Nutrition, Adult Cognitive Skills, and Productivity: Results and Influence of the INCAP Longitudinal Study.

This article summarizes research based on the INCAP Longitudinal Study that demonstrates the positive effects of the atole intervention on prime-age adult cognitive skills and productivities. The findings are interpreted in the context of a life-cycle stages model in which various factors and investments at each stage of life influence outcomes not only in that stage but in subsequent ones. The results point to the likely importance of improvements in adult cognitive skills due to better early-life nutrition on adult male labor market outcomes as well as on women's "home productivity" in terms of anthropometrics for the next generation. Possible mechanisms are also explored, including the impacts of early-life exposure to atole on children's height when starting school, on grades of schooling attainment, and on the extent of experience with higher-skilled jobs, as well as the impacts of improved cognitive skills on wages. Not only are investments in early-life nutrition important for immediate welfare but also they have significant productivity payoffs in adulthood.

LEDs for photons, physiology and food.

Lighting based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) not only is more energy efficient than traditional lighting, but also enables improved performance and control. The colour, intensity and distribution of light can now be controlled with unprecedented precision, enabling light to be used both as a signal for specific physiological responses in humans and plants, and as an efficient fuel for fresh food production. Here we show how a broad and improved understanding of the physiological responses to light will facilitate greater energy savings and provide health and productivity benefits that have not previously been associated with lighting.

Legitimidad y desempeño en el trabajo: cuando el derecho legitima y el merecimiento cualifica / Legitimacy and efficacy at work: when entitlement legitimizes and deservingness qualifies

El modelo estructural del merecimiento () establece dos factores que afectan a las percepciones de legitimidad: el derecho (merecer algo por cumplir las normas establecidas para ello) y el merecimiento (merecerlo por las acciones pasadas realizadas). A pesar de la relevancia de ambos factores, trabajos previos muestran conclusiones diferentes respecto a qué factor es un mejor predictor de la legitimidad. El objetivo de este artículo es explorar la influencia de estos factores al juzgar la legitimidad y las consecuencias positivas asociadas a la elección de un aspirante para un puesto de poder. Los resultados mostraron que mientras que un candidato con derecho para ocupar el puesto se percibe más legítimo, un candidato que merece ese puesto predice unas consecuencias más positivas como resultado de dicha elección. Además, los resultados sugieren que el grado de implicación de los individuos con la elección interactúa con el derecho y el merecimiento (AU)

The structural model of deservingness () posits that entitlement and deservingness are two different predictors of perceptions of legitimacy. Specifically, entitlement refers to the accomplishment of established social rules, whereas deservingness relates to the outcomes that individuals earn as products of their actions. Although both factors are good predictors of perceived legitimacy, previous works show different conclusions about their relevance. The aim of this paper is to further examine the influence of entitlement and deservingness on legitimacy perceptions and on the consequences expected for a candidate who has been elected for a power position. Results showed that whereas a high-entitlement candidate is perceived as more legitimate, a high-deservingness candidate is expected to perform better. Besides, results hint that the level of personal implication with the candidate election plays also a relevant role in combination with entitlement and deservingness, when individuals evaluate the expected consequences of the decision (AU)

Evaluación del desempeño en la administración pública del Principado de Asturias: análisis de las propiedades psicométricas / Performance appraisal in the public administration of the Principality of Asturias: an analysis of psychometric properties

Este artículo presenta los resultados de tres estudios sobre el desarrollo y las propiedades psicométricas del método de evaluación del desempeño de los empleados de la Administración Pública del Principado de Asturias. En el estudio 1 se describe el desarrollo y la selección de las competencias a evaluar. Para cada una de las tres grandes dimensiones del desempeño laboral se identificaron cinco competencias que debían ser evaluadas. En el estudio 2 se describe cómo se elaboraron las escalas de valoración con anclajes conductuales para evaluar las competencias de desempeño de tarea, contextual y organizacional. En el estudio 3 se examinó la fiabilidad, la validez de constructo y la validez concurrente de las valoraciones del desempeño y se analizó el modelo mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio. Los resultados indican una elevada fiabilidad, tanto para las dimensiones como la evaluación global del desempeño. Un análisis de componentes principales indica la presencia de dos factores en los que cargan las valoraciones de los superiores inmediatos y los criterios objetivos externos respectivamente. El análisis factorial confirmatorio indicó que el desempeño puede representarse mediante un modelo jerárquico. Finalmente, los criterios objetivos externos correlacionan con las valoraciones de los superiores jerárquicos. Las implicaciones de los resultados se comentan en la discusión(AU)

This article presents the results of three independent studies on the development and psychometric properties of the method of evaluating the performance of employees of Public Administration of the Principality of Asturias. Study 1 describes the development and selection of competencies to be assessed. For each of the three major dimensions of job performance, five competencies were identified that should be evaluated. Study 2 describes how we developed behaviorally-anchored rating scales for measuring competencies of task performance, contextual performance, and organizational performance. Study 3 examined reliability, construct validity and concurrent validity of performance appraisals. The results showed high reliability coefficients for both the dimensions and the overall performance assessment. An exploratory principal component analysis indicated the presence of two factors in which loaded (a) the evaluations of the immediate superiors and (b) external objective criteria, respectively.Aconfirmatory factor analysis showed that performance can be represented by a hierarchical model. Finally, external criteria and the ratings of managers showed to be correlated. The implications of the findings are commented on in the discussion(AU)

Produção de mudas de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L. ) em diferentes substratos e luminosidades / Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L. ) seedling production in different substrates and luminosities

Apesar de vários usos na cultura popular, poucos trabalhos vêm sendo desenvolvidos em relação ao cultivo do manjericão, sendo a maior parte dos estudos relacionada à identificação dos compostos químicos e à farmacologia. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes luminosidades e substratos na emergência, crescimento inicial e qualidade de mudas de manjericão. Utilizaram-se três substratos (substrato comercial Plantmax®, mistura de terra + areia + cama de frango (1:1:1) e terra + areia + Plantmax® (1:1:1) e dois níveis de luminosidade (Pleno Sol e 50 por cento). O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 2 (Luz) x 3 (Substratos), com quatro repetições. Avaliou-se diariamente o percentual e o índice de velocidade de emergência, e aos 60 dias após a semeadura, o crescimento e a qualidade da muda. Os substratos e níveis de luz não alteraram a porcentagem de emergência das plântulas, entretanto a velocidade de emergência foi maior em Plantmax quando em pleno sol e não diferiu entre os substratos em 50 por cento de sombreamento. No substrato terra + areia + cama-de-frango e a pleno sol as mudas apresentaram maior crescimento e qualidade. Recomenda-se a semeadura direta do manjericão em terra + areia + cama de frango pois evita-se o transplante minimizando as perdas e a necessidade de mão de obra.

Although sweet basil has been frequently used in popular culture, few studies have been developed concerning its cultivation, and most of them are related to the identification of its chemical compounds and pharmacology. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different luminosities and substrates on the emergence, initial growth and quality of sweet basil seedlings. Three substrates (Plantmax® commercial substrate, a mixture of soil + sand + chicken manure (1:1:1), and soil + sand + Plantmax® (1:1:1) were used, together with two light levels (Full sun and 50 percent). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in 2 (Light) x 3 (Substrates) factorial arrangement with four replicates. The emergence percentage and velocity index were daily evaluated, and at 60 days after sowing seedling growth and quality were also evaluated. The substrates and light levels did not alter the percentage of seedling emergence; however, the emergence velocity was higher in Plantmax and full sun but did not differ among substrates under 50 percent shading. In the substrate soil + sand + chicken manure and full sun, seedlings had higher growth and quality. It is recommended thus that sweet basil be directly sown in soil + sand + chicken manure since it prevents transplanting, minimizing losses and the need of labor.

Adubação orgânica na produção de biomassa de plantas, teor e qualidade de óleo essencial de orégano (Origanum vulgare L. ) em cultivo protegido / Organic fertilization on phytomass production and essential oil content and quality of oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ) under protected cultivation

Origanum vulgare L., conhecida como orégano, é considerada planta condimentar largamente usada na culinária. No Brasil poucas são as pesquisas com esta espécie visando maximização das técnicas de cultivo. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de diferentes doses dos adubos orgânicos bovino e aves no crescimento de plantas, teor de clorofila, teor, rendimento e qualidade do óleo essencial de orégano cultivado sob estufa. Foram conduzidos dois ensaios, sendo um com esterco bovino e o outro com esterco de aves (Poedeira). Plantas de orégano (Origanum vulgare L.) foram cultivadas em vasos de 10 L submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: Ensaio I: Esterco bovino: 1) Solo sem adubação (controle); 2) solo + 3,0 kg m-2 de esterco bovino; 3) solo + 6,0 kg m-2 de esterco bovino; 4) solo + 9,0 kg m-2 de esterco bovino; 5) solo + 12,0 kg m-2 de esterco bovino; Ensaio II - Esterco de aves: 1) solo sem adubação (Controle); 2) solo + 1,5 kg m-2 de esterco de galinha; 3) solo + 3,0 kg m-2 de esterco de galinha; 4) solo + 4,5 kg m-2 de esterco de galinha e 5) solo + 6,0 kg m-2 de esterco de galinha. Ambos os ensaios foram conduzidos em delineamento blocos ao acaso com 4 repetições e a parcela experimental composta de 4 vasos. Foi observado que as doses de adubos bovino e avícola influenciaram significativamente no crescimento das plantas, rendimento e composição química do óleo essencial de orégano.

Origanum vulgare L., known as oregano or wild marjoram, is an aromatic plant widely used in cookery. In Brazil, there are few studies with this species aimed at improving the cultivation techniques. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different levels of cattle and chicken organic manure on plant growth, chlorophyll content, besides essential oil content, yield and quality of oregano grown in a greenhouse. Two assays were carried out, one of them used cattle manure and the other, chicken manure (Hen). Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) plants were grown in 10L-pots and subjected to the following treatments: Assay I: Cattle manure: 1) Soil without fertilization (control); 2) Soil + 3.0 kg m-2 cattle manure; 3) Soil + 6.0 kg m-2 cattle manure; 4) Soil + 9.0 kg m-2 cattle manure; and 5) Soil + 12.0 kg m-2 cattle manure; Assay II: Chicken manure: 1) Soil without fertilization (control); 2) Soil + 1.5 kg m-2 chicken manure; 3) Soil + 3.0 kg m-2 chicken manure; 4) Soil + 4.5 kg m-2 chicken manure; and 5) Soil + 6.0 kg m-2 chicken manure. The experimental design for both assays was in randomized blocks with four replicates and four pots per plot. Cattle and chicken manure levels significantly influenced oregano plant growth besides essential oil yield and chemical composition.

Comparison of force, power, and striking efficiency for a Kung Fu strike performed by novice and experienced practitioners: preliminary analysis.

This paper presents a comparison of force, power, and efficiency values calculated from Kung Fu Yau-Man palm strikes, when performed by 7 experienced and 6 novice men. They performed 5 palm strikes to a freestanding basketball, recorded by high-speed camera at 1000 Hz. Nonparametric comparisons and correlations showed experienced practitioners presented larger values of mean muscle force, mean impact force, mean muscle power, mean impact power, and mean striking efficiency, as is noted in evidence obtained for other martial arts. Also, an interesting result was that for experienced Kung Fu practitioners, muscle power was linearly correlated with impact power (p = .98) but not for the novice practitioners (p = .46).

Efeitos da cadência de pedalada sobre a potência mecânica e variáveis fisiológicas / Effect of pedal cadence on mechanical power output and physiological variables

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as respostas das variáveis potência máxima (Pmax), freqüência cardíaca(FC), percepção de esforço (PE), pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) e duplo produto (DP) na carga máxima atingida e durante os testes de 60 e 90 rpm. A amostra deste estudo constou de 14 homens (26,5 ±3,5 anos, 78,5 ± 7,8 kg e 178,1 ± 7,0 cm) praticantes de aulas de ciclismo "indoor", que realizaram dois testes de esforço máximo, segundo o protocolo incremental de Balke. O primeiro teste (test60) consistiu de uma cadência de pedalada de 60 rpm até a exaustão voluntária ou o aparecimento de sinais ou sintomas limitantes. Já o segundo teste (test90) utilizou a cadência de pedalada de 90 rpm. Não houve diferença significativa da FCmax (test60: 189,7±12,0 bpm; test90:190,9±10,7 bpm), PEmax (test60: 20,0±0,3; test90: 20,0±1,0) e PADmédia (test60: 76,7±4,9 mmHg; test90: 79,1 ± 5,3 mmHg)entre as cadências testadas. Por outro lado, os valores de Pmax (test60: 344,6±70,1 W; test90: 285,7±61,8 W), PASmax(test60: 186,1±14,7 mmHg; test90: 202,1±21,5 mmHg) e DPmax (test60: 35402,9±4431,7; test90: 38655,0±5270,5) foram diferentes. Em relação ao comportamento das variáveis durante os testes, houve diferença significativa da FC entre os testes até 225 W. Observou-se que tanto na PE, quanto na PAD, não houve diferença significativa em nenhuma potência absoluta. Para PAS e para o DP, houve diferença significativa entre as cadências somente na potência absoluta de 300W. Com isso, fica claro que realizar testes máximos, mesmo em protocolos que não prescrevam a cadência de pedalada,parece ser indicado pedalar a 60 rpm.

The objective of this study was to compare the responses of the variables maximal power output (POmax),heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) anddouble product (DP) in the maximum reached load and during 60 and 90 rev.min-1 tests. The study sample consisted of14 men (26.5 ± 3.5 years, 78.5 ± 7.8 kg and 178.1 ± 7.0 cm) engaged in indoor cycling classes, who undertook two testsof maximum effort using Balkeãs incremental protocol. The fi rst test (test60) consisted of a pedal cadence of 60 rev.min-1throughout the test, until voluntary exhaustion or the appearance of signs or symptom limits. The second test (test90) wasat a pedal cadence of 90 rev.min-1. There were no signifi cant difference between the cadences tested in terms of HRmax(test60: 189.7±12.0 beats.min-1; test90: 190.9±10.7 beats.min-1), RPEmax (test60: 20.0±0.3; test90: 20.0±1.0) or DBPmean(test60: 76.7±4.9 mmHg; test90: 79.1 ± 5.3 mmHg). On the other hand, the values of POmax (test60: 344.6±70.1 W; test90:285.7±61.8 W), SBPmax (test60: 186.1±14.7 mmHg; test90: 202.1±21.5 mmHg) and DPmax (test60: 35402.9±4431.7; test90:38655.0±5270.5) were different. In relation to the behavior of the variables during the tests, there were signifi cant differencein HR between the tests up to a level of 225 W. It was observed that neither RPE or DBP indicated signifi cant differencein absolute power. There were only differences in SBP and DP between the cadences at 300 W absolute power. With this,it is clear that to carry out maximum tests, even in protocols that do not prescribe the pedal cadence, it appears thet a 60rev.min-1 pedalling speed is indicated.

Supplemental feedings increase self-selected work output during wildfire suppression.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of supplemental feeding strategies on self-selected activity during wildland fire suppression. METHODS: Seventy-six wildland firefighters were studied in three experiments for three fire seasons. During the first two seasons, subjects consumed, in addition to their sack lunch, 1) liquid carbohydrate (CHO) (200 mL.h, 20% CHO (40 g.h, 160 kcal.h)) or placebo (PLA) every hour, or 2) liquid CHO (200 mL.h, 20% CHO (40 g.h, 160 kcal.h) every even hour and solid CHO (25 g of CHO, 10 g of protein, 2 g of fat, and 160 kcal.h) every odd hour, or PLA, using counterbalanced crossover designs. During the third season, subjects consumed their sack lunch halfway through their workday, or shift food items of approximately 150-400 kcal at 90-min intervals after breakfast in a randomized crossover design (isocaloric intake, 1534+/-265 kcal per workday). Work output was monitored using CSA and MiniMitter actigraphy units. RESULTS: During the liquid CHO trials, subjects consuming CHO demonstrated significantly higher average activity counts throughout the day compared with PLA (50,262+/-36,560 and 40,159+/-35,969 counts per hour for 12 h for the CHO and PLA trials, respectively; P<0.05). For the liquid+solid CHO trials, subjects consuming CHO demonstrated higher average activity counts per minute 2 h before lunch and the last 4 h of the workday compared with PLA (P<0.05). For the sack lunch and shift food trials, subjects consuming shift foods demonstrated higher average counts per minute during the final 2 h compared with those consuming sack lunch (521+/-421 vs 366+/-249 counts per minute during 2 h; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Liquid and/or solid supplemental CHO and regular feedings increased self-selected work rates during wildland fire suppression, particularly during the latter hours of the workday.

Postural adaptations specific to preferred throwing techniques practiced by competition-level judoists.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the judoists' postural regulation adopted to accommodate their favorite throwing technique (tokui-waza). The tokui-waza is a technique performed in bipodal or monopodal stance. Twenty three judoists aged between 16 and 20 took part in the protocol. All had a minimum regional sportive level. They were separated into two groups: the one performed a tokui-waza in bipodal stance (BS group) and the others performed a tokui-waza in monopodal stance (MS group). The medio/lateral and antero/posterior dynamic balance was evaluated on one-leg and two-leg support with a seesaw platform laid on a force platform. On two-leg support, the BS group judoists were more efficient than the MS group judoists. On the contrary, on one-leg support, the MS group was more efficient than the BS group. The different movements practiced on one or two-leg induce specific postural adaptations in competition-level judoists. Therefore, the present study shows that the different movements practiced in a given sport can induce particular postural adaptations. This phenomenon must therefore also be taken into account in the protocols used for evaluating postural control in sportsmen.

Effect of skill on work productivity and physical body dimensions of the Oraon tea garden labourers of the Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India.

Skill is one of the factors influencing labour productivity of manual labour. The present study aims to find out the possible relationship between skill and productivity and between skill and physical body dimension among the tea garden labourers of Northern West Bengal, India. Skill was measured by indigenously devised test protocols developed only for this purpose. Productivity or labour output was measured in terms of amount of tea leaves (in weight) plucked in a day by an individual. Physical body dimension was recorded in terms of a list of anthropometric traits. The results show an inconsistent relationship between skill and productive output and a non-significant relationship between skill and physical body dimensions. However, there are some trends that skill is high in younger individuals and low skill in females is associated with relatively high fat accumulation in the body.

[Long-term changes in the efficiency of inhibitory transmission in the thalamocortical neuronal networks evoked by cortical microstimulation]. / Dlitel'nye izmeneniia éffektivnosti tormoznoi peredachi v talamo-kortikal'nykh neironnykh setiakh, vyzvannye mikrostimuliatsiei kory.

Long-term posttetanic modifications of the efficacy of inhibitory synaptic connections were studied in auditory thalamo-cortical assemblies. We demonstrated that intracortical microstimulation (ICMS, high-frequency pulse of 5 mcA) which activated a small group of cortical neurons produced long-term (at least 30 min) modifications (potentiation--LTPi and depression--LTDi of the efficacy of inhibitory monosynaptic transmission between numerous elements of thalamo-cortical network. LTPi was accompanied by an increase in the firing rate of inhibitory neuron. LTPi was input-specific and did not lead to decrease in the firing rate of the postsynaptic cell. LTP of the efficacy of excitatory and inhibitory inputs of the same target cell could be induced simultaneously. The efficacy of inhibitory synapses formed by the terminals of one axon on different cells could be modified variously. These results allowed us to suggest that we dealt with inhibitory synapses located on dendritic spines and that both pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms could underly long-term modifications of inhibitory transmission.

[Age-related features of the working capacity of rats during positive emotional reinforcement by hypothalamic self-stimulation]. / Vozrastnye osobennosti rabotosposobnosti krys pri polozhitel'nom émotsional'nom podkreplenii samorazdrazheniem gipotalamusa.

Some age-related peculiarities found in rats striving for hypothalamic self-stimulation: (1) the capacity in old rats decreased more rapidly during fatique than in adult ones; (2) some old but not adult animals died after hard physical work; (3) some old rats "working" for a longer time have done greater work, than adult ones.

Nutritional and environmental factors involved in egg shell quality of laying hens.

1. Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of lighting regime, dietary calcium source and sodium bicarbonate on production variables and egg shell quality of White Leghorn hens. In both experiments, hens were assigned to one of three lighting programmes that provided evening, morning or intermittent (midnight) lighting supplements in addition to natural daylight. Experimental diets used in the first study were formulated to contain (1) ground oyster shell flour, (2) limestone flour, or (3) and (4) the same +2/3 of the calcium source as hen-size oyster shell grit. The same 4 diets plus those containing hen-size limestone or hen-size limestone and oyster shells were used in experiment II. Additionally, diets in the first experiment contained either 0 or 10 g/kg sodium bicarbonate. 2. Hen-day egg production and food consumption were not affected by any of the experimental treatments. Hens fed on oyster shell diets or exposed to intermittent lighting regimes laid eggs of the highest specific gravity. Shell quality, as measured by specific gravity, was not affected by the addition of dietary sodium bicarbonate. 3. As expected, elevated temperatures (greater than 32 degrees C) significantly reduced egg shell quality. However, this effect was variable particularly in experiment II which used younger hens. 4. The shell quality of eggs from hens exposed to intermittent lighting in experiment II was significantly higher in each of the 4 sampling periods: morning (08.00-12.00), afternoon (12.00-16.00), evening (16.00-20.00) and night (20.00-08.00). 5. It is suggested that midnight lighting programmes provide a means of supporting egg shell quality of older laying hens during the summer months without a significant reduction in egg production.

[Use of preventive reflexotherapy in workers at an electrode-manufacturing plant]. / O primenenii refleksoprofilaktiki v usloviiakh élektrodnogo proizvodstva.

Reflexoprevention was carried out in 5 workers engaged in electrode production and exposed to such occupational factors as high gas and dust loading, heating microclimate, significant physical stress at workplace. Electropuncture was carried out by means of an electrostimulator EPB-50-01. The workers were exposed only to heating microclimate and physical load. Positive effect of reflexoprevention was confirmed.

[Utilization efficiency of protein mixtures in young rats]. / Effektivnost' utilizatsii belkovykh smesei krysami rannego vozrasta.

The utilization efficacy of varying proteins and proteinic mixtures was studied in rats fed artificially from the 15th to 20th day of life. Four types of proteinic mixtures were tested, containing casecyte, soybean protein, human milk proteins and cow milk serum proteins (CMSP). The highest protein utilization and body weight growth were recorded in rats given the mixture composed of casecyte and CMSP, the lowest values were obtained in the animals fed with soybean protein and CMSP. A significantly increased utilization efficacy of proteins was observed in the animals fed with soybean protein and CMSP supplemented with casecyte.