Dealing with conflicting or consistent medical information on the web: When expert information breeds laypersons' doubts about experts

The present study investigated how dealing with conflicting versus consistent medical information on the Web impacts on topic-specific and medicine-related epistemic beliefs as well as aspects of health decision making. One hundred mostly female university students were randomly assigned to three groups. Two intervention groups searched the Web for information on cholesterol to advise a fictitious friend about treatment. Pre-selected websites for these groups provided either conflicting or consistent information. The third group, the control group, did not conduct Web search. Results showed that the intervention groups differed in topic-specific epistemic beliefs. After the Web search, their medicine-related epistemic beliefs were more advanced while remaining unchanged in controls. The intervention groups also differed in some aspects of decision making.     

Increasing Persistence in Undergraduate Science Majors: A Model for Institutional Support of Underrepresented Students

The 6-yr degree-completion rate of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors at U.S. colleges and universities is less than 40%. Persistence among women and underrepresented minorities (URMs), including African-American, Latino/a, Native American, and Pacific Islander students, is even more troubling, as these students leave STEM majors at significantly higher rates than their non-URM peers. This study utilizes a matched comparison group design to examine the academic achievement and persistence of students enrolled in the Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Sciences (PEERS), an academic support program at the University of California, Los Angeles, for first- and second-year science majors from underrepresented backgrounds. Results indicate that PEERS students, on average, earned higher grades in most “gatekeeper” chemistry and math courses, had a higher cumulative grade point average, completed more science courses, and persisted in a science major at significantly higher rates than the comparison group. With its holistic approach focused on academics, counseling, creating a supportive community, and exposure to research, the PEERS program serves as an excellent model for universities interested in and committed to improving persistence of underrepresented science majors and closing the achievement gap.     

Association between 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 gene polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome in Bosnian population

Introduction:

The enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) catalyzes the conversion of the hormonally inactive cortisone to active cortisol, thus facilitating glucocorticoid receptor activation in target tissues. Increased expression of 11β-HSD1 in adipose tissue has been associated with obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated the association of two 11β-HSD1 gene (HSD11B1) polymorphisms with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its characteristics in the Bosnian population.

Materials and methods:

The study included 86 participants: 43 patients diagnosed with MetS and 43 healthy controls. Subjects were genotyped for two HSD11B1 gene polymorphisms: rs846910: G>A and rs45487298: insA, by the high resolution melting curve analysis. Genotype distribution and an influence of genotypes on clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed.

Results:

There was no significant difference in the mutated allele frequencies for the two HSD11B1 gene polymorphisms between MetS patients and controls. In MetS patients, no significant associations between disease-associated traits and rs45487298: insA were found. Regarding rs846910: G>A variant, heterozygous patients (G/A) had significantly lower systolic (P = 0.017) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.015), lower HOMA-IR index (P = 0.011) and higher LDL-cholesterol levels (P = 0.049), compared to the wild-type homozygotes. In the control group, rs45487298: insA polymorphism was associated with lower fasting plasma insulin levels (P = 0.041), lower homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index (P = 0.041) and lower diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.048). Significant differences between rs846910: G>A genotypes in controls were not detected. Haplotype analysis confirmed the association of rs45487298: insA with markers of insulin resistance in the control subjects.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that a common rs45487298: insA polymorphism in HSD11B1 gene may have a protective effect against insulin resistance.     

Infant Temperament: Stability by Age,Gender, Birth Order,Term Status,and Socioeconomic Status

Two complementary studies focused on stability of infant temperament across the 1st year and considered infant age, gender, birth order, term status, and socioeconomic status (SES) as moderators. Study 1 consisted of 73 mothers of firstborn term girls and boys queried at 2, 5, and 13 months of age. Study 2 consisted of 335 mothers of infants of different gender, birth order, term status, and SES queried at 6 and 12 months. Consistent positive and negative affectivity factors emerged at all time points across both studies. Infant temperament proved stable and robust across gender, birth order, term status, and SES. Stability coefficients for temperament factors and scales were medium to large for shorter (< 9 months) interassessment intervals and small to medium for longer (> 10 months) intervals.     

Practical precooling: effect on cycling time trial performance in warm conditions

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two practical precooling techniques (skin cooling vs. skin + core cooling) on cycling time trial performance in warm conditions. Six trained cyclists completed one maximal graded exercise test (VO2(peak) 71.4 +/- 3.2 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and four approximately 40 min laboratory cycling time trials in a heat chamber (34.3 degrees C +/- 1.1 degrees C; 41.2% +/- 3.0% rh) using a fixed-power/variable-power format. Cyclists prepared for the time trial using three techniques administered in a randomised order prior to the warm-up: (1) no cooling (control), (2) cooling jacket for 40 min (jacket) or (3) 30-min water immersion followed by a cooling jacket application for 40 min (combined). Rectal temperature prior to the time trial was 37.8 degrees C +/- 0.1 degrees C in control, similar in jacket (37.8 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C) and lower in combined (37.1 degrees C +/- 0.2 degrees C, P < 0.01). Compared with the control trial, time trial performance was not different for jacket precooling (-16 +/- 36 s, -0.7%; P = 0.35) but was faster for combined precooling (-42 +/- 25 s, - .8%; P = 0.009). In conclusion, a practical combined precooling strategy that involves immersion in cool water followed by the use of a cooling jacket can produce decrease in rectal temperature that persist throughout a warm-up and improve laboratory cycling time trial performance in warm conditions.     

Does e-government reduce the administrative burden of businesses? An assessment of business-to-government systems usage in the Netherlands

The reduction of the administrative burden on businesses is an important governmental policy objective. Electronic government is presented as a promising reduction strategy in many countries. Underlying assumptions and mechanisms are hardly ever made explicit and scientific evidence of successful implementations is scarce. This paper presents an assessment of business-to-government systems in use in the Netherlands. Results show that organizational characteristics are the most influencing factors of perceived burden reduction and implementation effectiveness. Whereas perceived organizational benefits positively relate to the overall confirmation of the former system adoption decision. Surprisingly the quantitative, usage related characteristics do not present any statistical relevance. These findings help us understand existing differences in appreciation between business and governmental representatives on the successfulness of e-government projects in reducing the administrative burden on businesses. Furthermore, research results can help to enhance the effectiveness of e-government policy and measurement instruments.     

Effects of crowd size on referee decisions: Analysis of the FA Cup

Abstract

Data were collected on the number of first yellow cards awarded during 857 games, over six seasons (1996 – 2002), played in the Football Association (FA) Cup. Overall, a significantly higher number of yellow cards were awarded against the away team, while a non-linear relationship between crowd size and yellow cards was observed. In general, the probability of a yellow card being awarded against the home team decreased as crowd size increased, but was attenuated for the largest crowd sizes. Crowd size may be related to the probability of the home team receiving a yellow card in two potential ways. Crowd noise may be a decision-making heuristic whereby the likelihood that an incident is a foul is increased when accompanied by crowd noise. Alternatively, referees may seek to appease the crowd and are more likely to do so as crowd size increases. The present findings have implications for the training of match officials and for coaches and players as they prepare to play away from home.     

Structure of expert players' activity during competitive interaction in table tennis

This study analyzed the activity of expert table tennis players during a match, in reference to course of action theory (Theureau, 1992). Matches were videotaped, and the players' verbalizations as they viewed the tapes were collected a posteriori. The data was analyzed by (a) transcribing the players' actions and verbalizations, (b) decomposing their activity into elementary units of meaning, and (c) grouping the elementary units into larger sets. The results showed that the matches began with an inquiry into the specific features of the opponent's play. This was followed by reproducing the actions identified as effective during the inquiry. The results are discussed in relation to the role of training in expert performance.     

Does endurance training improve red blood cell aging and hemorheology in moderate-trained healthy individuals?

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of a 6-week endurance training on red blood cell (RBC) aging and deformability of healthy participants to detect possible improved hemorheological and performance-related adaptations.MethodsA total of 31 participants (17 females and 14 males) performed a 6-week moderate training protocol (three 1-h running sessions per week at 70% of maximal heart rate). Blood was sampled before and after the training. RBCs from each participant were fractioned according to density and age into 4 RBC subfractions. Subfractions were examined for changes of RBC properties, including aging distribution, RBC deformability, RBC microparticles, and phosphatidylserine concentrations. RBC and plasma nitrite levels were measured as indicators of nitric oxide metabolism.ResultsAerobic performance, peak oxygen consumption, ventilatory thresholds, velocity at the aerobic–anaerobic threshold, and lactate at exhaustion improved after training. The relative amount of both young RBCs and old RBCs increased, and the amount of the main RBC fraction decreased. Phosphatidylserine externalization and RBC-derived microparticles decreased. Overall deformability expressed as shear stress required to achieve half-maximum deformation to theoretical maximal elongation index at infinite shear stress improved in unfractioned RBCs (p < 0.001). Nitrite decreased in total (p = 0.001), young (p < 0.001), main (p < 0.001), and old (p = 0.020) aged RBCs and in plasma (p = 0.002), but not in very old RBCs.ConclusionThese results indicate that non-endurance-trained healthy participants benefit from a regular moderate running training program because performance-related parameters improve and a younger RBC population with improved RBC properties is induced, which might support oxygen supply in the microcirculation.     

Fast bowling arm actions and the illegal delivery law in men's high performance cricket matches

This study investigated the bowling arm kinematics of 21 elite fast bowlers (mean +/- SD; age = 27.8 +/- 3.9 years) while performing in test, tour and one day international matches. Thirty-one of the 34 deliveries analysed exhibited straightening at the elbow joint (straightening min = 3 degrees, max = 22 degrees, mean +/- SD = 9 +/- 5 degrees), which by strict definition in the 2000 laws of cricket made them illegal. Five deliveries from three bowlers exhibited hyperextension of the bowling elbow (19 +/- 5 degrees). When assessed against an arbitrary threshold of 15 degrees for elbow straightening, ball speeds for deliveries above this threshold (39.5 +/- 2.0 m/s) were significantly faster (effect size = 1.4; p = 0.006) than deliveries below it (37.1 +/- 1.4 m/s). When grouped by delivery length, the bouncers and short deliveries recorded more elbow straightening (12 +/- 6.6 degrees) than the good length deliveries (9 +/- 4.4 degrees) and the full deliveries (8 +/- 5.7 degrees), although these were not statistically significant differences. The results of this study support the implementation of a tolerance threshold for assessing the legality of fast bowling actions. Further research is recommended into in-match kinematic modelling, laboratory based assessments of illegal bowling actions, perceptual aspects of bowling actions and remedial methods to reduce elbow straightening in bowling actions.