Abstract Generic descriptions (e.g., ‘girls are emotional’) are argued to play a major role in the development of essentialist reasoning about social categories. Although generics are prevalent across languages, studies exploring if and how generic language leads to essentialism have almost exclusively been conducted in English‐speaking communities and among Western samples. This is a significant limitation as scholars posit that generic language is a universal cue that signals which categories are culturally relevant. However, without research asking whether generics have similar consequences across diverse cultural and linguistic contexts, it is impossible to make a claim of universality. Here, we will fill this gap, by replicating and extending a previous U.S.‐based study assessing the effects of generic language in a sample of Persian‐speaking 6 to 9‐year‐old children ( N = 160) and adults ( N = 160) in Iran. Participants will hear generic (‘Foolies’) or specific (‘This Foolie’) statements (between subjects) that ascribe biological or cultural features to the novel social category of Foolies. We will measure the degree to which exposure to these statements leads to kindhood reasoning (i.e., offering formal explanations for category features) and essentialist reasoning in terms of inheritability. Identifying similar patterns in the Iranian sample as in prior US‐based work will support the hypothesis that generic language signals category importance and licences kindhood but does not contribute directly to reasoning about social categories as biologically inheritable. This work contributes to diversifying the field and critically informs theories of social essentialism.

This manuscript is a programmatic Registered Report that is expected to be the basis of two final manuscripts, one of which explores the feedback mechanisms applied researchers adopt in their work and the role of open scholarship in applied research, and the second that focuses upon climate change.

Construal level theory (CLT) proposes that psychological distance influences the level of abstraction at which something is mentally construed: things perceived as less probable (likelihood distance) or further away from the here (spatial distance), now (temporal distance), or self (social distance) are thought about in more abstract terms. The current study provides replications (two direct and two paradigmatic) that test the core assumptions of CLT, and it explores potential moderators and boundary conditions of the effects. Please read the wiki for information about the project compendium.

BACKGROUND: Swallowing difficulties (ie, dysphagia) are common among older adults, with a 13% to 54% prevalence. Adequate interventions to improve the swallowing function of older adults would reduce morbidity and enhance health-related quality of life outcomes. Mobile health (mHealth) apps may help alleviate dysphagia symptoms by providing programs that maximize the intensity and frequency of training without requiring high costs or regular clinic visits. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the usability of swallowing training apps by quantitatively and qualitatively evaluating older adults' self-reported data, taking into consideration their educational levels and exposure to mobile technology. We conducted surveys and brief interviews while the participants used a swallowing intervention app we developed. We subsequently identified and resolved individual-specific usability issues to improve future implementation of the app protocol for older persons with swallowing difficulties. METHODS: A total of 11 participants (10 women, 91%; mean age 75.7 years, SD 3.93) from two district-run senior welfare centers took part in this study. The participants were divided into a high-potential group and a low-potential group based on their total number of years of education and smart device usage. To investigate the usability of the app twice (ie, in the second week of the intervention and the postintervention stage), we used mixed methods consisting of both quantitative approaches, namely the System Usability Scale (SUS) and modified Computer Self-Efficacy Scale (mCSES) surveys, and qualitative approaches (ie, interviews). RESULTS: The quantitative results of the SUS and mCSES surveys revealed that the high-potential group was more inclined to adopt and learn new technology than the low-potential group. Specifically, within the high-potential group, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that the postintervention mCSES scores (median 65.50) were significantly higher than those in the second week of intervention (median 54.00; z=-2.023, P=.04). Additionally, the usability scores in the low-potential group were within the "marginal acceptability" range even after completion of an 8-week intervention program. Qualitative analyses via semi-structured interviews yielded promising outcomes regarding app acceptability, training program utilization, emotional responses, and learning experience. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this usability and feasibility study is the first report of a swallowing training app designed to improve the swallowing function of older adults. Future research should consider several issues, such as user characteristics, pretraining education, and the intensity and innate characteristics of the intervention program.

BACKGROUND: Specific learning disorder (SLD) of reading skills impacts approximately 7% of children. Speech and reading therapy is currently the gold-standard intervention for improving children's reading abilities. However, intensive interventions are difficult to implement. Recently, numerous studies have investigated the interest of game- and home-based training approaches to enhance children's motivation and facilitate intensive learning activities in home settings. The serious game Poppins Clinical integrates rhythm and specific written language exercises to improve reading skills in children with SLD. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the noninferiority of Poppins Clinical combined with a reading specialist session once every 2 weeks versus a reading specialist session every week, on the reading skills of children with SLD. METHODS: A total of 306 children with dyslexia will be recruited for this study and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Children in the experimental group will use the serious game Poppins Clinical at home for 20 minutes, 5 days a week, and attend 1 reading therapy session every 2 weeks. The control group will participate in one reading therapy session per week. Poppins Clinical combines rhythm and language exercises integrated into an engaging game designed to maintain user motivation. We will use a noninferiority paradigm to assess the clinical impact of both interventions in terms of reading accuracy, reading speed, and reading comprehension. We will also investigate the evolution of phonological and visual-attentional skills. However, we will explore the impact of the protocol on parental stress and children's perception of their difficulties. Finally, we will also assess the cost of medical care and the impact of introducing the serious game Poppins Clinical on reading therapy. To facilitate recruitment and ensure the representativeness of our sample, the evaluation of the children will be conducted via videoconference using standardized tests that have been adapted for videoconference administration. RESULTS: Patient recruitment is expected to start in December 2024, with study completion by the end of August 2025. CONCLUSIONS: This study should allow us to assess the interest in using the serious game Poppins Clinical in addition to reading therapy to improve reading abilities in children with SLD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06592911; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06592911. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/71326.

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) has been described and studied extensively in White populations, with little known about how the disease manifests and progresses in patients from the Black community. Studies investigating disease features in Black populations are uncommon, with some suggesting that the Black population with PD is more disabled and has greater disease severity and different clinical features compared with the White population with PD. These health disparities are likely to influence the quality of care for Black patients with PD. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the motor and nonmotor symptoms and quality of life in Black and White participants with PD in a case-case design. Methods: This is an observational, prospective, multicenter, case-case design study. Other aims will investigate the management of PD in Black individuals and the presence of shared or unique genetic risk factors among the Black PD population. A total of 400 Black and 200 White participants with PD will be recruited. Data will be collected at 7 US sites and entered into a Research Electronic Data Capture database. Linear multivariate regression analysis will be used, except for comparing PD management, which will be analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Bonferroni correction will be applied. This protocol also describes plans for educational programming for clinicians and patients at the end of the study in partnership with national PD organizations. Results: The Rush Institutional Review Board approved the project as the single-site institutional review board in February 2022, and it was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in April 2022. Recruitment began in July 2022. At the time of submission of this manuscript, 131 participants had been recruited. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest study of PD phenotype and management in Black patients in the United States. The planned collaboration with the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program and PD GENEration will enhance our understanding of genetic risk factors for PD in this understudied population.

Background: In long-term residential care (LTRC), caregivers’ attempts to provide person-centered care can be challenging when assisting residents living with a communication disorder (eg, aphasia) and/or a language-cultural barrier. Mobile communication technology, which includes smartphones and tablets and their software apps, offers an innovative solution for preventing and overcoming communication breakdowns during activities of daily living. There is a need to better understand the availability, relevance, and stability of commercially available communication apps (cApps) that could support person-centered care in the LTRC setting. Objective: This study aimed to (1) systematically identify and evaluate commercially available cApps that could support person-centered communication (PCC) in LTRC and (2) examine the stability of cApps over 2 years. Methods: We conducted systematic searches of the Canadian App Store (iPhone Operating System platform) in 2015 and 2017 using predefined search terms. cApps that met the study’s inclusion criteria underwent content review and quality assessment. Results: Although the 2015 searches identified 519 unique apps, only 27 cApps were eligible for evaluation. The 2015 review identified 2 augmentative and alternative cApps and 2 translation apps as most appropriate for LTRC. Despite a 205% increase (from 199 to 607) in the number of augmentative and alternative communication and translation apps assessed for eligibility in the 2017 review, the top recommended cApps showed suitability for LTRC and marketplace stability. Conclusions: The recommended existing cApps included some PCC features and demonstrated marketplace longevity. However, cApps that focus on the inclusion of more PCC features may be better suited for use in LTRC, which warrants future development. Furthermore, cApp content and quality would improve by including research evidence and experiential knowledge (eg, nurses and health care aides) to inform app development. cApps offer care staff a tool that could promote social participation and person-centered care.

Background: Adults with autism have a strong desire and need for employment that matches their strengths, skills, and interests. Yet, they are more likely to be un- or underemployed than their neurotypical peers. Facilitators to successful employment include positive attitudes toward and awareness of autism in the workplace, and provision of adequate support and accommodations, including mental health support. Despite previous workplace programs identifying the need for adapted recruitment and interviewing processes, awareness training, and ongoing employee support, there are no programs that specifically provide these supports and adaptations for employees with autism. Objective: In this study protocol, we describe a framework for a new end-to-end supported workplace program for adults with autism that encompasses 8 key areas to promote inclusive workplaces and improve recruitment and retention of employees with autism. Methods: Candidates with autism (n=15) will complete 2 workplace skills training sessions at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, before attending a tailored interview, onboarding session, and paid 12-week placement at consulting firm Ernst and Young (EY). EY managers and colleagues (n=30) will complete a half-day awareness and inclusion training program before supporting the adults with autism through their 12-week placements. Tailored mental health support will also be provided. This mixed methods cohort study will assess the change in the daily functioning and well-being of employees with autism, as well as the change in the managers’ and colleagues’ knowledge, attitude, and confidence in working with adults with autism following the training programs. These changes will be analyzed using repeated measures of ANOVAs. Results: Data collection for this study was completed in February 2022. As of November 2024, data analysis was in progress. This study is expected to be submitted for publication in June 2025. Conclusions: This study holds the potential to enhance the recruitment and retention of adults with autism, as well as their overall experience in the workplace.

Background: There is an ongoing syndemic of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). We have increasingly effective and diverse measures of prevention, including various types of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention and doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for STI prevention. As options expand, we need to understand how to use a combination of these strategies and other supports for MSM to best curb the syndemic. Objective: We designed a patient-preference trial to understand patient preferences for PrEP and doxyPEP, how preferences may change over time, and methods for preventing premature discontinuation of PrEP. Methods: We enrolled HIV-negative MSM in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Participants could elect to take PrEP (daily or on-demand), doxyPEP, both, or neither, along with app-based support to evaluate for risk factors of discontinuation or behavioral changes that might affect their choice of prevention methods. Participants were able to switch prevention methods at any time. Oral PrEP and doxyPEP users are currently being offered quarterly in-person or at-home HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia testing along with opportunities for motivational interviewing. Results: We enrolled individuals from November 2021 to September 2023. Among 240 participants, the median age was 30 (IQR 25-35), 63% (n=150) self-identified as non-Hispanic Black, and 69% (n=166) were insured. Most participants (n=144, 60%) elected to take daily PrEP plus doxyPEP, with a smaller proportion taking on-demand PrEP plus doxyPEP (n=34, 14%) or daily PrEP without doxyPEP (n=33, 14%). Conclusions: We designed an ongoing study to evaluate the preferences for PrEP and doxyPEP among MSM in metropolitan Atlanta. Enrollment was completed in 22 months and included a diverse cohort of MSM that will be followed longitudinally to evaluate prevention preferences over time. At baseline, most participants preferred to take a combination of daily PrEP and doxyPEP for HIV and STI prevention. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05072093; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05072093

Background: Wearable activity monitors are increasingly used to characterize physical behavior. The development and validation of these characterization methods require criterion-labeled data typically collected in a laboratory or simulated free-living environment, which does not generally translate well to free-living due to limited behavior engagement in development that is not representative of free living. Objective: The Free-Living Physical Activity in Youth (FLPAY) study was designed in 2 parts to establish a criterion dataset for novel method development for identifying periods of transition between activities in youth. Methods: The FLPAY study used criterion measures of behavior (direct observation) and energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry) to label data from research-grade accelerometer-based devices for the purpose of developing and cross-validating models to identify transitions, classify activity type, and estimate energy expenditure in youth aged 6-18 years. The first part of this study was a simulated free-living protocol in the laboratory, comprising short (roughly 60-90 s) and long (roughly 4-5 min) bouts of 16 activities that were completed in various orders over the span of 2 visits. The second part of this study involved an independent sample of participants who agreed to be measured twice (2 hours each time) in free-living environments such as the home and community. Results: The FLPAY study was funded from 2016 to 2020. A no-cost extension was granted for 2021. A few secondary outcomes have been published, but extensive analysis of primary data is ongoing. Conclusions: The 2-part design of the FLPAY study emphasized the collection of naturalistic behaviors and periods of transition between activities in both structured and unstructured environments. This filled an important gap, considering the traditional focus on scripted activity routines in structured laboratory environments. This protocol paper details the FLPAY procedures and participants, along with details about criterion datasets, which will be useful in future studies analyzing the wealth of device-based data in diverse ways.

Background: Dental students’ competencies are shaped by their training, yet traditional methods with mannequins often lack the depth necessary for comprehensive understanding, potentially impacting clinical proficiency. Immersive reality (IR) innovatively offers interactive and scenario-based environments that may enhance skill acquisition. Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of IR-based training implementation in comparison with conventional training methods for dental extractions. Methods: A prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted. Students were randomized to either IR-based training on open and closed extractions or conventional hands-on tutorials by oral surgeons. Post training, participants’ satisfaction and understanding were assessed and analyzed. Results: As of September 2025, 60 students from Hasanuddin University, Makassar, and Padjajaran University, Bandung, have been enrolled, and study enrollment will be expanded to Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan. Data collection is ongoing and will conclude in November 2025, with expected dissemination in early 2026. Conclusions: IR-based training offers a novel approach that may boost motivation, knowledge retention, and skill transfer in dental education. This pilot protocol explores IR’s feasibility and potential to advance dental students’ competencies. Trial Registration: Indonesian Clinical Research Registry INA-QES4CC5; https://ina-crr.kemkes.go.id/en/studi/207 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/74978

Background: Electronic gambling machines and online gambling are the reputedly most damaging gambling type from a public health perspective. Pop-up messages are often used as a responsible gambling (RG) measure to prevent harm for these screen-based types of gambling. Despite some evidence of effectiveness in the literature for these messages, limitations persist, among which low ecological validity is of particular concern. Objective: This study aims to test (1) the potential of pop-up messages as a prevention measure in a gambling setting and (2) whether this potential is moderated by characteristics of people exposed to the messages. Secondary objectives also tackle some fundamental assumptions of gambling studies conducted in a laboratory setting. Methods: This is a 2-arm stratified block randomized controlled study. In total, 80 participants are recruited under the false pretense of evaluating the realism of a gambling session in a laboratory replicating a bar. Duplicity is also used to make participants believe that they are risking their own money during the experimentation (ie, winnings and losses are real). Participants are randomized to one of the two arms in a 1:1 ratio: (1) experimental group (regular gambling session with prevention pop-up messages presented on a fixed schedule) and (2) active control group (regular gambling session). Outcomes measures include behaviors and cognitive and emotional responses to the pop-up messages. The believability of the gambling session’s realism is also evaluated. Results: Recruitment began in February 2024 and concluded in December 2024. Results are expected to be published in 2026. No results are currently available. Conclusions: This study will provide new insights on the efficacy of pop-up messages as a prevention measure for gambling as well as the appropriateness of laboratory studies as a substitute to a real-life setting.

Background: Pediatric asthma is the most common chronic illness among children in the Netherlands. Scheduled hospital visits provide limited insight into therapy adherence and inhalation technique, which are critical for disease control. Smart inhalers that provide immediate feedback may offer a solution for monitoring and improving these parameters at home, leading to better asthma control. Objective: This study aimed to improve asthma control through immediate feedback on therapy adherence and inhalation technique, with the use of a smart inhaler. Methods: The IMAGINE (Improving Adherence by Guiding Inhalation via Electronic Monitoring) study was a randomized controlled trial consisting of 3 phases: an observational run-in phase in which adherence and technique were recorded, a randomized phase with feedback for the intervention group and recording for the control group, followed by an observational phase with only recording for both groups. Asthma control was measured with clinical outcomes including predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second, lung function reversibility, lung function variability, the Asthma Control Test, and the Childhood Asthma Control Test. Results: Between October 2019 and October 2023, a total of 34 children were enrolled and randomized. Overall, improvements were observed at the end of phase 2 in clinical parameters (reversibility, lung function variability, Asthma Control Test, and Childhood Asthma Control Test), except for predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second. However, no significant differences between the intervention and control groups over time were observed. At the end of phase 2, 87% (13/15) of control participants and 78% (10/13) of intervention participants met one or more predefined clinical criteria. Inhalation technique and therapy adherence did not differ over time between the groups (P=.70 and P=.14, respectively). Conclusions: While smart inhaler feedback did not lead to better outcomes compared with no feedback, clinical improvements were observed in both groups. Future studies should explore how adaptive smart inhaler interventions can be optimized to support personalized care and enhance patient ownership in asthma management.

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Mammographic screening significantly improves early detection and survival rates. However, the pain and discomfort experienced during mammography, primarily due to breast compression, can serve as major deterrents to participation in routine screening programs. Psychological factors such as anxiety, fear, and pain catastrophizing have been shown to influence pain perception and the experience during mammography. These factors may affect women's decisions to participate in or avoid screening, undermining public health efforts for early detection. Objective: This study aims to synthesize the scientific literature on the psychological factors influencing pain perception and experience in women undergoing mammography. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) will be followed in this review. This review will include all the studies that provided psychological factors. Full-text articles will be sourced from the following databases: Scopus and PubMed, published in peer-reviewed and indexed journals. There will be no restrictions on publication dates. Grey literature will be excluded. The search strategy will be developed using keywords and Boolean operators tailored for each database. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist will be used to assess the quality of individual studies. Data analysis will be conducted using narrative synthesis. Any disagreements during the selection of studies will be discussed and resolved by the entire team. Results: We will summarize the selection of the eligible studies using a flowchart. The results will be presented in a table of evidence, and the findings will be submitted for publication in a journal. Conclusions: This is the first systematic review protocol to assess the psychological factors influencing pain perception and experience during mammography. The findings are expected to inform strategies for improving patient compliance. Therefore, the authors plan to publish the review outcome in a peer-reviewed journal.

Background: Research examining the design and impact of health literacy (HL) programs and interventions on preservice teachers’ HL and health and physical education (HPE) teaching practices to enhance students’ HL is nonexistent. However, research indicates that many teachers and preservice teachers report low levels of HL, and recent research has highlighted preservice teachers’ challenges in teaching HPE to enhance their students’ HL capabilities. This is concerning, as HL is a focus in curricula and schooling both in Australia and internationally. Therefore, teachers are engaging in professional development aimed at enhancing their HL teaching practices, which raises questions about how further development of initial teacher education can enhance preservice teachers’ HL capabilities and teaching practices in schools. Objective: This protocol aims to provide details of a study to be conducted in the University of Sydney, involving final-year HPE preservice teachers, aimed at developing their HL capabilities and teaching practices. Methods: The proposed methodology underpinning the research program follows a 7-stage design-based research approach, with the 7 stages outlined in 4 sequential studies. These 4 studies include a systematic review, a qualitative focus group study, a pilot study, and a controlled trial study. This paper details the plan for conducting the 4 studies in a comprehensive and transparent manner, thus contributing to the methodological evidence base in this field. Results: The pilot study was conducted between July 2024 and December 2024, and data analysis was conducted between January 2025 and June 2025. The controlled trial will be conducted between July 2025 and December 2025. Final data analysis will occur between January 2026 and June 2026. Conclusions: This project will assist in determining what key stakeholders see as important to include in an initial teacher education program designed to enhance HPE preservice teachers’ HL capabilities and teaching practices. The design principles generated from this project will contribute to the inclusion and development of initial teacher education programs and practices and strengthen preservice teachers’ HL and their teaching of HPE, thereby enhancing HL teaching practices. This is significant considering that HL is included in the curriculum internationally, and the development of HL for school-age students has been identified as a World Health Organization goal.

Background: Globally, approximately 55 million people are living with dementia. Osteoarthritis occurs in half of all older adults and is associated with pain, depression, and increased dementia risk. Currently, no program exists for people with osteoarthritis and cognitive decline that addresses modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity and lifestyle behaviors. Objective: This study aims to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and health outcomes following the 12-week Healthy Body and Mind Program, designed for people with osteoarthritis who are experiencing cognitive decline. The findings will inform the designs of larger trials. Methods: In total, 20 consenting participants aged 45 years or older with osteoarthritis and cognitive decline will be randomly allocated to the 12-week program or a waitlist control group. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed based on retention and adherence rates to the program, the number of people who provide consent to take part in the study, and evaluation questions following completion of the program. Health outcomes will include quality of life, cognition (global, attention, learning, and memory), pain, psychological health (stress, anxiety, and depression), and physical health. Results: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee (HC230506). This project will be carried out according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). As of October 2025, we have enrolled 18 participants and completed their data collection. Results are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals during the first quarter of 2026. Participant confidentiality will be maintained in line with ethical considerations. Conclusions: This protocol reports methods to determine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary health outcome data of the Healthy Body and Mind Program informed by individuals with lived experience of dementia and osteoarthritis. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06070818; clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06070818 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/75816

Background: The rising burden of chronic diseases among older adults in China underscores the urgent need for an integrated and efficient health care system. Existing services are often fragmented, lacking coordination and accessibility, particularly for urban community-dwelling older adults with multiple comorbidities. There is a critical demand for person-centered integrated care that enables resource sharing, expert guidance, and the safe, continuous management of chronic conditions. Objective: This study aims to extend the theoretical understanding of case-managed integrated care informed by the Program of Research to Integrate the Services for the Maintenance of Autonomy (PRISMA) model within urban Chinese communities. It will examine older adults’ expectations for case-managed integrated care, develop and validate a measurement instrument to quantify these expectations, and build an evidence-based framework to adapt the PRISMA model to the Chinese context. Methods: An exploratory sequential mixed methods design will be used across 3 phases. Phase I involves qualitative interviews with community-dwelling older adults and other stakeholders to explore unmet health care needs and perceptions of case-managed integrated care. Phase II entails the development and psychometric validation of a questionnaire informed by the findings from phase I. Phase III involves a large-scale cross-sectional survey in Wenzhou, Taiyuan, and Hainan to quantify expectations for case-managed integrated care and identify associated sociodemographic factors. A data integration approach will be used to synthesize both qualitative and quantitative findings, providing a comprehensive understanding of expectations regarding the proposed integrated care. Results: Data collection is scheduled to begin in December 2025, with the study expected to last 24 months. Ethics approval has been obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Conclusions: This study seeks to evaluate the feasibility of culturally adapting the PRISMA model for case-managed integrated care to address critical gaps in existing health care service delivery. The findings are expected to inform policy formulation, guide the implementation of integrated community care strategies, and ultimately improve health outcomes and quality of life for older adults in urban China.

Background: In 2022, 54% of people with HIV were aged 50 years and older; however, clinical care for HIV in the United States often falls short of comprehensively integrating care for aging-related conditions. In response, the Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funded a new initiative comprising 10 demonstration sites to test emerging interventions to support people aging with HIV, as well as a capacity-building provider and an evaluation provider. NORC at the University of Chicago received an award for the evaluation provider. Objective: This protocol aimed to describe the application of the Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau implementation science (IS) framework to a multisite evaluation, a related evaluation protocol, the technical assistance provided to support the evaluation, and the initiative’s dissemination plan. Methods: Using a theory-based approach, NORC developed a mixed methods evaluation plan using an IS hybrid type 2 study with two main aims: (1) to describe implementation outcomes and (2) to assess client-level outcomes. Implementation outcomes were assessed at the organizational level using tools including a survey of site characteristics, key informant interviews, and documentation of monthly monitoring calls and costs. Client-level outcomes were assessed through a survey and a medical chart abstraction tool. NORC also collected data on the sites’ engagement with the capacity-building provider and their satisfaction with the services provided. Results: The evaluation was funded in August 2022. Organizational-level data collection began upon institutional review board approval in April 2023. All sites were enrolling clients in the intervention and evaluation by September 2023, and 626 clients enrolled by December 2023. Data collection is expected to continue through December 2024. Analysis of the baseline results is currently underway, and comprehensive findings are expected by late 2025. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first national study to evaluate emerging clinical interventions for people aging with HIV using an IS framework. The findings will build an evidence base for advancing HIV clinical care to meet the needs of the aging population.

Background: The impact of air pollution on early childhood development in low-pollution settings is well known. However, comprehensive evidence from high-pollution environments such as the Delhi National Capital Region in India remains limited. Objective: This maternal-child cohort study aims to investigate the impact of air pollution on pregnancy outcomes and early childhood development, providing critical insights to inform targeted interventions and public health policy. Methods: This longitudinal maternal-child cohort study will enroll 2500 pregnant women from rural and urban Delhi National Capital Region and follow their children up to 2 years of age. Maternal data on pregnancy complications, delivery mode, parity, and gestational weight gain will be collected from clinical records and structured questionnaires, while newborn outcomes (gestational age, birth weight, anthropometry, and congenital anomalies) will be assessed from birth records and clinical examination. Early childhood development will be evaluated through standardized anthropometry and the Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants. For a 10% subsample, trimester-specific and postnatal indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers and particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers) will be monitored using portable air quality monitors, along with household surveys and time-activity diaries. Maternal and infant blood samples will be analyzed for inflammatory, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular biomarkers. Exposure estimates will be integrated into personal exposure models, and associations with health outcomes will be examined using multivariable regression and longitudinal mixed-effects models. Results: As of July 2025, 45% of the planned sample size have been recruited, with baseline data collection completed, and 10% undergoing exposure assessment and sample collection. Conclusions: This study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of air pollution on maternal health, pregnancy outcomes, and early childhood development in urban and rural settings in India. This will generate context-specific evidence to support maternal and child health policies, air pollution mitigation strategies, and personal protection measures for pregnant women and infants in polluted environments.

Background: Hearing impairment (HI) is a common sensory deficit with considerable impacts on social well-being (SWB) in adults. Evidence on the effectiveness of auditory rehabilitation and hearing health education in the social domain of health for individuals with HI is scarce. Objective: This study aims to test the feasibility and efficacy of providing free hearing aids or a combined offline and online hearing health education intervention on social isolation and functioning among Chinese adults with HI. Methods: This study is a 3-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a follow-up at 24 months after the baseline study. A total of 435 participants aged 18 years and older with some degree of HI will be recruited and randomly assigned to 2 intervention groups and 1 control group. Free hearing-aid provision, as well as a hearing health education program that is combined with online and offline lessons, will be implemented in 2 intervention groups, respectively. The control group will not receive any intervention. The primary outcomes include social isolation and functioning in society. The secondary outcomes include social engagement, a sense of mastery, self-efficacy, psychological resilience, chronic diseases, life satisfaction, hearing health literacy, and hearing care usage. Results: Participants were recruited for hearing tests in September 2022, during which baseline results were collected through in-person interviews. Follow-up interviews were conducted in September 2024. The primary analysis will use ANOVA, linear mixed-effects modeling, structural equation modeling, and cost-effectiveness analysis. Conclusions: The findings of this study will provide evidence for the impact and cost-effectiveness of a community-based auditory or hearing health education intervention on SWB among Chinese adults with HI, which may contribute to promoting hearing health and reducing adverse health consequences in an aging society. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200062148; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=174741

Background: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or kidney failure is a condition where the kidneys lose the ability to function. African American individuals are 4 times as likely to develop ESKD compared to White American individuals. In addition, African American patients are less likely to have an optimal dialysis start and to choose renal replacement therapy modalities that align with their goals and values. Our prior work shows that culturally tailored, in-person education improves patient outcomes. This is the foundation for our innovative intervention using an African American virtual patient educator as an option for hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: The Interactive Computer-Adaptive Chronic Kidney Disease (I-C-CKD) study will determine whether the computerized adaptive education and usual hospital care impact the health literacy of African American patients with kidney disease. It will also assess how patients’ lifestyle and commitment to health goals are impacted by the method of health literacy education. Methods: We will screen, recruit, and enroll hospitalized patients who self-identify as African American and have advanced CKD based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate. Eligible patients who verbally consented will be randomly assigned into either the computerized adaptive education intervention group or the control group (usual hospital care). Patients in the intervention group will receive a culturally tailored, adaptive education module. To analyze pretest, posttest, and follow-up survey results on patient CKD knowledge, ESKD treatment options, and health goals, we will use a paired, 2-tailed t test with a Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons. Results: Recruitment for the I-C-CKD study began on May 2, 2023. We are currently recruiting and have enrolled 96 patients who completed both pretest and posttest surveys as of December 2024. This includes 50 patients in the control group and 46 patients in the intervention group. Data analysis has not occurred. Conclusions: African American individuals often receive less patient education about self-care and treatment options for CKD. We hope this study provides a solution to increase hospitalized African American patients’ knowledge of CKD and motivation for CKD self-care through computerized adaptive education, reduce disparities, and improve patient outcomes. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06364358; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06364358

Background: HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has potential for preventing HIV during the perinatal period, but few strategies promote person-centered shared decision-making (SDM) about PrEP use in these contexts. The MyChoice study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of an SDM approach to support pregnant and breastfeeding women in Lilongwe, Malawi, integrating PrEP into antenatal care to encourage consistent use. Objective: Two pilot studies will assess the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of an SDM intervention to support pregnant and breastfeeding women in making informed HIV prevention choices. The intervention will also explore the perspectives of participants, their male partners, and implementers. Each study compares the MyChoice intervention to standard-of-care PrEP counseling, with different HIV prevention method choices available. Methods: We will conduct 2 pilot randomized trials to evaluate the MyChoice intervention, designed to support PrEP decision-making among pregnant women in Lilongwe. Both studies will compare the MyChoice intervention to standard-of-care PrEP counseling. Study 1 will include 100 participants who will be offered oral PrEP and condoms for 3 months. Study 2 will include 50 participants who will be offered oral PrEP or injectable long-acting cabotegravir and condoms for 2 months. The primary end points for MyChoice study 1 are intervention acceptability, intervention appropriateness, and intervention feasibility, whereas for MyChoice study 2 they are intervention acceptability and intervention appropriateness. The secondary end point for MyChoice study 1 is decisional conflict, and for MyChoice study 2, it is the feasibility of study procedures. Exploratory end points include PrEP uptake assessment and dried blood spot measurement of PrEP adherence for MyChoice study 1 and PrEP uptake assessment for MyChoice study 2. Results: Data collection started on July 30, 2024, for study 1 and on February 10, 2025, for study 2. A total of 100 participants were enrolled in MyChoice study 1, and 50 participants were enrolled in MyChoice study 2. Study follow-up has been completed. Data analysis is expected to be completed by November 2025. Conclusions: The MyChoice pilot studies will provide critical evidence on a novel intervention for PrEP decision-making during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If feasible and acceptable, these results will form the basis for larger efficacy trials to promote PrEP uptake during pregnancy.

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition, and standard treatment often results in incomplete symptom relief. Growing evidence suggests that nutritional supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, may serve as potential adjunctive treatments for OCD by influencing neurotransmitter regulation and inflammation. Objective: Our systematic review aims to assess the comparative efficacy of nutritional supplements on relevant clinical outcomes in individuals with OCD. Methods: A protocol was developed and registered for this systematic review. Randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of nutritional supplementation compared with standard treatments (pharmacological and psychological interventions) will be included. Primary outcomes are changes in cognitive performance, quality of life, and psychiatric symptoms. Secondary outcomes include the presence of comorbidities or multimorbidities (eg, metabolic syndrome). Systematic searches will be conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov from their inception onward. Two independent researchers will screen the citations and full-text studies. The risk of bias and study quality will be evaluated using validated tools, and association measures with 95% CIs will be calculated. Potential sources of heterogeneity will also be analyzed. Results: The search commenced in January 2025. Between June and August 2025, studies were identified and the full texts reviewed. Data extraction is anticipated to be completed in September 2025. The final synthesis is scheduled for December 2025. Conclusions: We aim to address the gaps in the current treatment paradigm for OCD by evaluating the efficacy of nutritional supplementation as an adjunctive therapy. These findings may provide insights into the potential of these supplements to improve cognitive and psychiatric outcomes. This protocol establishes a foundation for the rigorous synthesis of available evidence, which may inform future clinical practices and support the integration of nutritional strategies in OCD management.

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus is an age-related condition characterized by cerebrospinal fluid accumulation and ventricular enlargement, leading to cognitive decline, gait disturbance, and urinary incontinence. Although shunt surgery is the primary treatment, the optimal surgical strategy remains uncertain, and procedure selection is often not tailored to individual patient characteristics. Notably, no prospective study has directly compared the 3 major shunt techniques (ie, ventriculoperitoneal, lumboperitoneal, and ventriculoatrial). Objective: This multicenter prospective observational study will aim to generate high-quality clinical evidence by evaluating the effectiveness and safety of the 3 aforementioned surgical options in a real-world setting. Methods: Patients suspected of having this condition will be enrolled based on characteristic symptoms and imaging findings, with a spinal tap test recommended but not mandatory. Eligible patients will undergo one of the aforementioned surgical procedures. Results: On the basis of recent data from 11 collaborating institutions in Japan, we estimate enrolling 278 cases: 188 (67.6%) surgical, 100 (36%) nonsurgical, and 10 (3.6%) dropouts. Clinical outcomes will be assessed at baseline; after the tap test (if performed); and at 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. The analyses will explore the associations between outcomes and surgical methods, patient backgrounds, and imaging features. As of May 2025, approximately 60 participants have been enrolled from 11 institutions. Data collection is ongoing and is expected to be completed by December 2026. There will be a 1-year follow-up period. The main study results are anticipated to be published in 2028. Conclusions: Japan is well placed to lead this comparative study with its extensive experience in diagnosing and treating this disease. These findings are expected to provide practical guidance for individualized surgical decision-making and contribute to the global consensus on optimal treatment strategies.

Background: Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) endure weakness due to prolonged dialysis treatment, such as the continuous decline of muscle strength in patients, which will have varying degrees of impact on human physiological, psychological, and social functions. Effective nonpharmacological interventions can improve their mental health and quality of life (QoL). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of sitting Baduanjin combined with acupoint massage on improving the frailty status of patients undergoing MHD and evaluate whether it can significantly improve their physical activity, alleviate depressive emotions, and comprehensively improve their QoL. Methods: This is a randomized controlled study to be conducted in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, comprising 114 patients to be treated using MHD. Patients who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group will receive only conventional hemodialysis and care, the acupoint massage group will receive acupoint massage treatment in addition to the control group treatment, and the sitting combined with acupoint massage group will receive sitting Baduanjin combined with acupoint massage and the control group treatment. We aim to comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy by comparing the FRAIL (Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness, and Weight Loss) scale scores, grip strength, 10 times sit-to-stand test, Self-Rating Depression Scale scores, and QoL (Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire) scores before and after 8 weeks of treatment among the 3 groups. Statistical analysis will be conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (version 25.0; IBM Corporation). Results: The first participant was enrolled on August 8, 2024. As of August 2025, a total of 52 participants have been fully registered, and the intervention is currently in progress. We expect the completion of this trial to occur within the year 2025. Conclusions: The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for the future treatment of patients with asthenia in hemodialysis.

Background: Integrated care for HIV patients in rural and economically disadvantaged regions remains a critical challenge. This study aims to develop a three-dimensional evaluation index system to assess the effectiveness of integrated medical care and prevention for HIV patients in county-level regions of China. The framework encompasses disease prevention, clinical treatment, and the integration of medical services with public health interventions. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to develop a scientifically validated, three-dimensional evaluation index system for assessing the effectiveness of integrated medical care and prevention for HIV patients in county-level regions of China. Methods: A structured Delphi method will be employed to establish consensus among experts on key evaluation indicators. The study will begin with focus group discussions (FGDs) guided by Valentijn’s Rainbow Model, followed by multiple rounds of Delphi surveys to refine the indicator system. The 75 experts will include clinical professionals, public health specialists, health policy researchers, and NGO representatives. Experts will participate in iterative rounds, ranking and validating indicators using statistical methods such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Kendall’s W coefficient to assess consensus. Results: The Delphi study was initiated in April 2025, with three rounds of questionnaires distributed between May and September 2025. Data analysis is ongoing, and the finalized county-level HIV integration index system is expected to be published by Spring 2026. The study is projected to complete by January 2026. Conclusions: The developed evaluation system will offer a comprehensive and scientifically validated tool for assessing healthcare outcomes in resource-constrained settings, contributing to policy improvements for HIV service integration in China and other low-resource settings globally.

While the rapid rise in corporate artificial intelligence (AI) investment is widely viewed as a strategic necessity, its impact on stock price crash risk remains contested. This pre-registered report argues two opposing predictions. On one hand, AI investment may mitigate the stock price crash risk via improving information transparency and external monitoring for firms. On the other hand, the centralized capital investment in AI and the uncertainty involved may increase the stock price crash risk. To identify these two possible predictions, we exploit the “New-generation Artificial Intelligence Polit Zone Policy” in China as an exogenous shock and examine the impact of AI investment on firms' stock price crash risk, along with the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we investigate whether AI investment affects firm value. This study contributes to the literature on the economic consequences of AI investment and provides new insights into stock price crash risk and corporate risk governance.

This pre-registered study aims to address a critical yet underexplored question: To what extent does board gender diversity, specifically the presence of women on boards (WOB), influence corporate dividend payout policies within a bank-based (financial) system? This report further plans to examine how dividend payouts are affected by bank–firm relationships. In particular, it investigates whether WOB function as a substitute for, or complement to, bank monitoring in enhancing dividend payouts in a bank-based system. The anticipated findings are expected to contribute to policy discourse surrounding Japan's Corporate Governance Code, which intends to promote greater board gender diversity, and to the broader debate concerning “Who are effective monitors in influencing corporate payout behavior within bank-based systems?”

Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) face severe dietary potassium restrictions, reducing their quality of life (QOL) and potentially worsening their prognosis. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) is a novel selective potassium binder that lowers potassium levels, with minimal effects on other electrolytes. The Y-QOL study will evaluate whether SZC can improve QOL by easing the burden of dietary restrictions. This 8-week, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, open-label trial will enroll 200 outpatients with hyperkalemia (potassium level 5.5–6.4 mEq/L after a 2-day inter-dialytic interval) on thrice-weekly HD. Participants will be randomized to receive SZC (starting dose 5 g on non-dialysis days, adjustable to 15 g based on serum potassium levels) plus dietary guidance, or dietary guidance alone to maintain serum potassium levels at 4.0–5.4 mEq/L. The primary endpoint is changes in The 7-item QOL Disease-specific Impact Scale (QDIS-7) scores at week 8 from baseline. Secondary endpoints include additional QOL scores, nutritional status, inflammation markers, Bristol Stool Form Scale, serum potassium reduction, and safety. Recruitment began on January 24, 2024, and the study will conclude on March 31, 2026. The Y-QOL study aims to determine the effectiveness of SZC in improving QOL by reducing serum potassium levels in patients with hyperkalemia undergoing HD.

Inter-brain synchrony (IBS) has emerged as a promising marker of the neural processes that support social interaction, cooperation, and moral evaluation. Previous hyperscanning research shows that IBS increases during tasks involving joint attention, cooperation, or shared intentionality. Yet little is known about how agency, the extent to which individuals can influence outcomes, and outcome valence, interact to shape neural alignment between people. Real-world social contexts often involve asymmetries in control and responsibility, and these dynamics may critically influence how individuals coordinate and evaluate one another's decisions. The present registered report outlines two experiments designed to test the relationship between agency and outcome valence with IBS. In the first experiment, agency (high vs. low) and outcome valence (reward vs. punishment) are jointly manipulated during moral adjudications of economic game offers. We predict that high-agency contexts, especially when linked to punishment of unfairness, will enhance IBS by fostering shared responsibility and coordinated evaluation. In the second experiment, asymmetric agency roles (equal, unilateral, none) are introduced to examine whether unequal distributions of control reduce IBS. We also explore directional influences from higher-to lower-agency partners. By systematically manipulating both the degree of agency and the valence of social outcomes, this research aims to advance theoretical accounts of joint moral decision-making and hierarchical social interaction. The findings will contribute to understanding how responsibility, fairness, and power dynamics shape neural alignment that underpins cooperative and moral behaviour.

This pre-registered study is going to investigate the relationship between mixed-ownership reform and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in state-owned enterprises (SOEs). We try to address four questions in this study: 1) Does the involvement of non-state shareholders foster SOEs to apply AI? 2) If so, what's the underlying mechanism driving this effect? 3) Does the effect of mixed-ownership reform on AI adoption vary across different types of SOEs? 4) What's the economic consequence of enhanced AI applications in SOEs? To address these questions, we are going to utilize a comprehensive dataset of A-share listed SOEs from 2008 to 2023. This paper contributes to the literature on the drivers of AI adoption and provides new insights into the high-quality development of SOEs.

Numerous aspects of resistance exercise—such as the structural components of training sessions, program design, and physical training parameters—have been extensively analyzed. However, the psychological factors affecting resistance training have received less attention. Factors such as goal setting, attentional focus, and feedback are recognized as potential influences on its effectiveness. Upon reviewing the relevant literature, several limitations and knowledge gaps have been identified within each of these three topics in resistance training. Among these issues, two concerns were consistently noted: the lack of non-acute training studies and low statistical power. These problems may be attributed to the limited research resources available for a single study. Therefore, instead of planning three small-scale trials exploring the effects of goal setting, attentional focus, and feedback on resistance training, this Stage 1 registered report outlines a factorial design that combines the investigation of these research questions into a single study with a larger sample size. The results are proposed to be published in separate articles addressing the outcomes of goal setting, attentional focus, and feedback.

Introduction Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is widely performed, yet insufficient tendon-bone healing remains a key contributor to graft failure. Stem cell-based interventions, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and stem cell-derived products (e.g., exosomes/extracellular vesicles), have shown potential to enhance tendon-bone integration in preclinical models. However, findings across animal studies are heterogeneous and have not been comprehensively synthesized. This review aims to evaluate the effects of stem cell-based therapies on tendon-bone healing after ACL reconstruction in animal models. Methods and analysis This protocol follows PRISMA-P. We will search PubMed, Embase, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception to the final search date. Controlled animal studies comparing ACL reconstruction with stem cell-based interventions versus controls will be included. Primary outcomes are biomechanical properties (ultimate failure load and stiffness). Secondary outcomes include micro-CT measures of bone integration (e.g., bone volume fraction, bone mineral density) and histological outcomes (e.g., interface maturation or validated scoring systems). Risk of bias will be assessed using SYRCLE’s tool. Random-effects meta-analyses will be performed, with prespecified subgroup analyses by stem cell type, delivery method, animal species, and follow-up time. Sensitivity analyses and publication-bias assessments will be conducted where appropriate. PROSPERO registration CRD420251137985.

Regulatory fragmentation arises when multiple government departments oversee the same domain. This study will develop a novel firm-level measure of regulatory fragmentation in China by leveraging departmental regulations and normative documents issued by State Council ministries from 2000 to 2023. Using this measure, we will examine how fragmented regulatory oversight affects firm outcomes across several key dimensions, including period costs, productivity, profitability, and firm growth. To identify a potential channel, we will analyze labor input and hypothesize that regulatory fragmentation escalates compliance complexity, thereby compelling firms to hire additional employees to manage regulatory demands. We will also explore heterogeneous effects across firms with different ownership, and distinguish between burdens arising from “regulatory duplication” and “regulatory inconsistency”. By introducing the first comprehensive index of State Council regulatory activity, this study will provide new evidence from China and contribute to the comparative understanding of how regulatory fragmentation shapes firm behavior across different stages of economic development and under alternative forms of state organization.

Imagining a movement without executing it has measurable effects on physical performance, learning, and rehabilitation. However, these effects rely on our ability to imagine performing actions, a complex, covert skill that is difficult to quantify. While movement imagery ability can be assessed by behavioural methods or measuring its neural correlates, the relationship between these measures is uncertain. This Registered Report will determine the association between three key behavioural processes during movement imagery – generation, maintenance and manipulation – and well-established neurophysiological measures of corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition during imagery, obtained via Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. A behavioural battery including a questionnaire, a ‘mental chronometry’ task, and a hand rotation task will be collected alongside the amplitude of Motor Evoked Potentials and the change in Short Interval Cortical Inhibition during imagery. Bayesian correlations will assess the association between these measures to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the neuro-behavioural correlates of movement imagery.

Background Studies based on teachers’ self-reports often find that teachers use different disciplinary practices towards students from minoritized ethnic-racial groups and of low socioeconomic status (SES) than towards their peers. However, these studies do not investigate actual student and teacher behaviour or underlying mechanisms. It is also unclear whether the results stemming mostly from US-based studies can be transferred to contexts outside the US. Aims The present study addresses these issues and investigates teachers’ disciplinary behaviour using videographies of real-life classrooms in Germany. This enables us to observe actual student and teacher behaviour simultaneously and investigate potential teacher-based discrimination towards students of an ethnically minoritized group and of low SES. We also examine teachers’ stereotypes as potential moderators. Sample The study is based on secondary data and includes a sample containing information on 18 teachers and around 200 students. The exact sample sizes will be available only after the analyses. Methods Student and teacher behaviour was coded in 34 10-min video sequences from 18 German and mathematics classes by trained raters blind to the research questions. The resulting data will be analysed together with demographic and questionnaire data available in the dataset using a series of multilevel logistic regressions. Results As this study is submitted as a stage I registered report, currently no results can be reported. Conclusions Results of this study will provide valuable information on classroom processes in which teacher-based discrimination might be observable. It will also elucidate the role of teachers’ stereotypes as a potential mechanism.

This pre-registered study explores the impact of intergenerational succession on the international strategy of family businesses. Conceptualizing succession as a critical inflection point in corporate governance, we examine whether leadership transition to a next-generation family member influences a firm's likelihood to initiate or expand international operations. Drawing on agency theory, socioemotional wealth, and dynamic capabilities, we propose that successor characteristics—such as foreign education or work experience—affect global strategic orientation. Using a quasi-natural experimental design, we will employ a difference-in-differences approach to evaluate how succession events affect internationalization outcomes, while also investigating the moderating roles of founder retention and governance professionalization. This study aims to provide theoretical insights into strategic transformation in family firms and generate practical implications for succession planning and globalization strategies, particularly in emerging market contexts.

Background: Previous research has reported that two of the major barriers to help-seeking for individuals at risk of suicide are stigma and geographical isolation. Mobile technology offers a potential means of delivering evidence-based interventions with greater specificity to the individual, and at the time that it is needed. Despite documented motivation by at-risk individuals to use mobile technology to track mental health and to support psychological interventions, there is a shortfall of outcomes data on the efficacy of mobile health (mHealth) technology on suicide-specific outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study is to develop a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile technology-based interventions for suicide prevention. Methods: The search includes the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL: The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CRESP and relevant sources of gray literature. Studies that have evaluated psychological or nonpsychological interventions delivered via mobile computing and communication technology, and have suicidality as an outcome measure will be included. Two authors will independently extract data and assess the study suitability in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Studies will be included if they measure at least one suicide outcome variable (ie, suicidal ideation, suicidal intent, nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior, suicidal behavior). Secondary outcomes will be measures of symptoms of depression. Where studies are sufficiently homogenous and reported outcomes are amenable for pooled synthesis, meta-analysis will be performed. A narrative synthesis will be conducted if the data is unsuitable for a meta-analysis. Results: The review is in progress, with findings expected by summer 2018. Conclusions: To date, evaluations of mobile technology-based interventions in suicide prevention have focused on evaluating content as opposed to efficacy. Indeed, previous research has identified mobile applications that appear to present harmful content. The current review will address a gap in the literature by evaluating the efficacy of stand-alone mobile technology tools in suicide prevention. It is imperative that research identifies the evidence base for such tools in suicide prevention in order to inform policy, guide clinical practice, inform users and focus future research. Trial Registration: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42017072899; https:// www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42017072899  (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/ 6tZAj0yqJ)

Overconfidence is prevalent despite being linked to various negative outcomes for individuals, organizations, and even societies. To explain this puzzling phenomenon, C. Anderson, Brion, et al. (2012) proposed a status-enhancement theory of overconfidence: Expressing overconfidence helps individuals attain social status. In this registered report, we conducted a direct replication of Study 5 by C. Anderson, Brion, et al. (2012), who found that individual differences in desire for status were positively correlated with being overconfident about one’s task performance relative to others. We also tested the generalizability of the key relationship to a different measure of desire for status. Furthermore, we complemented traditional significance testing with equivalence testing and Bayesian analysis to test a set of null hypotheses in the original study. We found support for the status-enhancement hypothesis: Desire for status had a positive association with overconfidence using both the original measure of desire for status (β = 0.19, 95% CI [0.09, 0.28]) and the alternative measure (β = 0.31, 95% CI [0.22, 0.39]). A follow-up extension study aimed to test this relationship causally by manipulating the social context where status motives may be stronger (a competitive vs. cooperative context) and testing whether such an effect is driven by state-level desire for status. We did not find a direct causal effect of social context on overconfidence but an indirect association via state-level desire for status: A competitive (vs. cooperative) group context increased desire for status (β = 0.34, 95% CI [0.18, 0.51]), which in turn predicted greater overconfidence (β = 0.38, 95% CI [0.31, 0.46]). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)

We propose an experimental evaluation of whether performance-based incentives for residential energy conservation remain effective when repeated. Building on our prior study with EVNHANOI, which found that both contests (rewards based on relative performance) and contracts (rewards based on absolute savings) reduced electricity use by 7–9%, with contests proving significantly more cost-effective, we aim to test whether these effects hold when households are repeatedly exposed to these incentives. Does the comparison of contests versus contracts change when households are repeatedly exposed to these? Does repeated exposure reduce energy conservation after households fail to earn a reward? To answer these questions, we will randomly assign 6,400 households in Hanoi to one of six groups. The first four groups vary by incentive type (contest or contract) and reward level (high or low). The fifth group will receive nudges without being offered explicit incentives to conserve energy, and the last group will be a pure control. Each treated household will participate in two consecutive two-week conservation periods. Using smart meter data, we will measure electricity consumption to assess both immediate effects and dynamic behavioral responses over time.

Local economic decline has contributed to the backlash against globalization, but we know little about the effects on citizens’ trust in global governance. While economic geography theory predicts that trust in international institutions is lower in historically poorer areas due to feelings of being left behind, the evidence is surprisingly mixed. In this article, we explain this puzzle by proposing reference dependence as a crucial cognitive bias leading individuals to evaluate local economic decline relative to their locale’s wealth in the past. Citizens in poorer areas evaluate economic outcomes against lower baselines, making economic decline less salient and reducing the tendency to attribute losses to international economic institutions (IEIs). This helps explain why richer areas, where decline is more salient, tend to blame IEIs. Our argument yields testable hypotheses, which this registered report proposes investigating in a survey experiment based on representative samples of the United States and two American counties experiencing economic decline. In a priming experiment, we will assess how raising the salience of local decline, and decline relative to other areas, affects trust in IEIs, and the extent this effect depends on both salience and blame attribution. The results are expected to explain why historically rich, declining areas are less likely to trust IEIs, than historically poor areas, across partisan lines and other group divisions.

Everyday decision-making often involves choosing between multiple alternatives, and developing unified theories for this process would benefit broad disciplines of behavioral science. A key challenge lies in explaining behavioral irrationalities that arise specifically in multi-alternative decisions. This study, based on pre-registered procedures, investigated such non-normative behaviors in a three-choice dot numerosity discrimination task. We systematically manipulated the value of the lowest-numerosity alternative (the dud stimulus) and quantified its effects on choice, response time, and confidence. We then explained observed behaviors with a sequential evidence accumulation model featuring a “max vs. next” decision algorithm. This pseudo-optimal decisionmaking rule naturally accounted for a well-known non-normative choice pattern: the violation of the independence of irrelevant alternatives. Our model also explained a multi-choice metacognitive bias, known as the dud-alternative confidence boost, by identifying two critical time windows in confidence constructions: confidence is based on sensory evidence collected shortly after stimulus presentation and evidence gathered right after decision-making. These findings represent a significant advancement in understanding the dynamics underlying multi-choice irrationalities.

Social interactions are fundamentally shaped by our expectations of others’ behavior, and one of the most powerful influences on these expectations is gender stereotypes. Previous research has explored the implications of affirming or violating these stereotypes, tacitly overlooking the impact of the expectations themselves. Here, we aim to investigate (1) the potential emotional responses that arise from the anticipation of affirmation or violation and (2) how these anticipatory states influence emotional reactions to stereotype-related targets. Specifically, we hypothesize that anticipating affirmation (/violations) of gendered expectations will elicit pleasant (/unpleasant) emotions regardless of the actual outcome, and that these anticipatory states will exert a similar influence on the emotional responses to stereotype-related targets. To explore those hypotheses, we will measure the intensity of emotional reactions to emotion-evoking images presented after an anticipatory cue regarding gender-stereotypical expectations (Study 1) or after encountering a cue and an affirming or violating social target (Study 2). To minimize response bias, we will employ evidence accumulation models to provide an indirect, easily interpretable, unbiased, and reliable measurement of emotion intensity. The results are expected to highlight the hitherto neglected aspect of outcome anticipation in person perception. Specifically, the results will highlight whether merely expecting stereotype-violating information triggers unpleasant emotions, potentially contributing to the persistence of prejudice and also tap into why and when individuals prefer (un) certainty.

Previous research on the relationship between conspiracy belief and democratic values is contradictory: there is evidence indicating that conspiracy believers are both less and more supportive of democratic ideas. We investigate this relationship using a fine-grained analysis of both plausible and implausible conspiracy beliefs and argue that even though conspiracy believers might perceive themselves as defenders of democracy, they are more likely to have antidemocratic attitudes. Furthermore, we propose two variables that could be responsible for the negative relationship between conspiracy belief and democratic principles. First, the lower cognitive ability and reduced motivation to process information associated with implausible conspiracy beliefs may undermine support for democracy. Second, a conspiracy worldview – shared by believers in both plausible and implausible conspiracy theories – may foster distrust towards those in power and, consequently, towards democracy as a system. Across three cross-sectional survey studies, we first establish that people who believe in implausible conspiracy theories are less supportive of democratic principles. Second, we find exploratory evidence for the idea that information processing explains the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and support for democratic principles. However, we do not find robust evidence that the conspiracy worldview contributes to a lower support for democratic principles. To test the causal influence of both variables, we will conduct an experiment in which we manipulate both participant's information-processing style and conspiracy worldview using fictitious vignettes. We expect that both a heightened conspiracy worldview and a more intuitive informationprocessing style will contribute to a decreased support for democratic principles in these scenarios.

Background: Compared with White patients, minoritized patients (Black and Hispanic patients) have a higher incidence of advanced solid cancers and have a higher mortality. These patients also report poor patient-centered communication and worse pain assessment and management. Although many factors contribute to these disparities, physician implicit bias may be a contributing factor. Objective: The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the role of implicit bias among oncologists and examine the impact on racial or ethnic differences in objective assessments of communication with minority patients with advanced cancer. Methods: To accomplish this goal, we plan to recruit 65 oncologists and 325 patients (5 patients per oncologist) with advanced solid cancer from ambulatory cancer clinics within the diverse settings of the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City and the Duke University Health System in Durham, NC. We audio record patient-oncologist encounters during a postimaging visit, with 3 encounters for each of the patients. We will analyze the recorded visits and compare the patient-centered communication content of these conversations. Immediately after the recorded visit (no more than 2 weeks later, in order to minimize recall bias), patients are required to complete a follow-up survey to evaluate patient-centered outcomes. A 3-month follow-up survey is used to assess pain levels and control, use of analgesics, and psychological distress. A 6-month follow-up survey is used to assess psychological distress. We administer the Implicit Association Test to oncologists to assess their level of implicit bias toward patients who identify as Black or Hispanic after we finish recording patient encounters. Results: Funding from the National Cancer Institute was received in March 2021. Patient and oncologist recruitment began in March 2022. We have recruited all 65 oncologists in the study, and patient recruitment is ongoing. The study team plans to continue to enroll patients until March 2025. As of December 2024, we have enrolled 245 patients. We expect to publish the findings in October 2026. Conclusions: In this paper, we outline the study methods, describe the development of a codebook to assess pain conversations being used to evaluate primary and secondary outcomes, and discuss challenges and lessons learned throughout the study.

Introduction Digital technologies present tremendous opportunities for enabling long-term measurement of mental health in the general population. Emerging studies have established preliminary efficacy of collecting self-report data digitally. However, a key challenge when developing a new self-report instrument is navigating the abundance of existing instruments to select relevant constructs for measurements. This review is a precursor to developing a novel future integrated digital instrument for repeated measurements. We interrogate the literature as the first step towards optimal measurement of the multifaceted mental health concept, in the context of digital repeated measurement. This review aims to identify (1) digital self-report instruments administered repeatedly to measure the mental health of the general adult population; (2) their structure and format; (3) their psychometric properties; (4) their usage in empirical studies; and (5) the constructs these instruments were designed to measure (as characterised in the original publication), and the constructs the instruments have been used to measure in the identified empirical studies. Methods and analysis Five major electronic databases will be searched. Studies administering mental health instruments (in English) repeatedly to community dwellers in the general adult population are eligible. A reviewer will preliminarily screen for eligible studies. Then, two reviewers will independently screen the full text of the eligible articles and extract data. Both reviewers will resolve any disagreement through discussion or with a third reviewer. After the data extraction, a reviewer will manually search for the structure, format, psychometric properties and the original constructs these instruments were developed to measure. This review will synthesise the results in a narrative approach. The reporting in this review will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required as no data will be collected. Findings of the systematic review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022306547

Abstract Optogenetics is based on the selective expression of exogenous opsins by neurons allowing experimental control of their electrical activity using visible light. The interpretation of the results of optogenetic experiments is based on the assumption that light stimulation selectively acts on those neurons expressing the exogenous opsins without perturbing the activity of naive ones. Here, we report that light stimulation, of wavelengths and power in the range of those normally used in optogenetic experiments, consistently reduces the firing activity of naive Mitral Cells ( MC s) and Tufted Neurons in the olfactory bulb as well as in Medium Spiny Neurons ( MSN s) in the striatum. No such effect was observed for cerebellar Purkinje and hippocampal CA 1 neurons. The effects on MC firing appear to be mainly due to a light‐induced increase in tissue temperature, between 0.1 and 0.4°C, associated with the generation of a hyperpolarizing current and a modification of action potential ( AP ) shape. Therefore, light in the visible range can affect neuronal physiology in a cell‐specific manner. Beside the implications for optogenetic studies, our results pave the way to investigating the use of visible light for therapeutic purposes in pathologies associated with neuronal hyperexcitability.