Affinity to mnemonic features of social media: Antecedent and consequences

This research explores consumer loneliness and its resulting preference for mnemonic features as the psychological antecedents of social media use and studies its consequence on consumer behavior. To test our hypotheses, we conducted a survey with a large sample (N = 1307) and analyzed the data using PLS structural equation modeling method. We show that individuals with higher (vs. lower) feelings of loneliness show a lower (vs. higher) affinity to mnemonic features of social media platforms, making them more likely to use Snapchat (vs. Facebook). This effect persists after controlling for demographic factors (such as age and gender) and other known motivations behind social media choice. These two groups of social media users also exhibit different types of consumer behavior resulting from their underlying affinity to mnemonic features. Snapchat users tend to be more variety-seeking and prefer newer brands (vs. established brands) than Facebook users. Our research contributes to the literature on the adoption of social media platforms by studying an important individual difference variable and integrating the concept of mnemonic features of social media as a key driving factor in that choice. The findings can give managers essential insights into the usership of social media platforms and help them select the right platform for their social media campaigns.     

Internationalism or Search for Roots: A Tension in Modern Indian Thought

The problems of internationalism often look different and require different solutions depending on one's particular cultural standpoint. Contemporary Indian philosophers find that their philosophical efforts have long been too much oriented to the West, and that what Indian philosophy now needs is less international influence and more rootedness in their own rich tradition. This is needed for a more balanced international dialogue. The goal of internationalism in philosophy is not to bring into being a world-philosophy, but a global conversation on philosophical problems that is not inhibited by differing approaches.     

Effect of a Single Session of a Yogic Meditation Technique on Cognitive Performance in Medical Students: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Medical students confront enormous academic, psychosocial, and existential stress throughout their training, leading to a cascade of consequences both physically and psychologically. The declined cognitive function of these students interferes in their academic performance and excellence. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a yogic meditation technique, mind sound resonance technique (MSRT), on cognitive functions of University Medical students in a randomized, two-way crossover study. In total, 42 healthy volunteers of both genders (5 males and 37 females) with mean age of 19.44 ± 1.31 years were recruited from a medical college in South India, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A 10-day orientation in the technique of MSRT was given to all the recruited subjects after which each subject underwent both MSRT and supine rest (SR) sessions. All participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive a session of either MSRT or SR. After a day of washout, participants crossed over to receive the alternative intervention. The cognitive functions were assessed using 2 paper-pencil tasks called Digit Letter Substitution Test (DLST) and Six-Letter Cancelation Task (SLCT), before and immediately after both sessions. Both the groups showed significant improvement in net attempt of both DLST and SLCT, but the magnitude of change was more in the MSRT group than in the SR group. The MSRT group demonstrated significantly enhanced net scores in both SLCT (p < 0.001) and DLST (p < 0.001). The result of the present study suggests that a single session of MSRT, a Mind–Body Practice, may positively impact the performance in cognitive tasks by the University Medical Students.     

Early and middle childhood developmental,cognitive, and psychiatric outcomes of Malawian children affected by retinopathy positive cerebral malaria

The objective is to determine the short -and long-term developmental, cognitive, and psychiatric effects of retinopathy positive cerebral malaria (CM-R) among young children in a prospective study assessing them around the onset of disease and again 2 years at preschool and again at school age.

In total, 109 children were recruited from the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, (N = 49) with CM-R and non-malaria controls (N = 60). Children were assessed for overall motor, language, and social skills using the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) at preschool age. At school age, the same children were then given the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (KABC-II), which assessed global cognitive performancememory, and learning; as well as the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), which assessed attention. The Achenbach Child Development Checklist (CBCL) was administered at both time points to assess emotional and behavioral patterns.

Controls scored significantly better on all KABC-II global domains as well as on the mental processing index than their CM-R group counterparts, but showed no performance differences in the TOVA and CBCL assessments at school age, or in the MDAT and CBCL assessments at preschool age. The MDAT total score was significantly correlated with the KABC-II sequential processing, learning, and mental processing index among CM-R survivors but not among controls.

Persisting neurocognitive effects of CM can be captured with the KABC-II at school age. The MDAT at preschool age is correlated with the KABC-II among CM-R survivors and can be used to capture early emerging developmental deficits due to CM-R.