Methods of assessing body composition and anthropometric measurements – a review of the literature

Introduction and purpose            Body composition assessment is an important element in determining the health of the body, which enables us to estimate the percent content of particular tissues in the body. Measured parameters include the amount of adipose tissue, muscle, bone tissue, and hydration. The aim of the study is to present a differentiation of methods of assessing body composition and anthropometric measurements after analysis of 29 scientific publications from Pubmed and Google Scholar.A brief description of the state of knowledgeBioelectrical impedance analysis, densitometry, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and air displacement plethysmography are methods that enable us to assess body composition and hydration. These methods differ from each other in equipment which is used, accuracy, test price, and technique of measurement. The differences in the accuracy of measurements result from the lack of correlation between the methods given. Skinfold thickness, body mass index, waist to hip circumference ratio, and growth charts in children are methods of assessing anthropometric measurements. The research shows the use of individual methods of assessing body composition and methods of anthropometric measurements among different age groups.Conclusions                                                       There are many devices and methods for measuring body composition and for anthropometric measurements, which can be used in different age groups. They are important in assessing human growth, development, and health status and can be used in clinical practice

Lack of Accredited Clinical Training in Movement Disorders in Europe, Egypt, and Tunisia

Background: Little information is available on the official postgraduate and subspecialty training programs in movement disorders (MD) in Europe and North Africa. Objective: To survey the accessible MD clinical training in these regions. Methods: We designed a survey on clinical training in MD in different medical fields, at postgraduate and specialized levels. We assessed the characteristics of the participants and the facilities for MD care in their respective countries. We examined whether there are structured, or even accredited postgraduate, or subspecialty MD training programs in neurology, neurosurgery, internal medicine, geriatrics, neuroradiology, neuropediatrics, and general practice. Participants also shared their suggestions and needs. Results: The survey was completed in 31/49 countries. Structured postgraduate MD programs in neurology exist in 20 countries; structured neurology subspecialty training exists in 14 countries and is being developed in two additional countries. Certified neurology subspecialty training was reported to exist in 7 countries. Recommended reading lists, printed books, and other materials are the most popular educational tools, while courses, lectures, webinars, and case presentations are the most popular learning formats. Mandatory activities and skills to be certified were not defined in 15/31 countries. Most participants expressed their need for a mandatory postgraduate MD program and for certified MD sub-specialization programs in neurology. Conclusion: Certified postgraduate and subspecialty training exists only in a minority of European countries and was not found in the surveyed Egypt and Tunisia. MD training should be improved in many countries.Peer reviewe

Can observing a Necker cube (really) make you more insightful? The evidence from objective and subjective indicators of insight

Changing a problem’s representation is a crucial process when solving insight problems. Recently, Laukkonen and Tangen (2017) found that observing ambiguous figures such as a Necker Cube before solving problems can increase insight frequency. In our research, we extended their procedure by including measures of feelings of insight (e.g., confidence and pleasure). This approach allowed us to test the replicability of relationships between perceptual switching and insight frequency in terms of both accuracy of problem solutions and insight phenomenology. The research took the form of two studies using two different samples (NA = 68 and NB = 198) using online platforms. Our results consistently showed no effect of prior Necker cube perception on accuracy. However, we found a significant difference in self-reported insight (1 - non-aha! experience to 5 – a very strong aha! experience) in our Sample B study. The results suggest the possibility that viewing ambiguous figures may not have a triggering effect on insight problem-solving performance but that it may trigger stronger insight experiences when solving insight problems

Can observing a Necker cube (really) make you more insightful?

The storage of dataframes and analysis of the article titled Can observing a Necker cube (really) make you more insightful? The evidence from objective and subjective indicators of insight

W jaki sposób komunikować ryzyko związane ze smogiem? Wpływ formatu oraz treści komunikatu na percepcję ryzyka oraz działań zapobiegawczych.

Smog jest poważnym i niedocenianym zagrożeniem, a jego skutki są odroczone w czasie. Trudność z wyobrażeniem sobie konsekwencji smogu oraz brak zrozumienia mechanizmu ich powstawania, mogą dodatkowo sprzyjać zaniżonym ocenom tego ryzyka. Badania z obszaru komunikacji ryzyka wskazują na to, że forma przekazywania informacji o ryzyku może mieć znaczenie, a przedstawianie informacji w formie frekwencyjnych pomocy wizualnych, może zwiększać rozumienie prawdopodobieństwa i ryzyka. W celu sprawdzenia, które czynniki mogą wpłynąć na percepcję ryzyka związanego ze smogiem oraz na subiektywną ważność różnych działań rozmywających (zmniejszających) to ryzyko, przeprowadziłyśmy badanie, w którym manipulowałyśmy zarówno formą (tekstowa vs graficzna) prezentacji informacji o smogu jak i treścią (konsekwencje smogu vs. konsekwencje oraz przyczyny smogu). Wyniki pokazały, że format prezentacji informacji nie miał znaczenia ani dla percepcji ryzyka ani ważności zabezpieczeń. Natomiast, zawarcie w komunikacie informacji o przyczynach smogu zwiększyło subiektywną ważność różnych działań, które mogą zarówno zmniejszać smog, jak i jego wpływ na zdrowie

Multiple numeric competencies predict decision outcomes beyond fluid intelligence and cognitive reflection

dataset for the manuscript: Sobkow, A., Olszewska, A., & Traczyk, J. (2020). Multiple numeric competencies predict decision outcomes beyond fluid intelligence and cognitive reflection. Intelligence, 80, 101452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2020.10145

The Factor Structure of Cognitive Reflection, Numeracy, and Fluid intelligence. The evidence from the Polish adaptation of the Verbal CRT.

The Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) is one of the most popular measures of individual differences in rational thought and decision making. Nevertheless, it overlaps substantially with numeracy and intelligence, which impede the interpretation of results. The present research had two main aims. First, to investigate the generalizability of Verbal CRT—a novel measure of cognitive reflection less confounded with numeracy and math anxiety than numerical CRT—in cultural contexts outside US/UK . Second, to test the factor structure linking traditional—numerical—CRT, Verbal CRT, numeracy and fluid intelligence. In Studies 1a and 1b, we adapted and tested the validity and psychometric properties of Polish versions of tasks and scales. Next, using a large and diverse sample of Polish adults, we tested five models of the factor structure of cognitive abilities and thinking dispositions (Study 2). The most parsimonious and best-fitted model contained three latent variables: Verbal CRT, Numeracy (composed of the items from the Berlin Numeracy Test and traditional—numerical —CRT), and Fluid intelligence. In line with previous research, our results show that Verbal CRT is a valid cognitive reflection measure that provides a clearer interpretation than traditional CRT, even in a different language and cultural context

The Factor Structure of Cognitive Reflection, Numeracy, and Fluid intelligence. The evidence from the Polish adaptation of the Verbal CRT

The Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) is one of the most popular measures of individual differences in rational thought and decision making. Nevertheless, it overlaps substantially with numeracy and intelligence. The present research had two main aims. First, to investigate the generalizability of Verbal CRT—a novel measure of cognitive reflection less related to numeracy and math anxiety than numerical CRT—in cultural contexts outside US/UK. Second, to test the factor structure linking traditional—numerical—CRT, Verbal CRT, numeracy, and fluid intelligence. In Studies 1a and 1b, we adapted and tested the validity and psychometric properties of Polish versions of tasks and scales. Next, using a large and diverse sample of Polish adults, we tested five models of the factor structure of cognitive abilities and thinking dispositions (Study 2). The most parsimonious and best-fitted model contained three latent variables: Verbal CRT, Numeracy (composed of the items from the Berlin Numeracy Test and traditional—numerical —CRT), and Fluid intelligence. In line with previous research, our results show that Verbal CRT is a valid cognitive reflection measure that provides a clearer interpretation than traditional CRT, even in a different language and cultural context