Current research ideologies in sport science allow for the possibility of investigators producing statistically significant results to help fit the outcome into a predetermined theory. Additionally, under the current Neyman-Pearson statistical structure, some argue that null hypothesis significant testing (NHST) under the frequentist approach is flawed, regardless. For example, a p-value is unable to measure the probability that the studied hypothesis is true, unable to measure the size of an effect or the importance of a result, and unable to provide a good measure of evidence regarding a model or hypothesis. Many of these downfalls are key questions researchers strive to answer following an investigation. Therefore, a shift towards a magnitude-based inference model, and eventually a fully Bayesian framework, is thought to be a better fit from a statistical standpoint and may be an improved way to address biases within the literature. The goal of this article is to shed light on the current research and statistical shortcomings the field of sport science faces today, and offer potential solutions to help guide future research practices.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of changes in magnitude of negative reinforcement on multiple schedules with the guinea pigs. In both schedule components, the first response (lever press) after an average of 10 seconds was reinforced. In the constant component of this schedule the reinforcement magnitude (time-off from electric foot shock) was always 15 seconds; whereas, in the manipulated component the magnitude changed in the following sequence: 15, 7.5, 15, 30, and 15 seconds. All subjects showed a gradual decrease in response rate across baseline conditions. When behavioral effects were evaluated relative to this changing baseline, five of six subjects demonstrated that as the reinforcement magnitude decreased in one component, the response rates in both components decreased (negative induction). Likewise, when reinforcement magnitude increased in one component, all subjects showed behavioral induction. Specifically, three subjects showed increases in response rate in both components (positive induction), while two subjects showed decreases in response rate in v both components (negative induction). This research extends the generality of the behavioral induction phenomena on multiple schedules to in elude negative reinforcement with the guinea pig as a function of changes in reinforcement magnitude

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Joint Program in Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. / Segmentation and crustal accretion at oceanic transform fault systems are investigated through a combination of geophysical data analysis and geodynamical and geochemical modeling. Chapter 1 examines the effect of fault segmentation on the maximum predicted earthquake magnitude of an oceanic transform fault system. Results of thermal modeling suggest that fault segmentation by intra- transform spreading centers (ITSC) drastically reduces the available brittle area of a transform fault and thus limits the available earthquake rupture area. Coulomb stress models suggest that long ITSCs will prohibit static stress interaction between segments of a transform system and further limit the maximum possible magnitude of a given transform fault earthquake. In Chapter 2, gravity anomalies from a global set of oceanic transform fault systems are investigated. Surprisingly, negative residual mantle Bouguer gravity anomalies are found within fast-slipping transform fault domains. These gravity observations suggest a mass deficit within fast-slipping transform faults, which may result from porosity variations, mantle serpentinization, and/or crustal thickness variations. Two-dimensional forward modeling and the correlation of the negative gravity anomalies to bathymetric highs indicate crustal thickness excesses in these locations. Finally, in Chapter 3, mantle thermal and melting models for a visco-plastic rheology are developed to investigate the process of mantle melting and crustal accretion at ITSCs within segmented transform faults, and are applied to the Siqueiros transform fault system. Models in which melt migrates into the transform fault domain from a large region of the mantle best explain the gravity-derived crustal thickness variations observed at the Siqueiros transform. Furthermore, a mantle potential temperature of 1350⁰C and fractional crystallization at depths of 9 - 15.5 km best explain the major element composition variation observed at the Siqueiros transform. / by Patricia Michelle Marie Gregg. / Ph.D.

No description available.

No description available.

Background: Twenty percent of Americans live in rural areas where most of their healthcare is provided in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). It is unknown how frequently obstacle and helpful behavior items occur in End-of-Life (EOL) care in CAHs. Objectives: To determine the frequency of occurrence scores of obstacle and helpful behavior items in providing EOL care in CAHs. To also determine which obstacles and helpful behaviors have the greatest or least impact on EOL care based on the magnitude scores. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to nurses working in 39 CAHs in the United States. Nurse participants were asked to rate obstacle and helpful behavior items by size and frequency of occurrence. Data were analyzed to quantify the impact of obstacle and helpful behavior items on EOL care in CAHs by multiplying the mean size by the mean frequency of items to determine mean magnitude scores. Results: Items with the highest and lowest frequency were determined. Additionally, obstacle and helpful behavior item magnitude scores were calculated. Seven of the top ten obstacles were related to patients' families. Seven of the top ten helpful behaviors involved nurses ensuring families had positive experiences. Discussion: CAH nurses perceived issues around patient family members as significant obstacles to EOL care. Nurses work to ensure that families have positive experiences. Visiting hour issues seemed to be irrelevant. The use of technology, such as telehealth, seemed to provide little benefit in EOL care in CAHs.

In vivo studies of mechanical loading on bone have suggested that load magnitude is one of the parameters that play a vital role in bone adaptation. This study examined how longitudinal growth of immature rat metatarsals is affected by different load magnitudes. The main hypotheses were that the longitudinal growth of immature bone would decrease with increased compressive load magnitude, and that the longitudinal growth would be more decelerated the higher the load mag- nitude. The three middle metatarsal bones in the back paws of 19-20 days old Sprague-Dawley rat fetuses were extracted. Metatarsal bones were loaded with 0.05 N, 0.25 N, 1.25 N and 6.25 N. Loading rate and number of cycles were constant at 0.01 mm/sec and 10 cycles respectively. Length measurements occurred every 2-3 day. Concluded from the study was that a load magni- tude of 0.05 N resulted in an increased longitudinal growth, compared to unloaded bones. For the other load magnitudes the results were insufficient and inconsistent and therefore nothing could be suggested for them. The problem remained as before and further studies are needed.

Background: Critical care nurses (CCNs) provide end-of-life (EOL) care for critically ill patients. CCNs face many obstacles while trying to provide quality EOL care. Some research has been published focusing on obstacles CCNs face while trying to provide quality EOL care; however, research focusing on family behavior obstacles is limited.Objective: To determine if magnitude scores (obstacle item size x obstacle item frequency of occurrence) have changed since previous magnitude score data were first gathered in 1999.Methods: A random geographically dispersed sample of 2,000 members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) was surveyed. Responses from quantitative Likert- type items were statistically analyzed for mean and standard deviation for size of obstacle and how frequently each item occurred. Current data were then compared to similar data gathered in 1999.Results: Six items’ magnitude scores significantly increased over time. Four of the six items related to issues with families including families not accepting poor prognosis, interfamily fighting about continuing or stopping life-support, families requesting life-sustaining measures contrary to the patients’ wishes and, families not understanding the term “life-saving” measures. Two other items included nurses knowing patients’ poor prognosis before families knows and unit visiting hours that were too liberal.Seven items significantly decreased in magnitude score over time, including two items specifically related to physician behavior such as physicians who would not let patients die from the disease process or physicians who avoid talking to family members. Other items which significantly decreased were poor design of units, visiting hours that were too restrictive, no available support personnel, and when the nurse’s opinion regarding direction of care was not valued or considered.Conclusions: EOL care obstacles emphasized in 1999 are still valid and pertinent. Based on magnitude scores, some EOL obstacles related to families increased significantly, whereas, obstacles related to ICU environment and physicians have significantly decreased. Based on this information, recommendations for areas of improvement include improved EOL education for families and nurses.

No description available.

No description available.