The Effect of Psychomotor Performance, Cerebral and Arterial Blood Saturation Between African-American and Caucasian Males Before, During and After Normobaric Hypoxic Exercise

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(5): 655-665, 2017. To further elucidate physiological and cognitive performance differences between African-American (AA) and Caucasian individuals (CAU) before, during or after hypoxic and normoxic exercise. Twelve college aged (18-25) apparently healthy African-American (six volunteers) and Caucasian (six subjects) males took part in two trials consisting of normobaric normoxia and normobaric hypoxia (12% oxygen). Each subject cycled at 50% of their altitude adjusted VO2max (-26% of normoxia VO2max) for one hour after a two-hour baseline. Subjects were monitored for cerebral and arterial O2 saturation, as well as the Trail Making Test A and B (TMT) psychomotor performance. Arterial saturation proved to be significantly higher in AA (86.0±4.7) compared to CAU (79.5±4.8) during the first 60 minutes of exposure to hypoxia at rest (p=0.039), but not during exercise. However, cerebral oxygenation to the left frontal lobe was decreased near the conclusion and in 30 minutes after normoxic exercise. TMT B data revealed that CAU (79±12.7) had faster scores than the AA subjects (98±25.1) at all time points and was significantly different at the 115-minute time point of the hypoxic trial (p=0.024). The data suggests that before, during and after normobaric normoxia and hypoxia trial there is a differential response between AA and CAU in regards to arterial and cerebral oxygenation, as well as psychomotor tests

Examining the Effects of Race on Human-AI Cooperation

Recent literature has shown that racism and implicit racial biases can affect one’s actions in major ways, from the time it takes police to decide whether they shoot an armed suspect, to a decision on whether to trust a stranger. Given that race is a social/power construct, artifacts can also be racialized, and these racialized agents have also been found to be treated differently based on their perceived race. We explored whether people’s decision to cooperate with an AI agent during a task (a modified version of the Stag hunt task) is affected by the knowledge that the AI agent was trained on a population of a particular race (Black, White, or a non-racialized control condition). These data show that White participants performed the best when the agent was racialized as White and not racialized at all, while Black participants achieved the highest score when the agent was racialized as Black. Qualitative data indicated that White participants were less likely to report that they believed that the AI agent was attempting to cooperate during the task and were more likely to report that they doubted the intelligence of the AI agent. This work suggests that racialization of AI agents, even if superficial and not explicitly related to the behavior of that agent, may result in different cooperation behavior with that agent, showing potentially insidious and pervasive effects of racism on the way people interact with AI agents

Investigating the Role of an SK Channel Activator on Survival and Motor Function in the SOD1-G93A, ALS Mouse Model

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, adult-onset progressive degenerative motor neuron disease that is characterized by muscle atrophy and weakness due to the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Average survival time for individuals diagnosed with the disease is three to five years; currently there is no cure and only one drug approved by the Food and Administration (FDA). Scientists have proposed various theories in order to solve the mystery which surrounds ALS. One of these theories hypothesizes how hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity leads to the death of motor neurons. In this study, we will address ways of combatting the effects of hyperexcitability as well as excitotoxicity by targeting a specific channel type. The channels in question are small conductance calcium activated potassium channels (SK channels). We chose to target these channels because they directly affect the medium after-hyperpolarization (mAHP) of the cell which controls firing rate. We postulate that SK channels are being altered in such a way that cell firing rate has been increased, leading to phenotypes associated with the disease such as abnormal excitability, mitochondrial dysfunction, axonal loss motor impairment, muscle atrophy as well as excitotoxicity, thus leading to the spread of motor neuron death. Upon administration with a specific SK channel activator in the form of CyPPA; improvements in motor function and survival were found. These improvements suggest that SK channels are indeed viable drug targets and specific SK channel activators may be treatment options for individuals suffering from ALS

Understanding follow up non-attendance to a community-based physical activity motivational inteview session amongst at-risk individuals

: A physically active lifestyle can help manage and prevent over 20 chronic conditions. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommend the delivery of brief interventions for physical activity (PA) in primary care as both clinically and cost-effective in the long term. Ensuring that at-risk groups are sufficiently active is a major public health challenge. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client centred method used to enhance intrinsic motivation to change. Let’s Get Moving (LGM) is a programme provided from general medical practitioner (GP) surgeries offering MI to increase PA. This study focuses on first year results of the UK-based LGM programme delivered in Essex. The aim is to determine those least likely to attend a follow up, informing delivery and retention strategies. Methods Participants (n=616, M±SD age=55.8±12.4), identified by their local GP surgeries as being 18-74 years of age and a BMI between 28-35 attended a MI session with a local community exercise professional based at the surgery. The MI session encouraged participants to OP-PM36 Physical activity and health promotion ncrease their PA and attend local community exercise sessions. Measures at baseline were self-reported PA (days and time) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form (IPAQ). IPAQ data was analysed in line with the IPAQ data processing guidelines. Quantitative findings were analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Results A total of 277 participants did not attend the 12 week follow up. 22.9% aged between 41-50, 28.0% between 51-60, and 20.7% between 61-70 years, 63.0% were female, and 79.5% White British. 45.5% were classified as inactive, 36.1% minimally active, and 18.4% achieving health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA). Ongoing regression analysis will be used to determine if demographic and PA groups are significant indicators of non-attendance at a 12 week follow up MI session, full results will be available by the congress date. Discussion Initial data analysis indicates distinct demographic groups that did not attend a 12 week follow up appointment. Further, those most in need of support – individuals classified as inactive accounted for just under half of non-attendees. However, those classified as HEPA indicate potential positive non-attendance, as the services encouraged continued PA. Further analysis will provide indications as to the significance these groups have on attendance, informing retention strategies and refining delivery supporting an increase in PA

Identification of dropout predictors to a community-based physical activity programme that uses motivational interviewing

Background: Participant dropout reduces intervention effectiveness. Predicting dropout has been investigated for Exercise Referral Schemes (ERSs), but not physical activity (PA) interventions with Motivational Interviewing (MI). Methods: Data from attendees (n=619) to a community-based PA programme utilising MI techniques was analysed using chi-squared to determine dropout and attendance group differences. Binary logistic regression investigated the likelihood of dropout before 12-weeks. Results: 44.7% dropped out, with statistical (P70 years (OR=0.30, CI=0.09 to 0.90; P=0.036), and HEPA (OR=0.40, CI=0.20 to 0.75; P=0.006) reduced dropout likelihood. Endocrine system disorders (OR=4.24, CI=1.19 to 19.43; P=0.036) and musculoskeletal disorders (OR=3.14, CI=1.84 to 5.45; P<0.001) increased dropout. Significant variables were combined in a single regression model. Dropout significantly reduced for 61-70 year olds (OR=0.31, CI=0.10 to 0.90; P=0.035), and HEPA (OR=0.39, CI=0.19 to 0.76; P=0.008). Musculoskeletal disorders increased dropout (OR=2.67, CI=1.53 to 4.75; P<0.001). Conclusions: Age, PA, and disability type significantly influence dropout at 12-weeks, the first results specific to MI based programmes indicating the inclusion of MI and highlight the need for further research

The impact of participant pathways on the effectiveness of a community-based physical activity intervention grounded in motivational interviewing

Background: Brief advice is recommended to increase physical activity (PA) within primary care. This study assessed change in PA levels and mental wellbeing after a motivational interviewing (MI) community-based PA intervention and the impact of signposting [SP] and Social Action [SA] (i.e. weekly group support) pathways. Methods: Participants (n=2084) took part in a community-based, primary care PA programme using MI techniques. Self-reported PA and mental wellbeing data were collected at baseline (following an initial 30-minute MI appointment), 12-weeks, six-months, and 12-months. Participants were assigned based upon the surgery they attended to the SP or SA pathway. Multilevel models were used to derive point estimates and 95%CIs for outcomes at each time point and change scores. Results: Participants increased PA and mental wellbeing at each follow-up time point through both participant pathways and with little difference between pathways. Retention was similar between pathways at 12-weeks, but the SP pathway retained more participants at six-months and 12-months. Conclusions: Both pathways produced similar improvements in PA and mental wellbeing, suggesting the effectiveness of MI based PA interventions. However, due to lower resources required yet similar effects, SP pathways are recommended over SA to support PA in primary care settings

The impact of signposting and group support pathways on a community-based physical activity intervention grounded in motivational interviewing

Background: Brief advice is recommended to increase physical activity (PA) within primary care. This study assessed change in PA levels and mental wellbeing after a motivational interviewing (MI) community-based PA intervention and the impact of signposting [SP] and Social Action [SA] (i.e. weekly group support) pathways. Methods: Participants (n=2084) took part in a community-based, primary care PA programme using MI techniques. Self-reported PA and mental wellbeing data were collected at baseline (following an initial 30-minute MI appointment), 12-weeks, six-months, and 12-months. Participants were assigned based upon the surgery they attended to the SP or SA pathway. Multilevel models derived point estimates and 95%CIs for outcomes at each time point and change scores. Results: Participants increased PA and mental wellbeing at each follow-up time point through both participant pathways and with little difference between pathways. Retention was similar between pathways at 12-weeks, but the SP pathway retained more participants at six-months and 12-months. Conclusions: Both pathways produced similar improvements in PA and mental wellbeing, however the addition of a control would have provided further insight as to the effectiveness. Due to lower resources yet similar effects, the SP pathway could be incorporated to support PA in primary care settings