Interpersonal relationships and the association with athlete\u27s motivation, self-efficacy and fear of failure

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects interpersonal relationships have on an athlete\u27s motivation, self-efficacy and fear of failure. The relationships examined in the study included the coach-athlete, father-athlete, mother-athlete, and partner-athlete. The participants consisted of collegiate female cross-country (XC) athletes (N= 54) ranging in age of 18-23 years at various colleges in the northeast. The main finding of this study includes that the father-athlete relationship had the greatest impact on the athletes\u27 motivation, self-efficacy, and fear of failure resulting in the highest correlations. Overall, each interpersonal relationship is associated with female XC athletes\u27 motivation, self-efficacy and fear of failure, with this knowledge important others may be able to help their athlete reach their full potential by providing them with the basic fundamental needs, encourage positive self-perceptions and self-efficacy, enjoyment and foster self-determination

PRODUCER VALUATION OF HERD BULL CHARACTERISTICS

This study evaluates the importance of certain bull characteristics (disposition, EPD's, conformation, etc.) on a cow-calf producer's herd bull purchase decision. Data were collected from the Auburn University Bull Test Sale from 1997 to 2004. A total of 260 buyers purchased a total of 370 bulls during this six-year period. These buyers will be surveyed to determine demographics, farm characteristics, and the importance of factors influencing their bull purchase decision. A hedonic pricing model will be utilized to determine the value that individual buyers place on various factors or bull characteristics when purchasing a bull.Livestock Production/Industries,

DO YOUTH LEARN LIFE SKILLS THROUGH THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORT? A CASE STUDY

In this study we examined whether and how youth learned life skills through their involvement on a high school soccer team. We collected data from fieldwork and interviews with 12 male student‐athletes and the head coach from one team. Results showed that the coach’s philosophy involved building relationships and involving student‐athletes in decision making. Issues relating to three life skills (initiative, re‐ spect, and teamwork/leadership) were identified. Although we observed little direct teaching of these life skills, we saw that players generally were producers of their own experiences that supported the development of these skills. Key words: ecological systems, positive development Les auteurs ont cherché à savoir si et comment les jeunes acquièrent certaines compétences de la vie courante en étant membres d’une équipe de soccer au secondaire. Les chercheurs ont colligé des données sur le terrain et interviewé 12 élèves‐athlètes de sexe masculin ainsi que l’entraîneur principal d’une équipe. Les résultats indiquent que l’entraîneur avait pour philosophie de favoriser l’établissement de relations et d’impliquer les élèves‐athlètes dans les prises de décision. Des problèmes reliés à trois compétences de la vie courante (l’initiative, le respect et l’esprit d’équipe/le leadership) ont été identifiés. Bien que les auteurs aient observé que ces compétences sont peu enseignées comme telles, ils ont constaté que observé que ces compétences sont peu enseignées comme telles, ils ont constaté que les joueurs étaient les producteurs de leurs propres expériences, qui favorisaient effectivement le développement de ces compétences.Mots clés : systèmes écologiques, développement positif

Who will use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and why?: Understanding PrEP awareness and acceptability amongst men who have sex with men in the UK – a mixed methods study

Background: Recent clinical trials suggest that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may reduce HIV transmission by up to 86% for men who have sex with men (MSM), whilst relatively high levels of PrEP acceptability have been reported to date. This study examines PrEP awareness amongst sub-groups of MSM communities and acceptability amongst MSM in a low prevalence region (Scotland, UK), using a mixed methods design. Methods: Quantitative surveys of n = 690 MSM recruited online via social and sociosexual media were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. In addition, n = 10 in-depth qualitative interviews with MSM were analysed thematically. Results: Under one third (29.7%) of MSM had heard of PrEP, with awareness related to living in large cities, degree level education, commercial gay scene use and reporting an HIV test in the last year. Just under half of participants (47.8%) were likely to use PrEP if it were available but there was no relationship between PrEP acceptability and previous PrEP awareness. Younger men (18–25 years) and those who report higher risk UAI were significantly more likely to say they would use PrEP. Qualitative data described specific PrEP scenarios, illustrating how risk, patterns of sexual practice and social relationships could affect motivation for and nature of PrEP use. Conclusion: These findings suggest substantial interest PrEP amongst MSM reporting HIV risk behaviours in Scotland. Given the Proud results, there is a strong case to investigate PrEP implementation within the UK. However, it appears that disparities in awareness have already emerged along traditional indicators of inequality. Our research identifies the need for comprehensive support when PrEP is introduced, including a key online component, to ensure equity of awareness across diverse MSM communities (e.g. by geography, education, gay scene use and HIV proximity), as well as to responding to the diverse informational and sexual health needs of all MSM communities

Gene expression patterns in experimental colitis in IL-10-deficient mice:

While others have described gene expression patterns in humans with inflammatory bowel diseases and animals with chemically-induced colitis, a genome-wide comparison of gene expression in genetically susceptible animals that develop spontaneous colitis has not been reported. We used microarray technology to compare gene expression profiles in cecal specimens from specific pathogen-free IL10-deficient (IL10−/−) mice with colitis and normal wild-type (WT) mice. RNA isolated from ceca of IL10−/− and WT mice was subjected to microarray analysis. Results were confirmed by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence microscopy of selected molecules. Expression of the selected genes in DSS-treated mice with colitis and epithelial cell lines activated with pathophysiologic stimuli was measured by real-time PCR. Histological inflammation of the colon and IL-12/23p40 secretion from intestinal explants were greater in IL10−/− and DSS-treated mice vs. WT and untreated mice. Microarray analysis demonstrated >10-fold induction of the following molecules in the ceca of IL10−/− mice: Mitochondrial ribosomal protein-L33, aquaporin-4, indoleamine-pyrrole-2,3- dioxygenase, and MHC class II with 63, 25, 20, and 12-fold increases, respectively. Cytochrome-P450, pancreatic lipase-related protein-2, and transthyretin were down-regulated in IL10−/− mice. MHC II was increased throughout the colon, and aquaporin-4 was increased in the basolateral aspect of cecal epithelial cells. MHC II mRNA was increased in epithelial cells treated with IFNγ, but not TNF or Toll-like receptor ligands. Although most upregulated genes in experimental colitis are immune-related, aquaporin-4 and mitochondrial ribosomal protein, which have not been previously associated with inflammation, were most highly upregulated

A Gata3–Mafb transcriptional network directs post-synaptic differentiation in synapses specialized for hearing

Information flow through neural circuits is determined by the nature of the synapses linking the subtypes of neurons. How neurons acquire features distinct to each synapse remains unknown. We show that the transcription factor Mafb drives the formation of auditory ribbon synapses, which are specialized for rapid transmission from hair cells to spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Mafb acts in SGNs to drive differentiation of the large postsynaptic density (PSD) characteristic of the ribbon synapse. In Mafb mutant mice, SGNs fail to develop normal PSDs, leading to reduced synapse number and impaired auditory responses. Conversely, increased Mafb accelerates synaptogenesis. Moreover, Mafb is responsible for executing one branch of the SGN differentiation program orchestrated by the Gata3 transcriptional network. Remarkably, restoration of Mafb rescues the synapse defect in Gata3 mutants. Hence, Mafb is a powerful regulator of cell-type specific features of auditory synaptogenesis that offers a new entry point for treating hearing loss. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01341.00

Feasibility of Dual-Task Gait to Estimate Alzheimer\u27s Related Cognitive Decline in Down Syndrome

Introduction: The striatum and frontal lobes have been shown to have early Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) neuropathology and are critical for motor and cognitive function. We hypothesized gait would be associated with early-stage dementia in Down syndrome (DS), a cohort at risk for AD. Methods: Twenty-eight participants with DS were enrolled in the study. Participants walked at their self-selected pace and while completing a dual task (counting, obstacle, or counting+obstacle). Results: All participants were able to complete the self-paced condition and 78.57-96.42% completed the dual-task conditions. There was a trend for greater dual-task effects on gait velocity based on dementia diagnosis. Gait velocity had stronger associations with clinical dementia assessments than age or diagnosis. Discussion: A dual-task gait paradigm is feasible to conduct with adults with DS and is associated with age and cognitive impairment. Dual-task gait may serve as an indicator of early stage dementia in DS

A game-based learning approach to sleep hygiene education: a pilot investigation

IntroductionSleep hygiene education (SHE) consists of environmental and behavioral practices primarily intended to reduce sleep problems. Currently considered ineffective as a stand-alone treatment, the manner in which the education is typically delivered may be ineffective for the acquisition of new knowledge. The purpose of this study was to determine if a more engaging teaching medium may improve the efficacy of sleep hygiene education. This study examined the use of game-based learning to teach SHE to individuals with sleep problems.Methods35 participants played the SHE games for 30 days. Differences in pre- and post-state anxiety and sleep quality measures were examined.ResultsParticipants had significant improvements in sleep quality and state anxiety after using the app for 30 days, although scores for the majority of patients remained elevated.DiscussionThis pilot investigation provides initial evidence for the efficacy of a game-based approach to SHE

Awareness and willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis amongst gay and bisexual men in Scotland: implications for biomedical HIV prevention

Objectives:<p></p> To investigate the awareness of, and willingness to use, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and willingness to take part in a PrEP study among gay and bisexual men in Scotland.<p></p> Methods:<p></p> Cross-sectional survey of 17 gay commercial venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh in May 2011 (N = 1515, 65.2% response rate); 1393 are included in the analyses.<p></p> Results:<p></p> Just under one-third of participants had heard of PrEP (n = 434; 31.2%), with awareness associated with being aged older than 35 years, talking to UAI partners about HIV, and with having had an HIV or STI test in the previous 12 months. Around half were willing to take part in a PrEP study (n = 695; 49.9%) or to take PrEP on a daily basis (n = 756; 54.3%). In multivariate analysis, willingness to take PrEP was associated with lower levels of education, regular gay scene attendance, ‘high-risk’ unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and testing for HIV or STI in the previous 12 months. Reasons for not wanting to participate in a PrEP study or take PrEP included perceptions of low personal risk of HIV and concerns with using medication as an HIV prevention method.<p></p> Conclusions:<p></p> There is a willingness to engage in new forms of HIV prevention and research amongst a significant number of gay and bisexual men in Scotland. Future biomedical HIV interventions need to consider the links between sexual risk behaviour, testing, and potential PrEP use