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Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is generally regarded as a technique for large sample sizes (N), with N = 50 as a reasonable absolute minimum. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the conditions in which EFA can yield good quality results for N below 50. Simulations were carried out to estimate the minimum required N for different levels of loadings (λ), number of factors (f), and number of variables (p) and to examine the extent to which a small N solution can sustain the presence of small distortions such as interfactor correlations, model error, secondary loadings, unequal loadings, and unequal p/f. Factor recovery was assessed in terms of pattern congruence coefficients, factor score correlations, Heywood cases, and the gap size between eigenvalues. A subsampling study was also conducted on a psychological dataset of individuals who filled in a Big Five Inventory via the Internet. Results showed that when data are well conditioned (i.e., high λ, low f, high p), EFA can yield reliable results for N well below 50, even in the presence of small distortions. Such conditions may be uncommon but should certainly not be ruled out in behavioral research data. ∗ These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Heterogeneity in the hypoxic state of Tyrode-perfused rat hearts was studied using NADH and Pd-porphine videofluorometry. Ischemic as well as high-flow anoxia resulted in a homogeneous rise of tissue NADH fluorescence, whereas normoxic recovery from both types of anoxia caused transiently persisting patchy fluorescent areas. Patterns were always the same for a given heart. PO2 distribution in the vasculature measured by Pd-porphine phosphorescence showed patterns similar to the NADH fluorescence patterns. Microsphere embolization of the capillaries, but not of arterioles, elicited identical NADH fluorescence patterns as seen during recovery from anoxia without microspheres. High heartbeat rates also caused patchy fluorescent areas but not in the presence of adenosine. Patterns corresponded to those seen during normoxic recovery from anoxia under low beat rates. It is concluded that there are circulatory units in the rat heart at the capillary level that result in the temporary persistence of anoxic areas during recovery from anoxia. These vulnerable areas are the first to be compromised during high heartbeat rates.

This article is considered relevant because: 1) car driving is an everyday and safety-critical task; 2) simulators are used to an increasing extent for driver training (related topics: training, virtual reality, human-machine interaction); 3) the article addresses relationships between performance in the simulator and driving test results--a relevant topic for those involved in driver training and the virtual reality industries; 4) this article provides new insights about individual differences in young drivers' behaviour. Simulators are being used to an increasing extent for driver training, allowing for the possibility of collecting objective data on driver proficiency under standardised conditions. However, relatively little is known about how learner drivers' simulator measures relate to on-road driving. This study proposes a theoretical framework that quantifies driver proficiency in terms of speed of task execution, violations and errors. This study investigated the relationships between these three measures of learner drivers' (n=804) proficiency during initial simulation-based training and the result of the driving test on the road, occurring an average of 6 months later. A higher chance of passing the driving test the first time was associated with making fewer steering errors on the simulator and could be predicted in regression analysis with a correlation of 0.18. Additionally, in accordance with the theoretical framework, a shorter duration of on-road training corresponded with faster task execution, fewer violations and fewer steering errors (predictive correlation 0.45). It is recommended that researchers conduct more large-scale studies into the reliability and validity of simulator measures and on-road driving tests.