Presence and task performance:an approach in the light of cognitive style

The paper highlights the relationship between each of four bi-polar dimensions of personality cognitive style, such as extraversion–introversion, sensing–intuition, thinking–feeling and judging–perceiving, and the level of sense of presence experienced. Findings indicate that individuals who are more sensitive, more feeling or more introverted experience a higher level of presence. While not reaching statistical significance, differing cognitive styles appear to impact on task performance. The apparent negative relationship discovered between sense of presence and task performance should be considered in the light of task characteristics. We discuss the implications of these findings and how they contribute to an understanding of the complex relationship that exists between presence and task performance and how this subsequently ought to influence the design of virtual environments

Aetiology and Treatment Outcome of Non-traumatic Small Bowel Perforations at Mbarara Hospital in South-Western Uganda

Background: Non-traumatic small bowel perforation (SBP) is the most common form of gastrointestinal perforation in sub-Saharan Africa. Although SBP is a surgical emergency associated with complications, information regarding its aetiology is scanty in Uganda. This study was aimed at determining the aetiology and document treatment outcomes of non-traumatic small bowel perforations in South-western Uganda. Methods: This was a descriptive case series of 87 consenting patients with non-traumatic SBP confirmed at laparotomy, on the emergency ward of Mbarara University Teaching Hospital. They were enrolled from September 2011 to May 2012. Specimens for blood culture, stool microscopy, HIV testing and tissue biopsies at the site of perforation were collected and analyzed. Patient follow-up was done till discharge. Results: Of the 78 biopsies performed, 66(84.6%) had histological features suggestive of typhoid perforations while 12(15.4%) had features of non-specific inflammation. Salmonella typhi was isolated in 13(15.0%) out of the 87 patients. Isolates were susceptible to Ceftriaxone and Ciprofloxacin. All patients tested HIV negative. Ascaris lumbricoides were seen in two patients. Re-laparotomy was done in four patients with new perforations, two with anastomotic breakdown and two with intra-abdominal abscesses. Wound sepsis was observed in 25(28.7%). Average length of hospital stay was 13 days. Some 10(11.5%) patients died. Conclusions: Most cases of non-traumatic SBP in south western Uganda are associated with Salmonella infection. There is need to enhance laboratory capacity to detect typhoid and preventive measures should be instituted in the general population

Євгеніка в 20-х роках ХХ ст. в Україні

Висвітлено розвиток євгенічних поглядів в працях вітчизняних вчених та науковців-медиків в 20-х роках ХХ ст. Показано вплив цих ідей на формування в Україні закладів медико-генетичного спрямування, розвиток профілактичної медицини, становлення санітарно-гігієнічної служби.Освещено развитие евгенических взглядов в трудах отечественных учених и учених-медиков в 20-е годы ХХ ст. Показано влияние этих идей на формирование в Украине учреждений медико-генетической направленности, развитие профилактической медицины, становление санитарно-гигиенической службы.The development of eugenics-based ideas in works of national scientists and researchers in medical field in 20s of XX Century is outlined. The influence of these ideas on establishing institutions in medical and genetic field in Ukraine, development of preventive medicine and establishment of sanitary and hygienic service is shown

Exploring the Physical, Chemical and Biological Components of Soil: Improving Soil Health for Better Productive Capacity

“Soil health” is a term that is used to describe soil quality. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has defined soil health as “The continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans (NRCS 2018).” For a farmer, soil health is the productive capacity of the soil, or the capacity of the soil to produce a crop or pasture. Healthy soils produce more and with better quality. Soil health is critical for water and nutrient cycling. Soil captures rainwater and stores it for use by plants. Soil health is important to improve both the amount of water and nutrients that a soil can hold, and the availability of water and nutrients for plants. The storage of water and nutrients and subsequent transfer to plants are critical determinants of the productive capacity of the soil, and the soil health. Here, we explore the fundamental components of soil, and how each component contributes to soil health and soil productive capacity

The role of the exit in the initial screening of investment opportunities: The case of business angel syndicate gatekeepers

The exit process has been largely ignored in business angel research.. The practitioner community identifies the difficulty in achieving exits as the most pressing problem for investors. This has been attributed to the failure of investors to adopt an exit-centric approach to investing. The validity of this claim is examined via a study of the investment approach of 21 ‘gatekeepers’ (managers) of angel groups in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Most gatekeepers say that they do consider the exit when they invest. However, this is contradicted by a verbal protocol analysis which indicates that the exit is not a significant consideration in their initial screening process. The small number of exits achieved by the groups is consistent with the general lack of an exit-centric approach to investing. Only three groups exhibit evidence of a strong exit-centric approach to investing. The lack of exits may have a negative impact on the level of future angel investment activity

Heat Acclimation with Controlled Heart Rate

Purpose To characterize the adaptive responses to heat acclimation (HA) with controlled heart rate (HR) and determine whether hydration strategy alters adaptations. The influence of HA on V[Combining Dot Above]O2max in cool conditions and self-paced exercise in the heat was also determined. Methods Eight males (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max: 55±7 ml.kg-1.min-1) completed two 10-day interventions in a counterbalanced cross-over design. Fluid intakes differed between interventions to either maintain euhydration (HA-EUH) or elicit similar daily body mass deficits (2.85±0.26%; HA-DEH). HA consisted of 90 min of cycling in 40°C and 40% RH. Initial workload (172±22 W) was adjusted over the last 75 min to maintain exercising HR equivalent to 65% V[Combining Dot Above]O2max. A V[Combining Dot Above]O2max test in cool conditions and 30 min time-trial in hot-humid conditions were completed before and after HA. Results HR at the end of the initial 15 min workload was 10±5 beats.min-1 lower on day 10 in both interventions (P<0.001). The workload necessary to maintain exercising HR (145±7 beats.min-1) increased throughout HA-EUH (25±10 W, P=0.001) and HA-DEH (16±18 W, P=0.02). There was a main effect of HA on sweat rate (P=0.014), which tended to increase with HA-EUH (0.19±0.18 L.h-1, P=0.06) but not HA-DEH (P=0.12). Skin temperature decreased during HA-EUH (0.6 ± 0.5°C, P=0.03), but not HA-DEH (P=0.30). There was a main effect of HA on V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (~3 ml.kg-1.min-1, P=0.02); however, neither intervention independently increased V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (both P=0.08). Time-trial performance increased following HA-EUH (19±16 W, P=0.02), but not HA-DEH (P=0.21). Conclusions Controlled HR exercise in the heat induces several HA adaptations, which may be optimized by maintaining euhydration. HA-EUH also improves self-paced exercise performance in the heat. However, HA does not appear to significantly increase V[Combining Dot Above]O2max in cool conditions.This study was funded by Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar

Earliest Triassic microbialites in the South China Block and other areas; controls on their growth and distribution

Earliest Triassic microbialites (ETMs) and inorganic carbonate crystal fans formed after the end-Permian mass extinction (ca. 251.4 Ma) within the basal Triassic Hindeodus parvus conodont zone. ETMs are distinguished from rarer, and more regional, subsequent Triassic microbialites. Large differences in ETMs between northern and southern areas of the South China block suggest geographic provinces, and ETMs are most abundant throughout the equatorial Tethys Ocean with further geographic variation. ETMs occur in shallow-marine shelves in a superanoxic stratified ocean and form the only widespread Phanerozoic microbialites with structures similar to those of the Cambro-Ordovician, and briefly after the latest Ordovician, Late Silurian and Late Devonian extinctions. ETMs disappeared long before the mid-Triassic biotic recovery, but it is not clear why, if they are interpreted as disaster taxa. In general, ETM occurrence suggests that microbially mediated calcification occurred where upwelled carbonate-rich anoxic waters mixed with warm aerated surface waters, forming regional dysoxia, so that extreme carbonate supersaturation and dysoxic conditions were both required for their growth. Long-term oceanic and atmospheric changes may have contributed to a trigger for ETM formation. In equatorial western Pangea, the earliest microbialites are late Early Triassic, but it is possible that ETMs could exist in western Pangea, if well-preserved earliest Triassic facies are discovered in future work

Banks' risk assessment of Swedish SMEs

Building on the literatures on asymmetric information and risk taking, this paper applies conjoint experiments to investigate lending officers' probabilities of supporting credit to established or existing SMEs. Using a sample of 114 Swedish lending officers, we test hypotheses concerning how information on the borrower's ability to repay the loan; alignment of risk preferences; and risk sharing affect their willingness to grant credit. Results suggest that features that reduce the risk to the bank and shift the risk to the borrower have the largest impact. The paper highlights the interaction between factors that influence the credit decision. Implications for SMEs, banks and research are discussed