Longitudinal Associations of Childhood Parenting and Adolescent Health: The Mediating Influence of Social Competence

The current study examined a process through which parenting during the primary school transition contributes to cardiovascular health in adolescence, a foundational period for adult health trajectories. Using path analyses, social competence was tested as a mediator between parental sensitivity and adolescent health among 884 families. Results indicated that mothers’ and fathers’ sensitivity was associated with increasing social competence from first grade (age 7) to sixth grade (age 12), which was associated with higher awakening cortisol in ninth grade (age 15) and decreasing blood pressure from sixth to ninth grade. Results suggest that social competence mediates associations between childhood parenting and adolescent cardiovascular risk, and may be protective to children's health over time.     

PRESENTATION OF THE ELDERLY IN THE SUNDAY NEWS

To determine the amount of newsspace devoted to articles about aging and the elderly 254 Sunday issues of 22 daily newspapers in 3 circulation groups published in 1983 were examined. A content analysis of the age‐related articles was also done. A total average of .87% of the news‐space was allocated to aging. This figure varied only slightly with circulation size, the ratio of elderly residents in the areas, or with the independence or affiliation of the newspapers. There were, however, differences among individual papers in space allocation. More articles were event—rather than issue—oriented. Metropolitan papers published significantly more issue articles than did papers in the lower circulation groups. Metropolitan papers significantly more often depicted the elderly in active rather than passive roles, whereas the opposite was true for papers in the lowest circulation group. Males were predominantly the subjects of articles in all papers. Recommendations for further study and implications for educational gerontologists are discussed.     

Resting state networks mediate the association between both cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skills with neurocognitive functioning

Recent evidence suggests that cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skill performance are related to neurocognitive functioning by influencing brain structure and functioning. This study investigates the role of resting-state networks (RSNs) in the relation of cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skills with neurocognitive functioning in healthy 8- to 11-year-old children (n = 90, 45 girls, 10% migration background). Cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skills were related to brain activity in RSNs. Furthermore, brain activity in RSNs mediated the relation of both cardiovascular fitness (Frontoparietal network and Somatomotor network) and gross motor skills (Somatomotor network) with neurocognitive functioning. The results indicate that brain functioning may contribute to the relation between both cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skills with neurocognitive functioning.     

A biomechanical comparison of the topspin and backspin forehand approach shots in tennis

Three‐dimensional (3‐D) high‐speed cinematographic techniques were used to record topspin and backspin forehand approach shots hit down‐the‐line by high‐performance players. The direct linear transformation (DLT) technique was used in the 3‐D space reconstruction from 2‐D images recorded via laterally placed phase‐locked cameras operating at 200 Hz. A Mann‐Whitney U‐test was calculated for the different aspects of the topspin and backspin shots to test for significance (P<0.05).

A significant difference was recorded between topspin and backspin shots in the angle of the racket at the completion of the backswing. The racket was taken 0.48 rad past a line drawn perpendicular to the back fence for topspin trials, but only rotated 0.86 rad from a line parallel to the net in the backspin shot. Maximum racket velocities occurred prior to impact and were significantly higher in topspin (26.5 m s‐¹) compared to backspin (16.6 m s^‐1) trials. This resulted in the topspin trials recording a significantly higher ball velocity compared to backspin trials (27.6 m s^‐1 vs 21.7 m s^‐1). Pre‐impact racket trajectories revealed that in topspin shots the racket moved on an upward path of 0.48 rad while in backspin shots it moved down at an angle of 0.34 rad. In the topspin trials impact occurred significantly further forward of the front foot than in backspin shots (0.26 m vs 0.05 m) while the angle of the racket was the same for both strokes (0.14 rad behind a line parallel to the net). The mean angle of the racket‐face at impact was inclined backwards by 0.11 rad for backspin strokes and rotated forward by 0.13 rad for topspin strokes. Angles of incidence and reflection of the impact between the ball and the court showed that backspin trials had larger angles of incidence and reflection than topspin strokes.     

Electronic Communication Training: Reconciling Gaps Created by the Virtual Office

The virtual organization is one result of the rapid advances of technology. These advances, however, bring about setbacks when communicating electronically—primarily a loss of face‐to‐face interaction. Yet interpersonal skills are still deemed one of the most desirable communication skills in today's workplace. A gap analysis of the traditional versus the virtual office reveals that voids exist when communicating solely electronically. Electronic communication training is essential in order to eliminate these voids and lessen the chance for unclear messages, enhance “faceless” interactions, and avoid communication overload. Therefore, it is incumbent upon educators and trainers to augment development programs with electronic communication training in order for employees to be prepared for the challenges of the virtual office.