Impact of early code‐skill and oral‐comprehension training on reading achievement in first grade

In a 3‐year longitudinal study, we examined the relationships between oral language development, early training and reading acquisition on word‐identification and reading‐comprehension tests administered to a sample of 687 French children. Hierarchical linear models showed that both phonological awareness and oral comprehension at the age of 4 years were relevant to reading acquisition 2 years later. These two broad skills explained separate parts of the variance on both outcome measures, while revealing opposite effects: phonological skills explained more variance for alphabetic reading skills and oral comprehension explained more variance for reading comprehension. We also assessed the effects of two preschool training programmes focusing on either phonological awareness or comprehension skills. The results showed that phonological awareness training had a positive effect on alphabetic scores, and comprehension training had a positive effect on reading comprehension. These results provide insight into early oral instruction and contribute to the theoretical debate about the linguistic predictors of literacy acquisition.     

Loaded hip thrust-based PAP protocol effects on acceleration and sprint performance of handball players

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of two barbell hip thrust-based (BHT) post-activation potentiation (PAP) protocols on subsequent sprint performance. Using a crossover design, eighteen handball athletes performed maximal 15-m sprints before and 15s, 4min and 8min after two experimental protocols consisting of BHT loaded with either 50% or 85% 1RM (50PAP and 85PAP, respectively), in order to profile the transient PAP effects. The resulting sprint performances were significantly impaired at 15s only after the 85PAP protocol, which induced likely and very likely greater decreases compared to the 50PAP. At 4min and 8min, significant improvements and very likely beneficial effects were observed in the 10m and 15m performances following both protocols. Significant differences were found when comparing the two PAPs over time; the results suggested very likely greater performance improvements in 10m following the 85PAP after 4min and 8min, and possible greater performance improvements in 15m after 4min. Positive correlations between BHT 1RMs values and the greatest individual PAP responses on sprint performance were found. This investigation showed that both moderate and intensive BHT exercises can induce a PAP response, but the effects may differ according to the recovery following the potentiating stimulus and the individual`s strength level.     

Weighting of different orientation sources in conflict experiments inBlattella germanica (L.), Dictyoptera: Blattellidae

Control exerted by different categories of spatial information on short-distance return to shelter by young cockroach larvae and weighting of different information sources in conflict situations were investigated. In the absence of landmark cues, larvae preferred information given by path integration with kinesthetic cues over scototactic cues. When two landmark cues with a particular angular position between them were shifted 180°, larvae relied on these learned landmarks provided that their relative angular position was kept unchanged. When only one of the landmark cues was shifted 180°, larvae preferred to use the path integration system. When larvae could not use path integration cues, a modified configuration of the landmarks disturbed them. They relied on scototactic cues, although some seemed to rely on either one of the landmarks to find their shelter. Cockroaches could change the order of importance that they normally attributed to certain classes of spatial information (in increasing order: scototaxis, path integration, and learned visual landmarks) in relation to ongoing conditions.     

Factor structure and factorial invariance of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale across Japanese and South Korean college students

International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance - The Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) has been validated in several East Asian countries, but the measurement equivalence of its...     

Chain-loaded variable resistance warm-up improves free-weight maximal back squat performance

The acute influence of chain-loaded variable resistance exercise on subsequent free-weight one-repetition maximum (1-RM) back squat performance was examined in 16 recreationally active men. The participants performed either a free-weight resistance (FWR) or chain-loaded resistance (CLR) back squat warm-up at 85% 1-RM on two separate occasions. After a 5-min rest, the participants attempted a free-weight 1-RM back squat; if successful, subsequent 5% load additions were made until participants failed to complete the lift. During the 1-RM trials, 3D knee joint kinematics and knee extensor and flexor electromyograms (EMG) were recorded simultaneously. Significantly greater 1-RM (6.2?±?5.0%; p?p?p?>?.05) was found in concentric EMG, eccentric or concentric knee angular velocity, or peak knee flexion angle. Performing a CLR warm-up enhanced subsequent free-weight 1-RM performance without changes in knee flexion angle or eccentric and concentric knee angular velocities; thus a real 1-RM increase was achieved as the mechanics of the lift were not altered. These results are indicative of a potentiating effect of CLR in a warm-up, which may benefit athletes in tasks where high-level strength is required.     

Linguistic identity and career decision-making difficulties among French-speaking Canadian students living in an Anglo-dominant context

Career decision-making difficulties (CDMD) are often faced by students entering their final year of high school, and can further complicate when a student belongs to a minority group, such as a linguistic minority (Francophone) within an Anglo-dominant society (Ontario, Canada). The current study aimed to examine CDMD in 984 Franco-Ontarian grade 12 students attending French-language secondary schools. Findings, obtained through the comparison of four linguistic identity groups, revealed that students self-identifying as predominantly Francophone tended to report the least CDMD. Results are discussed in terms of future research and implications.     

Comparative study between fully tethered and free swimming at different paces of swimming in front crawl

Tethered swimming is a method often used to measure or enhance the physical and technical resources of swimmers. Although it is highlighted that the technique used in tethered swimming is probably different from that used in free conditions, there are few comparative studies on this subject. The current study aims to compare fully tethered and free swimming based on kinematic hand parameters (orientation, velocity and acceleration of the hand, sweepback and angle of attack), which are known to act directly on the generation of propulsive forces. The results show that there are significant differences during the stretch and catch phases but less during the insweep and upsweep phases. Tethered swimming makes it possible to estimate the propelling forces generated by the hand in free swimming at distance and middle-distance paces, but overestimates it at sprint pace. However, in view of the modifications of the kinematic parameters, it should not be used under repeated conditions of use, such as for the development of swimmers’ capacity.     

Agricultural Extension Services and Market Regulation: Learning from a Comparison of Six EU Countries

Abstract

If farmers are to meet the new challenges facing agriculture (environment, rural development, etc.), appropriate knowledge has to be produced. But observations in six EU countries (France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK) show that unexpected problems arise when technical support for agriculture is linked to market regulation, as recommended since the late 1980s. The source of these problems can be understood better by applying concepts from the service economy: i) The production of new knowledge requires strong interaction between service providers (technical support bodies) and beneficiaries (farmers). The weakening of non-market regulation procedures, which partly guaranteed these possibilities of interaction, makes the conception of an advisory service difficult. ii) As soon as consultancy becomes a paying service, some beneficiaries reduce technical interaction with their colleagues in order to benefit from a productive advantage, and the ‘multipliable’ nature of new knowledge is reduced. iii) An increasing number of farmers are excluded from the benefits of technical support even though they help to provide services that society expects from agriculture (management of the land, maintenance of activities in low-density areas). iv) The responsibility for combining contradictory requirements (competitiveness, environment, rural development) is most often put on the shoulders of individual farmers who are unequipped to deal with such complex issues. Observed trends attest to the fact that effects often run counter to the stated agricultural and rural development objectives of policies.