Partial Eta-squared Research Articles

Investigating the effectiveness of a learning activity supported by a mobile multimedia learning system to enhance autonomous EFL learning in authentic contexts

A learning activity supported by a mobile multimedia learning system (MMLS) was designed in this study. We aimed to test the effectiveness of the learning activity to enhance autonomous language learning in quasi-experimental Study 1 using a pretest/posttest design. Two groups participated in the learning activity: the students in a control group (n = 27) completed the activity using traditional approach whereas the students in an experimental group (n = 26) completed the activity using MMLS. The results of Study 1 showed that the experimental students outperformed their counterparts on the post-test (F = 29.602, p < 0.005, partial eta-squared = 0.372). In a non-experimental Study 2, the experimental students (n = 26) were assigned two learning tasks, the first task was completed individually and the second task in collaboration. We aimed to investigate which learning approach to complete tasks (i.e. individual vs. collaborative) enhances learning performance better by comparing students’ scores on two tasks. In addition, we explored students’ perceptions towards MMLS. The results of Study 2 showed that the students had better learning performance when they completed tasks in collaboration than individually. The results also showed that the students had high perceptions towards MMLS. Based on our results, we make suggestions and provide directions for future research.

Cortical Modulation After Two Different Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocols in Similar Ischemic Stroke Patients.

BackgroundStroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Malaysia. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is one of the new non-invasive modality to enhance the motor recovery in stroke patients.ObjectivesThis pilot study compared the motor evoked potential (MEP) changes using different settings of rTMS in the post-ischemic stroke patient. The goal of the study is to identify effect sizes for a further trial and evaluate safety aspects.MethodsEight post-stroke patients with upper limb hemiparesis for at least six months duration were studied in a tertiary hospital in Northeast Malaysia. Quasi experimental design was applied and the participants were randomised into two groups using software generated random numbers. One of the two settings: i) inhibitory setting, or ii) facilitatory setting have been applied randomly during the first meeting. The motor evoked potential (MEP) were recorded before and after application of the rTMS setting. A week later, a similar procedure will be repeated but using different setting than the first intervention. Each patient will serve as their own control. Repeated measures ANOVA test was applied to determine the effect sizes for both intervention through the options of partial eta-squared (η2p).ResultThe study observed large effect sizes (η2p > 0.14) for both rTMS settings in the lesion and non-lesion sides. For safety aspects, no minor or major side effects associated with the rTMS was reported by the participants.ConclusionsThe partial eta square of MEP value for both rTMS settings (fascilitatory and inhibitory) in both lesion and non-lesion sides represents large effect sizes. We recommend further trial to increase number of sample in order to study the effectiveness of both settings in ischemic stroke patient. Our preliminary data showed both settings may improve the MEP of the upper extremity in the ischemic stroke patient. No significant improvement noted when comparing both settings.

Supervisor-trainee continuity and the quality of work-based assessments.

Work-based assessments (WBAs) represent an increasingly important means of reporting expert judgements of trainee competence in clinical practice. However, the quality of WBAs completed by clinical supervisors is of concern. The episodic and fragmented interaction that often occurs between supervisors and trainees has been proposed as a barrier to the completion of high-quality WBAs. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of supervisor-trainee continuity on the quality of assessments documented on daily encounter cards (DECs), a common form of WBA. The relationship between trainee performance and DEC quality was also examined. Daily encounter cards representing three differing degrees of supervisor-trainee continuity (low, intermediate, high) were scored by two raters using the Completed Clinical Evaluation Report Rating (CCERR), a previously published nine-item quantitative measure of DEC quality. An analysis of variance (anova) was performed to compare mean CCERR scores among the three groups. Linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between resident performance and DEC quality. Differences in mean CCERR scores were observed between the three continuity groups (p=0.02); however, the magnitude of the absolute differences was small (partial eta-squared=0.03) and not educationally meaningful. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between resident performance and CCERR score (p<0.001, r2 =0.18). This inverse relationship was observed in both groups representing on-service residents (p=0.001, r2 =0.25; p=0.04, r2 =0.19), but not in the Off-service group (p=0.62, r2 =0.05). Supervisor-trainee continuity did not have an educationally meaningful influence on the quality of assessments documented on DECs. However, resident performance was found to affect assessor behaviours in the On-service group, whereas DEC quality remained poor regardless of performance in the Off-service group. The findings suggest that greater attention should be given to determining ways of improving the quality of assessments reported for off-service residents, as well as for those residents demonstrating appropriate clinical competence progression.

Influence of Rhizoglomus irregulare on nutraceutical quality and regeneration of Lycium barbarum leaves under salt stress.

Whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi augment the nutraceutical quality of crops under salt stress is critical as a potential agronomic practice in salinized farmland. To evaluate the effect of Rhizoglomus irregulare on the nutraceutical quality of Lycium barbarum leaves under salt stress, we analyzed growth parameters and the rutin, polysaccharide, acidic polysaccharide, and amino acids contents of 2 harvests. Inoculation of R. irregulare significantly increased the regenerated bud number (partial eta squared (PES) = 0.577, P < 0.0001) and rutin concentration (PES = 0.544, P < 0.001) of L. barbarum leaves, with and without salt stress. The biomass of the 2nd harvest (PES = 0.355, P = 0.0091) and acidic polysaccharide (PES = 0.518, P = 0.001) of L. barbarum leaves were notably enhanced by R. irregulare under 200 mmol/L salt level. Rhizoglomus irregulare had insignificant effect on polysaccharide (PES = 0.092, P = 0.221) and amino acids levels (PES = 0.263, P = 0.130) in the leaves of L. barbarum. However, inoculation by R. irregulare decreased proline level (PES = 0.761, P = 0.001) in the leaves of L. barbarum when subjected to salt stress. Taken together, these results indicate that R. irregulare significantly improved the nutraceutical quality and facilitated the sustainable production of L. barbarum leaves exposed to salt stress.

Preventing Internalizing Problems in 6-8 Year Old Children: A Universal School-Based Program.

The Aussie Optimism Program: Feelings and Friends (AOP-FF) is a 10 week, universal mental health promotion program based on social/emotional and cognitive and behavioral strategies. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a universal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy based program in preventing and reducing internalizing problems in 6–8 year olds (Years 1–3 in Australia). Year 1–3 students from a low SES primary school (N = 206) were randomly assigned in classes to either an intervention or a control group and assessed at baseline and post-test. Results showed a significant (p = 0.009) and small to moderate (partial eta-squared = 0.034) pre-post decrease in parent-reported anxiety symptoms for the intervention group, in conjunction with a non-significant (p = 0.708) and negligible (partial eta-squared = 0.001) pre-post increase for the control group. A larger randomized controlled trial assessing longer term effects is needed. In addition the program needs to be simplified for year 1–2 students with a separate more developmentally appropriate program for year 3 students.

Feasibility of Connecting, a Substance-Abuse Prevention Program for Foster Teens and their Caregivers.

To test the feasibility, usability, and proximal outcomes of Connecting, an adaptation of a low-cost, self-directed, family-based substance use prevention program, Staying Connected with Your Teen, with foster families in a randomized, waitlist control pilot study. Families (n = 60) fostering teens between 11 and 15 years of age were recruited into the study and randomly assigned into the self-administered program with telephone support from a family consultant (n = 32) or a waitlist control condition (n = 28). Overall satisfaction with the program was high, with 100% of parents reporting they would recommend the program to other caregivers and reporting being "very satisfied" or "satisfied with the program. Program completion was good, with 62% of families completing all 91 specified tasks. Analyses of proximal outcomes revealed increased communication about sex and substance use (posttest1 OR = 1.97, and 2.03, respectively). Teens in the intervention vs. the waitlist condition reported lower family conflict (OR=.48), and more family rules related to monitoring (OR = 4.02) and media use (OR = 3.24). Caregivers in the waitlist group reported significant increases in the teen's positive involvements (partial eta sq = 17% increase) after receiving the intervention. Overall, program participation appeared to lead to stronger family management, better communication between teens and caregivers around monitoring and media use, teen participation in setting family rules, and decreased teen attitudes favorable to antisocial behavior. This small pilot study shows promising results for this adapted program.

An evaluation of a nurse-led rehabilitation programme (the ProBalance Programme) to improve balance and reduce fall risk of community-dwelling older people: A randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the effect of a nurse-led rehabilitation programme (the ProBalance Programme) on balance and fall risk of community-dwelling older people from Madeira Island, Portugal. DesignSingle-blind, randomised controlled trial. SettingUniversity laboratory.Participants: Community-dwelling older people, aged 65–85, with balance impairments. Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group (IG; n=27) or a wait-list control group (CG; n=25). InterventionA rehabilitation nursing programme included gait, balance, functional training, strengthening, flexibility, and 3D training. One trained rehabilitation nurse administered the group-based intervention over a period of 12 weeks (90min sessions, 2 days per week). A wait-list control group was instructed to maintain their usual activities during the same time period. OutcomeBalance was assessed using the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale. The time points for assessment were at zero (pre-test), 12 (post-test), and 24 weeks (follow up). ResultsChanges in the mean (SD) FAB scale scores immediately following the 12-week intervention were 5.15 (2.81) for the IG and −1.45 (2.80) for the CG. At follow-up, the mean (SD) change scores were −1.88 (1.84) and 0.75 (2.99) for the IG and CG, respectively. The results of a mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance, controlling for physical activity levels at baseline, revealed a significant interaction between group and time (F (2, 42)=27.89, p<0.001, Partial Eta Squared=0.57) and a main effect for time (F (2, 43)=3.76, p=0.03, Partial Eta Squared=0.15), with both groups showing changes in the mean FAB scale scores across the three time periods. A significant main effect comparing the two groups (F (1, 43)=21.90, p<0.001, Partial Eta Squared=0.34) confirmed a clear positive effect of the intervention when compared to the control. ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the rehabilitation nursing programme was effective in improving balance and reducing fall risk in a group of older people with balance impairment, immediately after the intervention. A decline in balance was observed for the IG after a period of no intervention. Clinical Trial Registration NumberACTRN12612000301864.

Positive beliefs about anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia are associated with eating disorder symptomatology.

The ego-syntonic nature of anorexia nervosa means that sufferers often deny their symptoms or experience them as positive or comforting. Positive beliefs about eating disorder symptoms may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of eating-disordered behaviour. To date, however, research in this field has been confined to women and anorexia nervosa. Given increasing scientific interest in muscle dysmorphia, a potential eating disorder with ego-syntonic qualities, there is a need to extend current research to include men and muscle dysmorphia. The present study examined whether positive beliefs about anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia were associated with more marked eating disorder symptoms and explored sex differences in these associations. Male and female university students (n = 492) read descriptions of a male or female character with clinically significant symptoms of anorexia nervosa or muscle dysmorphia. Participants subsequently answered questions about the characters and completed a measure of disordered eating. Knowledge, personal history and interpersonal familiarity with the conditions were assessed. Results from two simultaneous multiple regressions showed that more positive beliefs about anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia were uniquely associated with more eating disorder symptoms for both male and female participants. Effect sizes for these relationships were medium to large (partial eta-squared = 0.09-0.10). The relationships were not moderated by the sex of the participant, nor the sex of the character. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that, among young men and women, positive beliefs about anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia may contribute to the development and maintenance of these conditions. Some symptoms of muscle dysmorphia may be perceived as ego-syntonic, providing another parallel with anorexia nervosa.

Comparison of Three Evidence‐Based Practice Learning Assessment Methods in Dental Curricula

Incorporating evidence-based practice (EBP) training in dental curricula is now an accreditation requirement for dental schools, but questions remain about the most effective ways to assess learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare three assessment methods for EBP training and to assess their relation to students' overall course grades. Participants in the study were dental students from two classes who received training in appraising randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews in 2013 at the University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare students' scores on appraisal assignments, scores on multiple-choice question (MCQ) exams in which EBP concepts were applied to clinical scenarios, and scores for self-reported efficacy in appraisal. Regression analysis was used to assess the relationship among the three assessment methods, gender, program level, and overall grade. The instructors had acceptable reliability in scoring the assignments (overall intraclass correlation coefficient=0.60). The MCQ exams had acceptable discrimination indices although their reliability was less satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha=0.46). Statistically significant differences were observed among the three methods with MCQ exams having the lowest overall scores. Variation in the overall course grades was explained by scores on the appraisal assignment and MCQ exams (partial eta-squared=0.52 and 0.24, respectively), whereas score on the self-efficacy questionnaire was not significantly associated with overall grade. The results suggest that self-reported efficacy is not a valid method to assess dental students' RCT appraisal skills, whereas instructor-graded appraisal assignments explained a greater portion of variation in grade and had inherent validity and acceptable consistency and MCQ exams had good construct validity but low internal consistency.

The LEAP (Learn to Eat at Peace) Eating Disorders Program: overview &amp; evaluation

The Geelong Clinic's 40-day LEAP (Learn to Eat at Peace) Eating Disorders Inpatient Program is unique as consumers have had considerable input in the development and ongoing review of the program. The LEAP philosophy emphasises trust, dignity, individualised treatment, and skill acquisition. The program involves staff-supported meals and groups facilitated by a multidisciplinary team. The aim of this study was to evaluate if there were changes in patients' clinical symptoms following the program. Participants were eating disorder (ED) patients (n = 43), aged 16 to 55 years. Data was collected through self-report measures at admission and discharge from the program. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to assess changes in variables including restraint over eating, eating concern, shape concern, weight concern, body mass index, depression, anxiety, and stress. Results indicated statistically significant improvements across all variables. Effect sizes were large (partial eta-squared = .14 to .58), indicating clinical significance. At discharge, 85% of patients agreed that they were satisfied with therapy and with therapists. Findings provide empirical evidence that following the LEAP Program, patients report significant improvements in ED symptoms and general psychopathology, and were satisfied with treatment. Findings support the importance of consumer involvement, using a collaborative approach, and multidisciplinary treatment of EDs. This abstract was presented in the Treatment in Community and Inpatient Settings stream of the 2014 ANZAED Conference.

Induced abortion in the Republic of Srpska: Characteristics and impact on mental health

Induced abortion is an important aspect of sexual and reproductive health, with potentially negative impact on physical and emotional health of women. The aim of this paper is to investigate the presence of abortion in our society, characteristics of women who had induced abortion and its impact on mental health. The results presented in this paper are part of the bigger study "Health Status, Health Needs and Utilization of Health Services", which was carried out in Republic of Srpska during 2010. Survey covered 1042 women age from 18 to 49. A standardized set of instruments in the field of sexual-reproductive and mental health (NHS, EUROHIS, ECHIM) was applied. Results indicate that 28.8 % of women had induced abortion, while nearly half of them (48.2%) had more than one abortion in their life. Induced abortion is more common among women over 38 years who already have children (97.1%) and live in rural parts of country (61.7%). Abortion is mostly preferred method of birth control among married woman (88.6%), woman with secondary school (64.5%), but is equally present among employed or unemployed woman and housewife's (around 1/3). There was a statistically significant but low correlation between current life satisfaction, mental health and induced abortion (F=8.0, p=0.000; Wilks' lambda =0.97; partial Eta-squared=0.03). More precisely, women who have had abortions have expressed higher levels of stress, lower levels of vitality, and were less satisfied with present life compared to those who did not have an abortion. High rates of induced abortion are present in Balkans countries for a long time (Rasevic, 1994: 86; Rasevic, 2011: 3). Higher rates of abortion, compared to the European Union and western neighbors, raises the question of presence of "abortion culture" (Rasevic and Sedlecki, 2011: 4). Abortion culture is the conse-quence of frequent use of traditional method of contraception (coitus interruptus) in combination with low availability of counseling and family planning. Lot of scientific rigorous studies indicate a specific connection between abortion and mental health without supporting attitudes which claim that abortion has a strong impact on mental health (Coleman, 2011: 183), as well as attitudes that deny any effect of abortion on mental health (APA, 2008). The results point the importance of promoting greater sexual-reproductive rights, free and responsible family planning and greater availability of contraceptives as safer methods of birth control.

Reduced hippocampal N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) as a biomarker for overweight

ObjectiveWe previously demonstrated an inverse relationship between both dentate gyrus neurogenesis – a form of neuroplasticity – and expression of the antiapoptotic gene marker, BCL-2 and adult macaque body weight. We therefore explored whether a similar inverse correlation existed in humans between body mass index (BMI) and hippocampal N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), a marker of neuronal integrity and putatively, neuroplasticity. We also studied the relationship of a potentially neurotoxic process, worry, to hippocampal NAA in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and control subjects (CS).MethodsWe combined two previously studied cohorts of GAD and control subjects. Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (1H MRSI) in medication-free patients with GAD (n = 29) and a matched healthy control group (n = 22), we determined hippocampal concentrations of (1) NAA (2) choline containing compounds (CHO), and (3) Creatine + phosphocreatine (CR). Data were combined from 1.5 T and 3 T scans by converting values from each cohort to z-scores. Overweight and GAD diagnosis were used as categorical variables while the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) were used as dependent variables.ResultsOverweight subjects (BMI ≥ 25) exhibited lower NAA levels in the hippocampus than normal-weight subjects (BMI < 25) (partial Eta-squared = 0.14) controlling for age, sex and psychiatric diagnosis, and the effect was significant for the right hippocampus in both GAD patients and control subjects. An inverse linear correlation was noted in all subjects between right hippocampal NAA and BMI. High scores on the PSWQ predicted low hippocampal NAA and CR. Both BMI and worry were independent inverse predictors of hippocampal NAA.ConclusionOverweight was associated with reduced NAA concentrations in the hippocampus with a strong effect size. Future mechanistic studies are warranted.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on exercise responses in Paralympic athletes with cervical spinal cord injury

We asked whether specific inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves respiratory structure and function and peak exercise responses in highly trained athletes with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Ten Paralympic wheelchair rugby players with motor-complete SCI (C5-C7) were paired by functional classification then randomly assigned to an IMT or placebo group. Diaphragm thickness (B-mode ultrasonography), respiratory function [spirometry and maximum static inspiratory (PI ,max ) and expiratory (PE ,max ) pressures], chronic activity-related dyspnea (Baseline and Transition Dyspnea Indices), and physiological responses to incremental arm-crank exercise were assessed before and after 6 weeks of pressure threshold IMT or sham bronchodilator treatment. Compared to placebo, the IMT group showed significant increases in diaphragm thickness (P = 0.001) and PI ,max (P = 0.016). There was a significant increase in tidal volume at peak exercise in IMT vs placebo (P = 0.048) and a strong trend toward an increase in peak work rate (P = 0.081, partial eta-squared = 0.33) and peak oxygen uptake (P = 0.077, partial eta-squared = 0.34). No other indices changed post-intervention. In conclusion, IMT resulted in significant diaphragmatic hypertrophy and increased inspiratory muscle strength in highly trained athletes with cervical SCI. The strong trend, with large observed effect, toward an increase in peak aerobic performance suggests IMT may provide a useful adjunct to training in this population.

The Evidence of Efficacy in the Translation of the Legacy Intervention Family Enactment (LIFE) (S718)

1.Recognize LIFE as a translational life review intervention implemented by older adult volunteers with community-dwelling individuals with serious illness and their caregivers.2.Identify positive outcomes of LIFE among individuals with serious illness, their caregivers, and the volunteer interventionists.3.Identify strategies to further the access of meaningful life review interventions by community-dwelling individuals with serious illness and their caregivers. Life review/reminiscence interventions are increasingly seen as useful for older adults and those nearing end of life to identify unresolved conflicts/issues, examine accomplishments, and leave lasting legacies for future generations. LIFE explored the experience and effectiveness of Retired Senior Volunteers in the implementation of a combined reminiscence and creative legacy activity intervention with palliative care patients and their family caregivers living in the community or residential care (ie, assisted living, senior apartments). In this translational study, six older adult volunteers worked with intervention patient/family caregiver dyads (N = 17) to implement a three session life review/legacy intervention. Physical and emotional outcomes for these dyads were compared to a minimal contact control group (N = 14). Outcome data revealed that 64% of baseline participants at Time 1 and 86% of Time 1 participants at 2-month follow-up were retained. In comparison with the control group, intervention patients experienced a decrease in emotional symptoms (F[1, 25] = 6.18, p = .02, partial eta-squared = .20), burden (F[1, 25] = 4.81, p = .04, partial eta-squared = .16), and an increase in forgiveness (F[1,25] = 5.24, p = .031; partial eta-squared = .17) while intervention caregivers experienced increased meaning in life (F[1,25] = 6.20, p = .02; partial eta-squared = .24). Volunteer interventionists also reported satisfaction with their involvement in the project. This intervention showed preliminary evidence of positive outcomes for patients and family caregivers supporting its successful translation to the community setting.

Motivating Effects of Cooperative Exergame Play for Overweight and Obese Adolescents

Exergames (i.e., video games that require gross motor activity) may provide intrinsically motivating experiences that engage youth in sustained physical activity. Thirty-one low-income 15- to 19-year-old overweight and obese African American adolescents were randomly assigned to a competitive exergame (n = 17) or a cooperative exergame (n = 14) condition. Participants played a preassigned Wii Active exergame routine that took between 30 and 60 min each school day, and sessions occurred during lunch time or an after-school program over a 6 month period. Participation was voluntary, so students decided whether to come or not on a given day. Cooperative exergame players worked together with a peer to expend calories and earn points, while competitive exergame players competed individually against a peer to expend calories and earn points. Motivation was measured through surveys and interviews at the end of the intervention, and energy expenditure was measured by accelerometry during game play. Compared with the competitive group, the cooperative players were significantly more intrinsically motivated to play (p = .034, partial eta-squared = 0.366) and more psychologically attracted to the design of the exergame (p = .034, partial eta-squared = 0.320). Intrinsic motivation was significantly positively correlated with energy expenditure during game play: individuals who were motivated by control/choice had higher energy expenditure (p = .026), and those who were more goal motivated (p = .004) and more immersed in game play (p = .024) had lower energy expenditure during game play. Cooperative exergame play produced higher intrinsic motivation to play the exergame than competitive exergame play did. Intrinsic motivation that came from a desire for control/choice was related to higher energy expenditure during game play. Cooperative exergame play holds promise as a method for engaging overweight and obese youth in physical activity.

Female gender but not season of birth is associated with mood seasonality in a near-equatorial Brazilian city

OBJECTIVE: Studies conducted mainly in countries located in the Northern Hemisphere have shown that season of birth influences mood seasonality. Greater mood seasonality has been observed for individuals born during spring/summer months than those born during autumn/winter months. Expanding past research to the Southern Hemisphere, in this study we examine the influence of season of birth on mood seasonality in a sample of 1,247 healthy young Brazilians. METHOD: The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was used to compute a global seasonality score as a measure of mood seasonality in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance was conducted to examine the effects of month of birth and gender on mood seasonality, with age entered as a covariate. A main effect of gender was observed, F (1, 1197) = 17.86, p &lt; .01; partial Eta-squared = .02, with mood seasonality being higher for females (M = 8) than for males (M = 7). Contradicting previous findings, no significant main effect for month of birth was observed, F (1, 1197) = 0.65, p &gt; .05. CONCLUSION: The unexpected finding is tentatively explained by differences in geographic location and weather fluctuations between the sampling location in Brazil and other countries where season of birth has been found to influence mood seasonality. Additional studies with larger samples from the Southern Hemisphere are necessary to shed additional light on the possible significant influence of season of birth on mood.

Pre-operative Serum Alkaline Phosphatase as a Predictor for Hypocalcemia Post-Parathyroid Adenectomy

Background. Post-operative hypocalcemia (POH) may complicate parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. This study investigates the relationship between POH and pre-operative risk factors to identify a simple method to predict POH risk.Methods. Retrospective data on risk factors for 29 patients was collected for age, pre-operative serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), adenoma size, gender, and bisphosphonate pre-treatment. These were screened to exclude those with small effect sizes, and analyzed using Univariate General Linear Modeling (GLM) with trough serum calcium (TSC) as the dependent variable. The regression function of the significant variables against TSC was plotted with 95% CI fit lines. The cut-off regression value was read from the lower fit line for the threshold TSC of 2.0 mmol/L.Results. After screening, log-transformed age (r=0.600), ALP (r=-0.415), and PTH (r=-0.433) were entered into GLM analysis, which showed that only ALP was significant (p=0.016 Eta-squared=0.220). The GLM model had a partial Eta-squared of 0.559 with 98% observed power. The plot of TSC against log-ALP gave an ALP cut-off of 340 U/L.Conclusions. The study shows that there is a strong relationship between ALP and TSC, and that patients with a pre-operative ALP less than 340 U/L are unlikely to have symptomatic POH (100% sensitivity, 95% specificity). While vitamin D was not analyzed in this study, the ALP cut-off is conservative and should still screen out cases with severe vitamin D deficiency. We therefore recommend that pre-operative ALP be utilized to complement clinical protocols for POH management in parathyroid adenomectomy patients.

Advertising Images of Men: Body Size and Muscularity of Men Depicted in Men’s Health Magazine

Abstract Despite an increasing incidence of body image and eating disturbances in men, research on men and the ways in which they are affected by the media remain greatly under-documented. Given the fact that men are not immune to media images and are increasingly objectified in the media (Rohlinger, 2002), some men may be under as much pressure as women to achieve cultural ideals of physical appearance depicted by the media. The media not only reflects cultural environments but it can also actively shape social norms as being recognized as an important socialization agent. In Western cultures, the male appearance ideal is leanness with defined musculature. Emphasis on muscularity for male body ideals has also been noted with children’s action toys (Baghurst, Carlston, Wood, & Wyatt, 2007). Although men are not targeted as obviously as fitness magazines target bodybuilders, men are increasingly targeted by advertisements in health and lifestyle magazines concerning how to improve their shape, tone their m...

Effects of low-dose caffeine supplementation on early morning performance in the standing shot put throw

The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the efficacy of low-dose caffeine use for early morning performance in the shot put event. A double-blind, randomized, crossover design was used to investigate the effects of buccal caffeine supplementation on early morning shot put execution in nine inter-collegiate track and field athletes. In one condition the participants received a piece of caffeinated gum designed to deliver 100 mg of caffeine in a buccal manner, and in a second condition a placebo gum. The gum was chewed for 5 min before being discarded. Participants then completed the first psychomotor vigilance task followed by a series of five warm-up throws, followed by six attempts with a shot put (7.26 kg for males, 4.0 kg for females) measured for distance. The protocol ended with a final psychomotor vigilance task. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (treatment*time) was used to compare performance between the caffeine and placebo treatments over the six measured attempts. A significant difference (treatment×throw) was observed (P=0.030, partial eta-squared = 0.259), indicating that the caffeine treatment produced better performance over the course of the six attempts subsequent to a warm-up. A paired samples t-test (Bonferroni-adjusted for multiple comparisons) revealed that the first attempt in the caffeine treatment (9.62±1.71 m) and in the placebo treatment (9.05±1.69 m) were significantly different (P = 0.050, effect size = 0.996, 95%CI 1.02 to 0.13 m). Repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed a significant (P=0.016, partial eta-squared = 0.650) interaction effect (treatment×mean reaction time), whereby both at the pre and post time points the mean reaction time on the psychomotor vigilance task was reduced under the caffeine treatment (caffeine: pre 0.306±0.05 s, post 0.316±0.08 s; placebo: pre 0.317±0.06 s, post 0.323±0.06 s). Based on these results, we suggest that caffeine gum can be beneficial for both performance and alertness if used by shot put athletes during early morning sessions.

Cancer-behavior-coping in women with breast cancer: Effect of a cancer self-management program.

Objective:The Cancer Behavior Inventory (CBI), a measure of self-efficacy for coping with cancer, was used to examine the feasibility and impact of a self-management program for women with breast cancer. This controlled clinical trial was conducted on newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, using a time series, block design. Sixty-nine patients were allocated to receive four weekly sessions of the self-management training program, while 78 patients were allocated to the control (usual-care) group.Results:A significant difference was found between the means of the experimental and the control group at post-test (T2; P=.01) and at follow-up (T3; P=.02). The multivariate analyses of the three repeated measures showed significant differences (P=.001; partial eta-squared = 0.092). Pair-wise comparison shows that the differences were significant between baseline (T1) measure and follow-up (T3) measure (P=.01), and between post-test (T2) and follow-up (T3) (P=.03).Conclusion:For women undergoing intervention, the cancer-specific self-efficacy as measured by the cancer-behavior-coping inventory showed improvement over time. The result demonstrated that the self-management program to improve self-care correlates significantly with coping behavior in cancer. A larger and longer study of this efficacy-enhancing intervention is warranted.