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The Upper Cretaceous Cantwell Formation in Denali National Park and Preserve (DENA) preserves an abundant and diverse ichnofossil record of high latitude dinosaurs. Field-based investigations of the formation remain limited due to its wide areal extent and remoteness, leaving questions concerning its temporal and faunistic relationships to other units unaddressed. Here we describe the largest tracksite known in DENA and all of Alaska – a 7500 square metre outcrop of steeply dipping beds known as the Coliseum. The site exposes 66.3 metres of vertical section consisting of laterally extensive fine- to medium-grained sandstone, mudstone, calcareous shale, and bentonite. Vertebrate trace fossils include true tracks, transmitted tracks, natural casts, and trackways documented via handheld and UAV-assisted photogrammetry, enabling three-dimensional mapping of the site. Facies analysis reveals a depositional environment of crevasse splay and overbank deposits within a fluvial floodplain. U-Pb dating of bentonite collected from the site returned an age of 69.3 ± 0.9 Ma, improving the limited temporal constraints of the formation. We document several ichnotaxa, some new to the formation, representing ornithopods, ceratopsids, and large and small-bodied avian and non-avian theropods. The Coliseum provides a rare window into a high latitude, Late Cretaceous forested ecosystem deposited in a Greenhouse World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although applied sport psychologists are supporting young athletes drawing on experiential evidence of what works, there is a lack of understanding regarding how to effectively help young athletes enhance their wellbeing, long-term development, and performance. The aim of the current study was to gain insights into the consultancy process from accredited applied sport psychologists working with young athletes (5–18 years) in the United Kingdom, to inform the training and development of practitioners. An Interpretive Descriptive (ID) design was used to generate grounded knowledge relevant to applied practice contexts. The current study was conducted by a British Psychological Society (BPS), Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP), research working group and consisted of two phases: First, working group members (n = 6) participated in two separate focus groups. Second, in-depth interviews were conducted with UK-based sport psychology practitioners (n = 9) who had extensive knowledge and experience of working with young athletes. Reflexive thematic analysis generated six higher order themes: (a) Clear intentions, motives, and boundaries; (b) flexible and adaptable theoretical approaches; (c) seeking and securing connections; (d) multiple perspectives matter; (e) indirect interventions maximize impact; and (f) adaptation and integration determine Psychological Skills Training (PST) effectiveness. The current study offers unique and detailed insights regarding the consultancy process when working with young athletes. Such insights are crucial for applied sport psychologists to promote evidence-informed developmentally appropriate practice. Lay Summary: Experienced applied sport psychologists in the UK demonstrated clear motives for working with young athletes, used flexible and adaptable consultancy approaches, secured connections, and assessed young athletes from multiple perspectives. Indirect interventions (delivered through coaches, parents, etc.) were considered the most impactful, but adaptation and integration determined PST effectiveness. Practitioners should, whenever possible, work collaboratively with coaches and/or parents (indirectly or directly) to elicit greatest intervention effects. Interventions should match the demands of the sport, the young athlete's developmental stage, and their unique individual wants and/or needs. PST in youth sport should be simple, adaptable, and where possible integrated within a young athlete's training and competition context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nanushuk Formation (Albian–Cenomanian) crops out over much of the central and western North Slope of Alaska, varying from ≈1500 to ≈250 m thick from west to northeast. The Nanushuk Formation records an inter-tonguing succession of marine and nonmarine conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone, and coal. These rock units comprise the Kukpowruk and Corwin formations of the former Nanushuk Group, respectively. Work presented here is centered in the foothills of the DeLong Mountains along the Kukpowruk River, from an area west of Igloo Mountain in the Coke Basin to the Barabara Syncline, approximately 80 km to the north. A radiometric date recovered from a tuff in our study area suggests a Cenomanian age for at least some of these rocks. Outcrops along the Kukpowruk River contain a well-preserved fossil flora previously recovered from marine, marginal marine, and terrestrial sediments. Our own work focuses on detailed measured sections of terrestrial rocks, interpretation of sedimentary facies and facies associations, and documentation of fossil vertebrates. Eight facies associations are identified in the study area that together are interpreted to represent meandering fluvial and upper delta plain environments. Plant fossils are common and include standing tree trunks up to 58 cm in diameter at some locations. Approximately 75 newly discovered tracksites, and a heretofore unknown, rich fossil vertebrate ichnofauna, are present. The ichnofaunal assemblage includes evidence of small and large theropod dinosaurs (including birds) and bipedal and quadrupedal ornithischian dinosaurs. Approximately 15% of the dinosaur ichnofauna record is represented by fossil bird tracks. Wood fragments from the Nanushuk Formation were analyzed for their carbon isotopic composition to relate δ13C to mean annual precipitation. Samples averaged −26.4‰ VPDB, suggesting an average MAP of 1412 mm/year. This record of increased precipitation in the Nanushuk Fm. during the mid-Cretaceous provides new data that supports global precipitation patterns associated with the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum. This work provides an important framework for much-needed further paleoecological and paleoclimatic analyses into greenhouse conditions in the terrestrial Cretaceous Arctic during this important window in time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to construct a theoretical understanding of meta-attention in golfers. Eight male golfers (7 competitive-elite and 1 successful-elite) were interviewed about their experiences of attentional processes in competitive golf. A Straussian grounded-theory approach was used throughout the research process, and interview transcripts were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Results indicated that meta-attention is resource based, with metacognitive reflections of logistic and shot resources that facilitate attentional control. Attentional control required successful target selection, consistent preshot routines, and consistent postshot routines. Failures in wider or immediate resources or failure to initiate control routines can lead to internal distraction. The emergent theory provides an understanding of the function of meta-attention in golf performance that can be used by golfers, coaches, or psychologists to improve attentional strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study retrospectively explored perceptions of coach, parent and peer motivational influences across athlete development. Four investment stage football players (M age = 18.5 years, SD = 0.6) with an average of 13 (SD = 1.4) years footballing experience, and four of their parents, were interviewed to investigate their perceptions of coach, parent and peer motivationally-relevant influence during the athletes' sampling, specializing and investment stages of development. Abductive thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified five categories of perceived social agent motivationally-relevant influence that were consistent amongst each social agent and across each development stage. Each social agent was perceived by participants to play a role in each of the following motivationally-relevant categories of social agent influence: relationship factors; interpersonal interactions; support for development; support for participation; and feedback and evaluation. The categories were somewhat supportive and reflective of those outlined in other models. The results describe a complex and dynamic social environment within which players develop and provide insight into how this socio-motivational environment changes as athletes develop. Identified categories of perceived motivationally-relevant social agent influence may provide a framework for future research and allow practitioners to better determine athletes' motivational needs. Sport practitioners may use the findings from the study to ensure that athletes are gaining the breadth of motivational influences described in the categories within this study. Coach education might be developed or adapted to educate coaches on the types and importance of socio-motivational influences in sport. Lay summary: Coaches, parents and peers were found to influence football players' motivation in a range of ways, including the quality of their relationship with athletes, their positive and negative behaviors, the support they provided players' development and participation in football, and the support they provided footballers to reflect on their experiences. The type of support that coaches, parents and peers provided to players changed as players progressed through different developmental stages, with coaches and peers becoming more important as athletes reached higher performance levels. Coaches and other sport practitioners might benefit from insight into the range of motivational influences that coaches, parents and peers can have in a football context in order to better develop and maintain athlete motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malnutrition is underrecognized and underdiagnosed, despite high prevalence rates and associated poor clinical outcomes. The involvement of clinical nutrition experts, especially physicians, in the care of high‐risk patients with malnutrition remains low despite evidence demonstrating lower complication rates with nutrition support team (NST) management. To facilitate solutions, a survey was designed to elucidate the nature of NSTs and physician involvement and identify needs for novel nutrition support care models. Methods: This survey assessed demographics of NSTs, factors contributing to the success of NSTs, elements of nutrition education, and other barriers to professional growth. Results: Of 255 respondents, 235 complete surveys were analyzed. The geographic distribution of respondents correlated with population concentrations of the United States (r = 90.8%, p <.0001). Most responding physicians (46/57; 80.7%) reported being a member of NSTs, compared with 56.5% (88/156) of dietitians. Of those not practicing in NSTs (N = 81/235, 34.4%), 12.3% (10/81) reported an NST was previously present at their institution but had been disbanded. Regarding NSTs, financial concerns were common (115/235; 48.9%), followed by leadership (72/235; 30.6%), and healthcare professional (HCP) interest (55/235; 23.4%). A majority (173/235; 73.6%) of all respondents wanted additional training in nutrition but reported insufficient protected time, ability to travel, or support from administrators or other HCPs. Conclusion: Core actions resulting from this survey focused on formalizing physician roles, increasing interdisciplinary nutrition support expertise, utilizing cost‐effective screening for malnutrition, and implementing intervention protocols. Additional actions included increasing funding for clinical practice, education, and research, all within an expanded portfolio of pragmatic nutrition support care models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is understood about chemical weathering processes in Alaskan arctic soils, where moisture is generally not limited but acidity varies and the average soil temperature is close to or below freezing. Weathering reactions in soil convert primary minerals into secondary clay, minerals. Silty loam textured soils from three sites in moist acidic tundra (MAT) and three sites in moist nonacidic tundra (MNT) in the northern Arctic Foothills, Alaska, were characterized with emphasis on the origin of the clay minerals. The MNT soils had a discontinuous and thinner organic layer, which leads to a deeper summer thaw and greater cryoturbation than the MAT soils. The MNT had higher cation exchange capacity and base saturation than MAT. These buffer against acidification and account for the pH differences of MAT and MNT. Other chemical characteristics including C and N content as well as Fe and Al were similar (by horizon) across the MAT/MNT boundary. X-ray diffraction of coarse (0.0002-0.002 mm) and fine clay ( Abbreviations: CEC, cation exchange capacity; MAT, moist acidic tundra; MNT, moist nonacidic tundra; XRD, x-ray diffraction. doi:10.2136/ssaj2009.0187

This case study analyzes, synthesizes, and tests a person-centered approach by a trainee sport and exercise psychologist working with a male amateur distance runner. The aim of applying a person-centered approach was to enhance the athlete's understanding of himself, enable him to make sense of his experience, and facilitate personal growth. This case study explores the client's change process and how developing the quality of the relationship allowed him to share his true thoughts and feelings and move towards his authentic self. The trainee describes the theoretical framework that guided the consultancy; reflects on the experiences of exhibiting empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence; and discusses the challenges with implementing the approach. The case study reflects on and evaluates the support service, so that the practitioner could learn from this experience and enhance service delivery as he moves toward the end of his formal training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report estimated stable isotope compositions of depositional waters and paleoprecipitation from the Cretaceous Arctic to further elucidate the role of the global hydrologic cycle in sustaining polar warmth during that period. Estimates are based on new hydrogen isotopic analyses of n-alkane biomarkers extracted from Late Cretaceous and mid-Cretaceous terrestrial deposits in northern Alaska and the Canadian High Arctic. We integrate these new results with earlier published work on oxygen isotopic analyses of pedogenic siderites, dinosaurian tooth enamel phosphates, and pedogenic clay minerals from the same field areas. Average Late Cretaceous δD values of −143‰ VSMOW corresponded with average δ18O values of −24.1‰ VSMOW, and average mid-Cretaceous δD values of −106‰ VSMOW corresponded with average δ18O values of −22.1‰ VSMOW. The distributions of water isotope δD and δ18O values from Cretaceous Arctic deposits do not intersect with the Global Meteoric Water Line, suggesting an apparent deuterium excess ranging from about 40 to 60 per mil. We considered several possible explanations for these Cretaceous results including (1) mass-balance changes in zonal patterns of evaporation and precipitation at lower latitudes, (2) concentration of 2H in leaf tissue waters from continuous transpiration by coniferous paleofloras during the Arctic growing season, and (3) concentration of 2H in the groundwaters of methane-emitting Arctic soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The partially correlative Alaskan dinosaur-bearing Prince Creek Formation (PCF), North Slope, lower Cantwell Formation (LCF), Denali National Park, and Chignik Formation (CF), Aniakchak National Monument, form an N–S transect that, together, provides an unparalleled opportunity to examine an ancient high-latitude terrestrial ecosystem. The PCF, 75–85° N paleolatitude, had a Mean Annual Temperature (MAT) of ~5–7 °C and a Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) of ~1250 mm/year. The LCF, ~71° N paleolatitude, had a MAT of ~7.4 °C and MAP of ~661 mm/year. The CF, ~57° N paleolatitude, had a MAT of ~13 °C and MAP of ~1090 mm/year. The relative abundances of the large-bodied herbivorous dinosaurs, hadrosaurids and ceratopsids, vary along this transect, suggesting that these climatic differences (temperature and precipitation) played a role in the ecology of these large-bodied herbivores of the ancient north. MAP played a more direct role in their distribution than MAT, and the seasonal temperature range may have played a secondary role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there is only a theoretical understanding of the role of meta-attention in golf and there is no research that studies the real-time cognitive processes that construct meta-attention. Therefore, this study sought to explore the real-time meta-attentional processes experienced by golfers within a performance as this would develop a further understanding of concentration during performance. Seven intermediate level golfers (Handicap M = 14.43) performed over 6 holes using Think Aloud (TA) Level 3. Players' verbalisations were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then were subjected to verbal protocol analysis. Analysis revealed several metacognitions, control strategies and game situation thoughts during performance. Attentional metacognitions varied by the shot, however, consistent control routines were used throughout. The insights into meta-attentional processes captured lend support to the theoretical understanding of meta-attention, and show that golfers tended to externalise their attentional focus during performance, additionally golfers frequently focused their attention towards environmental information related to their game situation. The results allow for a further understanding of the higher-order processes of concentration and can be brought forward to further theoretical understanding and shape attention training given to golfers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentration, focusing on the most relevant information for further processing, is regarded as a prerequisite for successful sporting performance. Athletes must possess awareness, knowledge, and controllability of their attention to concentrate effectively. One way to develop this awareness, knowledge, and controllability of attention is through the mechanism of meta-attention – thinking about, knowing about, and controlling attention. Meta-attention illuminates the underlying cognitive mechanisms that direct the attentional spotlight. We open with a brief background of attention and outline how concentration can be understood through a metacognitive lens. Next, we present Think Aloud Level 3 as a tool for capturing meta-attentional processes during sport performance. Finally, we discuss the applied implications of adopting a meta-attentional approach to understand concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a one group pretest-posttest design, 15 elite academy cricketers were exposed to two personal-disclosure mutual-sharing (PDMS) sessions during a preseason tour. Within PDMS1, athletes disclosed (via prepared speeches) relationship-oriented information and within PDMS2, mastery oriented information. Social identity, social identity content, and collective efficacy were measured at baseline (1 week before the tour), post-PDMS1, midpoint, and post-PDMS2, while social validation was also obtained after each intervention session. Quantitative data revealed significant increases in social identity and friendships identity content at post-PDMS1, and results identity content and collective efficacy at post-PDMS2. Qualitative social validation data highlighted the thoughts and feelings of the athletes before their speeches and supported the effectiveness of the PDMS sessions. In sum, the data suggest practitioners can develop team outcomes (e.g., a focus on results) through developing specific aspects of teams' identities. Study limitations, practitioner guidelines, and areas for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to the osteological record of herbivorous dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous Prince Creek Formation of northern Alaska, there are relatively fewer remains of theropods. The theropod record from this unit is mostly comprised of isolated teeth, and the only non-dental remains known can be attributed to the troodontid cf. Troodon and the tyrannosaurid Nanuqsaurus. Thus far, the presence of members of Dromaeosauridae has been limited to isolated teeth. Here we describe a symphyseal portion of a small dentary with two ziphodont teeth. Based on tooth shape, denticle morphology, and the position of the Meckelian groove, we attribute this partial dentary to a saurornitholestine dromaeosaurid. The fibrous bone surface, small size, and higher number of mesial denticles compared to distal ones point to a juvenile growth stage for this individual. Multivariate comparison of theropod teeth morphospace by means of principal component analysis reveals an overlap between this dentary and Saurornitholestinae dromaeosaurid morphospace, a result supported by phylogenetic analyses. This is the first confirmed non-dental fossil specimen from a member of Dromaeosauridae in the Arctic, expanding on the role of Beringia as a dispersal route for this clade between Asia and North America. Furthermore, the juvenile nature of this individual adds to a growing body of data that suggests Cretaceous Arctic dinosaurs of Alaska did not undergo long-distance migration, but rather they were year-round residents of these paleopolar latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northernmost record of Metatheria, Unnuakomys hutchisoni gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Pediomys Point locality in Upper Cretaceous (lower Maastrichtian) strata of the Prince Creek Formation cropping out along the Colville River on the North Slope of Alaska, USA (70°N). Based on over 60 specimens (including tooth-bearing dentaries and a maxillary fragment), the new taxon is unusual in having two well-developed stylar cusps in the C position flanking the deepest part of the ectoflexus. To examine the relationship between U. hutchisoni and other metatherians, U. hutchisoni was scored into the taxon character matrix of other studies. Our results corroborate prior studies that suggest the new Alaskan pediomyid. However, in contrast to other studies, we do not recover a sister-group relationship between U. hutchisoni and Pediomys elegans. Rather, our study suggests that U. hutchisoni is more closely allied with Aquilan species Iqualadelphis lactea and ?Aquiladelphis laurae. Teeth of U. hutchisoni greatly outnumber those recovered from other mammals at Pediomys Point, like Late Cretaceous localities in the Western Interior where metatherians are among the most abundant mammalian fossils. However, what differs between Late Cretaceous mid-latitude localities and the assemblage from the North Slope of Alaska is metatherian richness. Whereas other studies have reported up to a dozen species of metatherians from Late Cretaceous mid-latitude North American assemblages, to date all the metatherian teeth collected from Pediomys Point appear to belong to just U. hutchisoni. A sampling bias may play a role in this pattern. This can be tested through additional collection from the Prince Creek Formation. However, the abundance of U. hutchisoni at Pediomys Point implies that this tiny metatherian thrived in an environment well above the Arctic Circle whose climatic extremes may have acted as a biogeographical filter to other metatherians. As the first mammal to be described from the Prince Creek Formation, U. hutchisoni provides support for the existence of a northern high-latitude early Maastrichtian faunal province identified by others on the basis of its distinctive dinosaurian fauna – the Paaŋaqtat Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there are now numerous records of dinosaurs from Cretaceous rocks around the state of Alaska, very few fossil records of terrestrial vertebrates are known from the Mesozoic rocks of the southwestern part of the state. Here we report the new discovery of extensive occurrences of dinosaur tracks from Aniakchak National Monument of the Alaska Peninsula. These tracks are in the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Chignik Formation, a cyclic sequence of rocks, approximately 500–600 m thick, representing shallow marine to nearshore marine environments in the lower part and continental alluvial coastal plain environments in the upper part of the section. These rocks are part of the Peninsular Terrane and paleomagnetic reconstructions based on the volcanic rocks of this terrane suggest that the Chignik Formation was deposited at approximately its current latitude which is almost 57° N. Recent field work in Aniakchak National Monument has revealed over 75 new track sites, dramatically increasing the dinosaur record from the Alaska Peninsula. Most of the combined record of tracks can be attributed to hadrosaurs, the plant-eating duck-billed dinosaurs. Tracks range in size from those made by full-grown adults to juveniles. Other tracks can be attributed to armored dinosaurs, meat-eating dinosaurs, and two kinds of fossil birds. The track size of the predatory dinosaur suggests a body approximately 6–7 m long, about the estimated size of the North Slope tyrannosaurid Nanuqsaurus. The larger bird tracks resemble Magnoavipes denaliensis previously described from Denali National Park, while the smaller bird tracks were made by a bird about the size of a modern Willet. Previous interdisciplinary sedimentologic and paleontologic work in the correlative and well-known dinosaur bonebeds of the Prince Creek Formation 1400km-1500km further north in Alaska suggested that high-latitude hadrosaurs preferred distal coastal plain or lower delta plain habitats. The ichnological record being uncovered in the Chignik Formation of southwestern Alaska is showing that the hadrosaur tracks here were also made in distal coastal and delta plain conditions. This similarity may corroborate the habitat preference model for Cretaceous high-latitude dinosaurs proposed for the data gathered from the Prince Creek Formation, and may indicate that at least Beringian hadrosaurids had similar habitat preferences regardless of latitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One reason sport psychologists teach psychological skills is to enhance performance in sport; but the value of psychological skills for young athletes is questionable because of the qualitative and quantitative differences between children and adults in their understanding of abstract concepts such as mental skills. To teach these skills effectively to young athletes, sport psychologists need to appreciate what young athletes implicitly understand about such skills because maturational (e.g., cognitive, social) and environmental (e.g., coaches) factors can influence the progressive development of children and youth. In the present qualitative study, we explored young athletes' (aged 10-15 years) understanding of four basic psychological skills: goal setting, mental imagery, self-talk, and relaxation. Young athletes (n = 118: 75 males and 43 females) completed an open-ended questionnaire to report their understanding of these four basic psychological skills. Compared with the older youth athletes, the younger youth athletes were less able to explain the meaning of each psychological skill. Goal setting and mental imagery were better understood than self-talk and relaxation. Based on these findings, sport psychologists should consider adapting interventions and psychoeducational programs to match young athletes' age and developmental level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive affect is linked to enhanced motivation, commitment, and performance among youth sport performers; yet, few psychological interventions have specifically attempted to enhance positive affect among these athletes. To address this circumstance, we implemented a single-subject multiple-baseline design to examine the effects of a goal-setting intervention on the positive and negative affective responses of three competitive youth athletes. Statistical analysis coupled with visual inspection criteria revealed a significant overall increase in positive affect for participants 1 and 2. A statistically significant increase in positive affect also emerged for participant 3, yet it was not possible to detect a significant experimental effect using visual inspection criteria. No statistically significant decreases in negative effect emerged for any of the three participants. These results show some support for the hypothesis that goal setting may enhance positive affect among junior multievent athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This focus group study examined the sources of enjoyment and nonenjoyment among younger and older English children in the sampling years of sport participation (ages 7-12). Concurrent inductive and deductive content analysis revealed that, consistent with previous research, younger and older children reported sources of enjoyment such as perceived competence, social involvement and friendships, psychosocial support, and a mastery-oriented learning environment. Nonenjoyment sources included inappropriate psychosocial support, increasing competitive orientation, negative feedback and reinforcement, injuries, pain, and demonstrating a lack of competence. Differences between younger and older children's sources of enjoyment and nonenjoyment also emerged. Younger children reported movement sensations as a source of enjoyment and punishment for skill errors and low informational support as nonenjoyment sources. Older children reported social recognition of competence, encouragement, excitement, and challenge as sources of enjoyment with rivalry, overtraining, and high standards as sources of nonenjoyment. These differences underscore the importance of tailoring youth sport in the sampling years to the needs of the child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]