A kinematic analysis of a judo leg sweep: major outer leg reap--osoto-gari

Twenty male judo players (10 black belt; 10 novice) executed the major outer leg reap, osoto-gari, with maximal effort. Each throw was recorded within the two-dimensional sagittal plane using a 60 Hz video camera. Kinematic data that best described the power of the 'tori's' (thrower's) sweeping leg and the velocity of the 'uke's' (recipient's) falling body were analysed using a Peak Performance Technologies Inc. Motus system. Data from black belt and novice groups were statistically analysed using a one-way MANOVA (p = .05). Statistical analysis found only two variables for the 'tori' (peak angular velocity of the trunk; TTRK, and peak angular velocity of the ankle; TANK) to be significantly different. Large TTRK values for the black belt group indicated a proficient ability to create large momentum on the upper body of the 'uke'. Significantly larger differences in trunk rotation velocities of the 'uke' by the black belt group reinforced this notion. These differences were attributed to good upper body to upper body contact or impact, which is considered an important aspect of the 'osoto-gari'. Significant differences in TANK values stressed the importance of executing plantar flexion near sweep contact. The results emphasised the importance of using the sweeping leg in a sequential kinetic link motion rather than as a single rigid segment.     

The effects of polysemy for Japanese katakana words

In these experiments, the effects of polysemy were examined as a function of word frequency for Japanese katakana words, words which have consistent character-to-sound correspondences. In the lexical decision task, an additive relationship was observed between polysemy and frequency (i.e., polysemy effects were identical for high and low frequency katakana words). In the naming task, although no word frequency effect was observed, there was a significant polysemy effect which, as in the lexical decision task, was identical for high and low frequency words. The implications of these results for conclusions about the loci of polysemy and frequency effects in lexical decision and naming tasks are discussed.     

Faculty in Transition: A Longitudinal Analysis of Perceived Control and Type of Institution in the Research Productivity of Newly Hired Faculty

The systemic changes facing postsecondary institutions today pose a threat to the quality of academic programs unless new faculty can be successfully attracted and retained. To be more competitive in the recruitment and retention of faculty, a better understanding is needed of the adjustment experiences of newly hired faculty. Our study examined the adjustment of new hires at the point of entry into their institutions using research productivity as one indicator of adaptation. It was expected that perceived personal control, age, gender, and type of institution would relate to research productivity. At the beginning of their first and second year, newly hired faculty in three different types of postsecondary institutions responded to a comprehensive questionnaire concerning their initial adjustment experiences. A path analysis indicated both direct and indirect linkages between the independent variables of interest and research productivity. Substantial direct paths were found between the institution type and research productivity, specifically for the research I and liberal arts/comprehensive institutions, and to a lesser degree, between age and research productivity. Age, the research I university, and the liberal arts/comprehensive universities had direct effects on two measures of perceived control and were linked indirectly to research productivity via perceived control. Perceived control resulting from the personal qualities of the faculty members was instrumental to research productivity, whereas perceived control resulting from activities initiated by faculty members were not related to productivity. Surprisingly, gender was not related to research productivity through either direct or indirect paths. If the adjustment of newly hired faculty is viewed in terms of research productivity, then these results suggest that perceived control, the milieu of research-oriented institutions, and age (to a limited extent), are important predictors of faculty performance.     

美国科学信息研究所对完善ISI数据库选刊标准中有关中国期刊文献收录方针的进展报告与建议

目前,美国科学信息研究所(ISI)数据库收录了60种中国期刊(不包括台湾省期刊)为刊源,其中13种被SCI收录;虽然中国期刊在ISI数据库中所占比例很小,但近两年其刊源数量有明显增长.科技期刊的研究质量是办刊之本,但各国研究者在检索本专业最新资料时,文献目录的信息也十分重要.ISI数据库是唯一包括所有论文参考文献的文摘检索服务系统,它所摘引的参考文献给专业研究人员带来很大的帮助.ISI为了给读者提供最完善可靠的文献目录信息,将期刊按国际规范编排,附上所有英文参考文献,不仅提高了文献检索率还标明了所引刊物,这在列举引文资料时非常重要.近年来,越来越多的中国文献也开始列出英文参考文献,这对于中国期刊的发展有重要意义,文献标准化是提供准确的期刊引文分析的关键.还有期刊的刊名必须清楚,中文刊名、英译名、汉语拼音名、拉丁文刊名、各种情况的英文版本名应有所区分,标注得当,目的是尽量给检索系统提供最清楚、准确的信息,以免与同类刊物混淆.本文介绍了ISI数据库收录期刊的方针并推荐一些收录期刊的可取经验,目的是为了使更多的中国学术期刊进入国际科技出版的主流并真正被世界科学家认同.     

The longitudinal effects of achievement goals and perceived control on university student achievement

In the area of achievement motivation, students’ beliefs pertaining to achievement goals and perceived control have separately guided a large amount theoretical and empirical research. However, limited research has considered the simultaneous effects of goals and control on achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine primary and secondary control as potential mediators of the effects of mastery and performance goals on achievement, measured as final percentage in Introductory Psychology and GPA. The sample consisted of 224 first-year university students at a Canadian doctoral granting university. All participants completed two surveys and consented to release their grades to the researchers. We found that neither performance goals nor mastery goals had direct effects on achievement. However, performance goals had a positive indirect effect on achievement through primary control. Indirect effects also emerged for mastery goals, positively through primary control and negatively through secondary control. These results offer one explanation for the often-found non-significant relationship between mastery and achievement and are discussed in light of interventions aimed to modify goals and/or control and thereby increase achievement.