Showing papers by "Edith Cowan University published in 2011"
Scottish Association for Marine Science1, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University2, Ulster University3, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill4, Aberystwyth University5, Edith Cowan University6, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation7, Technical University of Denmark8, University of Queensland9, University of Western Australia10, Spanish National Research Council11, University of California, Santa Barbara12, Museum für Naturkunde13, University of British Columbia14, University of Texas at Austin15, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration16
TL;DR: Two measures of thermal shifts from analyses of global temperatures over the past 50 years are used to describe the pace of climate change that species should track: the velocity ofClimate change (geographic shifts of isotherms over time) and the shift in seasonal timing of temperatures.
Abstract: Climate change challenges organisms to adapt or move to track changes in environments in space and time. We used two measures of thermal shifts from analyses of global temperatures over the past 50 years to describe the pace of climate change that species should track: the velocity of climate change (geographic shifts of isotherms over time) and the shift in seasonal timing of temperatures. Both measures are higher in the ocean than on land at some latitudes, despite slower ocean warming. These indices give a complex mosaic of predicted range shifts and phenology changes that deviate from simple poleward migration and earlier springs or later falls. They also emphasize potential conservation concerns, because areas of high marine biodiversity often have greater velocities of climate change and seasonal shifts.
1,101 citations
TL;DR: Assess Aβ deposition longitudinally and explore its relationship with cognition and disease progression.
Abstract: In vivo amyloid imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) allows longitudinal study of Aβ deposition in an individual and should provide unique information on the relationship between Aβ and cognitive decline. Although it is likely that Aβ plays a fundamental role in the development of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT),1 postmortem studies have not consistently demonstrated a relationship between the density of amyloid plaques and the severity of dementia.2–5
The time course of plaque formation is unclear. Studies comparing the plaque density at brain biopsy in DAT patients to that assessed in those same patients at postmortem several years later found little change in the majority of patients, but these studies had few participants.6–9 An additional perplexing postmortem observation is the high prevalence of amyloid plaques in the normal elderly. It has been postulated that this represents preclinical DAT, but this cannot be proven by autopsy-based studies. In vivo Aβ imaging provides the means to address these questions through longitudinal observation. Cross-sectional [11C]Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET studies have shown a robust difference between the retention patterns in DAT patients and healthy controls (HCs).10,11 In agreement with postmortem data,2 approximately 20 to 30% of elderly HC subjects show some degree of increased cortical PiB retention, predominantly in the prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate/precuneus areas.10,12–14
Polymorphism of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) allele is among the most consistent genetic risk factors associated with sporadic DAT, and its presence is thought to result in an earlier age of onset.15,16 Examination of ApoE e4 allele status revealed that healthy e4 carriers present with significantly higher PiB retention than e4 noncarriers and show increased retention at an earlier age, further emphasizing the crucial role that ApoE plays in the metabolism of Aβ.10,17–20
Recently, several studies have found significant increases in PiB retention in some individuals over 1 to 2 years, but no overall increase in mean PiB retention in groups of subjects with DAT or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These studies did report a higher conversion rate from MCI to DAT in those with high PiB retention, despite a lack of significant change in PiB retention in those who progressed.21–24
The objectives of this study were to quantify the progression of Aβ plaque formation in the brain over time with PiB PET in a large number of individuals and to correlate Aβ plaque burden at baseline and follow-up with clinical measures of disease severity, cognitive decline, and ApoE status.
754 citations
TL;DR: This series of reviews focuses on the most important neuromuscular function in many sport performances, the ability to generate maximal muscular power, and the factors that affect maximal power production.
Abstract: This series of reviews focuses on the most important neuromuscular function in many sport performances: the ability to generate maximal muscular power. Part 1, published in an earlier issue of Sports Medicine, focused on the factors that affect maximal power production while part 2 explores the practical application of these findings by reviewing the scientific literature relevant to the development of training programmes that most effectively enhance maximal power production. The ability to generate maximal power during complex motor skills is of paramount importance to successful athletic performance across many sports. A crucial issue faced by scientists and coaches is the development of effective and efficient training programmes that improve maximal power production in dynamic, multi-joint movements. Such training is referred to as ‘power training’ for the purposes of this review. Although further research is required in order to gain a deeper understanding of the optimal training techniques for maximizing power in complex, sportsspecific movements and the precise mechanisms underlying adaptation, several key conclusions can be drawn from this review. First, a fundamental relationship exists between strength and power, which dictates that an individual cannot possess a high level of power without first being relatively strong. Thus, enhancing and maintaining maximal strength is essential when considering the long-term development of power. Second, consideration of movement pattern, load and velocity specificity is essential when designing power training programmes. Ballistic, plyometric and weightlifting exercises can be used effectively as primary exercises within a power training programme that enhances maximal power. The loads applied to these exercises will depend on the specific requirements of each particular sport and the type of movement being trained. The use of ballistic exercises with loads ranging from 0% to 50% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) and/or weightlifting exercises performed with loads ranging from 50% to 90% of 1RM appears to be the most potent loading stimulus for improving maximal power in complex movements. Furthermore, plyometric exercises should involve stretch rates as well as stretch loads that are similar to those encountered in each specific sport and involve little to no external resistance. These loading conditions allow for superior transfer to performance because they require similar movement velocities to those typically encountered in sport. Third, it is vital to consider the individual athlete’s window of adaptation (i.e. the magnitude of potential for improvement) for each neuromuscular factor contributing to maximal power production when developing an effective and efficient power training programme. A training programme that focuses on the least developed factor contributing to maximal power will prompt the greatest neuromuscular adaptations and therefore result in superior performance improvements for that individual. Finally, a key consideration for the long-term development of an athlete’s maximal power production capacity is the need for an integration of numerous power training techniques. This integration allows for variation within power meso-/micro-cycles while still maintaining specificity, which is theorized to lead to the greatest long-term improvement in maximal power.
636 citations
TL;DR: Although the ability of dignity therapy to mitigate outright distress, such as depression, desire for death or suicidality, has yet to be proven, its benefits in terms of self-reported end-of-life experiences support its clinical application for patients nearing death.
Abstract: Summary Background Dignity therapy is a unique, individualised, short-term psychotherapy that was developed for patients (and their families) living with life-threatening or life-limiting illness. We investigated whether dignity therapy could mitigate distress or bolster the experience in patients nearing the end of their lives. Methods Patients (aged ≥18 years) with a terminal prognosis (life expectancy ≤6 months) who were receiving palliative care in a hospital or community setting (hospice or home) in Canada, USA, and Australia were randomly assigned to dignity therapy, client-centred care, or standard palliative care in a 1:1:1 ratio. Randomisation was by use of a computer-generated table of random numbers in blocks of 30. Allocation concealment was by use of opaque sealed envelopes. The primary outcomes—reductions in various dimensions of distress before and after completion of the study—were measured with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Patient Dignity Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, items from the Structured Interview for Symptoms and Concerns, Quality of Life Scale, and modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Secondary outcomes of self-reported end-of-life experiences were assessed in a survey that was undertaken after the completion of the study. Outcomes were assessed by research staff with whom the participant had no previous contact to avoid any possible response bias or contamination. Analyses were done on all patients with available data at baseline and at the end of the study intervention. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00133965. Findings 165 of 441 patients were assigned to dignity therapy, 140 standard palliative care, and 136 client-centred care. 108, 111, and 107 patients, respectively, were analysed. No significant differences were noted in the distress levels before and after completion of the study in the three groups. For the secondary outcomes, patients reported that dignity therapy was significantly more likely than the other two interventions to have been helpful (χ 2 =35·50, df=2; p 2 =14·52; p=0·001), increase sense of dignity (χ 2 =12·66; p=0·002), change how their family saw and appreciated them (χ 2 =33·81; p 2 =33·86; p 2 =10·35; p=0·006), and was significantly better than standard palliative care in terms of lessening sadness or depression (χ 2 =9·38; p=0·009); significantly more patients who had received dignity therapy reported that the study group had been satisfactory, compared with those who received standard palliative care (χ 2 =29·58; p Interpretation Although the ability of dignity therapy to mitigate outright distress, such as depression, desire for death or suicidality, has yet to be proven, its benefits in terms of self-reported end-of-life experiences support its clinical application for patients nearing death. Funding National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.
567 citations
TL;DR: Climate change is likely to, both by itself and in synergy with other stressors, impose change to southern Australian coastal species, including important habitat-forming algae and the associated ecological functioning of temperate coasts, which provides an attractive tool for building resilience in temperate systems.
397 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of reviews focused on the most important neuromuscular function in many sport performances, the ability to generate maximal muscular power is defined and limited by the force-velocity relationship and affected by the length-tension relationship.
Abstract: This series of reviews focuses on the most important neuromuscular function in many sport performances, the ability to generate maximal muscular power. Part 1 focuses on the factors that affect maximal power production, while part 2, which will follow in a forthcoming edition of Sports Medicine, explores the practical application of these findings by reviewing the scientific literature relevant to the development of training programmes that most effectively enhance maximal power production. The ability of the neuromuscular system to generate maximal power is affected by a range of interrelated factors. Maximal muscular power is defined and limited by the force-velocity relationship and affected by the length-tension relationship. The ability to generate maximal power is influenced by the type of muscle action involved and, in particular, the time available to develop force, storage and utilization of elastic energy, interactions of contractile and elastic elements, potentiation of contractile and elastic filaments as well as stretch reflexes. Furthermore, maximal power production is influenced by morphological factors including fibre type contribution to whole muscle area, muscle architectural features and tendon properties as well as neural factors including motor unit recruitment, firing frequency, synchronization and intermuscular coordination. In addition, acute changes in the muscle environment (i.e. alterations resulting from fatigue, changes in hormone milieu and muscle temperature) impact the ability to generate maximal power. Resistance training has been shown to impact each of these neuromuscular factors in quite specific ways. Therefore, an understanding of the biological basis of maximal power production is essential for developing training programmes that effectively enhance maximal power production in the human.
380 citations
University of Gothenburg1, Tohoku University2, University of Rome Tor Vergata3, VU University Amsterdam4, Alzheimer's Association5, New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities6, Innogenetics7, University of Perugia8, Karolinska Institutet9, Washington University in St. Louis10, University of São Paulo11, University of California, San Diego12, University of Milan13, Goethe University Frankfurt14, Aarhus University15, University of Bonn16, Harvard University17, University of Eastern Finland18, Innsbruck Medical University19, University of Tübingen20, Heidelberg University21, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens22, Janssen Pharmaceutica23, University of Szeged24, Edith Cowan University25, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg26, University of Melbourne27, Johnson & Johnson28, Johns Hopkins University29, University of Washington30, University of Ulm31, Mayo Clinic32, Radboud University Nijmegen33, University of Pennsylvania34, University of Oslo35, University of Göttingen36
TL;DR: The cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers amyloid β (Aβ)‐42, total‐Tau (T‐tau), and phosphorylated‐t Tau (P‐tAU) demonstrate good diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but there are large variations in biomarker measurements between studies, and between and within laboratories.
Abstract: Background
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers amyloid β (Aβ)-42, total-tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated-tau (P-tau) demonstrate good diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, there are large variations in biomarker measurements between studies, and between and within laboratories. The Alzheimer’s Association has initiated a global quality control program to estimate and monitor variability of measurements, quantify batch-to-batch assay variations, and identify sources of variability. In this article, we present the results from the first two rounds of the program.
375 citations
TL;DR: Geotourism is essentially "geological tourism" as mentioned in this paper, which includes tourists visiting, learning from, appreciating and engaging in geosites, and is an integral part of UNESCO's geoparks.
Abstract: Geotourism is essentially ‘geological tourism’. The geological element focuses on geology and landscape and includes both ‘form’, such as landforms, rock outcrops, rock types, sediments, soils and crystals, and ‘process’, such as volcanism, erosion, glaciation etc. The tourism element of geotourism includes tourists visiting, learning from, appreciating and engaging in geosites. Geotourism is an integral part of UNESCO’s geoparks and is essential to their development. Geotourism adds to ecotourism’s principal focus on plants (flora) and animals (fauna) by adding a third dimension of the abiotic environment. Thus it is growing around the world through the growth of geoparks as well as independently in many natural and urban areas where tourism’s focus in on the geological environment.
370 citations
TL;DR: Recreational sitting, as reflected by television/screen viewing time, is related to raised mortality and CVD risk regardless of physical activity participation.
369 citations
TL;DR: Despite growing prominence of open disclosure, discussion about healthcare incidents still falls short of patient and family member expectations and healthcare organisations and providers should strengthen their efforts to meet patients’ (and family members’) needs and expectations.
Abstract: Objectives To investigate patients’ and family members’ perceptions and experiences of disclosure of healthcare incidents and to derive principles of effective disclosure. Design Retrospective qualitative study based on 100 semi-structured, in depth interviews with patients and family members. Setting Nationwide multisite survey across Australia. Participants 39 patients and 80 family members who were involved in high severity healthcare incidents (leading to death, permanent disability, or long term harm) and incident disclosure. Recruitment was via national newspapers (43%), health services where the incidents occurred (28%), two internet marketing companies (27%), and consumer organisations (2%). Main outcome measures Participants’ recurrent experiences and concerns expressed in interviews. Results Most patients and family members felt that the health service incident disclosure rarely met their needs and expectations. They expected better preparation for incident disclosure, more shared dialogue about what went wrong, more follow-up support, input into when the time was ripe for closure, and more information about subsequent improvement in process. This analysis provided the basis for the formulation of a set of principles of effective incident disclosure. Conclusions Despite growing prominence of open disclosure, discussion about healthcare incidents still falls short of patient and family member expectations. Healthcare organisations and providers should strengthen their efforts to meet patients’ (and family members’) needs and expectations.
275 citations
University of Geneva1, Stanford University2, University of Bologna3, VU University Medical Center4, University of Washington Medical Center5, University of Oxford6, Saint Joseph's University7, Erasmus University Rotterdam8, World Health Organization9, Hebrew University of Jerusalem10, Geneva College11, University of Bedfordshire12, King Saud University13, Boston Children's Hospital14, King's College London15, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust16, Agency for Science, Technology and Research17, Chapel Allerton Hospital18, Edith Cowan University19
TL;DR: The ongoing strong preferential culture of close kin marriages in many societies, and among migrant communities in Western countries, merits an equivalently detailed assessment of the social and genetic benefits of consanguinity in future studies.
Book•
28 Feb 2011TL;DR: 1. Reflection and Metacognition: Historical Dialectic and Critical Thinking: Facilitators of Metamemory.
Abstract: Metacognition is a complex construct which is fundamental to learning. Its complex, fuzzy and multifaceted nature has often led to its colloquial application in research, resulting in studies that fail to identify its theoretical foundation or elements. In response to this, the research community continues to call for a comprehensive understanding of the construct of metacognition. This book is a response to this call for clarity.
Pina Tarricone provides a theoretical study of the construct of metacognition in terms of psychological theory. The first part of the book analyses the relationship between reflection and metacognition, and the second part goes on to analyse the construct of metamemory as the foundation of metacognition. The third and final part of the book analyses the construct of metacognition to present the final conceptual framework of metacognition and the taxonomy of metacognition. This framework builds a picture and a nexus of the construct through visual links to the related concepts that contribute to what is known as metacognition.
The Taxonomy of Metacognition provides a comprehensive representation and categorisation of all of the terms, concepts, categories, supercategories, subcategories and elements of metacognition. It clarifies the construct so that researchers and teachers can develop a better understanding of it. This important and broad ranging contribution can be applied to many related areas, by researchers, psychologists, teachers and any profession interested in psychological learning processes.
TL;DR: Higher serum 25OHD levels, but not higher dietary calcium, were associated with a significantly reduced risk of diabetes in Australian adult men and women.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE To examine whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and dietary calcium predict incident type 2 diabetes and insulin sensitivity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 6,537 of the 11,247 adults evaluated in 1999–2000 in the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study, returned for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 2004–2005. We studied those without diabetes who had complete data at baseline ( n = 5,200; mean age 51 years; 55% were women; 92% were Europids). Serum 25OHD and energy-adjusted calcium intake (food frequency questionnaire) were assessed at baseline. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between serum 25OHD and dietary calcium on 5-year incidence of diabetes (diagnosed by OGTT) and insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity [HOMA-S]), adjusted for multiple potential confounders, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG). RESULTS During the 5-year follow-up, 199 incident cases of diabetes were diagnosed. Those who developed diabetes had lower serum 25OHD (mean 58 vs. 65 nmol/L; P P = 0.03) compared with those who remained free of diabetes. Each 25 nmol/L increment in serum 25OHD was associated with a 24% reduced risk of diabetes (odds ratio 0.76 [95% CI 0.63–0.92]) after adjusting for age, waist circumference, ethnicity, season, latitude, smoking, physical activity, family history of diabetes, dietary magnesium, hypertension, serum triglycerides, and FPG. Dietary calcium intake was not associated with reduced diabetes risk. Only serum 25OHD was positively and independently associated with HOMA-S at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS Higher serum 25OHD levels, but not higher dietary calcium, were associated with a significantly reduced risk of diabetes in Australian adult men and women.
TL;DR: Exercise and Parkinson’s: benefits for cognition and quality of life and the risks and benefits of exercise and Parkinson's disease are studied.
Abstract: Cruise KE, Bucks RS, Loftus AM, Newton RU, Pegoraro R, Thomas MG. Exercise and Parkinson’s: benefits for cognition and quality of life.
Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 123: 13–19.
© 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Munksgaard.
Objectives – The benefits of physical exercise for psychological aspects of quality of life (QoL) are well established in normally ageing adults, yet potential benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have received limited attention. This study evaluated the benefits of exercise for cognitive functioning, mood and disease-specific QoL for people with PD.
Methods – Twenty-eight individuals with PD were allocated to an exercise intervention program (EIP, n = 15) or control group (n = 13). The EIP group undertook a programme of progressive anabolic and aerobic exercise twice weekly for 12 weeks. The control group maintained their usual lifestyle.
Results – Exercise was shown to have selective benefits for cognitive functioning by improving frontal lobe based executive function. No significant effects were demonstrated for mood or disease-specific QoL.
Conclusions – These results are consistent with previous research demonstrating selective benefits of exercise for executive function among normal ageing adults and PD.
TL;DR: The hypothesis that changes in indirect markers of muscle damage following maximal eccentric exercise would be smaller for the knee extensors and flexors compared with the elbow flexors is tested, and it is suggested that the two arm muscles are equally more susceptible to muscle damage than leg muscles.
Abstract: This study tested the hypothesis that changes in indirect markers of muscle damage following maximal eccentric exercise would be smaller for the knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) compared with the elbow flexors (EF) and extensors (EE). A total of 17 sedentary men performed five sets of six maximal isokinetic (90° s(-1)) eccentric contractions of EF (range of motion, ROM: 90°-0°, 0 = full extension), EE (55°-145°), KF (90°-0°), and KE (30°-120°) using a different limb with a 4-5-week interval in a counterbalanced order. Changes in maximal isometric and concentric isokinetic strength, optimum angle, limb circumference, ROM, plasma creatine kinase activity and myoglobin concentration, muscle soreness, and echo-intensity of B-mode ultrasound images before and for 5 days following exercise were compared amongst the four exercises using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. All variables changed significantly following EF, EE, and KF exercises, but KE exercise did not change the optimum angle, limb circumference, and echo-intensity. Compared with KF and KE, EF and EE showed significantly greater changes in all variables, without significant differences between EF and EE. Changes in all variables were significantly greater for KF than KE. For the same subjects, the magnitude of change in the dependent variables following exercise varied among the exercises. These results suggest that the two arm muscles are equally more susceptible to muscle damage than leg muscles, but KF is more susceptible to muscle damage than KE. The difference in the susceptibility to muscle damage seems to be associated with the use of muscles in daily activities.
TL;DR: Analysis of cross-sectional data from the AIBL study indicates that plasma apoE levels are altered in AD and correlate with AD pathology level.
Abstract: Objective: There is mounting evidence for the contribution of apoE to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease (AD). Studies also indicate that plasma apoE levels may reflect disease status, suggesting that apoE is a potential AD biomarker. However, while some studies of apoE levels in plasma have presented correlations with AD pathology, others have not. Thus, there is a lack of consensus as to the suitability of plasma apoE as an AD biomarker. The major objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate total plasma apoE as well as levels of the apoE4 form in a large, highly characterized cohort which included both healthy controls and participants with early-stage AD. Methods: Total apoE and apoE4 were measured in 1,079 individuals drawn from the highly characterized Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study. Total and isoform-specific plasma apoE levels were then compared with cerebral Aβ load, as assessed by PET using Pittsburgh compound B (PiB). Results: Total apoE and apoE4 levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with AD in the entire cohort, and decrease with Aβ load in the PiB-PET subset. ApoE levels were significantly lower among ϵ4 homozygous individuals. In APOE ϵ3/ϵ4 heterozygote carriers, apoE4 levels decrease, indicating that apoE3 levels increase with disease. Conclusion: Analysis of cross-sectional data from the AIBL study indicates that plasma apoE levels are altered in AD and correlate with AD pathology level. The significance of these findings will be determined in the AIBL longitudinal study of aging.
TL;DR: Sixteen semiprofessional Australian football players performed running bouts at incremental velocities of 40, 60, 80, and 100% of their maximum velocity on a Woodway nonmotorized force treadmill and a significant positive correlation was found between horizontal force and maximum running velocity.
Abstract: Sixteen semiprofessional Australian football players performed running bouts at incremental velocities of 40, 60, 80, and 100% of their maximum velocity on a Woodway nonmotorized force treadmill. As running velocity increased from 40 to 60%, peak vertical and peak horizontal forces increased by 14.3% (effect size [ES] = 1.0) and 34.4% (ES = 4.2), respectively. The changes in peak vertical and peak horizontal forces from 60 to 80% were 1.0% (ES = 0.05) and 21.0% (ES = 2.9), respectively. Finally, the changes in peak vertical and peak horizontal forces from 80% to maximum were 2.0% (ES = 0.1) and 24.3% (ES = 3.4). In addition, both stride frequency and stride length significantly increased with each incremental velocity (p < 0.05). Conversely, contact times and the vertical displacement of the center of mass significantly decreased with increased running velocity (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between horizontal force and maximum running velocity (r = 0.47). For the kinematic variables, only stride length was found to have a significant positive correlation with maximum running velocity (r = 0.66). It would seem that increasing maximal sprint velocity may be more dependent on horizontal force production as opposed to vertical force production.
TL;DR: John Klironomos, Martin Zobel, Mark Tibbett, William D. Stock, Matthias C. Rillig, Jeri L. Parrent, Mari Moora, Alexander M. Koch, Jose M.Facelli, Evelina Facelli, Ian A. Dickie and James D. Bever
Abstract: John Klironomos, Martin Zobel, Mark Tibbett, William D. Stock, Matthias C. Rillig, Jeri L. Parrent, Mari Moora, Alexander M. Koch, Jose M. Facelli, Evelina Facelli, Ian A. Dickie and James D. Bever
TL;DR: The cross-sectional findings suggest that β-amyloid burden does not have a large effect on cognition in this subset of apparently healthy older people, and the finding of gender differences deserves further research to answer definitively the important question of gender susceptibility to adverse cognitive effects from β- amyloid.
TL;DR: The techniques used here have the potential to help decision makers in developing effective road safety strategies and show significant differences in spatio-temporal patterns of SVCs for various crash causes.
TL;DR: This paper found strong evidence that abundant deliberate practice is necessary (but not sufficient) to achieve high levels of expert performance, and they also found evidence that other factors play a role in chess skill: general cognitive abilities, sensitive period, handedness, and season of birth.
Abstract: Deliberate practice (DP) occurs when an individual intentionally repeats an activity in order to improve performance. The claim of the DP framework is that such behavior is necessary to achieve high levels of expert performance. The proponents of the framework reject evidence that suggests that other variables are also necessary to achieve high levels of expert performance, or they claim that the relationship between those variables and expert performance is mediated by DP. Therefore, the DP framework also implies that DP is sufficient to achieve high levels of expert performance. We test these claims by reviewing studies on chess expertise. We found strong evidence that abundant DP is necessary (but not sufficient) and estimated that the minimum requirement to achieve master level is 3,000 hours of DP. We also review evidence showing that other factors play a role in chess skill: general cognitive abilities, sensitive period, handedness, and season of birth.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the mere presence of endogenous stem cells may not be sufficient to guarantee muscle regeneration, and that the presence of appropriate stimuli and factors are necessary to provide a permissive environment that permits stem cell mediated muscle regeneration and repair.
TL;DR: More research is needed to determine critical loads for each region and vegetation type based on the most sensitive elements, such as changes in lichen species composition and N cycling.
TL;DR: This study is one of the first to empirically review a specific nurse staffing method, based on an individual assessment of each ward to determine staffing requirements, rather than a "one-size-fits-all" approach.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore how wikis can be used in different stages of innovation, and propose a model that explains why wikis require a clear purpose for their use, a culture of collaboration, and integration within a formal innovation process.
01 Nov 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, an optimal power control strategy for an autonomous microgrid operation based on a real-time self-tuning method is presented, where two typical DG units are connected in parallel to configure the microgrid.
Abstract: This paper presents an optimal power control strategy for an autonomous microgrid operation based on a real-time self-tuning method. The purpose of this work is to improve the quality of power supply of the microgrid where some Distributed Generation (DG) units are connected to the grid. Voltage and frequency regulation, and power sharing are the main performance parameters which are considered in this work, particularly during the transition from grid-connected to islanding operation mode and also during load change. In this work, two typical DG units are connected in parallel to configure the microgrid. The controller scheme is composed of an inner current control loop and an outer power control loop based on a synchronous reference frame and the conventional PI regulators. The power controller employs two typical strategies: active–reactive power (PQ) control strategy and voltage–frequency (Vf) control strategy. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is an intelligent searching algorithm that is applied for real-time self-tuning of the power control parameters. The proposed strategy in this paper is that both DG units adopt the Vf control mode once the microgrid is islanded in order to regulate the microgrid voltage and frequency, whereas during the load change, only the second DG unit invokes the PQ control mode to ensure maximum power exportation. The results show that the proposed controller offers an excellent response to satisfy the power quality requirements and proves the validity of the proposed strategy.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The effects of CR on physical performance and its implications for training are discussed and the impact of muscular performance on CR in hormonal responses and whether could variations in T and C be potentially beneficial for muscular adaptation are examined.
Abstract: Almost all physiological and biochemical processes within the human body follow a circadian rhythm (CR). In humans, the suprachiasmatic nucleus regulates sleep- wake cycle and other daily biorhythms in line with solar time. Due to such daily physiological fluctuations, several investigations on neuromuscular performance have reported a distinct CR during exercise. Generally, peak performances have been found to occur in the early evening, at approximately the peak of core body temperature. The increase in core body temperature has been found to increase energy metabolism, improve muscle compliance and facilitate actin-myosin crossbridging. In addition, steroidal hormones such as testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) also display a clear CR. The role of T within the body is to maintain anabolism through the process of protein synthesis. By contrast, C plays a catabolic function and is involved in the response of stress. Due to the anabolic and catabolic nature of both T and C, it has been postulated that a causal relationship may exist between the CR of T and C and muscular performance. This review will therefore discuss the effects of CR on physical performance and its implications for training. Furthermore, this review will examine the impact of muscular performance on CR in hormonal responses and whether could variations in T and C be potentially beneficial for muscular adaptation. Key pointsA distinct CR can be observed in physical performance.CR of exercise performance is highly associated with CR in core body temperatureBoth T and C display a clear CR, however, the current evidence does not show a clear relationship with neuromuscular adaptations.TST is able to induce changes in physical performance variables at the particular time point, but not for the circadian profile of T and C.
CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research1, University of Queensland2, Ulster University3, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University4, Technical University of Denmark5, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill6, Scottish Association for Marine Science7, Spanish National Research Council8, University of Western Australia9, Aberystwyth University10, Edith Cowan University11, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation12
TL;DR: A review of the marine climate change literature and suggestions for quantitative approaches in climate change ecology are provided, which help advance global knowledge of climate impacts and understanding of the processes driving ecological change.
Abstract: Contemporary impacts of anthropogenic climate change on ecosystems are increasingly being recognized. Documenting the extent of these impacts requires quantitative tools for analyses of ecological observations to distinguish climate impacts in noisy data and to understand interactions between climate variability and other drivers of change. To assist the development of reliable statistical approaches, we review the marine climate change literature and provide suggestions for quantitative approaches in climate change ecology. We compiled 267 peer-reviewed articles that examined relationships between climate change and marine ecological variables. Of the articles with time series data (n = 186), 75% used statistics to test for a dependency of ecological variables on climate variables. We identified several common weaknesses in statistical approaches, including marginalizing other important non-climate drivers of change, ignoring temporal and spatial autocorrelation, averaging across spatial patterns and not reporting key metrics. We provide a list of issues that need to be addressed to make inferences more defensible, including the consideration of (i) data limitations and the comparability of data sets; (ii) alternative mechanisms for change; (iii) appropriate response variables; (iv) a suitable model for the process under study; (v) temporal autocorrelation; (vi) spatial autocorrelation and patterns; and (vii) the reporting of rates of change. While the focus of our review was marine studies, these suggestions are equally applicable to terrestrial studies. Consideration of these suggestions will help advance global knowledge of climate impacts and understanding of the processes driving ecological change.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors take a broad look at emotion regulation in the classroom through a review of relevant research, including the author's own, and investigate the importance of emotion regulation and how emotion regulation development can be enhanced.
Abstract: Emotions affect, and are intertwined with, many of the cognitive processes of learning and also classroom motivation and social interaction. There are often times within daily classroom life that students and teachers are required to, or feel compelled to, regulate their emotions. Limited research has shown that particular aspects of classroom environments can enhance emotion regulation strategy development. In addition, research indicates that some emotion regulation strategies are more effective than others, with antecedent strategies appearing favourable. Using a self-regulation perspective, this article takes a broad look at emotion regulation in the classroom through a review of relevant research, including the author's own. The article investigates the importance of emotion regulation in the classroom and subsequently how emotion regulation development can be enhanced.
TL;DR: In this paper, a group randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of the Friendly Schools program to reduce student bullying behavior and found that intervention students were significantly less likely to observe bullying at 12, 24 and 36 months, and significantly more likely to tell if they were bullied after 12 months than comparison students.
Abstract: A group randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of the Friendly Schools program to reduce student bullying behaviour. This socio‐ecological intervention targeted the whole school, classroom, family, and individual students to reduce bullying behaviour. Self‐report data were collected in 29 schools over three years from a cohort of 1968 eight to nine‐year‐olds. Surveys measured frequency of being bullied, bullying others, telling if bullied and observing bullying. Results indicate that intervention students were significantly less likely to observe bullying at 12, 24 and 36 months and be bullied after 12 and 36 months, and significantly more likely to tell if bullied after 12 months than comparison students. No differences were found for self‐reported perpetration of bullying. The findings suggest whole‐of‐school programs that engage students in their different social contexts appear to reduce their experiences of being bullied and increase their likelihood of telling someone if they are bullied.