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A qualitative exploration of the motivations underlying anabolic-androgenic steroid use from adolescence into adulthood
Get PDFBackground:
This study explored the direct experience of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use by young men, with an emphasis on how motivations progressed from adolescent initiation to more entrenched usage.
Participants and procedure:
Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals ranging in experience of AAS use, from novice to experienced users.
Results:
The results indicated that the young adult men progressed through a clear transition whereby their motives for using these substances changed from a mere desire to compete with other men to more internalised body image problems.
Conclusions:
The findings presented suggest a more complex relationship between AAS use and body image pathology than previously suggested
Using an Action Research Approach to Embed Service Design in a Higher Education Institution
Get PDFDesign Thinking can address the political and cultural divides in higher education and improve the focus on student experience. The challenge is reshaping a traditional organisation into a more modern one and at the same time creating an environment that is favourable towards change brought about by design-led thinking.
In one higher education institute, almost two years into the journey and despite some challenges along the way, Service Design methods are demonstrating their capacity to change the processes and procedures that support the delivery of student services in higher education.
An action research approach is currently being used to assess how the tools of Design Thinking are applied to real organisational problems and the consequences of design-led action. This research introduces a new set of tools and techniques to an organisation and analyses the effects of this fresh approach on the organisation via a number of action research cycles. There are many stages on the road to introduce Design Thinking as a bottom-up approach to changing an organisation into a more innovative, progressive, efficient and user-centred one
Predictive models of the 2015 Rugby World Cup: accuracy and application
No full textThe current investigation compared 12 models of outcomes of international rugby
union matches and then used the most accurate model to investigate performances
within the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The underlying linear regression models
were used within a simulation package that introduced random variability about
performance evidenced by the residual distribution of the regression analyses.
Each model was used within 10,000 simulations of the 2015 Rugby World Cup
from which match outcome and team progression statistics were recorded. The
most accurate model with respect to the actual 2015 tournament was developed
using data from all seven previous tournaments rather than restricting cases to the
most recent three tournaments. The model was more accurate when the data used
violated the assumptions of linear regression rather than transforming variables to
satisfy the assumptions. The model included World ranking points as a predictor
variable and was more accurate than corresponding models that represented
relative home advantage as well. The most accurate model used separate models
for the pool and knockout stage matches although the 9 models that separating
these match types were less accurate on average than when the two match types
were considered together. This model was used to investigate properties of the
2015 Rugby World Cup. The tournament disadvantaged three teams in the
World’s top 5 who were drawn in the same pool. Teams ranked in the World’s
top 7 did not perform as well as predicted while teams ranked 16th and below
performed better than predicted suggesting that the strength in depth in
international rugby union is increasing. There was a small effect of having
additional recovery days from the previous match compared to the opponents
which was worth 4.1 points. The information produced by this research should be
considered by those design tournaments such as the Rugby World Cup
The role of social capital and community belongingness for exercise adherence: An exploratory study of the CrossFit gym model
Get PDFThis is the first study to measure the ‘sense of community’ reportedly offered by the CrossFit gym model. A cross-sectional study adapted Social Capital and General Belongingness scales to compare perceptions of a CrossFit gym and a traditional gym. CrossFit gym members reported significantly higher levels of social capital (both bridging and bonding) and community belongingness compared with traditional gym members. However, regression analysis showed neither social capital, community belongingness, nor gym type was an independent predictor of gym attendance. Exercise and health professionals may benefit from evaluating further the ‘sense of community’ offered by gym-based exercise programmes
Non-invasive assessment of peripheral arterial disease: Automated ankle brachial index measurement and pulse volume analysis compared to duplex scan
Get PDFObjectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to individually and cumulatively compare sensitivity and specificity of the (1) ankle brachial index and (2) pulse volume waveform analysis recorded by the same automated device, with the presence or absence of peripheral arterial disease being verified by ultrasound duplex scan.
Methods: Patients (n=205) referred for lower limb arterial assessment underwent ankle brachial index measurement and pulse volume waveform recording using volume plethysmography, followed by ultrasound duplex scan. The presence of peripheral arterial disease was recorded if ankle brachial index 50% was evident with ultrasound duplex scan. Outcome measure was agreement between the measured ankle brachial index and interpretation of pulse volume waveform for peripheral arterial disease diagnosis, using ultrasound duplex scan as the reference standard.
Results: Sensitivity of ankle brachial index was 79%, specificity 91% and overall accuracy 88%. Pulse volume waveform sensitivity was 97%, specificity 81% and overall accuracy 85%. The combined sensitivity of ankle brachial index and pulse volume waveform was 100%, specificity 76% and overall accuracy 85%.
Conclusion: Combining these two diagnostic modalities within one device provided a highly accurate method of ruling out peripheral arterial disease, which could be utilised in primary care to safely reduce unnecessary secondary care referrals
Inter-generational transmission in a minority language setting: Stop consonant production by Bangladeshi heritage children and adults
Get PDFAims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of speech development across successive generations of heritage language users, examining how cross-linguistic, developmental and socio-cultural factors affect stop consonant production.
Design: To this end, we recorded Sylheti and English stop productions of two sets of Bangladeshi heritage families: (1) first-generation adult migrants from Bangladesh and their (second-generation) UK-born children, and (2) second-generation UK-born adult heritage language users and their (third-generation) UK-born children.
Data and analysis: The data were analysed auditorily, using whole-word transcription, and acoustically, examining voice onset time. Comparisons were then made in both languages across the four groups of participants, and cross-linguistically.
Findings: The results revealed non-native productions of English stops by the first-generation migrants but largely target-like patterns by the remaining sets of participants. The Sylheti stops exhibited incremental changes across successive generations of speakers, with the third-generation children’s productions showing the greatest influence from English.
Originality: This is one of few studies to examine both the host and heritage language in an ethnic minority setting, and the first to demonstrate substantial differences in heritage language accent between age-matched second- and third-generation children. The study shows that current theories of bilingual speech learning do not go far enough in explaining how speech develops in heritage language settings.
Implications: These findings have important implications for the maintenance, transmission and long-term survival of heritage languages, and show that investigations need to go beyond second-generation speakers, in particular in communities that do not see a steady influx of new migrants
Ystyriaeth Feirniadol o Arwyddocd Moesegol Chwaraeon Rhyngwladol
Get PDFYn yr erthygl hon rydym yn herio’r syniad fod cenedlaetholdeb yn gyffredinol, a chenedlaetholdeb ar y maes chwarae yn arbennig, yn anfoesol. Er bod cenedlaetholdeb yn gallu cael ei lygru ar y maes chwarae ac mewn cyd-destunau eraill, nid yw hynny o reidrwydd yn anochel. Drwy drafod athroniaeth cenedlaetholdeb rhyddfrydol, fe fyddwn yn ceisio dangos bod derbyn ymlyniad diwylliannol a chenedlaethol yn hanfodol er mwyn hybu cymuned ryng-genedlaethol. Ymhellach, byddwn yn dadlau bod gan chwaraeon cenedlaethol botensial hynod arwyddocaol i greu fforwm a deialog lle y gall gwahanol ddinasyddion rannu a dysgu oddi wrth ei gilydd.
In this paper we challenge the idea that nationalism in general, and sporting displays of nationalism in particular, are morally problematic. Whilst sporting displays of nationalism are often accompanied by ethnocentric and jingoistic tendencies, it does not follow that such competition is inherently problematic. By drawing on Liberal Nationalist philosophy, we argue that accepting and celebrating particular cultural and national ties represent a fundamental step towards encouraging an international and cosmopolitan mindset. Moreover, we argue that international sport has significant potential in stimulating meaningful cultural conversations, both within and between national communities
Visual distraction in cytopathology: should we be concerned?
Get PDFVisual distraction in cytopathology has not been previously investigated as a source of diagnostic error, presumably because the viewing field of a conventional light microscope is considered large enough to minimise interference from peripheral visual stimuli. Virtual microscopy, which involves the examination of digitised images of pathology specimens on computer screens, is beginning to challenge the central role of light microscopy as a diagnostic tool in cytopathology. The relatively narrow visual angle offered by virtual microscopy makes it conceivable that users of these systems are more vulnerable to visual interference.
Using a variant of a visual distraction paradigm (the Eriksen flanker task), the aim of the study was to determine whether the accuracy and speed of interpreting cells on a central target screen is affected by images of cells and text displayed on neighbouring monitors under realistic reading room conditions
Twitter Strategies for Web-Based Surveying: Descriptive Analysis From the International Concussion Study
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Social media provides researchers with an efficient means to reach and engage with a large and diverse audience. Twitter allows for the virtual social interaction among a network of users that enables researchers to recruit and administer surveys using snowball sampling. Although using Twitter to administer surveys for research is not new, strategies to improve response rates are yet to be reported. OBJECTIVE: To compare the potential and actual reach of 2 Twitter accounts that administered a Web-based concussion survey to rugby players and trainers using 2 distinct Twitter-targeting strategies. Furthermore, the study sought to determine the likelihood of receiving a retweet based on the time of the day and day of the week of posting. METHODS: A survey based on previous concussion research was exported to a Web-based survey website Survey Monkey. The survey comprised 2 questionnaires, one for players, and one for those involved in the game (eg, coaches and athletic trainers). The Web-based survey was administered using 2 existing Twitter accounts, with each account executing a distinct targeting strategy. A list of potential Twitter accounts to target was drawn up, together with a list of predesigned tweets. The list of accounts to target was divided into 'High-Profile' and 'Low-Profile', based on each accounts' position to attract publicity with a high social interaction potential. The potential reach (number of followers of the targeted account), and actual reach (number of retweets received by each post) between the 2 strategies were compared. The number of retweets received by each account was further analyzed to understand when the most likely time of day, and day of the week, a retweet would be received. RESULTS: The number of retweets received by a Twitter account decreased by 72% when using the 'high-profile strategy' compared with the 'low-profile strategy' (incidence rate ratio (IRR); 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21-0.37, P.001) and 6 PM to 11:59 PM (IRR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05-2.09, P>.05) were significantly increased relative to 6 AM to 11:59 AM. However, posting tweets during the hours of 12 PM to 5:59 PM, decreased the IRR for retweets by 40% (IRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46-0.79, P<.001) compared with 6 AM to 11:59 AM. Posting on a Monday (IRR 3.57, 95% CI 2.50-5.09, P<.001) or Wednesday (IRR 1.50, 95% CI 1.11-1.11, P<.01) significantly increased the IRR compared with posting on a Thursday. CONCLUSIONS: Surveys are a useful tool to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of a given population. Strategies to improve Twitter engagement include targeting low-profile accounts, posting tweets in the morning (12 AM-11:59 AM) or late evenings (6 PM-11:59 PM), and posting on Mondays and Wednesdays
Response to “Nature fix: Addiction to outdoor activities” R. C. Buckley’s commentary on Heirene, R. M., Shearer, D., Roderique-Davies, G., & Mellalieu, S. D. (2016). Addiction in extreme sports: An exploration of withdrawal states in rock climbers. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 5, 332–341.
Get PDFBuckley’s commentary on our study of rock climber’s withdrawal experiences raises a number of important questions surrounding the concept of extreme or adventure sports addiction. Drawing on the few available investigations of this topic, we respond to Buckley’s questions here, though emphasize the need for further studies of extreme sports addiction in order to provide more empirically informed answers