Next-state comfort in learning a vertical stick transportation sequence

Over the last decade, the end-state comfort effect (e.g., Rosenbaum et al., 2006) has received a considerable amount of attention. However, some of the underlying mechanisms are still to be investigated, amongst others, how sequential planning affects end-state comfort and how this effect develops over learning. In a two-step sequencing task, e.g., postural comfort can be planned on the intermediate position (next state) or on the actual end position (final state). It might be hypothesized that, in initial acquisition, next state’s comfort is crucial for action planning but that, in the course of learning, final state’s comfort is taken more and more into account. To test this hypothesis, a variant of Rosenbaum’s vertical stick transportation task was used. Participants (N = 16, right-handed) received extensive practice on a two-step transportation task (10,000 trials over 12 sessions). From the initial position on the middle stair of a staircase in front of the participant, the stick had to be transported either 20 cm upwards and then 40 cm downwards or 20 cm downwards and then 40 cm upwards (N = 8 per subgroup). Participants were supposed to produce fluid movements without changing grasp. In the pre- and posttest, participants were tested on both two-step sequencing tasks as well as on 20 cm single-step upwards and downwards movements (10 trials per condition). For the test trials, grasp height was calculated kinematographically. In the pretest, large end/next/final-state comfort effects for single-step transportation tasks and large next-state comfort effects for sequenced tasks were found. However, no change in grasp height from pre- to posttest could be revealed. Results show that, in vertical stick transportation sequences, the final state is not taken into account when planning grasp height. Instead, action planning seems to be solely based on aspects of the next action goal that is to be reached.

H1N1 outbreak in a Swiss military boot camp--observations and suggestions

The A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus is a highly contagious pathogen which caused the 2009 influenza pandemic. The virus is known to affect mainly younger people and may be a problem in crowded living conditions. The aim of the study was to describe a major A(H1N1)pdm09 outbreak in a Swiss military boot camp and to develop suggestions for similar future situations.

[Working under pressure]

From medical view the main problems of investigation and convicts are in particular in the range of the drugs and alcohol illnesses to see transferable diseases (HIV, hepatitis B - C and tuberculosis) and psychological illnesses. These complex diseases require a close meshed and intensive support of each individual patient and represent actually the main problem during an arrest. The development of the health service could address the new requirements making possible cost-conscious acting in handling with resources in the health service. In the canton Berne 957197 inhabitants live on a total area of 5959 km2. The police and military management operates the regional and district prisons as well as the transportation service for prisoners in the canton Berne for prisoners. The canton Berne has altogether 327 places. Since May 1971 persons from the regional and district prison and the penal institutions needing hospitalisation can be accepted. In the University hospital Berne on a specially equipped guard station and be cared for their medical problems. The prisoners profit in such a way from the entire range of the university facilities.