Phosphate loading and the effects on VO2max in trained cyclists

It is known that an increased level of red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) shifts the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the right, thus allowing a greater unloading of oxygen at the tissue level. It has been hypothesized that phosphate might help increase VO2max by increasing 2,3-DPG level. Eight trained cyclists underwent three cycle ergometer tests (control, placebo, and experimental) to determine whether phosphate ingestion had any positive effect on VO2max, time to exhaustion, serum 2,3-DPG, and serum phosphate levels. We found no change between the control, placebo, or experimental conditions in pretest serum phosphate levels, but we did find increases in 2,3-DPG levels in the phosphate condition (p less than .05), which suggests that even a small amount of phosphate could increase levels of 2,3-DPG. We also found significant differences in VO2max between the control (p less than .05) and placebo (p less than .02) conditions and also in time to exhaustion between the three conditions (p less than .05). We suggest that phosphate may have an ergogenic effect, but clearly more work needs to be undertaken to ascertain the amount of phosphate required and the magnitude of the effect.     

The Influence of Gender Differences on Story Retellings

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences between third and sixth grade female and male students when retelling orally a story read silently. The students' retelling of the story was analyzed by comparing how closely, both structurally and linguistically, they paralleled the T-units or communication units of the author. In general, female students performed significantly differently than did male students. The researchers examine these differences in light of recent research in the area of gender differences.     

Contextualizing the Interpretation of Reliability Data

What is the relationship between the context and substantive meaning of a measure and the assessment of the reliability of the measure? Does the interpretation of a reliability coefficient depend on the nature of the measure? How does this approach to reliability relate to alternative assessments?     

The Shift from Teaching to Learning: Staff Recruitment and Careers Development Policies for the Universities of the Twenty‐First Century

This article examines some of the contextual factors underlying the move from teaching to learning in universities over the next two decades. It considers the major characteristics of and elements in emerging learning processes. It assesses the likely impact of the above on personnel policy and practice in universities and suggests some broader organizational issues for universities as a consequence of the analysis. The article draws on research conducted by the author for two recent international studies, sponsored by the Association of European Universities and UNESCO, and on perspectives derived from various strategic evaluation exercises undertaken under the auspices of CRE.     

Survey on Teaching Contemporary British Fiction

The teaching of contemporary British fiction in English departments in the United Kingdom is reviewed. The study primarily focuses upon evaluative engagement with current teaching. The literary and theoretical texts taught on courses are considered, as are the use and availability of different kinds of supplementary literary‐critical materials. Data collection was through semi‐structured interviews and a survey of online material. The periodisation and focus of general contemporary British fiction teaching is emerging from a more diffuse field where postmodern, gendered and post‐colonial readings still tend to shape courses and modules. A new post‐1970s idea of the contemporary is rapidly emerging.     

Determinants of expected vs. actual match outcome: an examination of the German Bundesliga

Within society, there are many publications regarding expectations of firm performance. These include analysis, industry insiders and ranking service. Within sports, bookmakers provide betting odds that reflect the expected outcome of matches and are determined by several factors. The purpose of this study is to analyse the determinants of expected match outcome (i.e. betting odds) and compare them to those of actual match outcome. Data from the 2010/2011 season of the German Bundesliga (soccer) are made available that are combined with betting odds for each match. Regression results show that several factors, such as difference in standing between team and opponent, difference in competitions played, difference in points earned over the last five matches, differences in standing last season and home advantage significantly influence expected match outcome. On the contrary, actual match outcome is only determined by the latter two factors.     

发展中国家研究型大学的作用:引领国家和全球知识经济发展

研究型大学是各国学术系统的核心部分.研究型大学的发展可以推动各国知识经济的成功.国际顶尖期刊的编辑、作者和评阅人都来自研究型大学,同时,研究型大学能够获取全球知识信息,汇聚各类学者团体,资助教师参与国际专业学术机构和国际会议,并位于互联网革命的中心,因此,开展国际学术知识交流和参与到国际学术网络中是发展中国家研究型大学的核心使命.研究型大学作为“知识的仓库”和“批判中心”,面临着全球化带来的机遇和挑战.在高等教育国际化进程中,发展中国家的研究型大学面临着语言的困境,并且亟需改善学术职业的条件.从卓越的研究型大学的典型特征来分析,各国应该思考如何改善研究型大学的基础设施和智力氛围以使其迈向成功.     

Extended Mixed‐Effects Item Response Models With the MH‐RM Algorithm

A mixed‐effects item response theory (IRT) model is presented as a logical extension of the generalized linear mixed‐effects modeling approach to formulating explanatory IRT models. Fixed and random coefficients in the extended model are estimated using a Metropolis‐Hastings Robbins‐Monro (MH‐RM) stochastic imputation algorithm to accommodate for increased dimensionality due to modeling multiple design‐ and trait‐based random effects. As a consequence of using this algorithm, more flexible explanatory IRT models, such as the multidimensional four‐parameter logistic model, are easily organized and efficiently estimated for unidimensional and multidimensional tests. Rasch versions of the linear latent trait and latent regression model, along with their extensions, are presented and discussed, Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to determine the efficiency of parameter recovery of the MH‐RM algorithm, and an empirical example using the extended mixed‐effects IRT model is presented.