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Inspection time and intelligence: A five-wave longitudinal study from age 70 to age 82 in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936
Get PDFTo test the idea that the slowing of simple information processing contributes to more general cognitive ageing, it is necessary to demonstrate that changes in the two variables are correlated as people grow older. Here, we examine the association between inspection time—a psychophysical measure of visual information processing—and general cognitive ability and the cognitive domains of visuospatial reasoning, processing speed, memory, and crystallised ability across five waves of testing in a 12-year period. The participants were members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936; there was a maximum of 1090 people with cognitive data at age 70 (Wave 1) and 426 at age 82 (Wave 5). At each testing wave the participants took the same 12 cognitive tests. Latent growth curve modelling in a structural equation modelling framework was used to examine the associations between intercepts and slopes of inspection time and other cognitive capabilities. Age-related changes (slope) in inspection time correlated 0.898 (p < 0.001) with changes (slope) in general cognitive ability over the 12 years. Inspection time changes correlated with changes in each of the four cognitive domains, but these associations were reduced to non-significance once the domains' loadings on general cognitive ability were taken into account (with the possible exception of memory, whose changes still had a marginal additional association with inspection time changes; β = 0.199, p = 0.030). The results are compatible with the idea that age-related slowing of processing speed contributes causally to the age-related declines in complex cognitive capability, but this is not the only interpretation of the present findings
Job-seeking narratives: in search of graduate capitals acquired during student placements
Get PDFBeing a graduate is no longer sufficient to secure a fulfilling and rewarding graduate role. This paper drew on Tomlinson’s Graduate Capital Model to analyse the job-seeking narratives of recent computing graduates searching for a graduate job. Participants (n=38), drawn from a national placement programme, were interviewed up to 12 months after they had graduated. Narrative interviews were analysed using the five graduate capitals of the Model, providing empirical evidence of the acquisition and application of graduate capitals, in particular through experiences of student work placements. The study found strong claims of human and cultural capital, arising from placement experience, while social and identity capital acquisition was found, but to a lesser extent. Fragile psychological and identity capitals were eroded by multiple unsuccessful job applications. This work empirically tested the Graduate Capital Model, contributing to understanding of capitals and their interplay
Evaluation of multi-directional speed qualities throughout adolescence in youth soccer: The non-linear nature of transfer
Get PDFTraining and assessment of agility is often prioritised by soccer coaches and practitioners aiming to develop multi-directional speed. Although the importance of agility is advocated throughout childhood and adolescence, limited data evidence agility performance at different stages of adolescence. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in multi-directional speed performance in youth soccer players spanning an entire soccer academy. A total of 86 male junior-elite soccer players volunteered to participate. Anthropometric data were collected, alongside performance data from a battery of physical tests including sprinting, jumping, change of direction, reaction time, and agility. Bayesian models using log-likelihoods from posterior simulations of parameter values displayed linear or curvilinear relationships between both chronological and biological age and performance in all tests other than agility and reaction time. For agility and reaction time tests, performance improved until ~14 years of age or the estimated age of peak height velocity whereby arrested development in performance was observed. Our results demonstrate that while most performance skills improve as chronological or biological age increases, measures of agility and reaction time may not. These findings support the notion that agility performance is complex and multifaceted, eliciting unique, challenging physical demands and non-linear development
Do UK survey licenses for otter support best practice?
Get PDFUnder the Habitats Regulations, resting/breeding places of otters (Lutra lutra) are protected from damage and disturbance, and ecologists are expected to identify such structures. Following an extensive programme of research, we now believe there is a more robust evidence base for what survey protocols are needed to identify such sites. In this article we (1) summarise some key aspects we believe represent evidence-based best practice for identification of otter resting and breeding sites, and (2) critically review the licensing conditions for otter surveys in the UK nations. Licensing for surveys with respect to otter holts varies between nations and in some cases could inhibit robust data collection, and thus we call for these to be reviewed. We also discuss the thorny issue of differing perceptions of disturbance, which inevitably accompanies our call for more intensive monitoring. We argue that there are potential repercussions resulting from suboptimal survey that outweigh any perceived disturbance from camera-trapping
Enhanced Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation versus Treatment as Usual for ICD-11 Complex PTSD: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (The RESTORE Trial)
Get PDFIntroduction Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is a relatively new condition in ICD-11. This pilot randomised controlled trial aimed to compare a four-module intervention developed to target all symptoms of ICD-11 CPTSD, namely Enhanced Skills in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (ESTAIR) with treatment as usual (TAU). The purpose of the study was to assess feasibility, safety, acceptability and preliminary outcomes at the end of treatment and 3-month follow-up. Methods A total of N=56 eligible veterans with CPTSD were randomised to either ESTAIR (n=28) or Treatment as Usual (TAU, n=28). Linear mixed models were conducted to assess CPTSD severity, the primary outcome, as measured by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). Results Treatment dropout in ESTAIR and TAU was low and equivalent (18% vs. 11%; 2 (1) = 1.19, p = .275), and study retention was high, supporting the feasibility of the study. No serious adverse effects and very few adverse effects occurred, none of which were deemed related to the study. ESTAIR provided significantly greater reduction in CPTSD severity across time for ITQ PTSD (p < .001) and DSO (p < .001) symptoms. CPTSD pre-to-post effect sizes for ESTAIR were large (PTSD d = 1.78; DSO d = 2.00). Remission of probable CPTSD diagnosis at post-treatment was substantially greater in ESTAIR compared to TAU with only 13.6% versus 84% (p < .001) retaining the diagnosis. Conclusion A trial of ESTAIR vs. TAU for the treatment of ICD-11 CPTSD indicates the potential efficacy of ESTAIR as well as its feasibility, safety, and acceptability
Riding waves to improve functioning: a quantitative evaluation of a Surf Week in individuals with chronic phase brain injury with six months follow-up
Get PDFPurposeEnvironmental enrichment seems to enable people in the chronic phase of acquired brain injury (ABI) to experience new functional abilities and motor/coping strategies and consequently to become more adaptable which might prevent/reverse functional decline. This study describes the influence of a five-days Surf Week program on participants on physical function, self-efficacy, functional balance performance and self-perceived recovery.Materials and methodsA multiple-baseline single-case design was used. Adults participating in the Surf Week in chronic phase of ABI were eligible to participate. Participants completed a battery of tests monitoring physical function, self-efficacy, functional balance performance and self-perceived recovery. This battery was repeated 5 times over a 1-year period, two times pre-Surf Week, three times post-Surf Week. Visual data inspection with two non-overlap methods were used to determine if patients showed sustained improvement in outcomes post-intervention.ResultsA moderate to strong indication for improvements on physical function, functional balance performance and self-perceived recovery exists till six months follow-up. No indication was observed on self-efficacy till six months follow-up.ConclusionsA five-days Surf Week is a physically, cognitively and socially intensive stimulating activity that can positively challenge individuals after ABI and seems to improve physical functioning, functional balance performance and self-perceived recovery
Data-based adaptive predictive bipartite consensus for nonlinear multiagent systems against DoS attacks
No full textThis article investigates a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack problem for nonlinear unknown discrete-time multiagent systems (MASs) to implement bipartite consensus tracking tasks with fixed and switching topologies. Firstly, an equivalent linearization data model of each agent is constructed using a pseudo partial derivative approach, where only one parameter needs to be estimated using input/output data of the controlled MASs. Meanwhile, the DoS attack behavior is described by a Bernoulli distribution process, and both cooperative and competitive relationships among agents are investigated. Moreover, an increment prediction compensator is designed to reduce the effect of DoS attacks. A data-based adaptive predictive bipartite consensus control algorithm is formulated. The corresponding theoretical analysis indicates that tracking errors of MASs with fixed and switching topologies converge to a small range around zero. Finally, several simulations and hardware tests further verify the proposed scheme’s effectiveness
Prevalence and Validity of ICD-11 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD: A Population-Based Survey of Hong Kong Adults
Get PDFThe present study aimed to report the prevalence of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD) in the general adult Hong Kong population, and examine the validity of the Chinese International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). This descriptive cross-sectional population-based telephone survey included a representative sample of 1,070 non-institutionalized permanent Hong Kong residents ages 18-64 years. Participants provided responses to the Chinese version of the ITQ, and measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), depression, anxiety, and stress. Based on the diagnostic algorithm of the ITQ, 5.9% of the sample screened positive for either CPTSD or PTSD, with CPTSD (4.2%) being more common that PTSD (1.7%). Results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated the first-order correlated 6-factor model to be the best fitting solution. Symptom cluster summed scores were all positively and significantly correlated with all criterion variables. This investigation established the prevalence rates of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD using a general adult population sample in Hong Kong. The Chinese ITQ demonstrated sound factorial validity and concurrent validity. Future research can further characterize ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD in subgroups using the Chinese ITQ
Assessment of the safety and efficacy of Guanidinoacetic acid (Creamino®) as a feed additive for all animal species
No full textAn application was submitted to the Food Standards Agency in May 2021 from AlzChem Trostberg GmbH (“the applicant”) for the new use authorisation of an additive guanidinoacetic acid (Creamino®), under the category of ‘nutritional additives” and functional group “amino acids, their salts, and analogues”. The additive is proposed to be used in all animal species with a proposed level of inclusion in feed of 1.2 kg/ 1,000 kg (0.12 %) of complete feedingstuffs with a moisture content of 12%.The Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF) was asked to review the dossier and the supplementary information submitted by the Applicant, and to advise the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland (FSA/FSS) in evaluating the dossier.The FSA/FSS concluded, based on the ACAF’s advice, that the additive was correctly identified and characterised. No causes for concern were raised in this section of the dossier.The additive can be considered safe for target species, consumers, and the environment. The additive is not irritant to eyes or skin and is not a dermal sensitiser or toxic through inhalation. It is advised that appropriate dusk masks are worn when handling the additive, due to its high dusting potential. No additional safety risks are to be expected if the additive were to be categorised as a “zootechnical additive”.The additive can be considered efficacious for growing pigs and poultry. No conclusion could be reached on efficacy for the other target species requested.The views of ACAF have been taken into account in this safety assessment which represents the opinion of the FSA/FSS
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