Fluency and controlled-operant training methods

The study compared the effectiveness three computerized training methods with respect to behavioral outcomes correlated with fluency. Subjects were trained to translate binary numbers into decimal numbers. Responses were made orally with the use of voice recognition software. One training method presented 50 stimuli on a computer monitor at a time (No ITIs). The other two methods (0s and 1.5s ITIs) presented stimuli separately on the monitor using discrete trials. Inter trial intervals were manipulated for the latter training methods. Results showed that all subjects achieved fluent performance on the training task. Subjects reached rate criterion faster and with less practice when No ITIs training was used as opposed to 0s or 1.5s ITIs training. Subjects trained with 0s and 1.5s ITIs, however, performed better than No ITIs subjects on tests immediately after rate training and also on tests of retention. Little differences were found between the training methods when tested on application and adduction tasks. No differences in test performance were found between the 0s and 1.5s ITIs despite considerable differences in rate of responding during training

What Factors Determine Vertical Jumping Height?

The ability to jump is important in several different sports, Therefore, an increased knowledge about factors limiting vertical jumping ability is of interest for both coaches and athletes. A common experience among coaches is that up to a certain degree almost any type of training program will increase the vertical jumping capacity, However, an increased performance level of the athlete will require more specific and individually adapted training methods. The problem is then to know which type of training is best suited for each individual athlete. The maximal vertical jumping height is influenced by a number of biomechanical and physiological factors. Ultimately, the jumping height is determined by the vertical velocity of the centre of gravity at take-off. This velocity depends on the mass of the subject and the linear impulse which is the result of the upward acceleration of the different body segments involved in the jumping action. The segmental accelerations are, in turn, caused by the muscles producing torques around the different joints. The temporal and spatial coordination pattern between the angular movements of the joints will exactly determine the final shape and size of the vertical net impulse and thus also the vertical jumping height (cf. Hay 1980). With few exceptions (e.g. Bosco 1985), earlier studies on vertical jumping have mainly concentrated on physiological (e.g. Asmussen & Bonde-Pedersen 1974, Bosco & Komi 1980) or biomechanical (e.g. Luhtanen & Komi 1978, Hudson 1986) aspects of jumping not related to any practical test which could be useful for the individual athlete. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between parameters of the force-time curve of the vertical reaction force in different vertical jumps and the maximal jumping height attained during a counter movement jump. If certain force-time parameters can predict jumping height and also be influenced by specific training methods, it should be possible to test an athlete for each parameter and optimize the training process on an individual basis

Class awareness in Iceland

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on November 19, 2009).Thesis advisor: Dr. John Galliher.M.A. University of Missouri--Columbia 2009.In this paper new survey data are used to study class awareness in Iceland. Responses to two subjective class questions are analyzed to test a synthesis of Weber's theory of class and reference group theory. The findings, and secondary data, reveal that Icelanders are well aware of class and class division. A great majority recognizes and understands class terms, and is willing to assign themselves to a class. Consistent with Weber, Icelanders have a fairly clear perception of their class position, evidenced by a strong relationship between subjective class and economic class, and class indicators. In accordance with reference group theory, a significant "middle class" tendency is revealed at all levels of the class structure. Hence, materialist factors are attenuated by reference groups. Icelanders also have more of a "middle class" view of their class position and see it, on average, as higher than people in most other countries. Lastly, Weberian class analysis is proposed as the best available framework within to study class awareness in late modernity.Includes bibliographical references

Taxonomy of Means and Ends in Aquaculture Production—Part 3: The Technical Solutions of Controlling N Compounds, Organic Matter, P Compounds, Metals, Temperature and Preventing Disease

This is the third part of the taxonomy of technical solutions and treatment functions in aquaculture. This article builds on the premiss that the aquaculture production system can be viewed as a transformation process with three sets of functions, input, treatment and output. This work creates an overview of all of the technical solutions of treatment functions for the purpose of both design and further research. This is done with a comprehensive literature review where all technical solutions are identified and then categorized into a taxonomy. The result is a visual taxonomy of the treatment functions controlling N compounds, organic matter, P compounds, metals, temperature and preventing disease. A total taxonomy is finally presented where the results from Part 2 and Part 3 (this part) have been combined.Peer Reviewe

Taxonomy of Means and Ends in Aquaculture Production—Part 4: The Mapping of Technical Solutions onto Multiple Treatment Functions

Designing aquaculture production units will require decisions on which treatment to include, e.g., the intensification of the system, and then a decision on a technical solution for each treatment function selected to implement. To complicate matters, each technical solution is not unique to each treatment function, but has a multiple effect on the system. This interaction of a technical solution to multiple treatment functions will play a part in the decision making process. Previous work by the authors has made a taxonomy of all technical solutions for the treatment function, and in this article, how technical solutions affect treatment functions is mapped. The article views the aquaculture production system as a transformation process with three sets of functions, input, treatment and output. Based on a comprehensive literature review where all technical solutions were found and categorized into a taxonomy, their effect on treatment function was mapped using a quality function deployment (QFD). The result is a matrix that gives an evaluation on the interaction. This work is a step towards an aquaculture engineering design methodology.Peer Reviewe

Taxonomy of Means and Ends in Aquaculture Production—Part 2: The Technical Solutions of Controlling Solids, Dissolved Gasses and pH

In engineering design, knowing the relationship between the means (technique) and the end (desired function or outcome) is essential. The means in Aquaculture are technical solutions like airlifts that are used to achive desired functionality (an end) like controlling dissolved gasses. In previous work, the authors identified possible functions by viewing aquaculture production systems as transformation processes in which inputs are transformed by treatment techniques (means) and produce outputs (ends). The current work creates an overview of technical solutions of treatment functions for both design and research purposes. A comprehensive literature review of all areas of technical solutions is identified and categorized into a visual taxonomy of the treatment functions for controlling solids, controlling dissolved gasses and controlling pH alkalinity and hardness. This article is the second in a sequence of four and partly presents the treatments functions in the taxonomy. The other articles in this series present complementary aspects of this research: Part 1, A transformational view on aquaculture and functions divided into input, treatment and output functions; Part 2, The current taxonomy paper; Part 3, The second part of the taxonomy; and Part 4, Mapping of the means (techniques) for multiple treatment functionsPeer Reviewe