Single-subject research designs and data analyses for assessing elite athletes’ conditioning

Research in conditioning (all the processes of preparation for competition) has used group research designs, where multiple athletes are observed at one or more points in time. However, empirical reports of large inter-individual differences in response to conditioning regimens suggest that applied conditioning research would greatly benefit from single-subject research designs. Single-subject research designs allow us to find out the extent to which a specific conditioning regimen works for a specific athlete, as opposed to the average athlete, who is the focal point of group research designs. The aim of the following review is to outline the strategies and procedures of single-subject research as they pertain to the assessment of conditioning for individual athletes. The four main experimental designs in single-subject research are: the AB design, reversal (withdrawal) designs and their extensions, multiple baseline designs and alternating treatment designs. Visual and statistical analyses commonly used to analyse single-subject data, and advantages and limitations are discussed. Modelling of multivariate single-subject data using techniques such as dynamic factor analysis and structural equation modelling may identify individualised models of conditioning leading to better prediction of performance. Despite problems associated with data analyses in single-subject research (e.g. serial dependency), sports scientists should use single-subject research designs in applied conditioning research to understand how well an intervention (e.g. a training method) works and to predict performance for a particular athlete.

Hurdling the barriers : enabling student pathways from VET to higher education in building and construction management

Building effective pathways for students to transfer from and between education sectors and qualifications has been the subject of extensive research, policy development and practice over the last 20 years, both in Australia and internationally. Different researchers and policy-makers have examined this topic from various angles, but all from the perspective that improved pathways constitute an essential feature in a more flexible and integrated tertiary education system.

Thai emergency nurses’ management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury: comparison of knowledge and clinical management with best available evidence

<b>Background:<br /></b>In Thailand, the rate of TBI-related hospitalisation is increasing, however, little is known about the evidence-based management of severe TBI in the developing world. The aim of this study was to explore Thai emergency nurses&rsquo; management of patients with severe TBI.<br /><br /><b>Methods:<br /></b>An exploratory descriptive mixed method design was used to conduct this two stage study: survey methods were used to examine emergency nurses&rsquo; knowledge regarding management of patients with severe TBI (Stage 1) and observational methods were used to examine emergency nurses&rsquo; clinical management of patients with severe TBI (Stage 2). The study setting was the emergency department (ED) at a regional hospital in Southern Thailand.<br /><br /><b>Results:<br /></b>34 nurses participated in Stage 1 (response rate 91.9%) and the number of correct responses ranged from 33.3% to 95.2%. In Stage 2, a total of 160 points of measurement were observed in 20 patients with severe TBI over 40 h. In this study there were five major areas identified for the improvement of care of patients with severe TBI: (i) end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring and targets; (ii) use of analgesia and sedation; (iii) patient positioning; (iv) frequency of nursing assessment; and (v) dose of Mannitol diuretic.<br /><br /><b>Conclusions:<br /></b>There is variation in Thai nurses&rsquo; knowledge and care practices for patients with severe TBI. To increase consistency of evidence-based TBI care in the Thai context, a knowledge translation intervention that is ecologically valid, appropriate to the Thai healthcare context and acceptable to the multidisciplinary care team is needed.

Educational administration and the management of knowledge: 1980 revisited

This paper revisits the thesis of a 1980 paper that suggested a new approach to educational administration based upon the New Sociology of Education. In particular it updates answers to the six key questions asked by that paper: what counts as knowledge; how is what counts as knowledge organised; how is what counts as knowledge transmitted; how is access to what counts as knowledge determined; what are the processes of control; what ideological appeals justify the system. These questions were foundational in the development of a socially critical perspective and a cultural approach to educational leadership and administration.

Stakeholder perceptions of threatened species and their management on urban beaches

We surveyed 579 recreationists regarding management of the threatened, beach-dwelling Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis. We postulated that: (1) lower awareness of the species and higher &lsquo;inconvenience&rsquo; of management would engender less favourable perceptions of conservation and management; and (2) that frequency of beach use and dog ownership may mediate perceptions and levels of awareness and inconvenience. Overall, inconvenience was low while awareness and support for plover conservation were high. Education and awareness strategies were considered less effective than regulations; exclusion and regulations were considered less desirable than on-ground protective measures. Awareness, frequency of beach use and dog walking did not influence the perceived effectiveness of different managements. More frequent beach users had greater awareness of the species and their plight but reported greater inconvenience associated with management. Respondents with high awareness rated the severity of human-related threats higher; low awareness was associated with more inconvenience associated with on-ground protection, and exclusion and regulations. Dog walkers reported more inconvenience associated with exclusions and regulations than non-dog walkers. Dog walkers who used the beach infrequently rated threats significantly higher than frequent beach users. Conservation and education strategies could usefully be tailored to beach users&rsquo; level of use and pet ownership.

Integrated thermal and energy management of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

In this research, the significant influence of engine and cabin thermal management on the fuel efficiency and emissions of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is investigated. A practical solution to implement an optimal energy management strategy of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles which considers the temperature noise factor is introduced.

Non-government communications and conflict management: the experience of Iraqi Arab tribes

This chapter engages with tribal involvement in conflict management practices since 2003 and seeks to explain the role of this social structure in conflict management.

A prospective analysis of pain experience, beliefs and attitudes, and pain management in a cohort of Danish surgical patients.

<b>Background</b>:&nbsp;<div>Adequacy of pain management is a process indicator&nbsp;of health care quality with consequences for patient outcomes and&nbsp;satisfaction. The reported incidence of moderate to severe postoperative&nbsp;pain worldwide is between 20% and 80%.<br /><br /><b>Objectives</b>: <br />The purpose was to assess the quality of pain management&nbsp;in a cohort of Danish postoperative patients by examining their pain&nbsp;experience, beliefs about pain and pain treatment, and relationships&nbsp;between pain intensity, its effect on function, and pharmacological pain&nbsp;management.<br /><br /><b>Methods</b>: <br />The American Pain Society&rsquo;s Patient Outcome Questionnaire&nbsp;was administered to a consecutive cohort of Danish patients who had&nbsp;undergone gastrointestinal, gynaecological, orthopaedic or urological&nbsp;surgery within 24 and 72 h of surgery.&nbsp;<br /><br /><b>Results</b>: <br />Findings indicated uncontrolled pain in 45.5% of patients.&nbsp;These patients reported moderate to severe intensity average pain in the&nbsp;previous 24 h, however, 88.4% of the cohort overall stated they were&nbsp;satisfied or very satisfied with pain treatment. Patients who experienced&nbsp;severe pain only received 50% of available strong opioids, 73.3% of&nbsp;available weak opioids, 100% of available non-steroidal antiinflammatory&nbsp;drugs (NSAIDS) and paracetamol. Further, analgesics prescribed to be&nbsp;administered at fixed intervals were administered 99% of the time; in&nbsp;contrast, all Pro Re Nata (PRN) orders irrespective of analgesic categories,&nbsp;were administered only 25% of the time.&nbsp;<br /><br /><b>Conclusions</b>: <br />A number of patients experienced significant pain&nbsp;postoperatively. Although multi-modal analgesics were available, analgesic&nbsp;administration practices did not consistently reflect management&nbsp;responsive to patient needs. Despite this, patients were largely satisfied&nbsp;with the care received suggesting the need for further research to&nbsp;understand how patients perceive the efficacy of pain management.</div>

Relationship between corporate governance initiatives and earnings management

This cross-sectional study investigates the contribution of Australian listed companies&rsquo; compliance levels with Australian Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (CGPR) towards explaining the level of discretionary accruals. The findings will be of interest to CG regulators, as they contribute empirical evidence of the CGPR collective and individual role on mitigating earnings management practices.