An analysis of “signaled double-alternation patterning” in the rat

Rats given training with double alternation of rewards and nonrewards in which the first reward or nonreward of each pair occurred in a black runway and the second in a white runway developed fast running on rewarded trials in both runways and slow running on nonrewarded trials in both runways—signaled double alternation patterning. A subsequent shift in the reinforcement schedule produced a period of reversed patterning—slow on rewarded trials and fast on nonrewarded trials. The results are consistent with a compound stimulus discrimination interpretation of signaled double-alternation patterning rather than with a selective memory-retrieval explanation.     

Developmental Relations Between Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension: A Latent Change Score Modeling Study

The present study followed a sample of first‐grade (N = 316, M_age = 7.05 at first test) through fourth‐grade students to evaluate dynamic developmental relations between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension. Using latent change score modeling, competing models were fit to the repeated measurements of vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension to test for the presence of leading and lagging influences. Univariate models indicated growth in vocabulary knowledge, and reading comprehension was determined by two parts: constant yearly change and change proportional to the previous level of the variable. Bivariate models indicated previous levels of vocabulary knowledge acted as leading indicators of reading comprehension growth, but the reverse relation was not found. Implications for theories of developmental relations between vocabulary and reading comprehension are discussed.     

The Great Conversation and the Ethics of Inclusion

Hispanic and Latino Americans want security from terrorists as much as all other Americans. A protective membrane surrounding the country that is too porous is of little use and constitutes a danger to residents, both citizens and non-citizens alike. This much is uncontroversial. Similarly, most American citizens truly benefit from the work product of undocumented workers. Presumably, some case can be made that most undocumented workers see themselves as better off than if they had remained in their country of origin. Things become controversial when an attempt is made to balance resident safety against resident desire for inexpensive labor. The controversy inevitably escalates when consideration is given to the fairness of wages paid to undocumented workers. These moral issues cannot be ignored. However, as important as these issues are, the present argument addresses more specifically the duties educators have towards learners and potential learners regardless of their current citizenship status. The argument acknowledges that all citizens of a nation have certain duties to that nation but then the argument concludes by pointing out that some ageless professions like medicine and pedagogy have special duties transcending any immediate and transient duties imposed by nationalistic affiliation. Specifically in the case of education, all pedagogues have a duty to do nothing to exclude any willing participant from participation in the Great Conversation of Humankind.     

Normative fat-free mass index values for a diverse sample of collegiate female athletes

The purpose of this study was to establish normative fat-free mass index (FFMI) ranges in collegiate female athletes. A sample of 266 female athletes (Mean±SD; Age: 19.7 ± 1.5 yrs, Height: 166.0 ± 6.4 cm, Weight: 63.2 ± 8.8 kg) were included in analyses. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured bone mineral content (BMC; kg) and lean mass (LM; kg). Fat-free mass index was calculated as follows: FFMI = (BMC + LM)/Height². Participants were classified by sport: cross-country (XC), field hockey, football, gymnastics, lacrosse, resistance-trained, swimming track. Mean, range and percentile ranks of FFMI were calculated for the full sample for each cohort. For all females, mean FFMI was 16.9 ± 1.7 kg/m², FFMI values ranged from 13.3 to 25.5 kg/m². The XC athletes had the lowest FFMI (15.3 ± 0.96 kg/m²; p < 0.001). Mean FFMI measures were similar between all other female athletes. Percentile ranks varied across sport; median FFMI was highest for football (18.0 kg/m²), lowest for XC (15.1 kg/m²) and ranged between 16.4 and 17.3 kg/m² for all other athletes. Establishing sport-specific FFMI values for female athletes may be beneficial for athletes and coaches by leading to more appropriate body composition goals based on FFM.     

A critique of mutualism’s combination of the Aristotelian and Kantian traditions

In this article, I will identify two key normative principles at the core of Robert L. Simon’s mutualist theory of sport, namely, the respect-for-the-opponent principle and the idea that sport is a practice aimed at pursuing excellence. The former is a Kantian principle grounded in human beings’ rationality, and the latter is an Aristotelian principle related to the development of excellences as a means to human flourishing. After having presented and analyzed both principles, I will critically evaluate Simon’s attempt to combine them within his mutualist approach. To conclude, I will highlight the challenges that mutualism should face to complete such a combination more successfully.

Abbreviation: Categorical imperative (CI)