Imperfectly-credible disinflation of small inflations

In this paper we study and quantify the e¤ects of a disinflationary policyon output and welfare. Our focus is the policy question of the optimal response to low inflation.The analysis takes place in the context of a DSGEmodel with sticky prices, time varying velocity and imperfect credibility.The nonlinear solution method reveals that early output losses may be morepronounced and more prolonged than previously suggested in the literature,and there may be insufficient compensation from a subsequent higher steadystate to justify taking any disinflationary policy action in some cases

Return the output effect of stopping inflation when velocity is time varying

This paper explores the effect of time varying velocity in a transition to price stability. Nonstationary velocity, expressed asfunction of consumption, is made endogenous in Ireland's (1997) model. We find that the disinflationary booms found by Ball(1994) may or may not disappear; and also that temporary output losses may be much larger than previously thought, dependingon velocity. A gradual disinflation of low inflation may even be undesirable given its overall negative impact on the economy.Finally, we explore the optimal speed of disinflation

Construct validity of the social support survey in sport

publication-status: Publishedtypes: ArticleCopyright © 2007 Elsevier B.V. NOTICE: This is the author’s version of a work accepted for publication by Elsevier. Changes resulting from the publishing process, including peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting and other quality control mechanisms, may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2007, Vol. 8, Issue 3, pp. 355 – 368 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2006.06.005Objectives: Richman, J. M., Rosenfeld, L. B., & Hardy's, C. J. [(1993). The Social Support Survey: A validation of a clinical measure of the social support process. Research on Social Work Practice, 3, 288-311] model of social support is increasingly used as a framework for researching social support in sport, particularly in relation to sports injury. The Social Support Survey (SSS) is based upon this model. Through confirmatory factor analyses of the SSS, Rees, T., Hardy, L., Ingledew, D. K., & Evans, L. [(2000). Examination of the validity of the social support survey using confirmatory factor analysis. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 71, 322-330] questioned the construct validity of the SSS and the model it is based upon. This study further addresses the construct validity of the SSS.Design: Relationships between 5 of the SSS dimensions and a set of items with known relevance to sport were examined using structural equation modelling.Methods: College athletes (n = 320: 170 males, 150 females), mean age 19.94 (SD 2.23 years), ranging in ability from college level to international level, completed the 5 SSS dimension subscales and items representing 3 social support dimensions from Rees, T., & Hardy, L. [(2000). An investigation of the social support experiences of high-level sports performers. The Sport Psychologist, 14, 327-347].Results: SSS listening support (beta = .39, p < .05) and SSS emotional support (beta =.58, p < .05) explained 74% of the variance in the Rees and Hardy (2000) emotional support dimension. SSS task appreciation (beta =.54, p < .05) and SSS task challenge (beta =.40, p < .05) explained 68% of the variance in the Rees and ---Hardy esteem support dimension. SSS personal assistance (beta = .43, p < .05) explained 18% of the variance in the Rees and Hardy tangible support dimension.Conclusions: These results provide some evidence of the construct validity of 5 of the SSS content factors in sport. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The Effects of Perfectionism in Elite Sport: Experiences of Unhealthy Perfectionists

This study examined the perfectionism experiences of 10 elite perfectionist athletes (5 male and 5 female). Following completion of the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2 (Gotwals & Dunn, 2009), a purposeful sample of unhealthy perfectionists were interviewed in relation to the study aims. Several themes emerged from the data that related to: effects of perfectionism and its antecedents on sporting experiences, specificity and level of perfectionism, and the coping skills and techniques used to counter the potentially detrimental effects of perfectionism. The findings highlighted the multidimensional nature of perfectionism and the need for future research to further explore the efficacy of techniques athletes use to promote healthy and reduce unhealthy facets of perfectionism

A Grounded Theory of Sport Injury-Related Growth

Although previous research has shown that experiencing an injury can act as a catalyst for self-development, research that has examined the concept of sport injury-related growth (SIRG) remains largely descriptive. This study aimed to address this by developing a substantive theory to explain the processes through which injured athletes experienced SIRG. Using Strauss and Corbin’s (1998) variant of grounded theory, 37 injured athletes competing in a range of sports and competitive levels participated in qualitative interviews. Interviews (N=70) and data analysis were conducted over a period of 24 months. Transcripts were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Quality criteria used were fit, relevance, workability, and modifiability. The grounded theory produced (i.e., Theory of Sport Injury-Related Growth) suggests a number of internal (i.e., personality, coping styles, knowledge and prior experience, and perceived social support) and external factors (i.e., cultural scripts, physical resources, time, and received social support) enable injured athletes to transform their injury into an opportunity for growth and development. The mechanisms through which this occurs are meta-cognitions, positive reappraisal, positive emotions, and facilitative responses. This theory offers a number of exciting avenues for future research, and provides medical personnel and practicing sport psychologists with a detailed explanation of how sport injury can lead to growth experiences

Stressors, social support and psychological responses to sport injury in high and low-performance standard participants

publication-status: Publishedtypes: ArticleCopyright © 2010 Elsevier. NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Psychology of Sport and Exercise. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise , 2010, Vol. 11, Issue 6, pp. 505 – 51 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.07.002Objective The purpose of the present study was to examine the main and buffering effect relationships between social support and psychological responses to sport injury with samples of high- and low-performance standard injured participants. Method High- (N = 147) and low-performance (N = 114) standard injured participants completed measures of perceived social support, injury-related stressors and psychological responses during physiotherapy clinic visits. Results Moderated hierarchical regression analyses revealed the following key findings: a) in the high-performance sample, there were significant (p < 0.05) main effects for social support in relation to psychological responses; b) in the low-performance sample, there were significant buffering effects for social support in relation to psychological responses. That is, in the low-performance sample, the detrimental relationships between stressors and psychological responses were reduced for those with high social support compared to those with low social support, but level of social support was relatively unimportant at low levels of stressors. Conclusion These results highlight that the relationships between social support, stressors, and psychological responses to sport injury may differ, depending upon the performance standard of the athlete. The impact of social support in the injury process may therefore be more complicated than first thought, and this has implications for interventions aimed at increasing social support for injured athletes

Tool for measuring self-control in athletes

The purpose of this study was to develop a practical assessment tool based on Rosenbaum's (1980) Self-Control Schedule (SCS) for measuring self-control in athletes. A questionnaire was developed which in its final form, contained 35 items. The tool was shown to be a valid, reliable, readable and internally consistent assessment tool. It demonstrated objectivity and provoked honest, accurate responding in subjects. Responses to the questionnaire were weighted, depending on attitudinal direction and its desirability for indicating self-control. The developed questionnaire was administered to two samples of athletes whose performances were partially attributed by the coach to a lack of self-control or a high level of self-control. The tool demonstrated sensitivity to differing levels of self-control. The questionnaire was capable of providing immediate feedback to coaches concerning an athlete's level of self-control. The questionnaire provides a total score which can be quickly interpreted by the coach as a measure of self-control in athletes

Role of σ\u3csup\u3eB\u3c/sup\u3e in Adaptation of \u3ci\u3eListeria monocytogenes\u3c/i\u3e to Growth at Low Temperature

The activity of σB in Listeria monocytogenes is stimulated by high osmolarity and is necessary for efficient uptake of osmoprotectants. Here we demonstrate that, during cold shock, σB contributes to adaptation in a growth phase-dependent manner and is necessary for efficient accumulation of betaine and carnitine as cryoprotectants

Predictive and prognostic properties of TB-LAM among HIV-positive patients initiating ART in Johannesburg, South Africa

While the diagnostic properties of the TB LAM urine assay (LAM) have been well-described, little is known about its predictive and prognostic properties at ART initiation in a routine clinic setting. We describe the predictive and prognostic properties of LAM in HIV-positive patients initiating ART at an urban hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Retrospective study of HIV-positive adults (&gt;18 years) who initiated  standard first-line ART between February 2012 and April 2013 and had a LAM test at initiation. In  HIV-positive patients with no known TB at ART initiation, we assessed the sensitivity, specificity and positive/negative likelihood ratios of LAM to predict incident TB within 6 months of ART initiation. In addition, in patients with a TB diagnosis and on TB treatment &lt;3 months at ART initiation, we measured the CD4 response at 6 months on ART. Of the 274 patients without TB at ART initiation, 65% were female with median CD4 count of 213 cells/mm3. Among the 14 (5.1%) patients who developed active TB, none were urine LAM +ve at baseline. LAM had poor sensitivity (0.0 % 95 % CI 0.00-23.2) to predict incident TB within 6 months of initiation. We analyzed 22 patients with a confirmed TB diagnosis at initiation separately. Of these, LAM +ve patients (27%) showed lower CD4 gains compared to LAM negative patients (median increase 103 vs 199 cells/mm3; p=0.08). LAM has limited value for accurately predicting incident TB in patients with higher CD4 counts after ART initiation. LAM may help identify TB/HIV co-infected patients at ART initiation who respond more slowly to treatment and require targeted interventions to improve treatment outcomes. Larger studies with longer patient follow-up are needed.Key words: Antiretroviral therapy, HIV, lipoarabinomannan, Mycobacterium, TB LAM, South Afric