Only true experiments offer definitive evidence for causal inferences, but not all educational interventions are readily amenable to experiments. Correlational evidence can at least tentatively inform evidence-based practice when sophisticated causal modeling or exclusion methods are employed. Correlational evidence is most informative when exemplary practices are followed as regards (a) measurement, (b) quantifying effects, (c) avoiding common analysis errors, and (d) using confidence intervals to portray the range of possible effects and the precisions of the effect estimates.

The present study reports the development of a brief, quantitative, web-based, psychometrically sound measure-the Generalized Acceptance of EvolutioN Evaluation (GAENE, pronounced "gene") in a format that is useful in large and small groups, in research, and in classroom settings. The measure was designed to measure only evolution acceptance-not related knowledge or religious beliefs. Item development was based on extensive student interviews and pretesting followed by multiple rounds of qualitative review and quantitative validity testing based on expert review (Lawshe, 1975) and multiple rounds of item revision, then by reliability testing of over 600 high school (HS) and post-secondary (PS) students (Study 1, GAENE 1.0). Data analysis strongly supported the reliability and validity of GAENE 1.0, principal components analysis supported a two-factor solution. All the negatively worded items (and only those items) loaded on the second factor. Rasch analysis also suggested the need for items that would be endorsed at the lower end of the person-item scale. The negatively worded items were, therefore, reworded as positives, additional items were generated to attract wider endorsement, two additional rounds of qualitative and quantitative expert validation were conducted, and reliability testing was repeated with over 600 HS and PS students (Study 2, GAENE 2.0). Both reliability and validity indices of GAENE 2.0 were strong (Lawshe content validity index ¼ 0.72; Cronbach's alpha HS ¼ 0.940; Cronbach's alpha PS ¼ 0.948; Cronbach's alphacombined ¼ 0.945). Principal components analysis suggests that GAENE 2.0 measures a single factor. Together with Rasch analysis results, these data provide substantial initial evidence to support the validity and psychometric integrity of the GAENE as a measure of the degree to which high school and college students accept the theory of evolution. The rigorous development process can also serve as a model for others interested in measure development. #

Improvements in technology have allowed more precise measurements of regional fat distribution and also present the opportunity to make a systematic evaluation of the various fat depots, including intraabdominal adipose tissue (IAF), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAF), trunk fat, arm fat, and leg fat. The purpose of this study was to determine which of the fat distribution variables (arm fat, leg fat, trunk fat, IAF, or SAF) may have independent relations with cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors [serum triacylglycerol, serum cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol, HDL3 cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, VLDL3 cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure] in women after adjusting for age, menopause status, and other fat-distribution variables. Two hundred twenty-four (138 premenopausal and 86 postmenopausal) white females ranging in age from 17 to 77 y were sampled. Percentage body fat ranged from 8.8% to 48.1% and IAF cross sections ranged from 9.2 to 335 cm2. Simple zero-linear correlations and partial correlations were calculated. IAF and trunk fat were consistently positively related to CVD risk factors, whereas leg fat was consistently negatively related to CVD risk, indicating that IAF and trunk fat may put women at increased risk of developing CVD.

In order to compare the cardiovascular and energy expenditure demands of ''Super Slow'' (SST) and traditional (TT) resistance training 7 resistance-trained young men (24.3 Ϯ 3.8 years) had energy expenditure (using indirect calorimetry) and heart rate evaluated during and for 15 minutes after a workout on separate days. Blood lactate levels were also evaluated before and after each intervention. Resting energy expenditure was evaluated in a fasted state using a ventilated canopy prior to any exercise stimulus and 21 to 22 hours after the SST and TT. V O 2 and average heart rate were both significantly higher during the TT than during the SST. The net V O 2 was also significantly higher during the 15 minutes recovery; however, average heart rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Total net energy expenditure from oxidative processes was 45% higher for the TT intervention (TT ϭ 155 Ϯ 28 kcal, and SST ϭ 107 Ϯ 20 kcal). The significant postexercise lactate difference was almost 2 times greater following the TT than after the SST (TT ϭ 7.9 Ϯ 1.7 mmol·L Ϫ1 ·min Ϫ1 , and SST ϭ 4.0 Ϯ 2.0 mmol·L Ϫ1 ·min Ϫ1 ). Finally, adding the estimated energy expenditure of the blood lactate to the net energy expenditure from the V O 2 produced a significant difference that is over 48% greater for the TT intervention (TT ϭ 172 Ϯ 29 kcal·min Ϫ1 , and SST ϭ 116 Ϯ 22 kcal·min Ϫ1 ). No significant repeated measures analysis main effect was found for either resting energy expenditure or respiratory exchange ratio. The metabolic and cardiovascular stimuli were low with SST. Traditional resistance training increases energy expenditure more than SST does and thus may be more beneficial for body weight control.Reference Data: Hunter, G.R., D. Seelhorst, and S. Snyder. Comparison of metabolic and heart rate responses to super slow vs. traditional resistance training.

Discriminant function analyses revealed that patient baseline cotinine value, duration of smoking habit, self-efficacy, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and exposure to patient education methods were predictive of non-smoking status assessed during the third trimester of pregnancy.