Dualizability of automatic algebras

We make a start on one of George McNulty's Dozen Easy Problems: "Which finite automatic algebras are dualizable?" We give some necessary and some sufficient conditions for dualizability. For example, we prove that a finite automatic algebra is dualizable if its letters act as an abelian group of permutations on its states. To illustrate the potential difficulty of the general problem, we exhibit an infinite ascending chain $\mathbf A_1 \le \mathbf A_2 \le \mathbf A_3 \le ...b$ of finite automatic algebras that are alternately dualizable and non-dualizable

Methods to improve recruitment to randomised controlled trials : Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Task-efficacy predicts perceived enjoyment and subsequently barrier-efficacy: investigating a psychological process underpinning schoolchildren's physical activity

Self-efficacy and perceived enjoyment have been recognised as important psychological correlates of children’s physical activity (PA). However, research investigating the psychological process underpinning self-efficacy and perceived enjoyment has generated “contradictory” findings – with some regarding self-efficacy as an antecedent of enjoyment while the others arguing for the reverse. To mitigate this confusion, we have embraced the largely overlooked distinction between task- and barrier-efficacy in PA research and have examined the proposal that task-efficacy enhances perceived enjoyment and, subsequently, increases barrier-efficacy and PA. In a sample of 331 eight-to-ten years old schoolchildren (169 boys), task-efficacy manifested an indirect effect on accelerometer-based measures of MVPA and total PA via perceived enjoyment and subsequently barrier-efficacy. Perceived enjoyment served as a mediator of task-efficacy on MVPA but not total PA. Barrier-efficacy appeared to be a consistent mediator underlying schoolchildren’s PA regardless of PA intensity. The findings suggest that (1) the distinction between task- and barrier-efficacy warrants consideration in children’s PA promotion and (2) the psychological drivers of more vigorous types of PA differ compared to lower intensity PA. Future research would do well to explore the key psychological factors underpinning less vigorous types of PA to inform the development of effective PA interventions for those who have difficulties engaging in MVPA

Reliability and validity of the short Hong Kong Chinese Self-Regulation of Learning Self-Report Scale (SRL-SRS-C)

Objectives: This study translated and shortened the original English, six-factor, Self-Regulated Learning Self-Report Scale (SRL-SRS). This version was subsequently assessed for its reliability and validity, for use in a Hong Kong Chinese adolescent population. Design and methods: The SRL-SRS was translated into Chinese following the back-translation procedure. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and test–retest reliability analysis, were conducted on a sample of 314 Hong Kong Chinese adolescents aged 12–17 years (mean age = 13.2 years, SD = .99; male = 155) from one Hong Kong secondary school. Cross-validation was conducted on a second sample of adolescents (n = 477; mean age = 14.92 years; male = 283) from three Hong Kong secondary schools. Results: EFA results supported the original six-factor model. Subsequent CFA results supported the short version with sufficient goodness-of-fit statistics (comparative fit index; CFI = 0.93; Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.92; root square mean error of approximation (RMSEA; 95% CI) = 0.0047 (0.041 – 0.053); SRMR = 0.044). Further support was also found by cross-validation in the second sample (CFI = 0.915; TLI = 0.906; RMSEA = 0.052; SRMR = 0.043). Internal consistency analysis revealed that Cronbach's α ranged from.72 to .89 for all subscales (sample 1); test–retest reliability analysis (sample 1) produced Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values ranging from .69 to .80 for all subscales. Conclusions: The short SRL-SRS-C is a sufficiently reliable and valid instrument to measure self-regulation of learning in a Chinese adolescent population. In addition, the SRL-SRS-C has demonstrated sufficient content, construct validity, and test–retest reliability

Familial breast cancer: management of ‘lower risk' referrals

Up to 40% of referrals from primary care to ‘breast cancer family clinics' prove to be of women whose assessed risk falls below the guidelines' threshold for management in secondary or tertiary care, despite recommendations that they should be screened out at primary care level. A randomised trial, involving 87 such women referred to the Tayside Familial Breast Cancer Service compared two ways of communicating risk information, letter or personal interview. Both were found to be acceptable to referred women and to their family doctors, although the former expressed a slight preference for interview. Only four women returned to their family doctors with continuing concerns about breast cancer. Nevertheless, understanding of information provided by either route was unsatisfactory, with apparent confusion about both absolute and relative risks of breast cancer. Substantial minorities appear to believe that they are at no increased risk at all, or even below the population level of risk, while others remain convinced that their personal risk has been underestimated. Family history record forms, completed by the referred women, preferably with the assistance of relatives, are crucial to full assessment of familial risk but one quarter of women referred to the Tayside Familial Breast Cancer Service currently do not complete and return these forms ahead of their clinic appointment. Further collaboration between primary care and the Breast Cancer Family Service is required to improve provision for concerned women whose risks fall below the threshold for special surveillance and to maximise effective use of the family history record form

Lead me to train better: Transformational leadership moderates the negative relationship between athlete personality and training behaviours.

High-quality training environments are essential for athletic peak performance. However, recent research highlighted that athletes' personality characteristics could undermine effective training. The current set of studies aimed to examine whether specific transformational leadership characteristics displayed by the coach would moderate the potential negative impacts of two personality traits (i.e., extraversion and neuroticism) on training behaviours. In study 1, ninety-nine university athletes completed questionnaires assessing personality, transformational leadership, and training behaviours. In study 2, eighty-four high-level athletes completed the same personality and transformational leadership questionnaires. However, in study 2 the head coaches assessed athletes’ training behaviours. Both studies showed that coach high-performance expectations moderated the extraversion-distractibility relationship. Further, both studies also demonstrated that the relationship between neuroticism and coping with adversity was moderated by coach’s inspirational motivation. Our findings highlight that extraversion and neuroticism can negatively relate to training behaviours, but such effects can be moderated by certain transformational leadership behaviours