Early alterations in serum creatine kinase and total cholesterol following high intensity eccentric muscle actions

Aim. The purpose of this experiment was to assess the levels of muscle soreness, serum total cholesterol (TC) and creatine kinase (CK) in the first 48 hours following fatiguing eccentric exercise performed with the triceps brachii. Methods. Eleven untrained male college students performed a total of 50 eccentric elbow extensions in 8 sets (6x7 and 2x4) with a load equal to 85% of their maximal concentric elbow extension strength. Isometric elbow extension strength, muscle soreness and circumference, and serum CK and TC concentrations were measured before, immediately after, and 2, 24 and 48 hours after the exercise. Results. Statistically reliable changes in isometric strength, serum CK and TC, muscle soreness and upper arm circumference occurred within the first 48 hours following eccentric exercise. Serum TC concentrations exhibited a very rapid (within 2 hours) reduction from pre-exercise values after eccentric exercise to a relatively stable concentration of approximately 85% of baseline. Conclusion. These results suggest that serum TC concentration may follow the time-course of reductions in force generating capacity more closely than other biochemical markers of muscle damage.

A cognitive model of binge drinking: The influence of alcohol expectancies and drinking refusal self-efficacy

While binge drinking-episodic or irregular consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol-is recognised as a serious problem affecting our youth, to date there has been a lack of psychological theory and thus theoretically driven research into this problem. The current paper develops a cognitive model using the key constructs of alcohol expectancies (AEs) and drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) to explain the acquisition and maintenance of binge drinking. It is suggested that the four combinations of the AE and DRSE can explain the four drinking styles. These are normal/social drinkers, binge drinkers, regular heavy drinkers, and problem drinkers or alcoholics. Since AE and DRSE are cognitive constructs and therefore modifiable, the cognitive model can thus facilitate the design of intervention and-prevention strategies for binge drinking. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Loyalty without Conformity: Tailoring Self-perception as a Means of Balancing Belonging and Differentiation

We argue that members of individualist cultures balance their desire to belong with their desire to be different by maintaining a self-image as being loyal but relatively immune to group influence. Consistent with this, in Study 1 there was a strong tendency for people to rate themselves as being more independent (i.e., less conformist) than other people in their college. College students also rated themselves as being highly loyal to the group, however no self���-���other discrepancies were found on this dimension. This is despite the fact that traits of loyalty were rated more positively than were traits of independence. Study 2 provided evidence that culture influences the pattern of self���-���other discrepancies. Whereas people from individualist countries self-enhance on independence dimensions, people from collectivist countries self-enhance on loyalty dimensions. Again, these effects could not be explained as being a function of how positive these traits were seen to be, suggesting a cultural explanation rather than a straight forward superiority bias explanation for the observed discrepancies in self���-���other ratings. Results are discussed in relation to the SCENT model.

The role of alcohol expectancy and drinking refusal self-efficacy beliefs in university student drinking

Aims: University student alcohol misuse is a considerable problem. Alcohol expectancy research has contributed significantly to our understanding of problem drinking in young adults. Most of this research has investigated positive expectancy alone. The current study utilized two measures of alcohol expectancy, the alcohol expectancy questionnaire (AEQ) and the drinking expectancy profile [consisting of the drinking expectancy questionnaire (DEQ) and the drinking refusal self-efficacy questionnaire] to predict severity of alcohol dependence, frequency of drinking, and the quantity of alcohol consumed per occasion. Methods: Measures of drinking behaviour and alcohol expectancy were completed by 174 undergraduate university students. Results: Positive alcohol expectancy factors accounted for significant variance in all three drinking indices, with the DEQ adding additional variance to AEQ scores on frequency and severity of alcohol dependence indices. Negative expectancy did not add incremental variance to the prediction of drinking behaviour in this sample. Drinking refusal self-efficacy and dependence beliefs added additional variance over positive and negative expectancies in the prediction of all three drinking parameters. Conclusions: Positive expectancy and drinking refusal self-efficacy were strongly related to university student drinking. The incorporation of expectancy as a means of informing prevention approaches in tertiary education shows promise.

The role of avoidance coping in the disclosure of trauma

Little research has been undertaken to examine the empirical basis of commonly applied methods of posttrauma intervention. We propose that Pennebaker's work on structured disclosure of trauma provides a suitable analogue to explore questions of interest. The present study asks whether avoidance coping is likely to interfere with abbreviated disclosure of traumatic experiences. Subjects were 118 college students randomly allocated to either a one-session or four-session written trauma-disclosure condition. At 2 months postdisclosure, subjects with high avoidance coping within the one-session condition exhibited significantly more trauma-specific and physical symptoms than all other subjects. Avoidance coping significantly predicted trauma-specific symptoms at 2 months. These findings suggest that single session traumatic disclosure may not be useful for individuals with an avoidance style of coping.

Anti-American sentiment and America's perceived intent to dominate: An 11-nation study

Perceptions of America as a powerful but malevolent nation decrease its security. On the basis of measures derived from the stereotype content model (SCM) and image theory (IT), 5,000 college students in I I nations indicated their perceptions of the personality traits of, intentions of, and emotional reactions to the United States as well as their reactions to relevant world events (e.g., 9/11). The United States was generally perceived as competent but cold and arrogant. Although participants distinguished between the United States' government and its citizens, differences were small. Consistent with the SCM and IT, viewing the United States as intent on domination predicted perceptions of lack of warmth and of arrogance but not of competence and status. The discussion addresses implications for terrorist recruitment and ally support.

A SATISFA����O DO UNIVERSIT��RIO EM IES PARTICULARES NO MUNIC��PIO DE S��O PAULO: UM MODELO DE MENSURA����O

A gest��o das institui����es de ensino superior (IES) no Brasil tem apresentado inconsist��ncias gerenciais: O que se faz n��o �� o que o aluno espera. O que se ensina n��o ��, geralmente, o que os universit��rios veem em seu Campus. A literatura aponta para, basicamente, duas quest��es as quais potencialmente apresentam maior impacto acerca desta realidade: A interven����o do governo na inten����o de gerir a qualidade do ensino e a industrializa����o do ensino. Paralelo a estas quest��es, h�� uma car��ncia na literatura de aportes ao que se refere �� satisfa����o dos clientes. Muito embora existam modelos de mensura����o, como a ACSI e o ESCI, e diversos conceitos de satisfa����o, os esfor��os direcionados para p��blicos espec��ficos s��o insuficientes e/ou at�� inexistentes em alguns casos. Por fim, segundo o ANUP o Sudeste abriga quase a metade de todas as IES do pa��s, sendo-as, com ampla predomin��ncia, institui����es particulares, reiterando a relev��ncia desta regi��o para o Brasil e das IES privadas no pa��s. Assim, este estudo se disp��e a aproximar os temas gest��o de institui����es de ensino superior, satisfa����o do consumidor e, por fim, o papel da regi��o sudeste do pa��s para a educa����o, com ��nfase nas IES particulares, objetivando adaptar e validar um instrumento capaz de ser aplicado na gest��o acad��mica e evidenciar os determinantes que promovem satisfa����o do universit��rio. Por meio deste projeto, pode-se analisar a utiliza����o de um modelo adaptado do ACSI e identificar pesos e coeficientes entre as vari��veis propostas: Expectativa, Qualidade, Valor e Satisfa����o.

DO VIRTUAL AO REAL: COMUNICA����O, SEXO E INTERNET

Este trabalho �� um estudo explorat��rio sobre o Ambiente Comunicacional Internet que investiga tanto a possibilidade da influ��ncia de suas ferramentas de intera����o/comunica����o sobre o comportamento sexual e de risco quanto o desenvolvimento de comportamento compulsivo no uso destas ferramentas na busca de parceiros sexuais. A metodologia adotada ��, al��m da pesquisa bibliogr��fica, a da pesquisa explorat��ria, um levantamento e an��lise de dados quantitativos e pode ser considerada como pertencente ao paradigma tradicional emp��rico, pois a coleta de dados foi baseada em respostas a question��rios semi-estruturados, aplicados a um grupo de informa����o composto por 428 estudantes universit��rios dos cursos ligados �� ��rea de Computa����o e Inform��tica de uma institui����o particular de Ensino Superior do munic��pio de S��o Paulo SP, Brasil. Para isso, obedece �� Resolu����o do Conselho Nacional de Sa��de CNS 196/96 e conta com o TCLE. Os resultados indicam que as pr��ticas sexuais, a exposi����o a DST e v��rus HIV e, particularmente, a tend��ncia ao desenvolvimento do Transtorno de Adic����o �� Internet se distinguem de modo irrefut��vel. Os participantes que alegaram buscar parceiros sexuais reais na Internet s��o diretos nos seus objetivos, pois quando encontram esse parceiro concretizam o ato sexual, em ambientes impessoais, como por exemplo, o motel, e muitas vezes de modo arriscado no que toca �� preven����o e �� seguran��a no contato com outro. Destaca-se, ainda, que a compuls��o n��o �� reconhecida pelo grupo e que a procura de parceiros por interm��dio das m��dias digitais, para esse grupo, n��o est�� relacionada a itens negativos quanto a sua qualidade de vida o que suscita o estudo e a discuss��o mais aprofundada sobre a intera����o comunica����o, sexo e Internet .(AU)

A PROMO����O DE SA��DE EM SALA DE AULA NA PERSPECTIVA DE ESTUDANTES UNIVERSIT��RIOS

Essa disserta����o de mestrado aborda as tem��ticas de sa��de, promo����o de sa��de e o l��dico na sala de aula do estudante universit��rio durante a aprendizagem. O objetivo geral foi verificar a partir do ponto de vista dos universit��rios a exist��ncia da promo����o de sa��de na sala de aula. Optou-se por um m��todo descritivo e explorat��rio com emprego de an��lise de conte��do. O autor utilizou as entrevistas de 15 alunos dos cursos de pedagogia, direito e administra����o de empresas de v��rios semestres dos cursos. Os resultados permitem afirmar que os entrevistados possuem uma percep����o acerca dos conceitos de promo����o de sa��de, sobretudo no que diz respeito �� sa��de como a conjuga����o de bem estar e a boa manuten����o dos aspectos que configuram a sa��de f��sica e mental. Alguns entrevistados afirmaram que o l��dico seria pass��vel de utiliza����o apenas em cursos que visam �� forma����o para a pr��tica docente. A sala de aula pode ser entendida como um espa��o de promo����o de sa��de e disparador dos processos criativos na aprendizagem. Apontou-se tamb��m a possibilidade de se manter abertos os canais que possibilitam a melhora da sa��de por meio da realiza����o de atividades l��dicas sabendo que essas trazem benef��cios n��o somente no processo de socializa����o necess��rio ao enfrentamento das situa����es cotidianas que permeiam o universo escolar, mas, acima de tudo, na manuten����o de um ambiente relacional que pode trazer benef��cios em todas as dimens��es do conv��vio escolar.

Business information systems:technology, development and management in the E-business

Information technology is at the centre of today���s business environment. The increasing importance of e-commerce and the integration of information systems in all areas of a business means it is crucial for managers to understand and implement IS (information systems). This major text, now in its second edition, provides the skills and knowledge necessary to choose the right systems, and to develop and manage them effectively. Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management assumes no prior knowledge of IS or IT, and emphasises the importance of IS to management decision making. It takes a 3 part structure: Part One covers hardware and software technologies; Part Two looks at information systems analysis and design; and Part Three describes the strategic management of IS. This successful format allows each section to be studied alongside individual modules, and enables students to focus clearly on specific areas and use the book for more than one course. This book is suitable for college students, undergraduate degree and postgraduate students taking courses with modules in the practical IT skills of selection, implementation, management and use of BIS. The practical sections are also of use to managers in industry involved in the development and use of IS.

Differential effectiveness of two anxiety induction procedures in youth and older adult populations

In this study, we tested in older and younger adults the efficacy of two well-known procedures to experimentally induce anxiety: a) Velten self-statements combined with music; b) film scenes. We extended the pre-vious findings in this field to the understudied area of mood induction in older adults. Fifty-seven older adults and 94 college students were random-ly assigned to one of the experimental conditions or to a control group. Results indicated that both procedures were effective, according to a series of ANOVAs for several self-report, physiological, and behavioral measures. Likewise, the highest effect sizes were observed for the Velten procedure (g = .81 vs. g = .71), and the effects were significantly higher in younger (g = 1.0 in the Velten condition) than in older adults (g = .62), Q = 4.25, X2(1), p = .0392. Both procedures were effective to induce inducting anxiety in both age groups, especially the Velten procedure in younger adults. Therefore, Velten self-statements combined with music may be very useful anxiety induction procedure for further research in controlled situa-tions of emotions across the life-span.

Recollections of pressure to eat during childhood, but not picky eating, predict young adult eating behavior

Picky eating is a childhood behavior that vexes many parents and is a symptom in the newer diagnosis of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in adults. Pressure to eat, a parental controlling feeding practice aimed at encouraging a child to eat more, is associated with picky eating and a number of other childhood eating concerns. Low intuitive eating, an insensitivity to internal hunger and satiety cues, is also associated with a number of problem eating behaviors in adulthood. Whether picky eating and pressure to eat are predictive of young adult eating behavior is relatively unstudied. Current adult intuitive eating and disordered eating behaviors were self-reported by 170 college students, along with childhood picky eating and pressure through retrospective self- and parent reports. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that childhood parental pressure to eat, but not picky eating, predicted intuitive eating and disordered eating symptoms in college students. These findings suggest that parental pressure in childhood is associated with problematic eating patterns in young adulthood. Additional research is needed to understand the extent to which parental pressure is a reaction to or perhaps compounds the development of problematic eating behavior.

An analysis of the on-time graduation rate in the two-year program at National Taipei Institute of Technology in Taiwan

Taiwan's technical vocational educational system includes three levels: (1) institutes of technology (two and four year programs), (2) junior colleges (two, three and five year programs), and (3) senior vocational schools. Two-year junior colleges enroll their students through two channels: (1) based on results of the Particular Screening Entrance Examination (PSEE), (2) based on the Joint College Entrance Examination (JCEE). The PSEE has two categories: Category I includes on-time graduates with excellent performance, which means that they are within the top ten of their classes; Category II students include award-winning students in talent contests who have achieved a minimum grade point average of 75%. The JCEE is a regular entrance examination given to any senior vocation school graduate.^ Basic courses have a great impact on the students' academic performance. The purpose of the study was to focus on the effectiveness of teaching mathematics in two-year junior colleges and to analyze and correlate the results of two-year junior college students' performance in calculus and on-time graduation. The target group consisted of 521 students enrolled at National Taipei Institute of Technology in 1993.^ Calculus is a very important course for engineering majors in two-year junior colleges and has a great impact on the students' academic performance. This retrospective study showed that there was a correlation between students' performance in calculus and on-time graduation after two years of study.^ The conclusions of the study urge the Ministry of Education to reform two-year junior college curriculum standards to emphasize basic rudimentary courses. It is recommended that engineering majors receive three hours of calculus per week as the current requirement of only two hours per week is inadequate. The future job market will require a technologically advanced labor force that can be trained in a higher education system. More channels of higher education for two-year junior college graduates should be made available for those wishing to pursue bachelor degrees. Additional work in calculus will not only enhance the opportunities for two-year junior college graduates to continue their pursuit of an advanced academic degree, but also serve them well as they seek career advancement. ^