Psychological momentum in sport:Toward a complex and dynamical perspective

Psychological momentum (PM) is a social phenomenon that has triggered the curiosity of sport psychologists since the early 1980s. From early to recent conceptualizations, PM has been considered as a complex construct, inherently related to variations in sport performance. Over the past 30 years, several models have been proposed to untangle how PM is triggered, which psychological changes are involved in PM experiences, and how PM relates to performance. While linear (causal) models have dominated past research on PM, researchers have recently found that PM can change nonlinearly, depending on the performance history of the competition. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of different PM models that have been proposed in the past to increase insights into the complexity of PM, including the transition from linear causal models to nonlinear dynamical models. Moreover, based on the current state of affairs, perspectives for future research are provided. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Societe francaise de psychologie

Evaluation of Convalescent Plasma for Ebola Virus Disease in Guinea

: In the wake of the recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in several African countries, the World Health Organization prioritized the evaluation of treatment with convalescent plasma derived from patients who have recovered from the disease. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma for the treatment of EVD in Guinea. : In this nonrandomized, comparative study, 99 patients of various ages (including pregnant women) with confirmed EVD received two consecutive transfusions of 200 to 250 ml of ABO-compatible convalescent plasma, with each unit of plasma obtained from a separate convalescent donor. The transfusions were initiated on the day of diagnosis or up to 2 days later. The level of neutralizing antibodies against Ebola virus in the plasma was unknown at the time of administration. The control group was 418 patients who had been treated at the same center during the previous 5 months. The primary outcome was the risk of death during the period from 3 to 16 days after diagnosis with adjustments for age and the baseline cycle-threshold value on polymerase-chain-reaction assay; patients who had died before day 3 were excluded. The clinically important difference was defined as an absolute reduction in mortality of 20 percentage points in the convalescent-plasma group as compared with the control group. : A total of 84 patients who were treated with plasma were included in the primary analysis. At baseline, the convalescent-plasma group had slightly higher cycle-threshold values and a shorter duration of symptoms than did the control group, along with a higher frequency of eye redness and difficulty in swallowing. From day 3 to day 16 after diagnosis, the risk of death was 31% in the convalescent-plasma group and 38% in the control group (risk difference, -7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -18 to 4). The difference was reduced after adjustment for age and cycle-threshold value (adjusted risk difference, -3 percentage points; 95% CI, -13 to 8). No serious adverse reactions associated with the use of convalescent plasma were observed. : The transfusion of up to 500 ml of convalescent plasma with unknown levels of neutralizing antibodies in 84 patients with confirmed EVD was not associated with a significant improvement in survival. (Funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02342171.).<br/

Modelling the B-DNA base pair opening reaction

Molecular modelling has been used to study the opening of the central base pair of a B- DNA oligonucleotide (dA)5.(dT)5. In our model, opening occurs by rotating the bases around an axis passing through the centre of the sugar connected to the opening base and oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the base. The results of this study show that the opening energies obtained for a single base pair are compatible with the activation energies deduced from hydrogen exchange experiments. Studies of possible opening pathways show that many possibilities exist although there is an overall preference for opening towards the major groove. In addition, we have demonstrated that a coupling exists between opening and DNA bending: bending the double helix facilitates base pair opening and, conversely, opening a base pair bends DNA and increases its local flexibility. Finally, based on the opening energetics obtained, we have carried out a Brownian dynamics study of the opening kinetics which again leads to results in good correlation with experimental findings and indicates that the base pair opening reaction is of a stochastic nature

Momentum sequence and environmental climate influence levels of perceived psychological momentum within a sport competition

International audienceThe present study examined the influence of momentum sequence (positive vs. negative) and environmental climate (hot-wet vs. neutral) on supporters' (i.e. virtual observers') reported levels of perceived psychological momentum (PM) during a simulated cycling competition. Participants supported one of two competing cyclists involved in a race that was displayed on a screen in a lecture hall. The race scenario was manipulated so that the supported cyclist appeared to undergo either a positive or negative momentum sequence. In addition, participants were either exposed to a hot-wet environmental climate or to a neutral environmental climate while observing the race scenario. According to the results, reported levels of PM were higher in the positive momentum sequence condition than in the negative momentum sequence condition, consistent with the notion that supporters' PM is influenced by a positivity bias, and reported levels of PM were also found to be higher in the hot-wet climate condition than in the neutral climate condition, consistent with the notion that environmental climate is a contextual factor that influences PM through the operation of a causal augmenting mechanism

Differential reactions of virtual actors and observers to the triggering and interruption of psychological momentum

International audienceThe present study compared virtual actors' and observers' perceptions of positive and negative psychological momentum (PM) and their responses to sudden interruptions of momentum. Participants with experience playing competitive table tennis imagined that they were playing a table tennis game (virtual actors), whereas participants who lacked experience playing competitive table tennis imagined that they were observing a table tennis game (observers). While viewing an audiovisual simulation of a table tennis match, participants were exposed to either an ascending (i.e., positive momentum) or descending (i.e., negative momentum) scoring sequence that was either suddenly interrupted or not interrupted at all. Participants' PM perceptions were measured at the conclusion of the simulation. Results indicated that observers' PM perceptions were lower than were virtual actors' following the negative momentum sequence. More generally, interrupting positive momentum lowered PM perceptions, whereas interrupting negative momentum increased PM perceptions. Implications for the study of PM in sport are discussed

Digital paradigm of economy and management in the conditions of global human transformation

Modern paradigm of society digitalization, based on the introduction of digital economy and management, on new information and computer technologies is considered. The example of the European Union and Morocco in the context of cross-cultural analysis shows how to form a similar paradigm in order to bring the country to the level of an advanced one. At the heart of the digital economy and digital management is the introduction of innovations in various sectors of national economy. The European Union has focused on four key areas: 1) skills; 2) infrastructure; 3) public services; 4) digitalization of business, which contributes to the digital revolution. By increasing their capacity, countries have been able to steer the digital transformation of the world for the better by expanding international technological cooperation. At the same time, three main principles should be followed: 1) equal“playing field” in digital markets; 2) security in cyberspace; 3) freedom online. The example of Morocco as a developing country shows that the country has chosen a scenario for the development of digital technologies and this logic has led to the current development of modern ICT and to the absence of a gap in the mentioned sector. In order to remain competitive in 10 years (as Morocco does), it is necessary to begin digital transformation today and change must affect not only the IT system, but also the people and leaders, their consciousness and culture, the formation of algorithmic thinking in the organization, for which the state should regulate this sector and develop the infrastructure of organizations and advanced innovative thinking