The Use of Knowledge Preconditions in Language Processing

If an agent does not possess the knowledge needed to perform an action, it may privately plan to obtain the required information on its own, or it may involve another agent in the planning process by engaging it in a dialogue. In this paper, we show how the requirements of knowledge preconditions can be used to account for information-seeking subdialogues in discourse. We first present an axiomatization of knowledge preconditions for the SharedPlan model of collaborative activity (Grosz & Kraus, 1993), and then provide an analysis of information-seeking subdialogues within a general framework for discourse processing. In this framework, SharedPlans and relationships among them are used to model the intentional component of Grosz and Sidner's (1986) theory of discourse structure.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX, uses ijcai95.sty, postscript figure

The Effectiveness of a Community Based High Intensity Interval Training Program on Markers of Physical Health

Community outreach programs targets at low Social Economic Status (SES) have been established to improve living conditions and educational programs in hopes of improving SES status. Despite community outreach programs targeting low SES, there has been no research looking at the efficacy of a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) exercise intervention program to improve wellbeing. The primary purpose of this study is to examine how 8 weeks of HIIT will affect markers of physical health. The secondary purpose of this study is to determine if HIIT is sufficient enough to benefit low SES or if other interventions are needed to sustain positive results. Participants (n= 18) were recruited through local churches located near low income areas. Criterion for this study included: the age of participants to be between 18- 75, no current musculoskeletal injury, and clearance from a physician to perform physical activity. Pre testing measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and strength assessments) were taken at Texas Tech Human Performance Lab. Strength assessments consisted of Maximal voluntary isometric contractions of the leg flexors and extensors at 60º of flexion, maximal voluntary isokinetic contraction of the leg flexors and extensors at 60 and 240º/sec. Participants also performed vertical jumps on a force platform. An 8 week HIIT program was then implemented which required the participant to exercise on stationary bikes 2x a week. The program was designed to start out at a low intensity over longer periods then progress to higher intensities over short time periods. Throughout the study, participants wore activity tracker watches that counted the amount of movement performed. This allowed for controlled activity levels outside of HIIT. Only eleven participants completed both pre and posttest measurements as there was a 38% drop out rate. Data analysis revealed that no changes in HR, blood pressure, Max force (N), RPD (W/s), isometric or isokinetic strength. However, participants did show an increase in weight (P=.0096), Vertical Jump Height (P= .0475), and Max Power (P=.0153). Although participants did show improvement in certain areas of strength no markers of health improved and even an increase in weight was observed. Based off of the activity trackers, physical activity levels went down. We determined that the participants weren’t as physically active once joining the study because they figured our intervention was enough. Based on our results we suggested that future studies or community outreach programs incorporate other interventions with HIIT such as a weight loss programs and education in order to maximize health improvement in low income family’s physical health

Models of Plans to Support Communication: An Initial Report

Agents collaborating to achieve a goal bring to their joint activity different beliefs about ways in which to achieve the goal and the actions necessary for doing so. Thus, a model of collaboration must provide a way of representing and distinguishing among agents’ beliefs and of stating the ways in which the intentions of different agents contribute to achieving their goal. Furthermore, in collaborative activity, collaboration occurs in the planning process itself. Thus, rather than modelling plan recognition, per se, what must be modelled is the augmentation of beliefs about the actions of multiple agents and their intentions. In this paper, we modify and expand the SharedPlan model of collaborative behavior (Grosz and Sidner 1990). We present an algorithm for updating an agent’s beliefs about a partial SharedPlan and describe an initial implementation of this algorithm in the domain of network management.Engineering and Applied Science

Perceptions of the coach-athlete relationship predict the attainment of mastery achievement goals six months later : a two-wave longitudinal study among F.A. Premier League academy soccer players

All football teams that compete within the F. A. Premier League possess an academy, whose objective is to produce more and better home-grown players that are capable of playing professionally. These young players spend a large amount of time with their coach, but little is known about player’s perception of the coach-athlete relationship within F.A. Premier League Academies. The objectives of this study were to examine whether perceptions of the coach-athlete relationship changed over six months and if the coach-athlete relationship predicted self-reported goal achievement among F. A. Premier League academy players. This study included cross-sectional (n = 104) and longitudinal (n = 52) assessments, in which academy soccer players completed a measure of the coach-athlete relationship and goal achievement across either one or two time periods. The cross-sectional data were subjected to bivariate correlations, whereas the longitudinal data were analyzed using multiple regressions. Perceptions of the coach-athlete relationship remained stable over time. The coach-athlete relationship predicted the achievement of mastery goals six months later. Enhancing the quality of the coach-athlete relationship among elite adolescent athletes appears to be a suitable way of maximizing mastery achievement goals, particularly among developmental athletes who participate in team sports

Effects of achievement goals on perceptions of success and achievement emotions in minority children

Obesity is a global epidemic even more so for some minority groups. Physical activity is one arm in the fight against obesity. Research has demonstrated that engagement in physical activity is predicted by positive emotions and perceptions; thus, the activity chosen to help burn calories must be enjoyable for sustained engagement. The present experiment examined the effects of manipulated achievement goal climates (mastery, performance approach and performance avoidance) on perception of success and discrete achievement emotions in Hispanic and African-American 4th and 5th grade students. After performing a dribbling task, perception of success, pride, shame, and frustration were assessed. After accounting for the children’s performance expectancies, the mastery participants reported greater perceptions of success (p<.05) as well as less frustration (p<.05) compared to the performance groups. Taken together, the present experiment suggested that the manipulation of the trichotomous goals significantly affects perceptions of success and the discrete achievement of frustration. Some support was found for pride. Future experimental research in a variety of population samples is warranted to clarify and extend achievement goal and discrete achievement emotion relationships with physical activity participation

Relating imperatives to action

The aim of this chapter is to provide an analysis of the use of logically complex imperatives, in particular, imperatives of the form Do A1 or A2 and Do A, if B. We argue for an analysis of imperatives in terms of classical logic which takes into account the influence of background information on imperatives. We show that by doing so one can avoid some counter-intuitive results which have been associated with analyses of imperatives in terms of classical logic. In particular, I address Hamblin's observations concerning rule-like imperatives and Ross' Paradox. The analysis is carried out within an agent-based logical framework. This analysis explicates what it means for an agent to have a successful policy for action with respect to satisfying his or her commitments, where some of these commitments have been introduced as a result of imperative language use

Relationships Between Anthropometric and Performance Variables in Youth: Predictors of Lower-Body Vertical Jump Peak Power

ABSTRACT Anthropometric and physical performance measurements are commonly used for identifying specific physical traits in youth. Laboratory-based tests (e.g., linear velocity transducers), while accurate, provide practical limitations due to high costs and technical necessities. Thus, commonly used field tests may be useful alternatives for assessing fitness/performance characteristics of youth. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between anthropometric measures and lower-and upper-body power and strength measures; and to assess the predictive ability of these measures for lower-body vertical jump peak power (PP) output in youth. Thirty-nine pre-adolescent (mean±SD, range: age=7.8±1.7, 5-12 years) children volunteered to participate in this investigation. Subjects were measured for body mass and stature on a calibrated physicians scale. Lower-body PP was assessed using a linear velocity transducer, which was attached to the posterior side of a belt that was securely fastened to the subjects’ waistline. Subjects performed countermovement jumps, starting in a standing position, with hands placed on hips and feet firmly on the ground. Following the descent to the midpoint position and without pause, the subjects exploded upward as hard and fast as possible. Broad jump testing involved subjects performing a countermovement jump in the horizontal direction, on a scaled mat. Maximum isometric hand grip strength of the dominant hand was assessed using a dynamometer. For all testing, 1-2 practice trials were performed, followed by testing consisting of 2-3 trials. The highest trial was used for analyses. Peak power values were normalized to body mass using allometric scaling procedures (PP· body mass-0.67). Pearson correlation (r) and stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships. Results indicated all variables (age, stature, body mass, broad jump and grip strength) were significantly correlated (r=0.38-0.64) to PP. Age was correlated to all variables (r=0.39-0.82) and stature and body mass were correlated to all variables (r=0.37-0.77) except broad jump. Broad jump was correlated only to age (r=0.39) and PP (r=0.38). Linear regression for all variables revealed that stature was the only variable entered into the model (R=0.64; R2=0.41). With the anthropometric variables removed, grip strength was the only variable entered into the model (R=0.57; R2=0.32). These findings suggest that while all the anthropometric and performance variables may be correlated to PP, only stature and grip strength were effective, and thus, necessary to predict PP abilities. Interestingly, broad jump performance was not a good predictor of lower body vertical PP

Winning in Weight-loss: The Interaction of Conscientiousness and Perceived Autonomy

ABSTRACT Background Understanding determinants for weight-loss is a national priority. Obesity is an epidemic with serious health consequences. Most of today’s obesity and overweight problems are being attributed to poor diets and not enough physical activity. These problems show no signs of slowing down with the behaviors of most Americans. The phenomenon of “The Biggest Loser” (different variants of weight-loss programs that consist of group exercise participation and nutrition therapy to elicit weight-loss, and hopefully behavior change) has spawned many variants in commercial health clubs. This prospectus study examined the direct and interactive or moderated effects of known determinants of healthy behaviors. Those determinants were conscientiousness and perceived autonomy support. Thus, the purpose of this prospective study was to examine these two determinants of adhering to a variant of “The Biggest Loser” to gain more scientific knowledge of predictors of those that are successful in such commercial programs. Methods Participants were 64 adults who completed measures of conscientiousness and perceived autonomy support along with a number of other measures being taken such as weight, attendance, and relative autonomy for exercise prior to and during the 12-week Weight-loss program. Participants’ attendance was kept based on showing up to the five scheduled weight and body fat percentage measurements time points during the 12-week program. At final weigh-in, the participants completed the measure of perceived autonomy support from their group exercise leader. Results Overall, conscientiousness appeared to be the most influential variable in the prospective study. It correlated with relative autonomy (r=.26, M=11.36, SD=6.43), perceived leader autonomy support (r=.08, M=5.32, SD=1.58, α=.97), attendance (r=.14, M=3.84, SD=1.31), and change in weight (r=-.09, M=-15.26, SD=29.06).Results from the moderated regression analyses, one set for attendance and the other for change in weight, suggested that conscientiousness was the major determinant in this prospective study though admitted the correlations were small in magnitude. Conclusions As hypothesized, the interaction of autonomy support (high) and conscientiousness (high) yielded the greatest amount of weight loss. Thus, for the sample in this prospective study, best results were found in highly conscientiousness participants that perceived their group exercise leader to provide a great deal of autonomy support. Future, studies should investigate environmental factors to increase both participant conscientiousness (e.g., reminder phone calls) and leader provided autonomy support

Discriminant validity of the positive and negative processes in the C–A–P Questionnaire

Globally, youth sport is highly valued and prevalent. Coaches, athletes, and parents are the main players. To date no one measure quantifies these vital interactions. To rectify this surprising omission, the Positive and Negative Processes in the C–A–P Questionnaire (PNPCAP) was developed in the Lithuanian language. This study sought to further the development of the PNPCAP by providing evidence for discriminant validity. To achieve this purpose, 192 females (M age = 13.64, SD = 1.59) and 239 males (M age = 14.02, SD = 1.50) completed the PNPCAP measure along with the Perceptions of Success Questionnaire, Sport Climate Questionnaire, Self-Determination Scale and provided some youth sport participation information. The resultant correlation matrix provided evidence of discriminant validity as the pattern verified the hypothesized relationship in that positive and significant correlations were found with the C–A–P positive process scale and the task orientation, self-determined awareness of self and perceived choice, and perceived autonomy support. Negative and significant correlations were found with the C–A–P negative process scale and the task orientation, self-determined awareness of self and perceived choice, and perceived autonomy support. Researchers are encouraged to translate and use the PNPCAP in youth sport settings to better the youth sport experience for athletes and their parents and coaches.This Project/Research was funded by the European Social Fund (Project No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-02-0083)

Temperament and self-based correlates of cooperative, competitive and individualistic learning preferences

People vary in the extent to which they prefer cooperative, competitive or individualistic achievement tasks. In the present research, we conducted two studies designed to investigate correlates and possible roots of these social interdependence orientations, namely approach and avoidance temperament, general self-efficacy, implicit theories of intelligence, and contingencies of self-worth based in others’ approval, competition, and academic competence. The results indicated that approach temperament, general self-efficacy, and incremental theory were positively, and entity theory was negatively related to cooperative preferences (|r| range from .11 to .41); approach temperament, general self-efficacy, competition contingencies, and academic competence contingencies were positively related to competitive preferences (|r| range from .16 to .46); and avoidance temperament, entity theory, competitive contingencies, and academic competence contingencies were positively related, and incremental theory was negatively related to individualistic preferences (|r| range from .09 to .15). The findings are discussed with regard to the meaning of each of the three social interdependence orientations, cultural differences among the observed relations, and implications for practicioners