Intra-task variability of trunk coordination during a rate-controlled bipedal dance jump

In this study, we investigated trunk coordination during rate-controlled bipedal vertical dance jumps. The aims of the study were to investigate the pattern of coordination and the magnitude of coordination variability within jump phases and relative to phase-defining events during the jump. Lumbar and thoracic kinematics were collected from seven dancers during a series of jumps at 95 beats per minute. The vector coding technique was used to quantify the pattern and variability of trunk coordination. Coordination was predominantly anti-phase during propulsion and landing. Mean coordination variability peaked just before the landing phase and at the transition from landing to propulsion phases, and was lowest during the propulsion phase just before toe-off. The results indicate that peaks in variability could be explained by task and phase-specific biomechanical demands.     

Comparison of lower body specific resistance training on the hamstring to quadriceps strength ratios in men and women

In this study, we compared hamstring (H) and quadriceps (Q) strength changes in men and women, as well as changes in conventional and functional H:Q ratios following an identical 12-week resistance training program. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess 14 male and 14 female participants before and after the intervention, and conventional and functional H:Q ratios were calculated. Hamstring strength improved similarly in men and women, but improvement in quadriceps strength was significantly greater in men, while women showed only modest improvements. For the conventional and functional H:Q ratios, women showed significantly greater improvements than men. Both men and women were able to exceed the commonly recommended 0.6 conventional and 1.0 functional H:Q ratios after the 12-week lower-body resistance training program.     

Using Simulation and Patient Role Play to Teach Electrocardiographic Rhythms to Physical Therapy Students

Purpose

The aims of the study were to differentiate: (1) physical therapy (PT) students’ preferred method for learning electrocardiographic (ECG) recognition utilizing standardized patient (SP) and human patient simulation (HPS) approaches, (2) the impact of HPS or SP on confidence in interpreting ECG, and 3) the effect of HPS or SP on students’ ability to make clinical decisions based upon ECG interpretation.

Methods

“Three educational methods were employed to teach ECG recognition to two different years of novice PT students enrolled in a cardiopulmonary physical therapy class. First, all students had a traditional lecture on ECG. Following the lecture, two problem-based learning (PBL) approaches were utilized. One approach used a SP and paper ECG strips, and the second approach utilized HPS with simulated ECG monitoring.”¹ Following the two PBL approaches, a post instructional survey regarding the learning experiences was conducted. Following instruction, each cohort (n = 24, n = 29) of PT students was given a mixed methods survey about their experience.

Results

Survey return rate amongst both cohorts was 77%. Independent sample of individual cohort and paired t-tests of combined data comparing HPS to SP revealed a strong preference for HPS (p = 0.003 (2008 cohort) and p = 0.0001 (2010 cohort)) and combined cohort (p = 0.0001). There were no significant differences in responses between cohorts or preference between the HPS method and the use of SP and HPS combined. Additionally, 75% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that they felt confident with their skill in ECG interpretation as presented with HPS or SP. 90% either strongly agreed or agreed that they understood how the ECG relates to patient treatment. Summative assessment utilizing HPS revealed that students were competent in their performance in ECG recognition and clinical decision making related to patient treatment.¹

Conclusion

Data support that HPS was the preferred method to improve student confidence in ECG recognition and interpretation.Key Words: human patient simulation, electrocardiography, critical care management, educational technology     

Health check for Latvia: opportunities for information professionals in a new democracy

Background: This paper outlines developments in medical information in Latvia since independence from the former USSR in 1991, and analyses the health information gap faced by professionals. Objectives: To explore international initiatives and co‐operation in health information provision in Latvia; to describe the activities of Latvian medical librarians at national, regional and international level; to look at health information provision by specialist information centres; and to discuss the role of librarians in health information provision in public libraries. Methods: An extensive search was made of databases and medical library and health information centre staff were interviewed; a questionnaire survey of librarians was carried out. Results: International initiatives and co‐operation by medical librarians have extended their services at national, regional and international level. Health information portals exist, with online contacts and links to smaller health centres and organizations, but rarely employ qualified librarians or information professionals. Ninety‐three per cent of public librarians had provided health information, with 79% using the Internet. The most popular sources of health information were magazines, books, local pharmacies and the Internet, but mostly for healthy lifestyle, not medical problems. Conclusions: E‐health and medical informatics are high government priorities. Medical librarians are actively involved in these initiatives.     

Finding related sentence pairs in MEDLINE

We explore the feasibility of automatically identifying sentences in different MEDLINE abstracts that are related in meaning. We compared traditional vector space models with machine learning methods for detecting relatedness, and found that machine learning was superior. The Huber method, a variant of Support Vector Machines which minimizes the modified Huber loss function, achieves 73% precision when the score cutoff is set high enough to identify about one related sentence per abstract on average. We illustrate how an abstract viewed in PubMed might be modified to present the related sentences found in other abstracts by this automatic procedure.     

An examination of the relative age effect in developmental girls’ hockey in Ontario

The relative age effect (RAE) suggests that athletes may be provided with greater opportunities for success depending on the position of their birthdate in a sport’s selection year. While the effect has been well established in men’s sports, less is known about women’s sports. This study examined the RAE in developmental girls’ hockey in Ontario. Relative age, player position, age division, and level of play were provided by the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association for 36,555 registrants. Older players were over-represented, and younger players under-represented across all age divisions and levels of play. This suggests that the RAE is present in developmental girls’ hockey, the magnitude of which varies with level of play and player position.     

A Bourdieusian approach to academic reading: reflections on a South African teaching experience

As in many other parts of the world, ‘academic literacy’ has emerged as both a concern and a contested concept in South African universities. In this article we focus specifically on academic reading, which we argue is a relatively underemphasized aspect of academic literacy. This article is the product of reflections on academic reading during and subsequent to the development and presentation of a postgraduate module presented at Stellenbosch University. It briefly explores the literature on academic literacy; develops the Bourdieusian perspective on academic reading that we used to develop the module; and concludes with a discussion of the module. Our intention was to make ‘reading as social practice’ more visible to students. Bourdieu's concepts of ‘competence’, ‘habitus’ and ‘field’ set the scene for a discussion of the role of reading in different disciples and more generally within the social sciences and humanities.     

Long-Term Mentors’ Perceptions of Building Mentoring Relationships with At-Risk Youth

Youth mentoring, defined within this study, as the pairing of a youth at risk with a caring adult, is an intervention that is often used for youth at risk for academic and social failure. We sought to understand mentors’ perspectives of the fundamental elements that foster positive mentor–mentee relationships that build resiliency and increase social and academic success. Twelve participants with extensive experience in mentoring youth at high risk participated in structured interviews during two focus groups. Major themes revealed in data analysis included needs for supportive acceptance and consistency to help the mentees build social literacy and future visioning.