Gross cycling efficiency is not altered with and without toe-clips

The aim of this study was to examine the claim that reductions of 8-18% in submaximal oxygen consumption (VO2) could be due to changing components on a Monark ergometer, from standard pedals without toe-clips or straps (flat pedals) to racing pedals of that era, which included toe-clips and straps (toe-clip pedals). This previously untested assertion was evaluated using 11 males (mean age 22.3 years, s= 1.2; height 1.82 m, s= 0.07; body mass 82.6 kg, s= 8.8) who completed four trials in a randomized, counterbalanced order at 60 rev min(-1) on a Monark cycle ergometer. Two trials were completed on flat pedals and two trials on toe-clip pedals. The Douglas bag method was used to assess VO2 and gross efficiency during successive 5-min workloads of 60, 120, 180, and 240 W. The mean VO2 was 2.1% higher for toe-clip pedals than flat pedals and there was a 99% probability that toe-clip pedals would not result in an 8% lower VO2. These results indicate that toe-clip pedals do not reduce VO2.     

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.     

Digit ratio (2D:4D) and performance in elite rugby players

The relative length of the second and fourth digits (2D:4D) is a putative marker for prenatal testosterone. Low 2D:4D has been reported to correlate with high performance in sport in general. Here, for the first time, we examine the relationship between 2D:4D and performance in elite rugby players. The 44 players (28 forwards, 16 backs) were drawn from the Ospreys Rugby Union Club and 44 age-matched controls. The measures of performance comprised age-adjusted number of international performances (caps) for Wales, a comparison of coaches' first-choice League team with others, and the number of tries scored by backs in club matches. Compared with controls, players were larger and had lower 2D:4D for the right and left hand. With regard to number of caps, players with low 2D:4D in their right hand and low right 2D:4D compared with their left (right?-?left 2D:4D difference) had high numbers of caps. First-choice players did not differ significantly from second-choice players in their 2D:4D but they did have a lower right?-?left 2D:4D difference than second-choice players. Low right 2D:4D and low right?-?left 2D:4D difference were significantly linked with large numbers of tries. We conclude that low right 2D:4D and low right?-?left 2D:4D difference are predictors of high rugby performance.     

Dielectrophoretic manipulation of ribosomal RNA

The manipulation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) extracted from E. coli cells by dielectrophoresis (DEP) has been demonstrated over the range of 3 kHz-50 MHz using interdigitated microelectrodes. Quantitative measurement using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy of the time dependent collection indicated a positive DEP response characterized by a plateau between 3 kHz and 1 MHz followed by a decrease in response at higher frequencies. Negative DEP was observed above 9 MHz. The positive DEP response below 1 MHz is described by the Clausius-Mossotti model and corresponds to an induced dipole moment of 3300 D with a polarizability of 7.8×10(-32) F m(2). The negative DEP response above 9 MHz indicates that the rRNA molecules exhibit a net moment of -250 D, to give an effective permittivity value of 78.5 ε(0), close to that of the aqueous suspending medium, and a relatively small surface conductance value of ～0.1 nS. This suggests that our rRNA samples have a fairly open structure accessible to the surrounding water molecules, with counterions strongly bound to the charged phosphate groups in the rRNA backbone. These results are the first demonstration of DEP for fast capture and release of rRNA units, opening new opportunities for rRNA-based biosensing devices.     

Modeling emotional,cognitive, and behavioral predictors of peer acceptance

Integrating principles of differential emotions theory and social information-processing theory, this study examined a model of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral predictors of peer acceptance in a sample of 201 early elementary school-age children (mean age = 7 years, 5 months). A path analytic model showed that social skills mediated the effect of emotion knowledge on both same- and opposite-sex social preference, but social skills and verbal ability were more strongly related to opposite-sex peer acceptance. These findings suggest that adaptive social skills constitute a mechanism through which children express their emotion knowledge and achieve peer acceptance. Results also supported findings of previous studies that showed that emotion knowledge mediated the effect of verbal ability on social skills. Findings from the present study have specific implications for emotion-centered prevention programs that aim to improve children's socioemotional competence and enhance the likelihood of peer acceptance.     

A Review of Issues in Deaf Education Under Nigeria's 6-3-3-4 Education System

This article examines issues affecting the education of deaf people under Nigeria's 6-3-3-4 system of education. The system was introduced in 1976 and serves all categories of learners in Nigeria, irrespective of disability. The broad aim of education under the system is to provide all Nigerian learners a wide variety of educational and vocational opportunities to ensure the optimum development of their potential. Evidence indicates that the implementation of the 6-3-3-4 system in Nigerian schools, including schools for the deaf, remains unsatisfactory. A plethora of problems running the gamut from inadequate personnel training programs, lack of facilities, failure of inclusion programs, to limited vocational preparation opportunities, inadequate funding of services, and absence of a legislation supporting the implementation of the 6-3-3-4 system are identified as the major factors militating against the effective implementation of the system in Nigerian schools, including schools for the deaf. The implications for improvements in these areas to achieve a more meaningful implementation of the 6-3-3-4 system are discussed.     

Neighborhood views on the definition and etiology of child maltreatment

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study, as part of a larger study on neighborhoods and child maltreatment, was to determine how parents residing in neighborhoods with differing profiles of risk for child maltreatment reports defined child abuse and neglect and viewed its etiology. METHOD: Parents (n = 400) were systematically selected from neighborhoods (n=20) with different profiles of risk for child maltreatment report rates. As part of a larger interview, parents were asked to generate lists of behaviors that they would define as child abuse and neglect and to rate 13 etiological factors on a 10 point scale as to their contribution to the occurrence of child maltreatment. RESULTS: While there were differences in definitional emphases, with African-American parents including behaviors of neglect and European-American parents including behaviors of physical abuse, there was marked congruence on the catalogue of behaviors that parents would define as child abuse and neglect. Four factors were identified that explained almost two-thirds of the variance in parents' etiological explanations: poverty and family disruption, substance abuse and stress; lack of moral and family values; and individual pathology. These factors were related to neighborhood conditions, individual perceptions of neighborhood and individual characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based programs aimed at preventing or ameliorating child maltreatment must have at their very core an understanding of how populations being served define child maltreatment and why they believe that it occurs.     

Protection styles of prostitutes' clients: intentions,behavior, and considerations in relation to AIDS

The perceived costs and benefits of condom use within the context of commercial sex were examined in interviews with 87 clients of female Dutch prostitutes. 8 types of condom users were identified: convinced (46% of the study group), guilty conscience (11%), anti-ridden (13%), defaulting (6%), maximum selective (8%), minimum selective (3%), indifferent (8%), and recalcitrant (5%). Clients who consistently used condoms take responsibility for both the pleasure and safety of their sexual encounter; their attitude toward prostitution is positive and straightforward. Guilty conscience users are motivated to use condoms by feelings of guilt toward their wife and are ambivalent about their participation in commercial sex. Angst-ridden users are motivated to seek out prostitutes more by loneliness than the pursuit of sexual pleasure; they view their personal risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as higher than that reported by consistent users and thus are motivated by fear to use condoms. Defaulting users perceive themselves as the victims of temptation and express a lack of control over the sexual encounter that places them at risk of unprotected sex. Maximum selective users are consistent in using condoms in sex with prostitutes, except when it involves a prostitute whom they see regularly and frequently. Minimum selective users seek frequent contact with prostitutes and base condom use on a subjective assessment of whether the woman is healthy or not. Indifferent users, often disabled and lonely men with no other source of sexual contact, base their condom use or nonuse solely on the wishes of the prostitute. Finally, recalcitrant users are characterized by a desire for power and protest condom use. In general, consistent condom use was related to a positive evaluation of prostitutes, positive attitudes toward the advantages of condom use, an internal locus of control with regard to health, and a higher level of education.