Are Some Negotiators Better Than Others? Individual Differences in Bargaining Outcomes

The authors address the long-standing mystery of stable individual differences in negotiation performance, on which intuition and conventional wisdom have clashed with inconsistent empirical findings. The present study used the Social Relations Model to examine individual differences directly via consistency in performance across multiple negotiations and to disentangle the roles of both parties within these inherently dyadic interactions. Individual differences explained a substantial 46% of objective performance and 19% of subjective performance in a mixed-motive bargaining exercise. Previous work may have understated the influence of individual differences because conventional research designs require specific traits to be identified and measured. Exploratory analyses of a battery of traits revealed few reliable associations with consistent individual differences in objective performance-except for positive beliefs about negotiation, positive affect, and concern for one's outcome, each of which predicted better performance. Findings suggest that the field has large untapped potential to explain substantial individual differences. Limitations, areas for future research, and practical implications are discussed.

Discrepancy between training, competition and laboratory measures of maximum heart rate in NCAA division 2 distance runners

A percentage of either measured or predicted maximum heart rate is commonly used to prescribe and measure exercise intensity. However, maximum heart rate in athletes may be greater during competition or training than during laboratory exercise testing. Thus, the aim of the present investigation was to determine if endurance-trained runners train and compete at or above laboratory measures of 'maximum' heart rate. Maximum heart rates were measured utilising a treadmill graded exercise test (GXT) in a laboratory setting using 10 female and 10 male National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division 2 cross-country and distance event track athletes. Maximum training and competition heart rates were measured during a high-intensity interval training day (TR HR) and during competition (COMP HR) at an NCAA meet. TR HR (207 ± 5.0 b·min(-1); means ± SEM) and COMP HR (206 ± 4 b·min(-1)) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than maximum heart rates obtained during the GXT (194 ± 2 b·min(-1)). The heart rate at the ventilatory threshold measured in the laboratory occurred at 83.3 ± 2.5% of the heart rate at VO2 max with no differences between the men and women. However, the heart rate at the ventilatory threshold measured in the laboratory was only 77% of the maximal COMP HR or TR HR. In order to optimize training-induced adaptation, training intensity for NCAA division 2 distance event runners should not be based on laboratory assessment of maximum heart rate, but instead on maximum heart rate obtained either during training or during competition. Key pointsA percentage of maximum heart rate is commonly used to prescribe and measure exercise intensity. However, maximum heart rate may be greater during competition or training than during laboratory exercise testing.Heart rates during training and competition were significantly higher than maximum heart rates obtained during laboratory exercise testing.To optimize training-induced adaptation, training intensity for NCAA division 2 distance event runners should not be based on laboratory assessment of maximum heart rate, but instead on maximum heart rate measure obtained either during training or during competition.

Acute effects of pre-event lower limb massage on explosive and high speed motor capacities and flexibility

The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of pre- performance lower limb massage after warm-up on explosive and high-speed motor capacities and flexibility. Twenty-four physically active healthy Caucasian male subjects volunteered to participate in this study. All subjects were from a Physical Education and Sport Department in a large university in Turkey. The study had a counterbalanced crossover design. Each of the subjects applied the following intervention protocols in a randomised order; (a) massage, (b) stretching, and (c) rest. Before (pre) and after (post) each of the interventions, the 10 meter acceleration (AS), flying start 20 meter sprint (FS), 30 meter sprint from standing position (TS), leg reaction time (LR), vertical jump (VJ) and sit & reach (SR) tests were performed. A Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used to compare before and after test values within the three interventions (massage, stretching and rest). The data showed a significant worsening, after massage and stretching interventions, in the VJ, LR (only in stretching intervention), AS and TS tests (p < 0.05), and significant improvement in the SR test (p < 0.05). In contrast, the rest intervention led only to a significant decrement in TS performance (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present findings suggest that performing 10 minute posterior and 5 minute anterior lower limb Swedish massage has an adverse effect on vertical jump, speed, and reaction time, and a positive effect on sit and reach test results. Key pointsPerforming 10 minute posterior and 5 minute anterior lower limb Swedish massages has an adverse affect on vertical jump, speed, and reaction time and a positive effect on sit and reach test results.According to the present results, long duration massage should not be recommended for warm-ups.Larger subject pools are needed to verify these events.

Finding and using readily available sources of assessment data

This paper provides the rationale for, examples of, and the collection and general uses of currently available, potentially underutilized academic program assessment data. Academic program assessment is essential for program improvement and accreditation, but commonly used assessment methods may not fully meet these needs. General assessment references, pharmacy education literature, and prior experiences were used to identify and discuss sources of potentially underutilized assessment data. Pre-course assessments, graded assignments, examinations, pharmacy experience evaluations, scoring rubrics, portfolios, progress testing, self-assessments, and classroom assessment techniques are potential sources of assessment data. Course evaluations and grades may also be useful. Selection should be based on need, availability, strength, and concerns. Challenges in data management may be best met through a centralized, integrated database. Careful selection of specific embedded and other assessments can be utilized to complete the development of a comprehensive, meaningful, and efficient program assessment plan.

Pharmaceutical care plan examinations to identify students at risk for poor performance in advanced pharmacy practice experiences

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate early predictors of advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) performance using either timed pharmaceutical care plan (TPCP) reports of 4 case histories or traditional lecture-based pharmacotherapy course examinations.

METHODS

Statistical process control (SPC) methods were used to identify a group of third-year pharmacy students "at risk" for poor APPE performance (defined as an APPE grade point average of < 3.0). Examination scores from an integrated lecture-based pharmacotherapy sequence were used for comparison.

RESULTS

TPCP scores but not lecture-based examination scores successfully identified 6 of 10 students who ultimately performed poorly in their APPEs.

CONCLUSION

Adaptation of SPC methods to assess student performance during problem-based learning (PBL) case reports is a useful technique for identifying students "at risk" for poor APPE performance.

Effects of night work, sleep loss and time on task on simulated threat detection performance

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of night work and sleep loss on a simulated luggage screening task (SLST) that mimicked the x-ray system used by airport luggage screeners.

DESIGN

We developed more than 5,800 unique simulated x-ray images of luggage organized into 31 stimulus sets of 200 bags each. 25% of each set contained either a gun or a knife with low or high target difficulty. The 200-bag stimuli sets were then run on software that simulates an x-ray screening system (SLST). Signal detection analysis was used to obtain measures of hit rate (HR), false alarm rate (FAR), threat detection accuracy (A'), and response bias (B"(D)).

SETTING

Experimental laboratory study

PARTICIPANTS

24 healthy nonprofessional volunteers (13 women, mean age +/- SD = 29.9 +/- 6.5 years).

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects performed the SLST every 2 h during a 5-day period that included a 35 h period of wakefulness that extended to night work and then another day work period after the night without sleep.

RESULTS

Threat detection accuracy A' decreased significantly (P < 0.001) while FAR increased significantly (P < 0.001) during night work, while both A' (P = 0.001) and HR decreased (P = 0.008) during day work following sleep loss. There were prominent time-on-task effects on response bias B"(D) (P= 0.002) and response latency (P = 0.004), but accuracy A' was unaffected. Both HR and FAR increased significantly with increasing study duration (both P < 0.001), while response latency decreased significantly (P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first systematic evidence that night work and sleep loss adversely affect the accuracy of detecting complex real world objects among high levels of background clutter. If the results can be replicated in professional screeners and real work environments, fatigue in luggage screening personnel may pose a threat for air traffic safety unless countermeasures for fatigue are deployed.

Sleep inertia varies with circadian phase and sleep stage in older adults

The purpose of our analysis was to determine if older adults show sleep inertia effects on performance at scheduled wake time, and whether these effects depend on circadian phase or sleep stage at awakening. Using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, effects of sleep inertia on performance were assessed over the first 30 min after wake time on baseline days and when sleep was scheduled at different circadian phases. Mixed model analyses revealed that performance improved as time awake increased; that beginning levels of performance were poorest when wake time was scheduled to occur during the biological night; and that effects of sleep inertia on performance during the biological night were greater when awaking from non-REM (NREM) sleep than from REM sleep. Based on our current understanding of sleep inertia effects in young subjects, and previous reports that older subjects awaken at an earlier circadian phase and are more likely to have their final awakening from NREM sleep than younger adults, our findings suggest older adults may be more vulnerable to sleep inertia effects than young adults.

U-Scores for Multivariate Data in Sports

In many sport competitions athletes, teams, or countries are evaluated based on several variables. The strong assumptions underlying traditional 'linear weight' scoring systems (that the relative importance, interactions and linearizing transformations of the variables are known) can often not be justified on theoretical grounds, and empirical 'validation' of weights, interactions and transformations, is problematic when a 'gold standard' is lacking. With μ-scores (u-scores for multivariate data) one can integrate information even if the variables have different scales and unknown interactions or if the events counted are not directly comparable, as long as the variables have an 'orientation'. Using baseball as an example, we discuss how measures based on μ-scores can complement the existing measures for 'performance' (which may depend on the situation) by providing the first multivariate measures for 'ability' (which should be independent of the situation). Recently, μ-scores have been extended to situations where count variables are graded by importance or relevance, such as medals in the Olympics (Wittkowski 2003) or Tour-de-France jerseys (Cherchye and Vermeulen 2006, 2007). Here, we present extensions to 'censored' variables (life-time achievements of active athletes), penalties (counting a win more than two ties) and hierarchically structured variables (Nordic, alpine, outdoor, and indoor Olympic events). The methods presented are not restricted to sports. Other applications of the method include medicine (adverse events), finance (risk analysis), social choice theory (voting), and economy (long-term profit).

AAS, growth hormone, and insulin abuse: psychological and neuroendocrine effects

The nontherapeutic use of prescription medicines by individuals involved in sport is increasing. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are the most widely abused drug. Much of our knowledge of the psychological and physiological effects of human growth hormone (hGH) and insulin has been learned from deficiency states. As a consequence of the Internet revolution, previously unobtainable and expensive designer drugs, particularly recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and insulin, have become freely available at ridiculously discounted prices from countries such as China and are being abused. These drugs have various physiological and psychological effects and medical personnel must become aware that such prescription medicine abuse appears to be used not only for performance and cosmetic reasons, but as a consequence of psychological pre-morbidity.

Mercury BLASTP: Accelerating Protein Sequence Alignment

Large-scale protein sequence comparison is an important but compute-intensive task in molecular biology. BLASTP is the most popular tool for comparative analysis of protein sequences. In recent years, an exponential increase in the size of protein sequence databases has required either exponentially more running time or a cluster of machines to keep pace. To address this problem, we have designed and built a high-performance FPGA-accelerated version of BLASTP, Mercury BLASTP. In this paper, we describe the architecture of the portions of the application that are accelerated in the FPGA, and we also describe the integration of these FPGA-accelerated portions with the existing BLASTP software. We have implemented Mercury BLASTP on a commodity workstation with two Xilinx Virtex-II 6000 FPGAs. We show that the new design runs 11-15 times faster than software BLASTP on a modern CPU while delivering close to 99% identical results.

Impact of human factors on clinical protocol performance: a proposed assessment framework and case examples

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia is prevalent in critical care and tight control can save lives. Current ad-hoc clinical protocols require significant clinical effort and can often produce highly variable results. Thus, tight control remains elusive as there is not enough understanding of the relationship between control performance and protocol design, particularly with regard to how a given protocol is implemented.

METHODS

This article examines the role of human factors and how individuals relate to technological protocols in clinical settings. The study consists of an overall brief review that is used to create a first graphical representation of the impact of human factors in clinical medical protocol implementations. This initial framework is examined in the context of two similar, but different, case studies-the specialized relative insulin and nutrition tables glycemic control protocol and the TREAT system for antibiotic selection.

RESULTS

A graphical framework relating the human factors impact on medical protocol implementation is created. This framework describes the primary impacts on performance as resulting from clinical burden and protocol transparency. Their primary effect is on compliance with the protocol, which directly affects performance and outcome, particularly in long-term studies versus short pilot studies.

SUMMARY

Compliance is a key element in obtaining the best clinical outcome that a given protocol can provide. The issues that most affect compliance are quite often unrelated to the patient or treatment, but are a function of the protocol design and its ability to integrate (by its design) into a given clinical setting. A framework for examining these issues in design and in post-hoc assessment is therefore proposed and examined in two brief case studies.

Barbarea vulgaris glucosinolate phenotypes differentially affect performance and preference of two different species of lepidopteran herbivores

The composition of secondary metabolites and the nutritional value of a plant both determine herbivore preference and performance. The genetically determined glucosinolate pattern of Barbarea vulgaris can be dominated by either glucobarbarin (BAR-type) or by gluconasturtiin (NAS-type). Because of the structural differences, these glucosinolates may have different effects on herbivores. We compared the two Barbarea chemotypes with regards to the preference and performance of two lepidopteran herbivores, using Mamestra brassicae as a generalist and Pieris rapae as a specialist. The generalist and specialist herbivores did not prefer either chemotype for oviposition. However, larvae of the generalist M. brassicae preferred to feed and performed best on NAS-type plants. On NAS-type plants, 100% of the M. brassicae larvae survived while growing exponentially, whereas on BAR-type plants, M. brassicae larvae showed little growth and a mortality of 37.5%. In contrast to M. brassicae, the larval preference and performance of the specialist P. rapae was unaffected by plant chemotype. Total levels of glucosinolates, water soluble sugars, and amino acids of B. vulgaris could not explain the poor preference and performance of M. brassicae on BAR-type plants. Our results suggest that difference in glucosinolate chemical structure is responsible for the differential effects of the B. vulgaris chemotypes on the generalist herbivore.

Constructing a nurse appraisal form: A Delphi technique study

OBJECTIVE

The study was conducted with the aim to construct a unified nurse appraisal format to be used at hospitals performing under different healthcare organizations in the Eastern Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

METHODOLOGY

The study included hospitals representing different healthcare organizations within the Eastern Province. The target population included Hospital head nurses and nurse supervisors and the snowball sampling technique was employed to select the panel subjects.

RESULTS

The final draft resulted into the agreed upon performance dimensions which included namely; quality standards, work habits, supervision/leadership, staff relations and interpersonal skills, attendance and punctuality, problem solving, oral communication, productivity results, coordination, innovation, record keeping.

CONCLUSION

Nurse managers have to continuously assess competence of practicing nurses to assure qualified and safe patient care. A nurse appraisal form was constructed concurrently with this study results and was proposed to be used at all Eastern Region hospitals. This study is considered an initial step for further efforts and studies to be conducted to reach both national and international nursing appraisal dimensions and unify them for the sake of best health promotion.

Papanicolaou test in the detection of high-grade cervical lesions: a re-evaluation based on cytohistologic non-correlation rates in 356 concurrently obtained samples

Studies evaluating the routine Papanicolaou (Pap) test have traditionally used as the reference gold standard, the diagnoses on the follow-up histologic samples. Since the latter are typically obtained days to weeks after the Pap test, the accuracy of the resultant comparison may be affected by interim factors, such as regression of human papillomavirus, new lesion acquisitions or colposcopy-associated variability. A subset of our clinicians have routinely obtained cervical cytology samples immediately prior to their colposcopic procedures, which presented a unique opportunity to re-evaluate the test performance of liquid-based cervical cytology in detecting the most clinically significant lesions (i.e. cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or worse: CIN2+), using as gold standard, diagnoses on cervical biopsies that were essentially obtained simultaneously. For each patient, cytohistologic non-correlation between the Pap test and biopsy was considered to be present when either modality displayed a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL)/CIN2+ while the other displayed a less severe lesion. Therefore, HGSIL/CIN2+ was present in both the Pap test and biopsy in true positives, and absent in both modalities in true negatives. In false positives, the Pap test showed HGSIL while the biopsy showed less than a CIN2+. In false negatives, Pap tests displaying less than a HGSIL were associated with biopsies displaying CIN2+. Combinations associated with "atypical" interpretations were excluded. A cytohistologic non-correlation was present in 17 (4.8%) of the 356 combinations reviewed. The non-correlation was attributed, by virtue of having the less severe interpretation, to the Pap test in all 17 cases. There were 17, 322, 0, and 17 true positives, true negatives, false positives and false negatives respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Pap test, at a diagnostic threshold of HGSIL, in identifying a CIN2+ lesion were 50%, 100%, 100% and 95% respectively. Even in Pap test/biopsy combinations obtained on the same day by the same colposcopist and evaluated by the same pathologist, there is a 4.8% (17/356) false negative rate associated with the Pap test. Our findings suggest that there may be an intrinsic error rate associated with this test modality.

Performance of host-races of the fruit fly, Tephritis conura on a derived host plant, the cabbage thistle Cirsium oleraceum: implications for the original host shift

The thistle-infesting fruit fly Tephritis conura Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) forms host races on the melancholy thistle, Cirsium hetewphyllum (L.) Hill (Asterales: Asteraceae) and the cabbage thistle, Cirsium olemceum (L.). Scop. Previous research indicates that the host shift occurred from C. hetewphyllum to C. oleraceum. In this paper we address whether the host shift involved physiological adaptations by studying oviposition acceptance and survival of the two host races on the derived host C. oleraceum. Performance differed significantly between host races. T. conura originating from C. oleraceum produced adults in 75% of all egg-laying trials in contrast to only 6.6% in T. conura originating from C. hetewphyllum. Population fitness components measured as a function of life-stage was linear decreasing for T. conura on C. oleraceum but stepwise for T. conura on C. heterophyllum. Low performance of T. conura on C. hetewphyllum was determined by low plant acceptance and high mortality during the larval stage, whereas hatching (at least one larva per batch) and pupae survival were not affected.

Investigating the Roles of Knowledge and Cognitive Abilities in Older Adult Information Seeking on the Web

This study investigated the influences of knowledge, particularly Internet, Web browser, and search engine knowledge, as well as cognitive abilities on older adult information seeking on the Internet. The emphasis on aspects of cognition was informed by a modeling framework of search engine information-seeking behavior. Participants from two older age groups were recruited: twenty people in a younger-old group (ages 60-70) and twenty people in an older-old group (ages 71-85). Ten younger adults (ages 18-39) served as a comparison group. All participants had at least some Internet search experience. The experimental task consisted of six realistic search problems, all involving information related to health and well-being and which varied in degree of complexity. The results indicated that though necessary, Internet-related knowledge was not sufficient in explaining information-seeking performance, and suggested that a combination of both knowledge and key cognitive abilities is important for successful information seeking. In addition, the cognitive abilities that were found to be critical for task performance depended on the search problem's complexity. Also, significant differences in task performance between the younger and the two older age groups were found on complex, but not on simple problems. Overall, the results from this study have implications for instructing older adults on Internet information seeking and for the design of Web sites.

Age-Associated Changes In VO2 and Power Output - A Cross-Sectional Study of Endurance Trained New Zealand Cyclists

Age-associated changes in power and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) were studied in a cross section of endurance trained cyclists. Subjects (n = 56) performed incremental cycling exercise, during which capillary blood lactate [La(-)] was measured. Power output increased by 30 Watts during each 5 minutes stage, with initial power output based on individual ability. When [La(-)] was >4.5 mmol·L(-1), subjects were given a 10 min recovery at a power output approximately 50% below estimated power at [La(-)]4mmol. Subjects then performed an incremental test (1 minute stages) to VO2max. Decline in VO2max was 0.65 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)·year(-1) (r = -0.72, p < 0.01) for males, and 0.39 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)·year(-1) (r = -0.54, p < 0.05) for females. Power at VO2max decreased by 0.048 W kg(-1)·year(-1) (r = -0.72, p < 0.01) in males. Power at [La(-)]4mmol decreased by 0.044 W kg(-1)·year(-1) (r = -0.76, p < 0.01) in males, and by 0.019 W kg(-1)·year(-1) (r = -0.53, p < 0.05) in females. Heart rate at VO2max (HRmax) showed a weaker correlation with age in males (r = -0.36, p < 0.05). The age-associated changes in maximum aerobic power and sub-maximal power were gender- specific, thus suggesting different age-related effects on the systems which support exercise in males and females. Key pointsVO2max decreased with age by 0.65 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)·year(-1) in male, and by 0.39 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)·year(-1) in female endurance trained cyclists.Power at VO2max decreased with age by 0.048 Watts·kg(-1)·year(-1) in male endurance trained cyclists.Sub-maximal power at a blood lactate concentration of 4mmol·L(-1) decreased by 0.044 Watts·kg(-1)·year(-1) in male, and by 0.019 Watts·kg(-1)·year(-1) in female endurance trained cyclists.

Exercise performance and muscle contractile properties after creatine monohydrate supplementation in aerobic-anaerobic training rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on exercise performance and contractile variables in aerobic-anaerobic training rats. Twenty 90-day-old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups - creatine (Cr) and controls (K). The creatine group received creatine monohydrate as a nutritional supplement, whereas the control group was given placebo. Both groups were trained 5 days a week on a treadmill for 20 days in a mixed (aerobic-anaerobic) metabolic working regimen (27 m·min(-1), 15% elevation for 40 min). The exercise performance (sprint-test), contractile properties (m. tibialis anterior), oxidative enzyme activity (SDH, LDH, NADH2) in m. soleus and blood hematological and chemical variables were assessed in the groups at the end of the experiment. It was found out that creatine supplementation improved the exercise performance after 20 days of administration in a dose of 60 mg per day on the background of a mixed (aerobic-anaerobic) exercise training. At the end of the trial the Cr-group demonstrated better values for the variables which characterize the contractile properties of m. tibialis anterior containing predominantly types IIA and IIB muscle fibers. On the other hand, a higher oxidative capacity was found out in m. soleus (type I muscle fibers) as a result of 20-day creatine supplementation. No side effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation were assessed by the hematological and blood biochemical indices measured in this study. Key pointsThe creatine monohydrate supplementation of the rats diet improves their exercise performance after 20 days administration in a dose of 60 mg per day on the background of a mixed (aerobic-anaerobic) exercise training.The creatine supplemented rats demonstrate better contractile properties of m. tibialis anterior which muscle contains predominantly types IIA and IIB muscle fibers.The soleus muscle (type I muscle fibers) demonstrates a higher oxidative capacity as a result of 20-days creatine supplementation.

Human factors and the cardiac surgical team: a role for simulation

Human factors play an important role in determining the outcome of cardiac surgery. The interaction of humans with their equipment, and with each other in teams, is critical to success. Simulation provides a means of teaching and assessing the technical and non-technical skills of clinicians and can facilitate research into interventions to improve safety. Simulation in anesthesia has taken much from aviation and provides a model that could be extended to perfusion. The cost of setting up a simulation center (or even of adding a perfusion simulator to an existing center) is relatively high, but the potential return on this investment is also substantial, particularly at a time when access to patients for teaching and research is becoming harder. Different degrees of complexity and fidelity in simulation lend themselves to different objectives, whether in teaching, assessment, or research. In the longer-term, comprehensive simulations of cardiac surgical procedures involving all participants in meaningful simulated roles may be possible.

The relationship between body composition and anaerobic performance of elite young wrestlers

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between body composition and anaerobic performance in young elite wrestlers.

METHOD

Eight female (age = 16.2 ± 1.1 yrs) and 8 male (age = 17.3 ± 0.9 yrs) wrestlers from the Turkish cadet and junior national team participated in this study. Fat free mass (FFM) and percent fat mass (%FM) were carried out through electric bioimpedance. Anaerobic performance was assessed by the Wingate test (load was calculated as 0.090 kg x.kg(-1) body mass). FFM was greater in male wrestlers [65.4 ± 12.3 (kg)] than female wrestlers (45.1 ± 4.6 (kg) p < 0.01). %FM was lower in male wrestlers (9.7 ± 6.3) than female wrestlers (18.5 ± 2.8; p < 0.01). Peak power was significantly higher in male wrestlers than female wrestlers (8.5 ± 1.0 W·kg(-1) vs. 6.8 ± 0.6 W·kg(-1); p < 0.01). Mean power was significantly correlated with FFM in both genders (r = 0.73 p < 0.05 in female; r= 0.90 p < 0.05 in male). No relationship was obtained between anaerobic parameters and %FM. In conclusion, our result demonstrated no association between anaerobic parameters and %FM. Wrestlers and their coaches should take into account FFM rather than %FM for higher anaerobic performance. Key pointsMean power and fat free mass association was obtained from both genders.Anaerobic performance parameters obtained from Wingate Test were positively associated with fat free mass but not % fat mass in elite young wrestlers.% FM values were 18.5 in young female wrestlers, and it was 9.7 in male wrestlers.

Poor sleep is associated with poorer physical performance and greater functional limitations in older women

STUDY OBJECTIVES

This study examined the association between disturbed sleep and poorer daytime function in older women.

DESIGN

Observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

2,889 women, mean age 83.5 years, participating in the 2002-2004 examination of the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.

INTERVENTIONS

N/A.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Participants wore actigraphs for an average +/- SD of 4.1 +/- 0.83 24-hour periods. Actigraphy measured sleep variables were total sleep time and hours awake after sleep onset during the night and daytime napping behavior. Neuromuscular performance measurements included gait speed, chair stands, and grip strength. Functional limitations were assessed as self-reported difficulty with one or more of 6 instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). In fully adjusted, multivariable models, women who slept <6 hours per night walked 3.5% slower than those who slept 6.0-6.8 hours. Those who slept > or =7.5 hours took 4.1% longer to complete 5 chair stands than those who slept 6.8-7.5 hours. With higher wake after sleep onset (> or =1.6 hours compared to <0.7 hours) gait speed was 9.1% slower; it took 7.6% longer to complete 5 chair stands, and odds of functional limitation were 1.8 (95% CI: 1.4, 2.4) higher. Women with 1.0-1.8 hours of daytime sleep had higher odds (1.4 [95% CI: 1.1, 1.8]) of a functional limitation than those with <0.5 hours. Sleep variables did not appear to be associated with grip strength.

CONCLUSIONS

Objectively measured poorer sleep was associated with worse physical function. Future research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms for the association between poor sleep and functional decline.

Clinical skills evaluation of trainees in a neurology department

Three to 12 evaluations of clinical performance using the mini-clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX) (n = 124) or direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) (n = 21) were performed on 27 trainees working in an NHS neurology department. The communications/ counselling skills subdomain was scored in 64 evaluations. For Mini-CEX the focus was on gathering data (22%), diagnosis (31%), management (34%) and counselling (7%) (focus not recorded in 6%). For DOPS, lumbar puncture was the most common evaluated procedure (57%). Mini-CEX evaluations lasted 23.8 minutes (10.6) (mean, sd) and DOPS 25.9 minutes (12.6). Mini-CEX scores for overall competence and communication skills were mean 5.99 (sd 0.95, range 4-8) and 5.98 (sd 1.21, range 3-9) and for DOPS 5.71 (sd 0.90, range 4-8) both on scales of 1 to 9. Overall trainee competence and communication scores increased with year of training (p < 0.001, p < 0.004 univariate analysis). Assessors undertook up to three or four assessments in a session. Assessors and trainees considered that the observation and feedback had been 'very' or 'quite' useful in providing a relevant element of assessment. These assessments were feasible and useful in a neurology department and provided some evidence for increasing performance with trainee seniority. More assessor time (approximately one hour) than trainee time (24-26 min) was needed for each assessment undertaken.

Effect of training on primary care residents' performance in brief alcohol intervention: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Brief alcohol interventions (BAI) reduce alcohol use and related problems in primary care patients with hazardous drinking behavior. The effectiveness of teaching BAI on the performance of primary care residents has not been fully evaluated.

METHODS

A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with 26 primary care residents who were randomized to either an 8-hour, interactive BAI training workshop (intervention) or a lipid management workshop (control). During the 6-month period after training (i.e., from October 1, 2003 to March 30, 2004), 506 hazardous drinkers were identified in primary care, 260 of whom were included in the study. Patients were interviewed immediately and then 3 months after meeting with each resident to evaluate their perceptions of the BAI experience and to document drinking patterns.

RESULTS

Patients reported that BAI trained residents: conducted more components of BAI than did controls (2.4 vs 1.5, p = .001); were more likely to explain safe drinking limits (27% vs 10%, p = .001) and provide feedback on patients' alcohol use (33% vs 21%, p = .03); and more often sought patient opinions on drinking limits (19% vs 6%, p = .02). No between-group differences were observed in patient drinking patterns or in use of 9 of the 12 BAI components.

CONCLUSIONS

The BAI-trained residents did not put a majority of BAI components into practice, thus it is difficult to evaluate the influence of BAI on the reduction of alcohol use among hazardous drinkers.

Jasmonic acid-induced changes in Brassica oleracea affect oviposition preference of two specialist herbivores

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a key hormone involved in plant defense responses. The effect of JA treatment of cabbage plants on their acceptability for oviposition by two species of cabbage white butterflies, Pieris rapae and P. brassicae, was investigated. Both butterfly species laid fewer eggs on leaves of JA-treated plants compared to control plants. We show that this is due to processes in the plant after JA treatment rather than an effect of JA itself. The oviposition preference for control plants is adaptive, as development time from larval hatch until pupation of P. rapae caterpillars was longer on JA-treated plants. Total glucosinolate content in leaf surface extracts was similar for control and treated plants; however, two of the five glucosinolates were present in lower amounts in leaf surface extracts of JA-treated plants. When the butterflies were offered a choice between the purified glucosinolate fraction isolated from leaf surface extracts of JA-treated plants and that from control plants, they did not discriminate. Changes in leaf surface glucosinolate profile, therefore, do not seem to explain the change in oviposition preference of the butterflies after JA treatment, suggesting that as yet unknown infochemicals are involved.

Electromyographic analysis on a windsurfing simulator

Recent technical innovations in windsurfing have been concentrated on the evolution of the sails and the board. It is only recently that manufacturers have become interested in the wishbones which have evolved becoming thinner and lighter than in the past. A group of six experienced windsurfers participated in an experiment on a land based windsurfing simulator. The goal of the study was to analyze the muscular force used for different techniques for holding onto the wishbone. The test consisted in recording the global electromyographic activity of several muscles on the forearm using surface electrodes. There were two different wind force conditions possible with the simulator: medium (15 kg) and strong (25 kg). Three different wishbone diameters were tested (28, 30 and 32 mm). Four different hand positions on the wishbone were analyzed: leading hand and/or following hand in pronation and/or supination. The electrical muscular activity obtained varied significantly (p < 0.05) depending on the type of grip and according to the diameter of the wishbone. The position with the two hands in supination on a wishbone of 28 mm in diameter was the most economical in muscular terms, notably the flexions of the forearm. The confirmation of the results should lead windsurfers to reconsider the positioning of the wishbone and the adapted posture to waste the least amount of energy possible. Key pointsFemale athletes landed with increased knee valgus and VGRF which may predispose them to ACL injury.Fatigue elicited a similar response in male and female athletes.The effectiveness of sports injury prevention programs may improve by focusing on teaching females to land softer and with less knee valgus.

Longitudinal changes in the spinal kinematics of oarswomen during step testing

Earlier studies have investigated the biomechanics of rowing during step testing with a focus on lumbo-pelvic kinematics and force output and noted that these parameters change with work intensity. The aim of this study was to investigate how the biomechanics of the rowing stroke changes over time as a result of coaching and training and to see if these change were related to a change in physiological performance. An electromagnetic motion measuring device in conjunction with a load cell was used to determine the ergometer rowing kinematics of 7 elite international oarswomen during routine step tests over a two year period. Force output was observed to improve over the two year time period, with peak force significantly rising by 40-80 N. This was associated with significant increases in stroke length of between 15 and 19 cm. Both of these are indicative of improvement in performance. Kinematic variables were also observed to change, with greater pelvic rotation and associated lumbar spine motion at the later time point. The findings of this study demonstrate that rowing technique changes with time, and suggest that kinematics measures of rowing technique may be important tools to monitor athletes. Key pointsKinematics of rowing technique change with time and reflect improvements in performanceImproved kinematics appear to be associated with improved rowing efficiencyImprovement in stroke length linked in part to improvements in lumbo-pelvic technique.

Preadmission predictors of PharmD graduates' performance on the NAPLEX

OBJECTIVES

To identify prepharmacy variables that predicted graduate performance on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) test.

METHODS

Undergraduate and pharmacy school transcripts for 424 students admitted to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Doctor of Pharmacy program from the fall of 1996 to the fall of 2001 were reviewed. NAPLEX scores were provided by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, 11.5.

RESULTS

Grade point average, composite Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) score, and California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) score were each positively correlated with NAPLEX score (p < 0.001 for each). Type of school where organic chemistry was completed; age; advanced courses taken in chemistry, biology, and math; and attainment of a BS, BA, or MS degree were not significantly correlated with NAPLEX score (p > 0.05). When comparing students who successfully graduated and passed the NAPLEX with students who were academically suspended or who failed the NAPLEX, there were significant differences in mean PCAT scores, CCTST score, and age (p < 0.05 for all). Stepwise regression analysis applying all admission variables except PCAT subscores revealed a correlation between predictors (composite PCAT, prepharmacy GPA, and age) and NAPLEX score (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Composite PCAT score was the strongest predictor of success and failure on the NAPLEX. However, the combined predictive ability of PCAT and CCTST scores, prepharmacy GPA, and age was relatively low. Thus, a full review of each candidate's application is justified.

Effects of topiramate on methamphetamine-induced changes in attentional and perceptual-motor skills of cognition in recently abstinent methamphetamine-dependent individuals

Methamphetamine-dependent individuals often cite the need to maintain enhanced cognitive performance and attention as a reason for continuing or relapsing to drug-taking. Further, methamphetamine addicts might not comply with taking a potentially therapeutic medication if it had a profound effect on these cognitive processes. Topiramate, a sulfamate-substituted fructopyranose derivative, has been suggested as a putative therapeutic medication for treating methamphetamine dependence. Examination of topiramate's effects on cognitive performance and attention is a clinically and scientifically important component of understanding its potential therapeutic profile. In 10 male and female individuals who met DSM-IV criteria for methamphetamine dependence, we examined the effects of low (50 mg b.i.d.)- and high (100 mg b.i.d.)-dose topiramate - in both the presence and absence of low (15 mg)- and high (30 mg)-dose intravenous methamphetamine--on cognitive performance, attention, and concentration on the rapid visual information processing task and the digit symbol substitution test. Intravenous methamphetamine enhanced cognitive performance, attention, and concentration among recently withdrawn methamphetamine addicts--an effect that hitherto had not been well characterized. Topiramate's cognitive effects were mixed and rather paradoxical, with a tendency to improve attention and concentration both alone and in the presence of methamphetamine while worsening psychomotor retardation. No deleterious interaction occurred between topiramate and methamphetamine on any of these cognitive processes. While clinical studies with topiramate should prepare participants for possible psychomotor retardation, the cognitive effects profile observed would not likely present an important obstacle to compliance in motivated patients. Topiramate's complicated cognitive effects among methamphetamine addicts need more comprehensive examination.

Effect of incentives on student performance on Milemarker examinations

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of incentives on student performance on comprehensive cumulative examinations administered at the College of Pharmacy, University of Houston.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective longitudinal study conducted over a period of 6 years, from 2000 to 2005. Passing rates on the cumulative examinations administered during the first 3 years of the doctor of pharmacy curriculum were obtained. These cumulative examinations, known as the Milemarker assessments, involve 3 examinations: Milemarker I, II and III, each offered after completion of each progressive year. Milemarker I and II examinations were phased in throughout the years with various incentives to increase student performance. Incentives for these examinations included books, achievement letters, bonus points, and remediation exercises. Incentives with respect to Milemarker III examination was determination of students' progression into the experiential year of the curriculum and did not change over the study period. Passing rates were compared for these examinations before and after the implementation of these incentives.

RESULTS

Passing rates for Milemarker I increased significantly by 185% from 2003 to 2004 when incentives were changed from awards such as books and achievement letters from the Dean's office to bonus points towards future examinations and a remediation process. Similar results were seen for Milemarker II, where the passing rates increased by 590% during the same period for similar incentives. However, passing rates were much higher throughout the time period for Milemarker III due to the high-stakes incentive of stops on progression to the next year.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate incentives may be effective in changing student performance on comprehensive cumulative examinations.

Predictors of academic success in a doctor of pharmacy program

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the correlation between specific prepharmacy college variables and academic success in the Texas Tech doctor of pharmacy degree program.

METHODS

Undergraduate and pharmacy school transcripts for 424 students admitted to the Texas Tech doctor of pharmacy degree program between May 1996 and May 2001 were reviewed in August of 2005. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Release 11.5. The undergraduate college variables included prepharmacy grade point-average (GPA), organic chemistry school type (2- or 4-year institution), chemistry, biology, and math courses beyond required prerequisites, and attainment of a bachelor of science (BS), bachelor of arts (BA), or master of science (MS) degree. Measurements of academic success in pharmacy school included cumulative first-professional year (P1) GPA, cumulative GPA (grade point average of all coursework finished to date), and graduation without academic delay or suspension.

RESULTS

Completing advanced biology courses and obtaining a BS degree prior to pharmacy school were each significantly correlated with a higher mean P1 GPA. Furthermore, the mean cumulative GPA of students with a BS degree was 86.4 versus cumulative GPAs of those without a BS degree which were 84.9, respectively (p = 0.039). Matriculates with advanced prerequisite biology coursework or a BS degree prior to pharmacy school were significantly more likely to graduate from the doctor of pharmacy program without academic delay or suspension (p = 0.021 and p = 0.027, respectively). Furthermore, advanced biology coursework was significantly and independently associated with graduating on time (p = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced biology coursework and a science baccalaureate degree were significantly associated with academic success in pharmacy school. On multivariate analysis, only advanced biology coursework remained a significant predictor of success.

Influence of temperament and anxiety on athletic performance

Our research aimed to conduct basic descriptions of temperamental traits and the level of state and trait anxiety of young male athletes, and to compare them by type of sports. Study participants were 277 athletes and 152 non-athletes who were all high school boys. The Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used for checking temperamental traits while the Korean version of the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y (STAI-KY) was used to estimate anxiety levels. Harm Avoidance score of athletes was higher than that of non-athletes. Harm Avoidance score of golfers was lowest and that of swimmers was highest. The state anxiety score of baseball players was lowest and that of Taekwondo players was highest. The trait anxiety score of baseball players was also lowest and that of golfers was highest. Both trait and state anxieties of the 'winner' group were lower than those of the 'no winner' group. While prior research mainly focused on athletes' environment and phenotypic characteristics, we studied the pattern of temperaments in athletes along with its potential influence on athletic performance. Key PointsHarm Avoidance score of athletes was higher than that of non-athletes.Harm Avoidance score of golfers was lowest and that of swimmers was highest.Both trait and state anxieties of the 'winner' group were lower than those of the 'no winner' group.The trait anxiety score of baseball players was also lowest while that of golfers was highest.

Mood and performance in young malaysian karateka

In an attempt to test the conceptual model by Lane and Terry, the purposes of this study were 1) to assess mood states in non-depressed and depressed young karate athletes; 2) to assess mood states in relation to performance in young karate athletes. The participants were recruited from the 2004 Malaysian Games (72 males, 19.20 ± 1.16 years; 37 females, 18.78 ± 0.88 years). The athletes were divided into winners (medalists) and losers. The Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) was administered prior to the start of competition. MANOVA was employed to treat the data, while Pearson correlations were calculated for mood states in each depressed mood group and by gender. In terms of non-depressed and depressed mood, tension in the females was higher in the depressed group (5.61 ± 3.02 vs. 3.11 ± 1.90, p = 0.026, eta(2) = 0.133), as was fatigue (3.64 ± 2.61 vs. 0.89 ± 1.69, p = 0.006, eta(2) = 0.199). Tension in the males was higher in the depressed group (4.41 ± 2.52 vs. 1.50 ± 1.55, p < 0.001, eta(2) = 0.215), as was anger (1.43 ± 1.88 vs. 0.25 ± 1.00, p = 0.019, eta(2) = 0.076). The highest associations among mood subscales were between anger and depression (r = 0.57), and between depression and fatigue ( r = 0.55) in depressed males. The female winning karateka scored higher on anger (3.08 ± 2.96 vs. 1.29 ± 2.24, p = 0.046, eta(2) = 0.109). The highest correlations between mood dimensions in depressed females were between depression and anger (r = 0.85) and between depression and confusion (r = 0.85). Contrary to previous research on the influence of depression on anger, only the female winners scored higher on anger. Several negative mood dimensions were higher in both male and female depressed groups, lending some support to the conceptual model advanced by Lane and Terry. Key PointsTo date, there is no information about the relationship between mood and martial arts performance in Malaysian athletes.There might be cultural differences in the way Malaysian athletes respond to psychological questionnaires.The mood-performance and depressed mood-non-depressed mood relationships might be mediated by age.

Acute muscle stretching and shoulder position sense

CONTEXT

Stretching is common among athletes as a potential method for injury prevention. Stretching-induced changes in the muscle spindle properties are a suggested mechanism, which may imply reduced proprioception after stretching; however, little is known of this association.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether acute stretching of the shoulder muscles affects position sense.

DESIGN

A crossover design with subjects randomized to 3 groups.

SETTING

A university human research laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Nine male (age = 24 +/- 3 years) and 9 female (age = 21 +/- 2 years) healthy volunteers.

INTERVENTION(S)

Stretching of shoulder (1) agonists or (2) antagonists or (3) nonstretching control.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

We determined position sense acuity of the right shoulder before and after the interventions by having subjects attempt to reproduce arm positions of 15 degrees and 30 degrees (shoulder adduction) while starting at 45 degrees to the sagittal plane. The outcome variables were response variability (variable error) and overall accuracy (absolute error).

RESULTS

The relative change in variable error (ie, variable error after/variable error before) was not significantly different between the interventions ( P = .38). Similarly, no change in absolute error was found ( P = .76). Furthermore, no differences were noted regarding test sequence or the interaction of intervention x sequence for either variable error ( P = .73 and .53, respectively) or absolute error ( P = .71 and .67, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no effect on shoulder position sense after an acute bout of stretching of either agonist or antagonist shoulder muscles.

Emotional intelligence as a predictor of academic and/or professional success

The concept of "emotional intelligence" has been extensively popularized in the lay press and corporate world as individuals purport the potential ability of emotional intelligence to predict various markers of success. Emotional intelligence (EI) most commonly incorporates concepts of emotional expression and regulation, self-awareness, and empathy. The concept has been criticized by some for its loose definition and parallels to personality traits. Additionally, several limitations to the instruments used to measure emotional intelligence have been identified. This review examines the foundations of the definitions of emotional intelligence as well as existing educational research involving emotional intelligence, both within the health professions and externally. Recommendations for future research and research potential are discussed.

Soccer Referee Decision-Making: 'shall I Blow the Whistle?'

Evidence points to the existence of a home advantage effect in soccer with referees giving more decisions to the home team being a plausible explanation for this effect. The purpose of the present study was to use qualitative methods to explore the factors that influence experienced referees when making decisions. Five experienced referees volunteered to participate in semi-structured interviews of 30-40 minutes duration. Examples of questions/probes included 'Are there times when it is difficult to make a decision on whether there was a foul or not? When? Why?' and 'Do you worry about making the wrong / unpopular decision? What affect does this have on you?' Content analysis identified 13 inter-related themes that describe four higher-order themes. The themes 'accuracy-error', 'regulations', and 'professionalism' form a higher-order theme labeled 'ideal-decision making'. The themes 'opinion', 'concentration', and 'control' represent a higher- order theme labeled 'individual factors'; 'experience', 'personality', and 'personal life' represent a higher-order factor labeled 'experience factors', and crowd factors, player reaction, environmental factors, and crowd interaction represent a higher-order factor labeled 'situational factors'. Findings from the present study offer some insight into difficulties and coping strategies used by referees to perform consistently in professional soccer. Future research could use quantitative methods to test the relative contribution of themes identified above to the decision-making process in referees. At an applied level, practitioners should develop strategies that accelerate the process of learning to cope with performance-related stressors such as the crowd noise. Key PointsFive experienced described factors associated with decision making in soccer leading to the identification of 13 inter-related themes that describe four higher-order themes.Higher order themes include ideal-decision making', 'individual factors', 'experience factors', and 'situational factors'.Findings from the present study offer some insight into difficulties and coping strategies used by referees to perform consistently in professional soccer.Practitioners should develop strategies that accelerate the process of learning to cope with performance-related stressors.

Emotional States of athletes prior to performance-induced injury

Psychological states experienced by athletes prior to injured, best and worst performances were investigated retrospectively using a mixed methodology. Fifty-nine athletes volunteered to complete an individualized assessment of performance states based on the Individual Zones of Optimal fFunctioning (IZOF) model. A subsection (n = 30) of participants completed a standardized psychometric scale (Brunel Mood Rating Scale: BRUMS), retrospectively describing how they felt before best, worst, and injured performances. IZOF results showed similar emotion states being identified for injured and best performances. Analysis of BRUMS scores indicated a significant main effect for differences in mood by performance outcome, with post-hoc analyses showing best performance was associated with lower scores on depression and fatigue and higher vigor than injured performance and worst performance. Worst performance was associated with higher fatigue and confusion than injured performance. Results indicate that retrospective emotional profiles before injured performance are closer to successful performance, than unsuccessful, and confirm differences between successful and unsuccessful performance. Qualitative and quantitative approaches used to retrospectively assess pre-performance emotional states before three performance outcomes, produced complimentary findings. Practical implications of the study are discussed. Key PointsPsychological states experienced by athletes prior to injured, best and worst performances were investigated retrospectively using a mixed methodology.Results indicate that retrospective emotional profiles before injured performance are closer to successful performance, than unsuccessful, and confirm differences between successful and unsuccessful performance, a finding that occurred using both methods.Future research should further examine the emotional antecedents of injury and that applied sport psychologists recognize the potential risk of injury associated with emotional profiles typically linked with best performance.

The prolonged intake of L-arginine-L-aspartate reduces blood lactate accumulation and oxygen consumption during submaximal exercise

L-arginine-L-aspartate is widely used by athletes for its potentially ergogenic properties. However, only little information on its real efficacy is available from controlled studies. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of prolonged supplementation with L-arginine-L-aspartate on metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses to submaximal exercise in healthy athletes by a double blind placebo-controlled trial. Sixteen healthy male volunteers (22 ± 3 years) performed incremental cycle spiroergometry up to 150 watts before and after intake of L-arginine-L-aspartate (3 grams per day) or placebo for a period of 3 weeks. After intake of L-arginine-L-aspartate, blood lactate at 150 watts dropped from 2.8 ± 0.8 to 2.0 ± 0.9 mmol·l(-1) (p < 0.001) and total oxygen consumption during the 3-min period at 150 watts from 6.32 ± 0.51 to 5.95 ± 0.40 l (p = 0.04) compared to placebo (2.7 ± 1.1 to 2.7 ± 1.4 mmol·l(-1); p = 0.9 and 6.07 ± 0.51 to 5.91 ± 0.50 l; p = 0.3). Additionally, L-arginine-L-aspartate supplementation effected an increased fat utilisation at 50 watts. L-arginine and L-aspartate seem to have induced synergistic metabolic effects. L-arginine might have reduced lactic acid production by the inhibition of glycolysis and L-aspartate may have favoured fatty acid oxidation. Besides, the results indicate improved work efficiency after L-arginine-L-aspartate intake. The resulting increases of submaximal work capacity and exercise tolerance may have important implications for athletes as well as patients. Key PointsAmino acids are among the most common nutritional supplements taken by athletes. They are involved in numerous metabolic pathways that affect exercise metabolism.Three weeks of L-arginine-L-aspartate supplementation resulted in lower blood lactate concentrations and oxygen consumption, diminished glucose and enhanced fat oxidation, and reduced heart rate and ventilation during submaximal cycle exercise.This implies increased submaximal work capacity and exercise tolerance, which may have important implications for both athletes as well as patients.

Artificial neural networks for diagnosis and survival prediction in colon cancer

ANNs are nonlinear regression computational devices that have been used for over 45 years in classification and survival prediction in several biomedical systems, including colon cancer. Described in this article is the theory behind the three-layer free forward artificial neural networks with backpropagation error, which is widely used in biomedical fields, and a methodological approach to its application for cancer research, as exemplified by colon cancer. Review of the literature shows that applications of these networks have improved the accuracy of colon cancer classification and survival prediction when compared to other statistical or clinicopathological methods. Accuracy, however, must be exercised when designing, using and publishing biomedical results employing machine-learning devices such as ANNs in worldwide literature in order to enhance confidence in the quality and reliability of reported data.

Not of one mind: mental models of clinical practice guidelines in the Veterans Health Administration

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper is to present differences in mental models of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) among 15 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities throughout the United States.

DATA SOURCES

Two hundred and forty-four employees from 15 different VHA facilities across four service networks around the country were invited to participate. Participants were selected from different levels throughout each service setting from primary care personnel to facility leadership.

STUDY DESIGN

This qualitative study used purposive sampling, a semistructured interview process for data collection, and grounded theory techniques for analysis.

DATA COLLECTION

A semistructured interview was used to collect information on participants' mental models of CPGs, as well as implementation strategies and barriers in their facility.

FINDINGS

Analysis of these interviews using grounded theory techniques indicated that there was wide variability in employees' mental models of CPGs. Findings also indicated that high-performing facilities exhibited both (a) a clear, focused shared mental model of guidelines and (b) a tendency to use performance feedback as a learning opportunity, thus suggesting that a shared mental model is a necessary but not sufficient step toward successful guideline implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that a clear shared mental model of guidelines, in combination with a learning orientation toward feedback are important components for successful guideline implementation and improved quality of care.

Starting Block Performance in Sprinters: A Statistical Method for Identifying Discriminative Parameters of the Performance and an Analysis of the Effect of Providing Feedback over a 6-Week Period

(a) to examine if kinetic and kinematic parameters of the sprint start could differentiate elite from sub-elite sprinters and, (b) to investigate whether providing feedback (FB) about selected parameters could improve starting block performance of intermediate sprinters over a 6-week training period. Twelve male sprinters, assigned to an elite or a sub-elite group, participated in Experiment 1. Eight intermediate sprinters participated in Experiment 2. All athletes were required to perform three sprint starts at maximum intensity followed by a 10-m run. To detect differences between elite and sub-elite groups, comparisons were made using t-tests for independent samples. Parameters reaching a significant group difference were retained for the linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The LDA yielded four discriminative kinetic parameters. Feedback about these selected parameters was given to sprinters in Experiment 2. For this experiment, data acquisition was divided into three periods. The first six sessions were without specific FB, whereas the following six sessions were enriched by kinetic FB. Finally, athletes underwent a retention session (without FB) 4 weeks after the twelfth session. Even though differences were found in the time to front peak force, the time to rear peak force, and the front peak force in the retention session, the results of the present study showed that providing FB about selected kinetic parameters differentiating elite from sub-elite sprinters did not improve the starting block performance of intermediate sprinters. Key PointsThe linear discriminative analysis allows the identification of starting block parameters differentiating elite from sub-elite athletes.6-week of feedback does not alter starting block performance in training context.The present results failed to confirm previous studies since feedback did not improve targeted kinetic parameters of the complex motor task in real-world context.

Multi-stage ponds-wetlands ecosystem for effective wastewater treatment

The performance of the Dongying multi-stage ponds-wetlands ecosystem was investigated in this work. Study of the removal of different pollutants (BOD(5), COD, SS, TP, TN, NH(3)-N, etc.) in different temperature seasons and different units in this system indicated that effluent BOD(5) and SS were constant to less than 11 mg/L and 14 mg/L throughout the experimental processes; but that the removal efficiencies of pollutants such as TP, TN, NH(3)-N, COD varied greatly with season. The higher the temperature was, the higher was the observed removal in this system. Additionally, each unit of the system functioned differently in removing pollutants. BOD(5) and SS were mainly removed in the first three units (hybrid facultative ponds, aeration ponds and aerated fish ponds), whereas nitrogen and phosphates were mainly removed in hydrophyte ponds and constructed reed wetlands. The multi-stage ponds-wetlands ecosystem exhibits good potential of removing different pollutants, and the effluent quality meet several standards for wastewater reuse.

Global sourcing strategy and sustainable competitive advantage

Global sourcing strategy has been one of the most hotly debated management trends in the last 20 years. In its early years, global sourcing was examined mostly from “in-house” development and procurement perspectives; and in the last several years, research focus has shifted to “outsourcing” activities. Along with this shift from internal to external focus on global sourcing, many researchers and business practitioners have applied a core competency argument to justify increased levels of outsourcing activities on a global basis. Although the beneficial aspects of outsourcing are assumed in most cases, no consensus exists in reality as to the effect of outsourcing. Furthermore, the increased instability of the exchange rate environment in the last several years has also led to increased difficulties in managing globally scattered operations that were once fashionable in the 1980s-90s under the rubric of global strategy. In this article, the authors explore potential limitations and negative consequences of outsourcing strategy on a global scale.

Report of a trial with lyophilised QC sera in the CMCH/ACBI EQAS programmes in India

2000 vials of lyophilized QC of two different levels (low and high) were donated by Roche Diagnostics GmbH, through the IFCC and received by CMCH in June 2001. A total of 240 la boratories were enrolled for this 6 month pilot study. In addition to the 12 analytes in the liquid QC programme, six additional analytes, LDH, triglyceride, urate, total bilirubin, phosphate and amylase were included. It was also possible to measure sodium and potassium by ion selective electrode (ISE) methods in the QC for the first time.The performance of the laboratories for the existing 12 analytes using liquid stabilized QC was compared to the performance using lyophilized QC. Using a statistical comparison of the methodwise mean variance index score (MVIS) values, five assays viz glucose, albumin, cholesterol, and SGOT and SGPT performance was the same in liquid QC and lyophilized QC. Three assays viz urea, calcium and creatinine were significantly better, and 4 assays total protein, sodium, potassium and ALP were significantly worse. However the overall VIS (OMVIS) for the laboratories was the same and the ranking pattern of this 6 month OMVIS was also unaltered.The lyophilized QC scheme highlighted a negative bias between flame and ISE methods for sodium and potassium, and a definite standardization problem in reporting LDH and amylase results, but triglyceride, urate and total bilirubin assays were performing well.It was concluded that the introduction of lyophilized QCs will not cause any deterioration of performance to participating laboratories. Stability of the material seems to be good and the laboratories are generally using a good reconstitution technique.

System identification applied to a visuomotor task: near-optimal human performance in a noisy changing task

Sensory-motor integration has frequently been studied using a single-step change in a control variable such as prismatic lens angle and has revealed human visuomotor adaptation to often be partial and inefficient. We propose that the changes occurring in everyday life are better represented as the accumulation of many smaller perturbations contaminated by measurement noise. We have therefore tested human performance to random walk variations in the visual feedback of hand movements during a pointing task. Subjects made discrete targeted pointing movements to a visual target and received terminal feedback via a cursor the position of which was offset from the actual movement endpoint by a random walk element and a random observation element. By applying ideal observer analysis, which for this task compares human performance against that of a Kalman filter, we show that the subjects' performance was highly efficient with Fisher efficiencies reaching 73%. We then used system identification techniques to characterize the control strategy used. A "modified" delta-rule algorithm best modeled the human data, which suggests that they estimated the random walk perturbation of feedback in this task using an exponential weighting of recent errors. The time constant of the exponential weighting of the best-fitting model varied with the rate of random walk drift. Because human efficiency levels were high and did not vary greatly across three levels of observation noise, these results suggest that the algorithm the subjects used exponentially weighted recent errors with a weighting that varied with the level of drift in the task to maintain efficient performance.

Assessing the performance of specialist registrars

Assessing the performance of doctors while they are engaged in clinical work is a challenging concept. The introduction of objective-based curricula provides the stimulus and opportunity for the Royal Colleges of Physicians to develop relevant and reliable methods of in-service assessment. We propose to pilot a study investigating the validity, reliability and feasibility of three assessment methods--direct observation of the clinical encounter using an adapted mini-CEX, direct observation of the performance of practical procedures (DOPS), and the doctor's ability to perform effectively as part of a team using 360 degree assessment. The methods will be studied in the setting of routine clinical care. Whilst demanding of time from both trainees and trainers, they will represent a significant advance on the current system which is characterised by a lack of evidence in the assessment process.

The Female Collegiate Cross-Country Runner: Nutritional Knowledge and Attitudes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional knowledge and attitudes of the female collegiate cross-country runner. Awareness of the deficient areas of nutritional knowledge, important in performance and healing, may assist professionals in educating female runners. DESIGN AND SETTING: In this descriptive study, subjects completed a nutritional questionnaire with both quantitative and qualitative components. In a 9-day period, the nutritional questionnaire was administered at 6 colleges and universities in Illinois and Michigan. SUBJECTS: The convenience sample included female collegiate cross-country runners (N = 60). Overall compliance rate was 61% (60 out of 99). MEASUREMENTS: Our questionnaire included a demographics section, 76 Likert-scale true-false questions, and 7 open-ended questions. True-false questions were divided into subscales of 3 or more questions based on the topic. Statistical analyses focused on quantitative analysis. RESULTS: Runners who completed a nutrition course in college scored significantly higher overall. Runners scored significantly higher in the knowledge for the athlete component than in the general knowledge component. Several specific areas of deficient nutritional knowledge were identified. Overall, the mean of the runners' total positive responses for the attitudes component of the questionnaire was 90.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the female collegiate cross-country runner lacks nutritional knowledge critical to preventing nutrition-related health problems. Because most of the runners in our study exhibited positive attitudes toward nutrition, female collegiate cross-country runners may be receptive to nutritional education.

Students' motivations for data handling choices and behaviors: their explanations of performance

Cries for increased accountability through additional assessment are heard throughout the educational arena. However, as demonstrated in this study, to make a valid assessment of teaching and learning effectiveness, educators must determine not only what students do, but also why they do it, as the latter significantly affects the former. This study describes and analyzes 14- to 16-year-old students' explanations for their choices and performances during science data handling tasks. The study draws heavily on case-study methods for the purpose of seeking an in-depth understanding of classroom processes in an English comprehensive school. During semistructured scheduled and impromptu interviews, students were asked to describe, explain, and justify the work they did with data during their science classes. These student explanations fall within six categories, labeled 1) implementing correct procedures, 2) following instructions, 3) earning marks, 4) doing what is easy, 5) acting automatically, and 6) working within limits. Each category is associated with distinct outcomes for learning and assessment, with some motivations resulting in inflated performances while others mean that learning was underrepresented. These findings illuminate the complexity of student academic choices and behaviors as mediated by an array of motivations, casting doubt on the current understanding of student performance.

Katamine - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior

Ketamine is a rapid-acting anesthetic commonly used during surgical procedures in both animals and humans, as an experimental drug in the treatment of chronic pain, and as a probe for the study of the cause of schizophrenia. When used medically as an anesthetic it is administered as an intravenous (IV) solution, but when diverted to the illicit market it can be injected, snorted, smoked, or consumed in drinks. Ketamine produces effects similar in some respects to phencyclidine (PCP) and lysergic acid (LSD), but of shorter duration. Psychedelic effects are produced quickly by low doses of the drug, although larger doses are frequently used in an attempt to produce "near-death" experiences. Convulsions and death can be caused by higher doses, although most deaths in which ketamine is detected are the result of poly-drug use or trauma. Reports of ketamine use at rave parties attended by young adults appear to be on the rise. The effects from ketamine last from 1-5 hours, and ketamine can be detected in the urine for a period of 1-2 days following use.

Cocaine - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior

A brief history of cocaine is provided followed by an overview of the pharmacology of cocaine. In addition to the mechanism of action, the effects of cocaine withdrawal and its effects in combination with ethanol are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the metabolism of cocaine and the interpretation of the concentration of cocaine and metabolites detected in various matrices. Consideration is given to stability of the drug, pathology, postmortem observations, passive and unknowing ingestion, and dermal exposure. A brief overview of analytical methodology is also presented. Finally, the effects of cocaine on driving are examined.

γ-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior

γ-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a powerful central nervous system (CNS) depressant which has had a history of limited therapeutic use and, more recently, potential for abuse. GHB is a naturally occurring compound present in mammalian CNS and peripheral tissues, and a minor metabolite and precursor of γ-amino butyric acid. GHB is also an emerging recreational drug and has limited therapeutic potential. It is now a federally controlled substance. Since the substances γ-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol rapidly convert to GHB in vivo, they are abused as metabolic precursor drugs for GHB and are available in a wide variety of forms. GHB alters dopaminergic activity in the CNS, and its effects are primarily those of a CNS depressant. Following low doses, euphoria, relaxation, reduced inhibitions and sedation can be observed, while vomiting, sweating, severe respiratory depression, and unconsciousness are common with GHB intoxication. Tolerance to the effects of GHB develops with chronic use, and physical and psychological addiction can follow. This monograph reviews the chemistry of GHB and its precursor drugs, their reported medicinal and recreational uses, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, analytical methodology, and interpretation issues such as postmortem endogenous concentrations and specimen storage conditions. The manuscript concludes with a discussion of the effects GHB may have on human performance. Given the ability of GHB to induce sleep and unconsciousness, recreational use of GHB and its precursor drugs GBL and 1,4-butanediol has the potential of causing impairment in psychomotor and cognitive skills.