Combining Action Observation and Motor Imagery Improves Eye–Hand Coordination during Novel Visuomotor Task Performance

Abstract

In this study, we compared the effectiveness of concurrent action observation and motor imagery (AO?+?MI), observing with the intent to imitate (active observation; AO), and passive observation (PO) training interventions for improving eye–hand coordination. Fifty participants were assigned to five groups [AO?+?MI, AO, PO, physical practice (PP); control] and performed a visuomotor rotation task, whilst eye movements were recorded. Each participant then performed 20 task trials in a training intervention before repeating the visuomotor rotation task in a post-test. As expected, PP produced the greatest improvement in task performance and eye–hand coordination. However, in comparison to the control group, AO?+?MI training produced a statistically significant increase in both task performance and eye–hand coordination, but no such improvements were found following AO or PO.     

Suicidal Intent and Method of Self‐Harm: A Large‐scale Study of Self‐Harm Patients Presenting to a General Hospital

Data from the Oxford Monitoring System for Attempted Suicide (2004–2011) were used to study hospital presentations for self‐harm in which Suicidal Intent Scale (SIS) scores were obtained (N = 4,840). Regression of medians was used to control for the confounding effect of age and gender. Higher estimated median SIS scores were associated with increasing age, male gender, self‐poisoning versus self‐injury, multiple methods of self‐harm versus self‐injury alone, use of gas (mainly carbon monoxide), dangerous methods of self‐injury (including hanging, gunshot), and use of alcohol as part of the act. For self‐poisoning patients, there was a correlation between the number of tablets taken and the total SIS score. Compared with self‐poisoning with paracetamol and paracetamol‐containing compounds, self‐poisoning with antipsychotics was associated with a lower median SIS score while antidepressants had the same estimated median as paracetamol. Use of alcohol within 6 hours of self‐harm was associated with lower SIS scores. In conclusion, certain methods of self‐harm, particularly dangerous methods of self‐injury and self‐poisoning with gas, were associated with high intent and should alert clinicians to potential higher risk of suicide. However, apart from use of gas, suicidal intent cannot be inferred from type of drugs used for self‐poisoning.     

A Cross-Cultural Look at Assessment Center Practices: Survey Results from Western Europe and North America

No recent survey documents assessment center (AC) practices across several countries. Therefore, we analyse AC practices in a sample of 97 organisations from nine countries in Western Europe and North America. We report findings regarding job analysis, dimensions, exercises, additional diagnostic methods, use of technology, assessor characteristics, contents and methods of assessor training, observational systems, information provided to participants, evaluation of participants' reactions, data integration, characteristics of feedback, and features after the AC. Finally, we compare our results with prior findings to identify trends over time and point out features of ACs that could be improved.
Face aux défis que soulèvent les centres d'évaluation (AC) dans les organisations internationales, nous proposons un modèle qui rend compte des variations transculturelles dans ces pratiques, variations relevant de données individuelles (la motivation et la qualification des experts en resources humaines), de conditions culturelles (le « contrôle de l'incertitude >> et la « distance hiérarchique >>) et de réalités institutionnelles (des differences dans le niveau officiel de collectivisme et des divergences en ce qui concerne les normes légales et les lois régissant l'emploi). Ce modèle est exploité pour expliquer les différences dans la planification, l'exécution et l'évaluation des AC dans des organisations situées dans neuf pays d'Europe de l'ouest et d'Amérique du nord. Nous mettons aussi en evidence des tendances sur le long terme dans les pratiques des AC et discutons de l'amélioration de ces pratiques et de l'orientation des futures recherches dans ce domaine.     

“Tower,Am I Cleared to Land?”: Problematic Communication in Aviation Discourse

This study examined problematic communication in pilot–air traffic controller (ATC) interaction. More than 15 hours of pilot–ATC dialogue were collected by monitoring control tower frequencies at 15 U.S. airports. The transcribed data yielded a total of 34 ATCs, 270 pilots, and 1,799 turns of talk. Analyses revealed that (a) communication problematics manifested in pilot turns more than ATC turns, (b) higher amounts of information led to increased problematic communication in the subsequent turn, and (c) linguistic violations of ATC protocol increased problematic communication in the subsequent turn. Partial support was found for the effect of frequency congestion on problematic communication. No effect was observed for airport size on problematic communication. The discussion addresses the significance of protocol deviations and system constraints for problematic communication. Applications for the findings in pilot–ATC radio interaction are also suggested.     

Looking Back on Self‐Poisoning: The Relationship between Depressed Mood and Reporting of Suicidal Intent in People Who Deliberately Self‐Poison

Lifetime worst‐point suicidality is associated with risk of subsequent death by suicide. Yet little is known about how people who deliberately self‐poison (DSP) change their appraisal of suicidal intent of a single DSP episode over time. We assessed whether suicidal intent for a single index episode of DSP changed over time and factors associated with such change. We studied 202 patients admitted for DSP (66.3% female, all Caucasian), 18–85 years old (M = 37.8, SD = 14.8), using a longitudinal design (0, 3, and 12 months). The primary outcome measure was change in suicidal intent for a single index DSP episode, analyzed using multilevel modeling. Wish to die and whether the episode was considered a suicide attempt increased significantly with depressed mood. Wish to die associated with the index episode also increased over time independently of depressed mood. No association with time or depressed mood was found for perceived likelihood of dying. Depressed mood was strongly associated with appraisal of suicidal intent associated with a DSP episode. In suicide risk assessment, reports of the nature and severity of past DSP should be interpreted in light of current mood.