High bar swing performance in novice adults: effects of practice and talent

An individual's a priori talent can affect movement performance during learning. Also, task requirements and motor-perceptual factors are critical to the learning process. This study describes changes in high bar swing performance after a 2-month practice period. Twenty-five novice participants were divided by a priori talent level (spontaneous-talented [ST] and nonspontaneous-talented [NST]) and compared to experienced gymnasts. Additionally, we assessed their perception of their performance level before and after practice. We defined three events independently for hip (H) and shoulder (S) angle joints and for the lag between consecutive events (phases [P]): the smallest angle during downswing (P1H, P1S), the largest angle after P1 (P2H, P2S), and the smaller angle during upswing (P3H, P3S). Movement performance variables were the maximum elevation on the downswing (Pi) and the upswing (Pf), and the total path between both (swing amplitude). Data were collected during pre- and postpractice sessions by two video cameras. At the end of both sessions, participants drew a sketch to represent their perception of their performance level relative to the Pi, Pf and the hip events. Results showed a similar practice effect in the swing amplitude in both novice groups. However the ST group 's performance and perception variables on the downswing improved more than the NST group due to practice. This study suggests that (a) downswing improvements were easier than in the upswing, possibly due to familiarity of the visual reference in combination with proprioceptive feedback; and (b) being ST may involve a better orfaster gain in perception of self-action compared to NST.     

Perception of coaching behaviors, coping, and achievement in a sport competition

This study examined the relationship between perceived coaching behaviors, coping strategies during a sport competition, and sport achievement. A prospective design was used in which 80 athletes from individual sports completed measures of perceived coaching behaviors two days before a competition (Time 1) and measures of coping and sport achievement within three hours after a sport competition (Time 2). As expected, results of multiple regressions indicated that supportive coaching was a positive predictor of task-oriented coping and sport achievement whereas unsupportive coaching was a positive predictor of disengagement-oriented coping. Both types of coping were significantly associated with sport achievement. Task-oriented coping was a significant partial mediator in the relation between supportive coaching and sport achievement. This study, which contributes to both the coaching and coping literatures, highlights the role of supportive coaching behaviors in the initiation of effective stress management during sport competitions.     

AEG-Telefunken TR 440: Unternehmensstrategie, Markterfolg und Nachfolger

Zusammenfassung  AEG-Telefunken entwickelte seit 1957 Rechner. Neben den Prozessrechnern spielten die Gro?rechner TR 4 und TR 440 eine wichtige Rolle. Von 1969 bis 1976 wurden 46 TR 440 installiert, bei einem Gesamtumsatz von 730 Mio. DM (370 Mio. Euro) [2]. In der Produktpolitik spielten die Rechner keine zentrale Rolle, obwohl eine ausgezeichnete technologische Ausgangsposition bestanden hatte und die Telefunkenrechner sp?ter nachdrückliche technologiepolitische Unterstützung erhielten. Die Entwicklung des Systems TR 440 hatte mit wesentlichen konzeptionellen und technologischen Schwierigkeiten zu k?mpfen, wozu der Mangel an qualifizierten Zulieferern und erfahrenen Mitabeitern kam. Trotzdem gelang es, bis 1970 den bislang schnellsten in Europa entwickelten Rechner [6] fertig zu stellen und Systemsoftware zu entwickeln [9], die den Produkten der Mitbewerber um Jahre voraus war. Von Anfang an hatte das Unternehmen nach geeigneten Kooperationspartnern gesucht. Mit dem Verkauf des Gro?rechnergesch?ftes an Siemens gingen die bereits laufenden Planungen für einen TR 440-Nachfolger zu Ende.

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AEG-Telefunken developed computers since 1957. Besides process control computers, the large scale computers, TR 4 and TR 440, played an important role. 46 TR 440 computers were installed from 1969 to 1976, summing up to a sales volume of 730 Mio. DM (370 Mio. Euro) [2]. AEG-Telefunken did not consider computers as a strategic part of its product policy, though the company had had an excellent technological position for this business and the Telefunken computers got vigorous political support. The development of the TR 440 system had to defeat essential conceptual and technological difficulties, besides lack of qualified suppliers and experienced personnel. Nevertheless, the company could, by 1970, develop the fastest European computer so far [6], with system software ahead of competitors by years [9]. From the beginning, the company had been looking for business partners. With the sale of the large scale computer business to Siemens, all activities on a TR 440 successor were stopped. AEG-Telefunken computer business strategy is also subject of a paper to appear in the IEEE Annals of the History of Computing.

     

Thin versus thick democracy in education: Porto alegre and the creation of alternatives to neo-liberalism

In this article, the authors describe the ways in which a set of policies has had what seem to be extensive and long lasting effects precisely because these policies are coherently linked to larger dynamics of social transformation and to a coherent strategy that aims to change the mechanisms of the state and the rules of participation in the formation of state policies. They describe and analyze the policies of the 'Popular Administration' in Porto Alegre, Brasil but, more specifically, they focus on the 'Citizen School' and on proposals that are explicitly designed to radically change both the municipal schools and the relationship between communities, the state, and education. This set of polices and the accompanying processes of implementation are constitutive parts of a clear and explicit project aimed at constructing not only a better school for the excluded, but also a larger project of radical and thick democracy. The reforms being built in Porto Alegre are still in formation, but the authors argue that they have crucial implications for how we might think about the politics of education policy and its role in social transformation.     

The process of relationship development and deterioration: Turning points in friendships that have terminated

This study examines friendships that have ended. Five recalled trajectories for dissolved friendships were found. Certain turning points were generally associated with increases in friendship closeness, while others were associated with decreases in closeness. In addition, gender differences were found for several of the turning points reported. Implications are discussed for interpersonal communication research based on a traditional linear conceptualization of relational development and deterioration.     

Changes in Friendship Commitment: Comparing Geographically Close and Long-Distance Young-Adult Friendships

The existence of long-distance (LD) friendships throws into question assumptions that scholars of interpersonal communication often make about commitment to relationships, the development of relationships, and friendships. An analysis of turning points comparing commitment changes in young-adult geographically close and LD same-sex friendships revealed high and fluctuating levels of commitment over the history of the friendships for both types. Over 80% of those having LD friends reported their levels of commitment were currently increasing, rather than decreasing. Women were more likely than men to report nonlinear trajectories for their friendships, more downturns in commitment to their friendships, and more turning points related to changes in commitment to their friendships.     

Comparison Between Early High-Definition Television Owners and Non-Owners

A national random telephone survey was conducted to profile early high-definition television (HDTV) adopters based on demographics, media use, interpersonal communication, social participation, cosmopoliteness, perceived innovation attributes of new communication technologies, and ownership of communication technologies. Of all respondents, 21% reported owning an HDTV set at home. In the primary logistic regression, Web news reading, religious service attendance, complexity, trialability, and ownership of communication technologies were significant predictors of HDTV adoption.     

Book reviews of Counterclockwise: Perspectives on Communication; Illuminating the Blindspots: Essays Honoring Dallas W. Smythe

Because hedonic aspects of products are difficult to evaluate prior to consumption, consumers seek signals to reduce their uncertainty. Opinion leaders, such as critics, may serve as key informants to consumers. This study considers the different roles and incentives of literary critics and how they influence the success of books. Furthermore, it empirically investigates the impact of 4 book critics featured on Germany's most popular literary television show, Das Literarische Quartett, on reviewed books' success. The variety of control variables included in the mixed regression models provide results pertaining to not only the critics, but also the success factors of books in general. Book success does not depend primarily on the mere appearance of a book on a television show or a favorable review of it; rather, awareness and word-of-mouth effects seem crucial, and books are more likely to succeed if critics disagree about the quality and express extreme judgments, even if those judgments are negative.