Learning through the adventure of youth sport

Background: Participation in youth sport is often associated with a variety of positive development outcomes. In order to effectively utilize sport as a context of learning and development, the sport must be intentionally designed and programed. One often-used approach is known as sport-based positive youth development (PYD). Recently, to further enhance the intentionality of a sport-based PYD approach, several researchers have posited the potential benefits of applying experiential learning theory to youth sport programing. Through utilizing experiential learning within a sport-based PYD approach, it is believed youth sport can be designed to intentionally promote desired PYD outcomes.Purpose: Experiential learning theory offers a deep understanding and history of effective youth programing. However, within the field of experiential learning, many different pedagogical approaches exist. To date, sport-based PYD has yet to identify a specific pedagogical approach within experiential learning. In order to be accessible and applicable for youth sport leaders, a more definitive pedagogical approach is needed. One specific application of experiential learning which offers specific programing techniques that are compatible with a sport-based PYD approach is adventure pedagogy.Conclusions: Adventure pedagogy draws from adventure-based learning and adventure-based groupwork. Thus, adventure pedagogy is defined as a participant-centered approach consisting of intentionally designed and sequenced challenging group activities, which, when processed and debriefed, can lead to a shared opportunity for growth and development related to the intrapersonal development and interpersonal skills. Specifically, to enhance the programing and practices of the youth sport leader, this paper identifies key tenets of adventure pedagogy and highlights their applicability within a sport-based PYD approach. These tenets include the promotion of PYD outcomes, physical and emotional safety, intentionally designed activities, sequencing of prescribed activities, a novel learning experiences, intentional facilitation, challenging group activities, real and immediate consequences, and debriefing to transfer learning. Through the integration of adventure and sport-based PYD, youth sport leaders can effectively program and facilitate youth sport to promote desired PYD outcomes.     

Kinetic and kinematic patterns during high intensity clean movement: searching for optimal load

The aim of the present study was to investigate loading effects on kinematic and kinetic variables among elite-weightlifters in order to identify an optimal training load to maximize power production for clean-movement. Nine elite-weightlifter (age: 24 ± 4years, body-mass: 77 ± 6.5kg, height: 176 ± 6.1cm and 1RM clean: 170 ± 5kg) performed 2 separate repetitions of the clean using 85, 90, 95% and 100%, in a randomized order, while standing on a force platform and being recorded using 3D-capture-system. Differences in kinematics (barbell displacement, velocity and acceleration) and kinetics (power, vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), rate of force development (RFD), and work) across the loads were statistically assessed. Results revealed significant load effects for the majority of the studied parameters (p < 0.01) and showed that typical bar-displacement, greatest bar-velocity and peak-power were achieved at 85 and 90% 1RM (p < 0.001). Additionally greater average power was shown for 90 and 95% (p < 0.01) and greater work and vGRF were shown for 90, 95 and 100% than 85% 1RM (p < 0.05). Load had no significant effect on peak-vGRF and peak-RFD (p > 0.05). The results of this study, suggest 90% 1RM to be the most advantageous load to train explosive-force and to enhance power-outputs while maintaining technical efficiency in elite-weightlifters.     

The evolution of government sponsored collaboration network and its impact on innovation: A bibliometric analysis in the Chinese solar PV sector

This study explores the dynamics of a government sponsored collaboration network concerning the development of solar photovoltaics (PV) technologies in China, and investigates the effect of network evolution on the subsequent innovation performance of network actors. Network structure characteristics and attribute proximity variables are jointly examined through a bibliometric methodology based on scientific publication and patent data. In addressing the evolution of the government sponsored collaboration network, this study has identified that actors are more likely to engage in collaboration with prior partners, partners of direct & indirect partners, and partners with similar attributes. These collaboration patterns, in turn, negatively impact direct ties and network efficiency, and increase the attribute proximity of an actor’s network. On the other hand, the estimation results indicate that direct ties have an inverted U-shaped effect on innovation performance, while indirect ties are found to be positively related to innovation performance. As expected, a positive effect of network efficiency is found on innovation performance. The results of attribute proximity variables suggest geographical proximity is negatively related to innovation performance. Taken together, the collaboration patterns in the government sponsored network might have a negative impact on innovation performance of network actors. The empirical findings extend the network literature that collaboration network matters differently in different research contexts, and it is no longer appropriate to simply assume that collaboration is purely a good thing. As such, special attention should be paid to the network structure and composition in further policy design.     

Value of ascitic fluid cholesterol and serum-ascites albumin gradient in differentiating cirrhotic and malignancy related ascites

In a perspective study, the ascitic fluid and serum concentration of total cholesterol, total proteins and albumin in a group of 45 patients was studied. Patients with nonmalignant or cirrhotic ascites were compared with patients having malignancy related ascites and it was proved that the ascitic fluid cholesterol and the serum ascites albumin gradient helped to differentiate cirrhotic from malignant ascites. These two parameters showed a remarkable relationship to the presence/absence of malignancy. Non malignant ascites patients had ascitic fluid cholesterol values of 19.41±8.33 mg/dl, as against the malignancy related ascites patients, who showed levels of 95.87±1.24 mg/dl. Similarly, the serum-ascites albumin gradient levels were 2.89±0.65 in non malignant ascites patients, while the malignancy related ascites cases had 0.86±0.50. The discrimination values for cholesterol were taken as 45 mg/dl while that for serum ascites gradient was taken as 1.1. Levels of serum cholesterol, total protein and albumin were not significantly altered.     

Education level explains participation in work and education later in life

A prolonged working life is crucial for sustaining social welfare and fiscal stability for countries facing ageing populations. The group of older adults is not homogeneous; however, differences within the group may affect the propensity to continue working and to participate in continuing education. The aim of this paper is to explore how participation in work and education vary with gender, age, and education level in a sample of older adults. The study was performed in Sweden, a context characterized by high female labour-market-participation rates and a high average retirement age. The participants were 232 members of four of the major senior citizens’ organizations. We found no differences in participation in work and education based on gender. People older than 75 years were found to be as active as people 65–75 years old in education, but the older group worked less. There were positive associations between education level and participation in both work and education. Hence, this study implies that socio-economic inequalities along these dimensions are widened later in life. This highlights the importance of engaging workers with lower education levels in educational efforts throughout life. It also emphasizes the need for true lifelong learning in society.     

Student learning in science simulations: Design features that promote learning gains

This research examines science‐simulation software available for grades 6–12 science courses. The study presented, funded by the National Science Foundation, had two objectives: a literature synthesis and a product review. The literature synthesis examines research findings on grade 6–12 student learning gains and losses using virtual laboratories and science‐simulation software, derived from a review of 79 relevant studies identified. Based on that literature, significant aspects of how such products influence student learning are identified. Tables summarize the research‐based evidence about best practices in instructional design for such virtual lab and simulation products. Some products were then reviewed as case studies to determine in what ways and to what extent they implement such research‐identified best practices. The overall goal was to consider where the most progress is being made in effective virtual‐lab and simulation products, and what directions future development should take. The intent is to inform science educators, teachers, administrators, and policy makers who are using, buying, and examining middle and high school instructional materials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 48: 1050–1078, 2011     

The Impact of Religion/Spirituality on Acculturative Stress Among International Students

The authors conducted a qualitative study using phenomenological inquiry to explore the nature and essence of international students' experience of utilizing religion/spirituality to cope with acculturative stress. Twelve students from 2 public universities and diverse religious/spiritual traditions participated. Results suggest that religion/spirituality plays a central role in the heightening of psychological, cognitive, and social functioning and affects students' performance in the academic environment. Implications for student affairs personnel, counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors are provided.     

Carboxylation of myoglobin in rats exposed to cigarette smoke

The effect of exposure to cigarette smoke on carboxylation of myoglobin was studied in rats. The amount of carboxymyoglobin in the body tissues of rats exposed to smoke was measured and compared with normal rats. A significant quantity of myoglobin carboxylated spontaneously due to smoke was detected in the body tissues of experimental rats. Despite an adaptive elevation of total myoglobin content, a considerable reduction in the free myoglobin was observed in all tissues made under observation. This free myoglobin depletion may be the cause for increased heart rate and respiratory rate coupled with low physical activities observed in smokers.