The UK Centre for Astrobiology (UKCA) was set up in 2011 as a virtual center to contribute to astrobiology research, education, and outreach. After 5 years, we describe this center and its work in each of these areas. Its research has focused on studying life in extreme environments, the limits of life on Earth, and implications for habitability elsewhere. Among its research infrastructure proj...

BACKGROUND Strength training has been shown to be beneficial in older adults. However, very little data exist on the effects of strength training in older diabetics. METHODS 31 community-dwelling older adults with diabetes (mean age = 66.1 years) were randomly assigned to either an exercise (EX) or control (CO) group. The EX group trained the plantar flexors, knee extensors, knee flexors, hip...

In this paper, a new method to analyze the input-output pairing for uncertain multivariable plants is proposed. Here, Hankel Interaction Index Array is used to choose the appropriate input-output pair and a theorem will be presented to show the effect of additive uncertainties on input-output pairing of the system. In this theorem a new approach to compute the variation bound of Hankel Interact...

Using 1996 surveyed data of 1,023 employees in Shenzhen, China, this study estimated the effects of three forms of human capital on employee salary, namely formal education, on-the-job training provided by employers, and adult education pursued by employees. Using a hierarchical linear model, the analysis estimated employee monthly salary growth over a maximum of six years due to (a) such tempo...

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of a sport-specific maximal 6-wk strength and conditioning program on critical velocity (CV), anaerobic running distance (ARD), and 5-km time-trial performance (TT). METHODS 16 moderately trained recreational endurance runners were tested for CV, ARD, and TT performances on 3 separate occasions (baseline, midstudy, and poststudy). DESIGN Participants were ...

Efficacy and effectiveness data for strength-training programs targeting older adults have been well established, but it is evident that they are not translated within practice-based settings to have a public health impact, as most (~90%) older adults are not meeting strength-training recommendations. Strength-training interventions developed, delivered, and evaluated in highly controlled setti...

This article describes a nursing staff training program in basic behavior management skills and a formal staff management system to encourage the application of these basic skills on the nursing unit. Behavioral skills training consists of a 5-hour in-service followed by three weeks of on-the-job training to ensure accurate application of behavior management skills. Following training, a staff ...

African countries, like other UNESCO member countries, commited themselves during the 2000 Dakar Global Forum to ensure quality education for all. It is a twofold challenge to equitably enhance access to and improve the quality of education. An exercise which requires inter alia, an inventive spirit, a review of existing policies and practices and an exchange of good ones particularly in the ar...

No long-term exercise training regimen with high adherence and effectiveness in middle-aged and older people is broadly available in the field. We assessed the adherence to, and effects of, our long-term training program comprising an interval walking training (IWT) and an information technology network system and the factors affecting adherence. Middle-aged and older men and women [n = 696, ag...

Over the last 30 years, strength and power training has been a major issue for, coaches, athletes and researchers. Unfortunately, despite the increasing professionalization of coaches and athletes, there is little research data concerning performance in top athletes. In fact, experimental studies in high level athletes are very difficult to put into practice for many reasons. However, such cons...