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The conventional method of measuring ability--based on items with assumed true parameter values obtained from a pretest--is compared to a Bayesian method that deals with the uncertainties of such items. Data from a 1987 American College Testing Program mathematics test indicate that maximum likelihood/Bayesian techniques underestimate uncertainty. (TJH)

Transient fluctuations in immune function after heavy exercise have been linked to an increased incidence of infection in athletes. Several parameters of immunity, including salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), are affected by heavy exercise in the laboratory setting. However, few observations have been made during true competition. We tested the hypothesis that salivary IgA levels will be decreased after a collegiate rugby game. Saliva samples obtained from 16 men's college rugby players before and after an 80-minute regulation rugby game were analyzed for total volume, IgA, total protein content, and osmolality. Salivary IgA was expressed relative to secretion rate (s-IgA), osmolality (IgA-Osm), and total protein (IgA-Pro). No significant pregame-postgame changes in salivary IgA were observed (s-IgA: -13%, IgA-Osm: -16%, IgA-Pro: +10%). These data indicate that strenuous physical activity, such as a competitive rugby game, does not affect IgA levels. More study on the immune response to athletic competition is needed. KEY WORDS. immune function, sports, IgA, saliva

This study used individual growth modeling to examine individual difference and group difference models of adaptation. The adaptation of 27 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and 40 children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was tracked for 18 months from diagnosis. A control group of 62 healthy children was followed over the same time period. Clustering procedures indicated that child and family adaptation could be described by a number of distinct adaptation trajectories, independent of diagnostic group membership. In contrast, parental adaptation trajectory was associated with diagnostic group membership and control over disease activity for the JRA group and with diagnostic group membership for healthy controls. The observation of common patterns across trajectory sets, as well as the finding that trajectories were differentially related to a number of variables of interest, support the use of trajectories to represent adaptation to chronic disease.

A more widespread adoption of smoking bans in workplaces could encourage more smokers to quit smoking altogether. Researchers interviewed 1,469 current or former smokers who worked in hospitals in 21 states and 920 current or former smokers who worked in workplaces in the community that did not have smoking bans. In 1993, the agency that accredits hospitals required all hospitals to be smoke-free. The quit rates among hospital employees one year after the smoking ban were almost twice as high as those in the community workers. Quit rates were even higher in hospitals that had voluntarily mandated smoking bans before 1993. Hospital employees also appeared to be further along on the smoking cessation cycle. For example, 30.5% were seriously thinking of quitting, compared to 23.4% in the community. Hospital employees who continued to smoke had reduced their daily cigarette consumption by an average of one cigarette. The hospital industry is the only industry that has implemented a nationwide smoking ban., Objective--To examine the impact of workplace smoking bans on smoking behavior of employees. Participants.--A total of 1469 current or former smokers (interventon group) employed in smoke-free hospitals and 920 current or former smokers (comparison group) employed in non-smoke-free workplaces were surveyed to determine smoking behavior. Design.--This cross-sectional study is part of a larger, ongoing prospective study. The study design was quasi-experimental. We randomly selected sites consisting of a hospital and a corresponding community. Furthermore, we randomly selected subjects from hospitals and their corresponding communities. Main Outcome Measures.--Postban quit ratio and progression along the stages-of-change continuum. Methods.--The Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare the postban quit ratio between the intervention and comparison groups. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel analysis of variance statistic was used to compare groups on the stages-of-change variables. Results.--Beginning with the smoking ban and continuing for 5 years after implementation, statistically significant differences in the postban quit ratio were observed between employees of smoke-free hospitals who were smokers and counterparts in the community (P