Types Of Training Methods Research Articles

The Influence of the HIIT and Aerobic Training Programs on Body Composition.

Purpose: According to studies, the increased risk of obesity in today's general population is mainly caused by insufficient physical activity. In this study, we compared the effect of two types of endurance training. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and aerobic (continuous) load training and their impact on selected aspects of body composition. Methods: This study included women (n = 14; 32 years old; height 166.3cm; weight 62.5kg) divided into two groups of seven participants. The tested groups were selected by a deliberate selection of 7 probands, training thrice a week for ten weeks. An entrance and exit examination was conducted using non-invasive techniques (anthropometric measurements, body composition analysis – bioimpedance analysis). A paired T-test (p < 0.05) was used for parameter analysis. Cohen's d was used to assess material significance. Results: Despite the small sample of tested women, better results were achieved in the group implementing the high-intensity interval training. However, these data do not allow for assessing a statistically significant difference between the two types of training methods in reducing the percentage of body fat. Changes in monitored parameters were thus evaluated as statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Despite the relevant results, better results were achieved in the HIIT intervention program. The limiting factors of the study were a small research sample with a deliberate selection and insufficient possibility to control eating habits. Furthermore, it is necessary to pay attention to the higher readiness and motivation of the participants. High-intensity interval training, thanks to its variability and low time requirement, proved to be a suitable exercise program for changing body composition not only in people with obesity but also in the adult population in general.

Positive Effect of Sand-Based Plyometric Jump Training on Increasing Muscle Strength and Power in Young Student-athletes

Muscle strength and power are considered fundamental components of successful athletic performance. However, what type of training method is effective and efficient in increasing muscle strength and power has not been well resolved. Therefore this study aimed at analyzing the effects of five weeks of sand-based plyometric jump training on improving muscle power and strength. The pretest-posttest randomized experimental design was conducted on student-athletes which then classified into three groups: the plyometric knee tuck jump (TJ, n=11), hurdle jump (HJ, n=11), and control (C, n=11). Subjects in TJ and HJ groups were assigned to five weeks of plyometric exercise, comprising 15 sessions in total, with intensities ranging from 80% to 100%. Data were obtained using NordBord and Force Decks prior to and after they completed the whole set of exercises. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23 and presented descriptively in mean and standard deviation. Paired sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were done to compare the differences between groups. Five weeks of TJ and HJ resulted in similar improvements in strength and power (p ≤ 0.05). However, statistically significant between groups differences at the post-test were noted for HJ (p=0.000) in favor of both measured variables. Based on these findings, it was concluded that plyometric training in general increased strength and power of muscle leg better than conventional training.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) circulating levels are related to LDL Myocardial infarction

Background: Low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDL-R) in hepatocytes are degraded by the enzyme Neiutrophophil gielatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) A brand-new target for lipid-lowering treatment is Neiutrophophil gielatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) inhibition. Three subsets of monocytes, which play a critical role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, are known. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether circulating levels of Neiutrophophil gielatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are associated with LDL liped subsets. Materials and Methods: We included 70 patients with coronary artery disease. Neiutrophophil gielatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels were measured and LDL liped and 30 control health. Results: Eighty percent of the patients were men, with a mean age between 40 and 70. Patients increese displayed greater Neiutrophophil gielatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) -levels compared to the 30 male control group. Neiutrophophil gielatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in the blood were associated with CM treatment in patients, whereas NCM had the opposite effect. Patients whose levels of Neiutrophophil gielatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were greater than the median displayed a significantly higher. Conclusions: Endurance training, resistance training, and combined training improve cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity. These types of training methods also improve cardiovascular risk factors in school obese children. Also, they can be used as effective exercise programs for these people. Therefore, EET, RET, and CET used in this study, especially EET, can be recommended as a non-medical way to improve the incidence of cardiovascular risk factors and obesity-related disorders in obese boys.

Virtual clinical trial based on outcome modeling with iteratively redistributed extrapolation data

Virtual clinical trials (VCTs) can potentially simulate clinical trials on a computer, but their application with a limited number of past clinical cases is challenging due to the biased estimation of the statistical population. In this study, we developed ExMixup, a novel training technique based on machine learning, using iteratively redistributed extrapolated data. Information obtained from 100 patients with prostate cancer and 385 patients with oropharyngeal cancer was used to predict the recurrence after radiotherapy. Model performance was evaluated by developing outcome prediction models based on three types of training methods: training with original data (baseline), interpolation data (Mixup), and interpolation + extrapolation data (ExMixup). Two types of VCTs were conducted to predict the treatment response of patients with distinct characteristics compared to the training data obtained from patient cohorts categorized under risk classification or cancer stage. The prediction models developed with ExMixup yielded concordance indices (95% confidence intervals) of 0.751 (0.719-0.818) and 0.752 (0.734-0.785) for VCTs on the prostate and oropharyngeal cancer datasets, respectively, which significantly outperformed the baseline and Mixup models (P < 0.01). The proposed approach could enhance the ability of VCTs to predict treatment results in patients excluded from past clinical trials.

Pelatihan Edukasi Pemanfaatan Bahan Alam Untuk Pembuatan Produk Bioteknologi Bagi Ibu PKK Bina Mufakat

The role of biotechnology is very rapid and broad in the aspect of fulfilling human needs, one of which is in the food industry. Biotechnology processes, both conventional and modern, cannot be separated from the role of microorganisms. Certain microorganisms are used in traditional food preparation through fermentation such as in the manufacture of yogurt, tape, cheese, soy sauce, yeast. Foods resulting from biotechnology that take advantage of the role of microorganisms and must pay attention to the critical point of halal. This needs to be considered so that each production process can be ensured to avoid contamination of non-halal materials. This product will later be used for Ms. PKK Bina Mufakat both for her own use and also as an entrepreneurial opportunity for the home industry. The problem of community service activities is that there is no group development in making biotechnology products, and there is no entrepreneurship development for PKK Bina Mufakat Gampong Bayeun. The method in service activities is a type of training method. The results of community service are the creation of a product that is useful and can be used as a home industry business opportunity.

Effect of Distributed Versus Massed Practice on Reaction Time in Collegiate Volleyball Players: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Reaction Time (RT) is the time taken by an individual to respond to external stimuli. It is one of the most important determinant ability in sports like Volleyball. Shorter RT leads to higher performance and success in Volleyball. Two types of training methods, massed and distributed practice have been used in researches to improve RT and other sports related skills in sports. In massed practice, there is persistent workout with hardly any rest periods even of minimal time period relative to the work interval while in distributed practice; it is interspersed with rest or other skill learning. There are mixed evidences on effectiveness of these practice methods which has led to the present study. Aim: To find the effect of distributed practice and massed practice in terms of RT among collegiate volleyball players. Materials and Methods: The study design was quasi-experimental pilot study that was conducted at the volleyball academy Gurugram, Haryana, India from September 2019 to December 2019. A total of 30 players, aged 18-22 years, from college volleyball team were invited to participate in the study. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received massed practice (n=15), and group B received distributed practice (n=15) for 40 minutes, four days a week for four weeks. Players who were practicing daily for one hour were included in this study and they were excluded if they had any condition that limited their participation in the study or if they are suffering from any type of orthopaedic or neurological illness. RT was measured using Ruler Drop Test (RDT) and Red Light Green Light Test (RLGL). Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 for statistical analysis. Results: The mean pre and post data of Group A, for RDT was 0.16 and 0.12 seconds, respectively; of Group B, it was 0.16 and 0.13. The mean pre and post data of Group A for RLGL was 0.42 and 0.38 seconds, respectively; Group B data for RLGL pre and post was 0.39 and 0.37 seconds, respectively. Both the groups showed significant improvement in scores of RDT (p-value for Group A=0.01, Group B=0.05) and RLGL (p-value for Group A=0.01, Group B=0.01) measured by the paired sample t-test (p&lt;0.05). But there was no significant difference in between group analysis measured by independent sample t-test (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that both massed and distributed practice was helpful in improving RT of collegiate volleyball players. As there was no significant difference between the two groups, consequently which practice method is superior in improving RT in collegiate volleyball players could not be stated.

Kinerja jaringan saraf berbasis backpropagation dan LVQ sebagai algoritme fingerprint RSS LoRa untuk penentuan posisi pada ruang terbuka

Outdoor positioning is one of the important applications in the Internet of things (IoT). The usage of GPS is unsuitable for low-power IoT devices. Alternatively, it can use the LoRa devices. This research aims to find a better method as the fingerprint algorithm for determining the outdoor position using RSS LoRa. The methods used as the fingerprint algorithm were two artificial neural network models, i.e. backpropagation (BP) with four types of training methods and learning vector quantization (LVQ) with two types of training methods. The experiment results show the performance of LVQ1 better than those of LVQ2. Besides, the LVQ1 was also better than the BP method. However, both BP and LVQ2 have a performance that is almost similar to about 70 %. Both of the artificial neural network models, BP and LVQ, can be used as a fingerprint algorithm to determine quite accurate the outdoor object position.

TRAINING METHODS FOR DEVELOPING PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS

There are many factors determining the success or failure of the projects. Skills and competencies play a critical role in project management and shortage of skilled project managers and workers has become worldwide issue and a crucial risk that hindering the projects in achieving their objectives and increase the opportunities of project successful. There are two types of training methods used to provide soft and hard skills for project managers and team members. The aim of this paper is to specify the training methods that have roles in project teamwork training to enhance project performance. This paper uses a literature survey of the content of the research papers in project management training and training methods, to identify what extent training methods are related to project performance. This paper emphases the significance of the training process to enhance the project performance and reveals that on-the-job training, lectures and case study methods are most commonly used in project management training. This paper contributes to increasing awareness of the importance of training methods in project management as a feasible strategy to improve the performance of the projects and amply highlights the importance of skills in project management.

Support vector machines for predicting the hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength of college-aged athletes

Hamstring and quadriceps muscles are essential for the performance of athletes in various sport branches. Hamstring muscles control running activities and stabilize the knee during turns or tackles, while quadriceps muscles play an important role in jumping and kicking. Although hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength in athletes can be accurately measured using isokinetic dynamometry, practical difficulties, such as the requirement of nonportable and costly equipment as well as a long period of measurement time, motivate the researcher to predict hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength using promising machine-learning methods. The purpose of this study is to build prediction models for estimating the hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength of college-aged athletes using a support vector machine (SVM). The data set included 75 athletes selected from the College of Physical Education and Sport, Gazi University, Turkey. The predictor variables of sex, age, height, weight, body mass index, and sport branch were utilized to build the hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength prediction models for various types of training methods. The generalization error of the prediction models was calculated by carrying out 10-fold cross-validation, and the prediction errors were evaluated using several performance metrics. For comparison purposes, prediction models based on a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and single decision tree (SDT) were also developed. The results reveal that the SVM-based hamstring and quadriceps strength prediction models significantly outperform the RBFNN-based and SDT-based models and can be safely utilized to produce predictions regarding new data with acceptable accuracy.

Maximizing performance of fuel cell using artificial neural network approach for smart grid applications

This paper presents an artificial neural network (ANN) approach of a smart grid integrated proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and proposes a neural network model of a 6 kW PEM fuel cell. The data required to train the neural network model are generated by a model of 6 kW PEM fuel cell. After the model is trained and validated, it is used to analyze the dynamic behavior of the PEM fuel cell. The study results demonstrate that the model based on neural network approach is appropriate for predicting the outlet parameters. Various types of training methods, sample numbers and sample distribution methods are utilized to compare the results. The fuel cell stack efficiency considerably varies between 20% and 60%, according to input variables and models. The rapid changes in the input variables can be recovered within a short time period, such as 10 s. The obtained response graphs point out the load tracking features of ANN model and the projected changes in the input variables are controlled quickly in the study.

Data reliability in citizen science: learning curve and the effects of training method, volunteer background and experience on identification accuracy of insects visiting ivy flowers

Summary Citizen science, the involvement of volunteers in collecting of scientific data, can be a useful research tool. However, data collected by volunteers are often of lower quality than those collected by professional scientists. We studied the accuracy with which the volunteers identified insects visiting ivy (Hedera) flowers in Sussex, England. In the first experiment, we examined the effects of training method, volunteer background and prior experience. Fifty‐three participants were trained for the same duration using one of three different methods (pamphlet, pamphlet + slide show or pamphlet + direct training). Almost immediately following training, we tested the ability of the participants to identify live insects on ivy flowers to one of 10 taxonomic categories and recorded whether their identifications were correct or incorrect, without providing feedback. The results showed that the type of training method had a significant effect on identification accuracy (P = 0·008). Participants identified 79·1% of insects correctly after using a one‐page colour pamphlet, 85·6% correctly after using the pamphlet and viewing a slide show and 94·3% correctly after using the pamphlet in combination with direct training in the field. As direct training cannot be delivered remotely, in the following year we conducted a second experiment, in which a different sample of 26 volunteers received the pamphlet plus slide show training repeatedly three times. Moreover, in this experiment, participants received c. 2 min of additional training material, either videos of insects or stills taken from the videos. Testing showed that identification accuracy increased from 88·6% to 91·3% to 97·5% across the three successive tests. We also found a borderline significant interaction between the type of additional material and the test number (P = 0·053), such that the video gave fewer errors than stills in the first two tests only. The most common errors made by volunteers were misidentifications of honeybees and social wasps with their hover fly mimics. We also tested six experts who achieved nearly perfect accuracy (99·8%), which shows what is possible in practice. Overall, our study shows that two or three sessions of remote training can be as good as one of direct training, even for relatively challenging taxonomic discriminations that include distinguishing models and mimics.

건설현장 작업자를 위한 3차원 시뮬레이션 바탕의 안전 교육전달 매체 개발

건설 산업에 있어 작업자 안전은 지속적으로 중요시 되고 있다. 안전교육의 수준제고를 안전교육 내용매체 개선을 통한 효율성 증진과 전달 매체 수준 향상에 의한 효과성 증진을 통해 이루어 질 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 선별된 공종별 안전재해유형 내용을 바탕으로 건설현장의 3차원 시뮬레이션의 안전교육 자료를 개발하였다. 안전교육 내용매체는 안전보건기술 지침과 미 산업안전보건청의 건설 산업 안전규정을 토대로 재해유형을 선별하였으며 교육 전달 매체로 3차원 시뮬레이션 기술을 이용하여 제공하였다. 제시된 교육 자료의 적절성을 평가하기위해 건설현장의 안전관리 전문가의 설문조사를 토대로 교육내용의 적절성을 확인하였으며 이를 바탕으로 한 3차원 시뮬레이션 바탕의 안전교육 방법을 현실성, 적합성, 능동성 및 흥미유발성에 대한 설문을 통하여 기존 재래식 안전교육보다 효과성이 있음을 확인하였다. Construction worker safety and safety training continue to be main issues in the construction industry. In order to promote safety awareness among workers, it is imperative to develop a more effective and efficient safety training. This study compared two methods in construction worker safety training: 1) a conventional lecture and 2) 3D simulation through Building Information Modeling. Both training methods included the same contents, a selection of safety standard and guide suggested by Occupational Safety and Health Agency and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency; the contents were then produced into two types of training methods. A survey was conducted targeting on safety managers, in which the managers evaluated lifelikeness, active learning and enjoyment that each of training methods can promote. The results of the survey showed that innovative method using 3D simulation was more effective than conventional lecture method in terms of its lifelikeness, active learning and enjoyment. This study will provide implications that innovative method using the virtual reality is more effective than conventional lecture method.

Behavior of hearing or vision impaired and normal hearing and vision dogs (Canis lupis familiaris): Not the same, but not that different

The article compared behavioral characteristics of dogs (Canis lupis familiaris) labeled as hearing and/or vision impaired by their owners with cohort dogs labeled as having normal hearing and vision (NHV) by their owners. The Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, developed by Hsu and Serpell (2003), was used to survey owners. Four hundred sixty-one dog owners completed the online survey, with 183 of these being owners of hearing and/or vision impaired (HVI) dogs. Data analysis revealed that HVI dogs were reported by owners to show less aggression, less excitement, and were less likely to engage in behaviors, such as chasing of rabbits and rolling in feces than their normally hearing/seeing (NHV) cohorts. HVI dogs, however, were reported to be more likely to chew inappropriate objects, consume feces, bark excessively, and engage in greater licking behavior. When owners were surveyed about the type of training method used, owners of HVI dogs were found to be more likely to use hand signs, physical prompts, or combination of these training methods. Owners of NHV dogs reported being more likely than owners of HVI dogs to use gestures or report no formal training with their dogs. The data provide evidence that HVI dogs are as trainable as NHV dogs, can make excellent pets, and show behavior that is well within the parameters of NHV dog behavior. Still, because of their sensory limitations, specialized training methods and adaptations should be implemented with these dogs. This may limit HVI dogs to owners who are motivated, understand the sensory deficits, and are willing to engage in the modified training.

First evaluation of CPD advanced paramedic teaching methods in Ireland

Aim: Continuing professional development (CPD) will soon be mandatory for advanced paramedics (APs) registered with Ireland’s pre-hospital regulatory body. Effective and efficient CPD methodologies are needed. We determined what type of training methods might be used to reduce associated costs while maintaining effectiveness and benefit. Methods: In 2010, an ‘up-skill’ programme for APs was introduced in Ireland comprising: a) self-directed learning using a purpose-designed manual; b) workbooks based on the manual and clinical practice guidelines; c) small group practical sessions with discussion-based skill stations; and c) practical scenario-based assessment. Participants were invited to complete a web-based survey assessing a) short-term effectiveness, b) medium-term effectiveness, and c) user friendliness of the educational modalities. The preferred learning styles and respondents’ perceptions of outcome were determined. Results: Overall 49 % of participants responded. Of those eligible, 73 % believed that practical learning encouraged knowledge retention and skills in the immediate and medium-term, 82 % believed practical learning influenced patient care immediately, while 75 % stated that it influenced patient care six months later. All respondents agreed that practical learning was important, with 90 % stating that it was enjoyable. Overall, 80 % found the provided manual accessible, while &gt;40 % believed that the manual alone did not provide all necessary information, 77 % had referenced it since completing the programme. Conclusion: APs enjoyed, and benefited from, the educational programme and the knowledge gained benefited patients in the short and medium-term. This study suggests that educators and training sponsors should consider the benefits of small group-based practical learning for APs.

Learning by observation and guidance in patients with Alzheimer's dementia

How people suffering from dementia can be taught new motor skills for everyday household activities is an important but relatively unexplored area of research. Previous studies have demonstrated intact implicit learning abilities in patients with Alzheimer dementia (AD) on computerized motor-learning tasks and everyday activities, but explicit training strategies have been found to be beneficial in AD as well. The aim of the present study was to compare two explicit training methods, i.e. observational learning and learning by guidance, and an implicit training method in patients with AD and healthy controls. All three types of training methods resulted in statistically significant learning. However, while improvement from baseline was similar in both groups, the absolute performance of the patients in the explicit training methods was well below that of the controls. The modest success of the explicit training methods and the slightly better results achieved with the observation method should be investigated further in studies of the acquisition of everyday activities.

Empathy Training: Methods, Evaluation Practices, and Validity

Background: Empathy is an individual’s capacity to understand the behavior of others, to experience their feelings, and to express that understanding to them. Empathic ability is an asset professionally for individuals, such as teachers, physicians and social workers, who work with people. Being empathetic is also critical to our being able to live with others in general, and ultimately to leading happier lives. Subsequently it seems imperative to examine if and how it is possible to enhance people’s empathic ability. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to use narrative review method to analyze studies of empathy training in human service and social science disciplines over the past thirty years to address the questions: “How have people been trained in empathy and what are the findings?” and “How was empathy training evaluated and how valid are these evaluation findings?” Setting: Not applicable. Intervention: Not applicable. Research Design: Not applicable. Data Collection and Analysis: Narrative review. Findings: Twenty-nine articles pertaining to empathy training evaluation research were identified based on an advanced computer search on the following databases: “Education Full Text,” “ProQuest Education Journals,” “Web of Knowledge” and “Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). Seven types of training methods were noted in these 29 evaluations with the most popular being didactic related (42%). All but two studies (93%) reported positive findings, mainly in regard to learning (86%), or the cognitive component of empathy. These findings suggest that regardless of the training method, individuals can learn about the concept of empathy. Unfortunately, information pertaining to the effects of training on individuals’ feeling for others, and their ability and propensity to take the perspective of others and to demonstrate it in the natural environments is lacking. Consequently, very little is known about the trainability of the affective and behavioral components of empathy. Also, some of the findings were moderated by gender, age, education level, and time of measurement. Regarding evaluation research designs, most of the studies used self-reporting to collect trainees’ knowledge about empathy and most of the quantitative studies used a control group and pretesting to examine training impact. Construct validity of both empathy measurement and training is very problematic. A majority of the studies did not clearly define empathy, provide training as defined, and/or measure what is being trained; conceptualization of empathy across studies was not consistent either. In sum, data from the studies reviewed were neither complete nor valid enough to provide a clear and full understanding of the trainability of empathy. More research is apparently needed and hopefully lessons learned from our review will be considered in designing future studies. Keywords: empathy training; empathy training evaluation; narrative review

The Importance of Stressing the Use of Laparoscopic Instruments in the Initial Training for Laparoscopic Surgery Using Box Trainers: A Randomized Control Study

The goal of this study was to improve the efficiency of initial box training for laparoscopic surgery. The study used the following task: suturing and knot tying task under a combination of four conditions. (1) The C (use of conventional instruments)-D (direct vision); (2) the C-V (indirect vision via a video monitor); (3) the L (use of laparoscopic instruments)-D; and (4) the L-V (the standard laparoscopic suturing and knot tying). The first study assessed 11 medical students undergoing L-V training. The time to complete each of the four assessment tasks was recorded pre- and post-training. The second study was a randomized, controlled trial involving 36 students grouped according to three types of training methods: the L-D, the C-V, and the L-V group. The improvement in the time to complete the L-V task was assessed and the Hiroshima University Endoscopic Surgical Assessment Device (HUESAD) was used for assessment as well. In the first study, a significant improvement in the performance time between pre- and post-training for the L-D task was found, but not for the C-V task. The second study found that the improvement rate of the L-D trained group was significantly greater than that of the C-V and L-V groups. The HUESAD assessment also showed the similar results. A training program stressing the use of laparoscopic instruments and compensating for the fulcrum effect is more effective for novices using box trainers in the initial laparoscopic surgery instruction than one emphasizing performing the tasks via a video monitor.

Behaviour of smaller and larger dogs: Effects of training methods, inconsistency of owner behaviour and level of engagement in activities with the dog

The owner's behaviour is regarded to be a possible cause of unfavourable behaviour such as poor obedience or excitability in smaller dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether owner behaviour such as use of training methods, inconsistency in the owner's behaviour or engagement in shared activities differs between owners of smaller (<20 kg) and larger dogs (≥20 kg) and whether associations between the owner's and the dog's behaviour in smaller dogs differ from those in larger dogs. For this purpose, a questionnaire-based survey via postal mailing was conducted in an urban and suburban population of pet dog owners (response rate: 28%). Statistical analysis of 1276 questionnaires involved descriptive statistics, Chi 2 -test, t -tests and Spearman correlations. Our results confirm that smaller dogs are seen as less obedient ( P < 0.001), more aggressive and excitable ( P < 0.001) and more anxious and fearful ( P < 0.001). Smaller dog owners reported being more inconsistent in interactions with their dog ( P < 0.001) and engaging less in training and play activities ( P < 0.001) than larger dog owners. More consistent owner behaviour ( r s = −0.4, P < 0.001) and more frequent engagement in training and play activities ( r s = 0.4, P < 0.001) correlated with better obedience in smaller dogs. No marked differences were found in the types of training methods used with smaller and larger dogs, but owners of smaller dogs reported slightly less use of punishment ( P = 0.007). In smaller and larger dogs, a more frequent use of punishment was associated with increased aggression and excitability (smaller: r s = 0.3, P < 0.001; larger: r s = 0.2, P < 0.001) as was a more frequent use of reward-based responses to unwanted dog behaviour such as calming or distracting the dog ( r s = 0.2, P < 0.001). The main result of our study was that increased anxiety and fear was related to a more frequent use of punishment in smaller ( r s = 0.2, P < 0.001) but not in larger dogs. We conclude that smaller dog owners could significantly improve obedience in their dogs by being more consistent in interactions and engaging regularly in play and training activities with them. Behavioural problems could be reduced by avoiding habits of punishment that might reinforce fear or fear-related aggression.

Comparison of Different Microanastomosis Training Models : Model Accuracy and Practicality

The authors evaluated the accuracies and ease of use of several commonly used microanastomosis training models (synthetic tube, chicken wing, and living rat model). A survey was conducted among neurosurgeons and neurosurgery residents at a workshop held in 2009 at the authors' institute. Questions addressed model accuracy (similarity to real vessels and actual procedures) and practicality (availability of materials and ease of application in daily practice). Answers to each question were rated using a 5-point scale. Participants were also asked what types of training methods they would chose to improve their skills and to introduce the topic to other neurosurgeons or neurosurgery residents. Of the 24 participants, 20 (83.3%) responded to the survey. The living rat model was favored for model accuracy (p < 0.001; synthetic tube -0.95 +/- 0.686, chicken wing, 0.15 +/- 0.587, and rat, 1.75 +/- 0.444) and the chicken wing model for practicality (p < 0.001; synthetic tube -1.55 +/- 0.605, chicken wing, 1.80 +/- 0.523, and rat, 1.30 +/- 0.923). All (100%) chose the living rat model for improving their skills, and for introducing the subject to other neurosurgeons or neurosurgery residents, the chicken wing and living rat models were selected by 18 (90%) and 20 (100%), respectively. Of 3 methods examined, the chicken wing model was found to be the most practical, but the living rat model was found to represent reality the best. We recommend the chicken wing model to train surgeons who have mastered basic techniques, and the living rat model for experienced surgeons to maintain skill levels.

Channel Estimation for OFDM Modulated Two-Way Relay Networks

In this work, we introduce the model of employing orthogonal-frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for transmission over time-dispersive channels in the two-way relay network (TWRN), where two source terminals exchange their information through a relay terminal using the amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying scheme. We propose a two-phase training protocol for the channel estimation, which is compatible with the two-phase data transmission scheme. In the first phase, the two source terminals send their individual training sequences concurrently to the relay, while in the second phase the relay amplifies the received training sequences and broadcasts them to both source terminals. We propose two different types of training methods as well as develop their corresponding channel estimation algorithms at each of the two source terminals. The first type of training is block based, for which we first estimate the cascaded source-relay-source channels, and then design algorithms to recover the individual channels between sources and relay. The second type of training is pilot-tone (PT) based, for which we propose to directly estimate the individual channels between sources and relay. Moreover, the identifiability issues on the nonambiguous estimate of the channels in both types of proposed training are carefully addressed. Finally, various numerical examples are presented to corroborate our analytical results.