Effects of team Knowledge and ecological constraints on decisional processes in customized football game scenarios

Several theories assume that successful team coordination is partly based on knowledge that helps anticipating individual contributions necessary in a situational task. It has been argued that a more ecological perspective needs to be considered in contexts evolving dynamically and unpredictably. In football, defensive plays are usually coordinated according to strategic concepts spanning all members and large areas of the playfield. On the other hand, fewer people are involved in offensive plays as these are less projectable and strongly constrained by ecological characteristics. The aim of this study is to test the effects of ecological constraints and player knowledge on decision making in offensive game scenarios. It is hypothesized that both knowledge about team members and situational constraints will influence decisional processes. Effects of situational constraints are expected to be of higher magnitude. Two teams playing in the fourth league of the Swiss Football Federation participate in the study. Forty customized game scenarios were developed based on the coaches’ information about player positions and game strategies. Each player was shown in ball possession four times. Participants were asked to take the perspective of the player on the ball and to choose a passing destination and a recipient. Participants then rated domain specific strengths (e.g., technical skills, game intelligence) of each of their teammates. Multilevel models for categorical dependent variables (team members) will be specified. Player knowledge (rated skills) and ecological constraints (operationalized as each players’ proximity and availability for ball reception) are included as predictor variables. Data are currently being collected. Results will yield effects of parameters that are stable across situations as well as of variable parameters that are bound to situational context. These will enable insight into the degree to which ecological constraints and more enduring team knowledge are involved in decisional processes aimed at coordinating interpersonal action.

Assessing residents' readiness to screen for domestic violence: Utilizing the transtheoretical model - stages of change, decisional balance and self-efficacy

Domestic violence is a major public health problem, yet most physicians do not effectively identify patients at risk. Medical students and residents are not routinely educated on this topic and little is known about the factors that influence their decisions to include screening for domestic violence in their subsequent practice. In order to assess the readiness of primary care residents to screen all patients for domestic violence, this study utilized a survey incorporating constructs from the Transtheoretical Model, including Stages of Change, Decisional Balance (Pros and Cons) and Self-Efficacy. The survey was distributed to residents at the University of Texas Health Science Center Medical School in Houston in: Internal Medicine, Medicine/Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Data from the survey was analyzed to test the hypothesis that residents in the earlier Stages of Change report more costs and fewer benefits with regards to screening for domestic violence, and that those in the later stages exhibit higher Self-Efficacy scores. The findings from this study were consistent with the model in that benefits to screening (Pros) and Self-Efficacy were correlated with later Stages of Change, however reporting fewer costs (Cons) was not. Very few residents were ready to screen all of their patients.^

Dr. William Gorgas and his style of management against yellow fever during the construction of the Panama Canal: A historical case study

This study describes the style of management of Dr. William Gorgas as he led the public health effort to reduce diseases to a level that permitted the completion of the Panama Canal construction. Initially, Gorgas was skeptical of the mosquito vector theory. He fully accepted this theory after participating in Walter Reed’s massive cleanup of Havana, Cuba during the Spanish American War of 1898. During 1905 to 1914, Gorgas was selected to lead the sanitary effort during the construction of the Panama Canal. The lessons learned from this historical case study provide public health administrators with guidance to effectively lead current and future infectious diseases threats. Understanding styles of management within the context of disease control is essential in tackling epidemics like yellow fever and other infectious diseases. ^

Affect and cognition measures in preference-based decisions: Validity testing of the Ottawa Decisional Conflict Scale and a decision-specific anxiety measure with men eligible for prostate cancer screening

Background. At present, prostate cancer screening (PCS) guidelines require a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and personal values, making decision aids an important tool to help convey information and to help clarify values. Objective: The overall goal of this study is to provide evidence of the reliability and validity of a PCS anxiety measure and the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS). Methods. Using data from a randomized, controlled PCS decision aid trial that measured PCS anxiety at baseline and DCS at baseline (T0) and at two-weeks (T2), four psychometric properties were assessed: (1) internal consistency reliability, indicated by factor analysis intraclass correlations and Cronbach's α; (2) construct validity, indicated by patterns of Pearson correlations among subscales; (3) discriminant validity, indicated by the measure's ability to discriminate between undecided men and those with a definite screening intention; and (4) factor validity and invariance using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Results. The PCS anxiety measure had adequate internal consistency reliability and good construct and discriminant validity. CFAs indicated that the 3-factor model did not have adequate fit. CFAs for a general PCS anxiety measure and a PSA anxiety measure indicated adequate fit. The general PCS anxiety measure was invariant across clinics. The DCS had adequate internal consistency reliability except for the support subscale and had adequate discriminate validity. Good construct validity was found at the private clinic, but was only found for the feeling informed subscale at the public clinic. The traditional DCS did not have adequate fit at T0 or at T2. The alternative DCS had adequate fit at T0 but was not identified at T2. Factor loadings indicated that two subscales, feeling informed and feeling clear about values, were not distinct factors. Conclusions. Our general PCS anxiety measure can be used in PCS decision aid studies. The alternative DCS may be appropriate for men eligible for PCS. Implications: More emphasis needs to be placed on the development of PCS anxiety items relating to testing procedures. We recommend that the two DCS versions be validated in other samples of men eligible for PCS and in other health care decisions that involve uncertainty. ^

Investigating the structure and form of condom decisional balance in an alternative school sample using confirmatory factor analysis

Teen pregnancy is a continuing problem, bringing with it a host of associated health and social risks. Alternative school students are especially at risk, but are historically under-represented in research. This is especially problematic in that instruments are needed to guide effective intervention development, but psychometrics for these instruments cannot be assumed when used in new populations. Decisional balance from the transtheoretical model offers a framework for understanding condom decision making, but has not been tested with alternative school students. Using responses from 640 subjects from Safer Choices 2 (a school-based HIV/STD/pregnancy prevention program implemented in 10 urban, southwestern alternative schools), a decisional balance scale for condom use was examined. A two-factor, mildly correlated model fit the data well. Tests of invariance examined scale functioning within gender and racial/ethnic groups. The underlying structure varied slightly based on subgroup, but on a practical level the impact on the use of scales was minimal. The structure and loadings were invariant across experimental condition. The pro scale was associated with a lower probability of having engaged in unprotected sexual behavior for sexually active subjects, and this association remained significant while controlling for demographic variables. The con scale did not show a significant association with engagement in unprotected sexual behaviors. Limitations and directions for future research were also discussed.^

Condicionantes internos de la política exterior argentina : La participación del cuerpo decisional legislativo en el diseño de la agenda internacional de la política exterior argentina [1999-2003]

Fil: Sanchez, Leandro Enrique. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

The Pity of Achilles. Oral Style and the Unity of Iliad, de Jinyo Kim

Fil: Pepe de Suárez, Luz Enriqueta Aurelia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Condicionantes internos de la política exterior argentina : La participación del cuerpo decisional legislativo en el diseño de la agenda internacional de la política exterior argentina [1999-2003]

Fil: Sanchez, Leandro Enrique. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

The Pity of Achilles. Oral Style and the Unity of Iliad, de Jinyo Kim

Fil: Pepe de Suárez, Luz Enriqueta Aurelia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

The shift of paradigm in the organizations like foundation of the style of ethical leadership

La presente investigación tiene por objeto analizar el cambio de paradigma en las organizaciones como fundamento del liderazgo ético desde una realidad postmoderna a fin de detectar la necesidad de un liderazgo ético en las organizaciones donde los líderes sean formadores de valores a través del modelaje directivo; es un estilo de liderazgo en el que la visión ética, sistémica e integradora son unas de las principales aptitudes que el líder ético ha de poner en la práctica. Se han desarrollado teorías de liderazgo centradas no tanto en los rasgos o comportamientos de los líderes, sino en la relación entre líder y sus seguidores

Condicionantes internos de la política exterior argentina : La participación del cuerpo decisional legislativo en el diseño de la agenda internacional de la política exterior argentina [1999-2003]

Fil: Sanchez, Leandro Enrique. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

The Pity of Achilles. Oral Style and the Unity of Iliad, de Jinyo Kim

Fil: Pepe de Suárez, Luz Enriqueta Aurelia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Fiscal Decentralization, Chinese Style: Good for Health Outcomes?

This study analyzes the effect of fiscal decentralization on health outcomes in China using a panel data set with nationwide county-level data. We find that counties in more fiscal decentralized provinces have lower infant mortality rates compared to those counties in which the provincial government retains the main spending authority, if certain conditions are met. Spending responsibilities at the local level need to be matched with county government's own fiscal capacity. For those local governments that have only limited revenues, their ability to spend on local public goods such as health care depends crucially upon intergovernmental transfers. The findings of this study thereby support the common assertion that fiscal decentralization can indeed lead to more efficient production of local public goods, but also highlights the necessary conditions to make this happen.