Reviewing Caffeine’s Effects on Cognitive, Physical & Occupational Performance (in Military Populations)

Research Paper Title A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Abstract Caffeine is consumed by over 80% of U.S. adults. This review examines the effects caffeine has on cognitive and physical function, since most real-world activities require complex decision making, motor processing and movement. Caffeine exerts its effects by blocking adenosine… Read More

Linking Calorie Deprivation, Mood, Interstitial Glucose & Cognitive Function

Research Paper Title Two Days of Calorie Deprivation Induced by Underfeeding and Aerobic Exercise Degrades Mood and Lowers Interstitial Glucose but Does Not Impair Cognitive Function in Young Adults. Background In studies assessing the effects of acute undernutrition on cognitive function, volunteers are sedentary and findings are equivocal, even though glucose concentrations fall substantially. However,… Read More

Quantity & Measured versus Quality & Judged

“In fact, quality, not quantity, becomes the watchword. But quality must be judged, not measured.” (Bleecker, 1986, p.98). Reference Bleecker, S. (1986) Taking the Factory out of the Office. Computerworld: The Newsweekly for the Computer Community. XX(24), pp.95-104.

Training & Cognitive Bias: Any Link?

Research Paper Title Training Induces Cognitive Bias: The Case of a Simulation-Based Emergency Airway Curriculum. Introduction Training-induced cognitive bias may affect performance. Using a simulation-based emergency airway curriculum, we tested the hypothesis that curriculum design would induce bias and affect decision making. Methods Twenty-three novice anesthesiology residents were randomized into 2 groups. The primary outcome measure was the initiation… Read More

Character-Education Programmes: Linking Performance Virtues & Moral Virtues

Discussion Paper Title Moral Dilemma. Headline Attempts to bolster virtuous traits in the young are on the rise. But no one knows whether they actually works, says Christian B. Miller (writing in the New Scientist). Article It is a common refrain down the ages: the young of today lack the backbone of earlier generations. In… Read More

Reviewing Instructional Strategies relevant to (US) Military Training Goals.

Research Paper Title Instructional Strategies Framework for Military Training Systems. Abstract In an effort to improve training efficiency ,the [US] military has focused much attention on the development of replicable and generalisable training systems. As a result, a substantial number of companies and contractors have spent significant time and money developing a wide-array of simulators,virtual reality… Read More

Vitamin D & Cognitive Decline: Any Link?

Research Paper Title Vitamin D Status and Rates of Cognitive Decline in a Multiethnic Cohort of Older Adults. Importance Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency is associated with brain structural abnormalities, cognitive decline, and incident dementia. Objective To assess associations between VitD status and trajectories of change in subdomains of cognitive function in a cohort of ethnically… Read More