Fostering a Learning Environment: Coaches and the Motivational Climate

To foster athletes' learning and to continue to learn as a coach, it is useful to reflect on the motivational climate developed through the coaching process. The purpose of this paper is to provide a synthesis of research concerning the motivational climate fostered by coaches that extends existing notions of the motivational climate beyond competence-focused goals to include other athlete needs such as autonomy and relatedness. The paper brings together quantitative and qualitative research on coaching and examines both athletes' and coaches' perspectives relating to the motivational climate. Conceptualisations of the climate created by coaches have traditionally emphasised competence, but quality coaches also understand, support, and care for athletes as people. In doing so, they can foster athletes' sense of autonomy and relatedness. Satisfaction of these needs has been associated with an environment conducive to learning and research demonstrates that coaches' practices are associated with the extent to which these needs are satisfied. The challenges and implications of this for coaches and researchers are discussed

A Pilot Study of Reducing Test Anxiety in a Cohort of Underrepresented in Medicine MCAT Students Using Near-Peer Coaching

Background: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam taken by prospective medical students. The MCAT is critical for success in most of the US and parts of Canada, and such pressures may enhance test anxiety. Students from Underrepresented in Medicine (URM) backgrounds are often compounded by being the first in their families to take the MCAT. Methods: We conducted a literature review for interventions on test-related anxiety. Based on our findings, we elected to establish a pilot near-peer coaching (NPC) program for URM students enrolled on the Medical College of Wisconsin MCAT program. We quantified baseline and specific time point test-anxieties using the validated Westside test anxiety scale. We asked about MCAT concerns and program impressions via a free-response section and analyzed the results with inductive analysis. Results: Our review could find no other studies examining MCAT-related test anxiety in the prospective medical student population. NPC was chosen because of its accessibility. At baseline, approximately 50% of students had at least moderately high-test anxiety, meeting the threshold for intervention. Most students perceived themselves as unconfident in their ability to do well on the MCAT. We observed a decrease in test anxiety after coaching sessions. Students received the program well; however, they wanted to be able to choose the content and number of meetings. Conclusion: This observational pilot study suggests that URM pre-medical students have MCAT-related test anxieties high enough to warrant intervention and that NPC is well-received and correlates to reduce test anxiety levels

How Can We Do Better? Improving Performance in Global Textile and Apparel Supply Chains

In apparel manufacturing facilities in developing countries, experts can often be observed conducting time studies on sewing specialists, with the goal of increasing productivity by decreasing cycle times. Many companies in developing countries are attempting to increase performance by concentrating on productivity improvements (Bheda, 2002; Bheda, 2003; Joint Apparel Association Forum, 2007)

The relationship of lysosomal stability to radiation-induced delay of cell division in Tetrahymena pyriformis

Cell division in a heat synchronized Tetrahymena pyriformis (GL-I) cell can be delayed if the cell is exposed to X-irradiation (300 kVp, 20 mA, HVL = 0. 9 mm Cu, 25 R/ sec) prior to a critical time after the end of the synchronizing treatment (EST). At the critical time, the cells undergo a rapid transition from a state of being sensitive to being delayed to one of relative insensitivity. After this time, the coming division is delayed little if at all; that is, there is an "all or none" transition to insensitivity to division delay. However, the second division is delayed, indicating that damage has occurred. The transition point (median critical time) is determined by interpolating the time after EST at which a given radiation exposure splits a population of cells into 50 percent delayed and 50 percent not delayed. The transition point is dose dependent in that the larger the exposure, the later the transition point (31 minutes after EST for 3kR increasing gradually to 51 minutes after EST for 18.5 kR). The division delay response is correlated with a resorption of the developing new mouth as determined from silver stained cells fixed every ten minutes after EST. The length of time for the oral primordium to be resorbed increases as the dose increases and varies with the time of irradiation relative to the transition point. The all or none" nature of the division delay response and the fact that cells irradiated after the transition point seemingly "ignore" the radiation damage until the second generation, together suggest that the damage produced by the irradiation may or may .not trigger a cellular response that results in cell division delay and oral primordium resorption. These responses might suggest that preformed enzymes, possibly from lysosomes, could be involved. Therefore, cells were treated with a known lysosomal stabilizer (hydrocortisone) and a labilizer (vitamin A) continuously before, during, and after exposure to 7.5 kR of X-rays. Cells treated with hydrocortisone- 21- phosphate (5.0 mM) showed an earlier transition point (36.5 minutes after EST) whereas cells treated with vitamin A-acetate (0.2 mM) showed a later transition point (50.5 minutes after EST) relative to the transition point for untreated, irradiated cells (43 minutes after EST). The time of the transition for cells treated with a lysosomal stabilizer (depresses enzyme release) and 7.5 kR corresponds to the transition point for untreated cells irradiated with only 5.0 kR,suggesting less sensitivity. Conversely, the transition point for cells treated with a lysosomal labilizer (enhances enzyme release) and 7.5 kR corresponds to the time of transition for untreated cells exposed to 18.5 kR, suggesting greater sensitivity. However, in all cases, 7.5 kR delayed the divisions about the same amount, whether the agents were present or not, indicating that the agents do not act in a simple dose - modifying manner. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that irradiation produces damage that may or may .not trigger off a cellular response that leads to delay of division. The sensitivity of the cell to being triggered to delay division may involve lysosomes

It’s the talk: A study of involvement initiatives in secure mental health settings

Background: A study of involvement initiatives within secure mental health services across one UK region, where these have been organised to reflect alliances between staff and service users. There is little previous relevant international research, but constraints upon effective involvement have been noted. Objective: To explore and evaluate involvement initiatives in secure mental health settings. Design: A case study design with thematic analysis of qualitative interviews and focus groups. Setting and participants: Data collection was carried out between October 2011 and February 2012 with 139 staff and service users drawn from a variety of secure mental health settings. Findings: Our analysis offers four broad themes, titled: safety and security first?; bringing it all back home; it picks you up; it’s the talk. The quality of dialogue between staff and services users was deemed of prime importance. Features of secure environments could constrain communication, and the best examples of empowerment took place in non-secure settings. Discussion: Key aspects of communication and setting sustain involvement. These features are discussed with reference to Jurgen Habermas's work on communicative action and deliberative democracy. Conclusions: Involvement initiatives with service users resident in secure hospitals can be organized to good effect and the active role of commissioners is crucial. Positive outcomes are optimized when care is taken over the social space where involvement takes place and the process of involvement is appreciated by participants. Concerns over risk management are influential in staff support. This is germane to innovative thinking about practice and policy in this field

Use of Site Factor Studies in Determining Environmental Variables That May be Important for Genotype by Environment Interaction

The environmental variables important in determining genotype x environment interaction with Pinus patula in Southern Africa were investigated using a �site factor study� approach. Several previous such studies with P. patula in the region have identified elevation, rainfall, aspect and some soil characteristics as important for the growth of the species as a whole. The objective of this study was to utilise the large number of progeny trials of P. patula available to further refine those variables that may be important in determining genotype x environment interaction. Top height was estimated utilising a minimum of 30 trees from the genetic checks present within each of 59 progeny trials planted across the region. A Site Index at base age 15 was derived for each site from tests aged between 4 and 10 years of age. This derived Site Index was then utilised as the dependent variable in a site factor study. Linear regression and correlation analysis was used to screen a large number of physical and climatic factors, as well as combinations of these, and relate them to tree growth as estimated by Site Index. Although the amount of variation explained by any single, or combination of variables was relatively small, several climatic factors were identified as being important in predicting some of the variation in Site Index. Many of the variables identified were associated with water availability and in particular specific seasons where water related issues could be constraining or impacting tree growth. Some of examples of these were factors related to precipitation and evaporative demand during the early spring growing season such as the October median precipitation and September evaporative demand. At this time of the year early growth may be constrained by a lack of available water after the winter dry season. In addition, many of these variables have been linked to genotype x environment interaction with P. patula in Southern Africa.Papers and abstracts from the 27th Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference held at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma on June 24-27, 2003

Impact of Increasing Distributed Wind Power and Wind Turbine Siting on Rural Distribution Feeder Voltage Profiles: Preprint

Many favorable wind energy resources in North America are located in remote locations without direct access to the transmission grid. Building transmission lines to connect remotely-located wind power plants to large load centers has become a barrier to increasing wind power penetration in North America. By connecting utility-sized megawatt-scale wind turbines to the distribution system, wind power supplied to consumers could be increased greatly. However, the impact of including megawatt-scale wind turbines on distribution feeders needs to be studied. The work presented here examined the impact that siting and power output of megawatt-scale wind turbines have on distribution feeder voltage. This is the start of work to present a general guide to megawatt-scale wind turbine impact on the distribution feeder and finding the amount of wind power that can be added without adversely impacting the distribution feeder operation, reliability, and power quality

An investigation of Reablement or restorative homecare interventions and outcome effects: A systematic review of randomised control trials

The effect of Reablement, a multi-faceted intervention is unclear, specifically, which interventions improve outcomes. This Systematic Review evaluates randomised controlled trials (RCTs) describing Reablement investigating the population, interventions, who delivered them, the effect and sustainability of outcomes. Database search from inception to August 2021 included AMED, ASSIA, BNI, CINHALL, EMBASE, HMIC, MEDLINE, PUBMED, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov. Two researchers undertook data collection and quality assessment, following the PRISMA (2020) statement. They measured effect by changed primary or secondary outcomes: no ongoing service, functional ability, quality of life and mobility. The reviewers reported the analysis narratively, due to heterogeneity of outcome measures, strengthened by the SWiM reporting guideline. The search criteria resulted in eight international studies, five studies had a risk of bias limitations in either design or method. Ongoing service requirement decreased in five studies, with improved effect at 3 months shown in studies with occupational therapist involvement. Functional ability increased statistically in four studies at 3 months. Increase in quality of life was statistically significant in three studies, at 6 and 7 months. None of the studies reported a statistically significant improvement in functional mobility. Reablement is effective in the context of Health and Social Care. The outcomes were sustained at 3 months, with less sustainability at 6 months. There was no statistical result for the professional role regarding assessment, delivery and evaluation of interventions, and further research is justified

1,3,5-Triaza­adamantan-7-amine

The title compound, C7H14N4, represents the first structurally characterized, isolated triaza­adamantane. In the crystal structure, weak inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into columns about the crystallographic fourfold axis

A Prediction of Brown Dwarfs in Ultracold Molecular Gas

A recent model for the stellar initial mass function (IMF), in which the stellar masses are randomly sampled down to the thermal Jeans mass from hierarchically structured pre-stellar clouds, predicts that regions of ultra-cold CO gas, such as those recently found in nearby galaxies by Allen and collaborators, should make an abundance of Brown Dwarfs with relatively few normal stars. This result comes from the low value of the thermal Jeans mass, considering that the hierarchical cloud model always gives the Salpeter IMF slope above this lower mass limit. The ultracold CO clouds in the inner disk of M31 have T~3K and pressures that are probably 10 times higher than in the solar neighborhood. This gives a mass at the peak of the IMF equal to 0.01 Msun, well below the Brown Dwarf limit of 0.08 Msun. Using a functional approximation to the IMF, the ultracold clouds would have 50% of the star-like mass and 90% of the objects below the Brown Dwarf limit. The brightest of the Brown Dwarfs in M31 should have an apparent, extinction-corrected K-band magnitude of ~21 mag in their pre-main sequence phase.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Astrophysical Journal, Vol 522, September 10, 199