated with EF. These results highlight the importance of encouraging interactive DR practices in early childhood, as they not only support language development but also strengthen the neural pathways crucial for cognitive skills essential for academic success.

  • Rheological characteristics and modification mechanism of rock asphalt compound modified binder based on grey relational analysis

    by Jinghui Hou, Xiaogang Guo

    To address the limitations of conventional asphalt in resisting high-temperature rutting and oxidative aging, a Rock Asphalt Compound additive (RCA) —comprising natural rock asphalt with surface-treated Nano-TiO2—was investigated as a sustainable modifier. This study systematically evaluates the rheological performance and modification mechanism of RCA-modified A-90# asphalt binders with dosages ranging from 0% to 31.6%. The viscoelastic behaviors were characterized using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR), and Rotational Viscosity (RV) tests, while the chemical interactions were probed via FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) was innovatively introduced to quantify the sensitivity of performance indicators to RCA dosage. Results indicate that RCA fundamentally alters the colloidal structure of the binder, acting as a potent stiffening agent. The high-temperature rutting factor (G*/sinδ) increases exponentially with dosage, and the Penetration Index (PI) improves from −1.392 to −0.354, indicating reduced temperature susceptibility. FTIR analysis confirms the modification is primarily a physical blending process, enhanced by the introduction of polar functional groups (S = O, C = O). Crucially, GRA results quantitatively identify that the dominant function of RCA is the enhancement of aging resistance (R = 4.3430), followed by stiffness (R = 3.7567), surpassing its effect on ductility. However, high dosages negatively impact low-temperature relaxation (m-value). Considering the trade-off between the significant gains in anti-aging/rutting performance and the limitations in thermal cracking, an optimal dosage of 21.8% is recommended. At this dosage, the binder achieves a superior rutting factor of 25.5 kPa (64°C) while maintaining an m-value of 0.311 (−12°C), satisfying Superpave specifications.

  • Perceptions of physical and occupational therapists on the utility of surface electromyography data in spinal cord injury rehabilitation

    by Nadeen Al Awamry, Laura Seidelin, Alyssa Marino, Ethan Evans, Elizabeth Karam, Vishwa Kumar, Kristin E. Musselman, Anita Kaiser, José Zariffa

    Purpose

    Spinal cord injury (SCI) impacts physical, emotional, and social well-being, contributing to decreased quality of life and increased healthcare burden. Surface electromyography (sEMG), a non-invasive tool for measuring muscle activity, has demonstrated potential as a biomarker for recovery in SCI research, yet remains underutilized in clinical practice. Understanding how physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) perceive the use of sEMG is necessary for integrating sEMG into post-SCI treatment and advancing personalized rehabilitation.

    Materials and methods

    A cross-sectional, qualitative descriptive design was employed. Ten participants (9 PTs and 1 OT) were recruited through convenience sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed inductively using a thematic analysis approach.

    Results

    Two major themes were identified: 1) Perceived value of the use of electrophysiology and sEMG data in clinical practice. Participants valued sEMG as an adjunct assessment tool for providing objective feedback after incomplete SCI and setting goals during treatment. 2) Barriers and facilitators to implementing sEMG. Key barriers highlighted include the lack of training and standardized protocols. Continued training, resources, and educational support were key facilitators.

    Conclusion

    PTs and OTs perceive sEMG as a valuable tool in SCI rehabilitation, but desire education and standardized protocols to support its clinical integration.



  • Assessing body position through experimental cremation: A pilot study using colorimetry and FTIR-ATR analyses

    by Paula Becerra Fuello, Javier Lescure, Aaron Lackinger, María Sedeño Ráez, Jesús Gámiz Caro, Gonzalo Aranda Jiménez

    This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and limitations of a multi-proxy approach for identifying potential indicators of horizontal positioning in cremated heads from archaeological, and to a lesser extent, forensic contexts. Two outdoor experimental cremations using fleshed and dry pig crania were conducted to evaluate the influence of pre-burning condition, vertical placement within the pyre and pyre dynamics on the expression of lateralised burning patterns. Combining macroscopic observations, fragmentation, colorimetric and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) mode, our preliminary observations suggest that lateralised differences in thermal exposure may be detectable under certain conditions. Significant differences (p-value < 0.005) were found between direct contact areas and indirect contact areas, with direct contact regions exhibiting lighter colouration and greater calcination. Higher crystallinity (IRSF) was also noted in direct contact areas, especially for the head placed on top of the pyre (Head 1). Inner surfaces consistently retained darker hues, indicating tissue shielding effects. Fleshed and dry elements also behaved differently: the dry cranium was less fragmented and with a more homogeneous colouration. As a small-scale experiment involving heterogeneous specimens and variable pyre dynamics, this study does not attempt to reconstruct body position but instead identifies methodological variables with potential for future replicated research. These preliminary results support the value of combining multi-proxy analyses such as colorimetry and FTIR-ATR for detecting specific burning patterns and inferring body position in cremation studies and provide a starting point for the refinement of methodology in future experimental works.