Sodium bicarbonate improves 4 km time trial cycling performance when individualised to time to peak blood bicarbonate in trained male cyclists

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on 4 km cycling time trial (TT) performance when individualised to a predetermined time to peak blood bicarbonate (HCO₃^?). Eleven male trained cyclists volunteered for this study (height 1.82 ± 0.80 m, body mass (BM) 86.4 ± 12.9 kg, age 32 ± 9 years, peak power output (PPO) 382 ± 22 W). Two trials were initially conducted to identify time to peak HCO₃^? following both 0.2 g^.kg^?1 BM (SBC2) and 0.3 g^.kg^?1 BM (SBC3) NaHCO₃. Thereafter, on three separate occasions using a randomised, double-blind, crossover design, participants completed a 4 km TT following ingestion of either SBC2, SBC3, or a taste-matched placebo (PLA) containing 0.07 g^.kg^?1 BM sodium chloride (NaCl) at the predetermined individual time to peak HCO₃^?. Both SBC2 (?8.3 ± 3.5 s; p < 0.001, d = 0.64) and SBC3 (?8.6 ± 5.4 s; p = 0.003, d = 0.66) reduced the time to complete the 4 km TT, with no difference between SBC conditions (mean difference = 0.2 ± 0.2 s; p = 0.87, d = 0.02). These findings suggest trained cyclists may benefit from individualising NaHCO₃ ingestion to time to peak HCO₃^? to enhance 4 km TT performance.     

A clustering algorithm based TS fuzzy model for tracking dynamical system data

This paper presents an optimal fuzzy partition based Takagi Sugeno Fuzzy Model (TSFM) in which a novel clustering algorithm, known as Modified Fuzzy C-Regression Model (MFCRM), has been proposed. The objective function of MFCRM algorithm has been developed by considering of geometrical structure of input data and linear functional relation between input–output data. The MFCRM partitions the data space to create fuzzy subspaces (rules). A new validation criterion has been developed for detecting the right number of rules (subspaces) in a given data set. The obtained fuzzy partition is used to build the fuzzy structure and identify the premise parameters. Once, right number of rules and premise parameters have been identified, then consequent parameters have been identified by orthogonal least square (OLS) approach. The cluster validation index has been tested on synthetic data set. The effectiveness of MFCRM based TSFM has been validated on benchmark examples, such as Boiler Turbine system, Mackey–Glass time series data and Box–Jenkins model. The model performance is also validated through high-dimensional data such as Auto-MPG data and Boston Housing data.     

You look marvelous

In this column, the author is reminded that maternity fashion and her own sense of clothing styles often leave much to be desired.     

Bouncing back!

In this column, a childbirth educator takes a humorous look at discovering how to recharge her enthusiasm and motivation.     

Using electronic portfolios

The digitized collections of artifacts known as electronic portfolios are creating solutions to a variety of performance improvement needs in ways that are cost‐effective and improve both individual and group learning and performance. When social media functionality is embedded in e‐portfolios, the tools support collaboration, social learning, collection and sharing of best practices, and coaching. By eliminating the constraints of time and geography, electronic portfolios can support organizations' performance management and talent management strategies.     

ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool Children's Version (ICAST-C): Instrument development and multi-national pilot testing

ObjectiveTo develop a child victimization survey among a diverse group of child protection experts and examine the performance of the instrument through a set of international pilot studies.MethodsThe initial draft of the instrument was developed after input from scientists and practitioners representing 40 countries. Volunteers from the larger group of scientists participating in the Delphi review of the ICAST P and R reviewed the ICAST C by email in 2 rounds resulting in a final instrument. The ICAST C was then translated and back translated into six languages and field tested in four countries using a convenience sample of 571 children 12–17 years of age selected from schools and classrooms to which the investigators had easy access.ResultsThe final ICAST C Home has 38 items and the ICAST C Institution has 44 items. These items serve as screeners and positive endorsements are followed by queries for frequency and perpetrator. Half of respondents were boys (49%). Endorsement for various forms of victimization ranged from 0 to 51%. Many children report violence exposure (51%), physical victimization (55%), psychological victimization (66%), sexual victimization (18%), and neglect in their homes (37%) in the last year. High rates of physical victimization (57%), psychological victimization (59%), and sexual victimization (22%) were also reported in schools in the last year. Internal consistency was moderate to high (alpha between .685 and .855) and missing data low (less than 1.5% for all but one item).ConclusionsIn pilot testing, the ICAST C identifies high rates of child victimization in all domains. Rates of missing data are low, and internal consistency is moderate to high. Pilot testing demonstrated the feasibility of using child self-report as one strategy to assess child victimization.Practice implicationsThe ICAST C is a multi-national, multi-lingual, consensus-based survey instrument. It is available in six languages for international research to estimate child victimization. Assessing the prevalence of child victimization is critical in understanding the scope of the problem, setting national and local priorities, and garnering support for program and policy development aimed at child protection.     

Mobile response system: a novel approach to interactive and hands-on activity in the classroom

Mobile devices are being used profusely in the classrooms to improve passive learning environments and to enhance student comprehension. However, with respect to students’ active involvement in problem solving activities, the typical usage of the mobile devices in answering multiple choice and true/false questions is not adequate and the use of mobile devices need to be expanded to include dynamic and interactive problem-solving activities to better satisfy students’ learning needs. To facilitate such interactive problem solving using mobile devices, a comprehensive software environment is necessary. This paper details the design, deployment and evaluation of Mobile Response System (MRS) software that facilitates execution and assessment of multi-step in-class interactive problem-solving activities using mobile devices. MRS is an active learning tool, which engages students with the visual representation of a problem that spans on multiple screens, allows them to interact with that, and makes them realize the consequences of their actions instantly and visually. The immediate and automated grading feature of MRS enables a feedback-driven and evidence-based teaching methodology, which is important to improve the quality of classroom learning. MRS is designed to be independent of any interactive problem or its domain. Therefore, it allows easier integration of interactive activity Apps developed by others and can be used in any discipline. The results obtained from software metrics and runtime performance data verified the quality of the software. Additionally, the in-class assessment data verified that the MRS software is a helpful intervention for improving student comprehension and satisfaction.     

Quantifying the effects of acute hypoxic exposure on exercise performance and capacity: A systematic review and meta-regression

Objective: To quantify the effects of acute hypoxic exposure on exercise capacity and performance, which includes continuous and intermittent forms of exercise. Design: A systematic review was conducted with a three-level mixed effects meta-regression. The ratio of means method was used to evaluate main effects and moderators providing practical interpretations with percentage change. Data sources: A systemic search was performed using three databases (Google scholar, PubMed and SPORTDiscus). Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Inclusion was restricted to investigations that assessed exercise performance (time trials (TTs), sprint and intermittent exercise tests) and capacity (time to exhaustion test, TTE) with acute hypoxic (<24?h) exposure and a normoxic comparator. Results: Eighty-two outcomes from 53 studies (N?=?798) were included in this review. The results show an overall reduction in exercise performance/capacity ?17.8?±?3.9% (95% CI ?22.8% to ?11.0%), which was significantly moderated by ?6.5?±?0.9% per 1000 m altitude elevation (95% CI ?8.2% to ?4.8%) and oxygen saturation (?2.0?±?0.4%; 95% CI ?2.9% to ?1.2%). TT (?16.2?±?4.3%; 95% CI ?22.9% to ?9%) and TTE (?44.5?±?6.9%; 95% CI ?51.3% to ?36.7%) elicited a negative effect, whilst indicating a quadratic relationship between hypoxic magnitude and both TTE and TT performance. Furthermore, exercise less than 2 min exhibited no ergolytic effect from acute hypoxia.

Summary/Conclusion: This review highlights the ergolytic effect of acute hypoxic exposure, which is curvilinear for TTE and TT performance with increasing hypoxic levels, but short duration intermittent and sprint exercise seem to be unaffected.     

Tweety bird and teen tattoos

In this column, a childbirth educator humorously reflects on teen tattoos.     

Catch this!

Athletically challenged prenatal educator and labor nurse finds birthing balls a rather cruel joke.