NGSS,disposability, and the ambivalence of science in/under neoliberalism

This paper explores the ambivalence of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and its Framework towards neoliberal governance. The paper examines the ways that the NGSS serves as a mechanism within neoliberal governance: in its production of disposable populations through testing and through the infusion of engineering throughout the NGSS to resolve social problems through technical fixes. However, the NGSS, like earlier standards, is reactionary to forces diminishing the power of institutional science (e.g., the AAAS) including neoliberal prioritizing market value over evidence. The NGSS explicitly takes on neoliberal junk science such as the anti-global-warming Heartland Institute.     

Bowling ball dynamics revealed by miniature wireless MEMS inertial measurement unit

This paper presents a novel sensor technology to deduce the dynamics of a bowling ball. The sensor, a miniature wireless inertial measurement unit (IMU), incorporates MEMS accelerometers and angular rate gyros, a microcontroller, a low power RF transceiver, and a rechargeable battery. When embedded in a bowling ball, the IMU transmits the acceleration and angular velocity data that define the dynamics of the ball starting with the bowler’s delivery and its motion in the lane. Example results from professional bowlers illustrate how this technology can be used to assess bowler skill and ball performance. For instance, the IMU accurately measures the spin dynamics of the ball which are crucial to develop the ball “hook.” An analysis of ball dynamics in the lane is distilled to a measurable “hook potential” metric for further assessing bowler skill. Finally, the sensor presented herein is believed to be the world’s smallest, wireless IMU. This highly miniaturized and wireless design will enable parallel training systems for many sports, including basketball, baseball, crew, cricket, golf, fly fishing, soccer, softball, tennis, rowing, among others.     

The Rewards of Human Capital Competences for Young European Higher Education Graduates

The labour market rewards for a number of required human capital competences are analysed using a sample of young European higher education graduates. Factor analysis is applied to classify competences by jobs into eight orthogonal groups, namely participative, methodological, specialised, organisational, applying rules, physical, generic and socio-emotional competences. Estimates for the total rewards for competences are obtained through conventional wage regression, whereas estimates of the total rewards are derived in terms of job satisfaction through ordered logit regression. Explanatory variables include personal characteristics, job attributes, occupational titles, fields of study, type of higher education institution and country dummies. Results on wage rewards show that jobs with higher requirements of participativeand methodological competencesare best paid; conversely, jobs with higher requirements of organisational, applying-rulesand physical competencesare worse paid. Results on total rewards suggest that jobs with higher requirements of competences increase graduates' satisfaction, the only exception being applying-rules competences.     

A new method for the measurement and analysis of biomechanical energy delivered by kicking

An accurate measurement of force and biomechanical energy that people can impart through kicking is useful for kick-related sports training. Existing methods are indirect measurements or focus on force and not on the total energy of the kick. A kick test rig was designed, constructed and instrumented to measure the force and displacement of a vertical target subjected to kicking. The kick energy was calculated from the recorded force and displacement histories. The methodology for measurement of kick force and energy was validated by an open stance front kick test by 52 volunteers. The results showed that 67% of the participants could achieve an average energy above 100 J. An increasing trend of kick energy with increasing body weight of participant was observed. The participant’s gender had a strong influence on the kick energy, while training in martial arts does not appear to be a significant parameter. A probability analysis showed that one in one hundred adults will be able to kick with energies exceeding 215 J.     

A Case Study of Russification in Two Translations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland</Emphasis> by Vladimir Nabokov and Boris Zakhoder

This paper examines the domestication of children literature through the comparative study of two translations of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Vladimir Nabokov and Boris Zakhoder. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has a reputation for being difficult to translate into foreign languages due to its strong linguistic features of world play and parody embedded in British culture. Nabokov and Zakhoder demonstrate different approaches in translating the book and providing opportunities for Russian children to feel the same emotion and imagination that English children would feel when reading Carroll’s book. While Nabokov attempts to fully translate the meanings of Carroll’s wordplay, the rhyme of poetry and humor, Zakhoder focuses more on direct translation of original text or adding new contents to facilitate better understandings for Russian children. Nabokov exhibits more ideal translation approach of Carroll’s work and Zakhoder represents typical translation approach of Soviet era.     

Compression garments and cerebral blood flow: Influence on cognitive and exercise performance

This study aimed to describe the effect of compression garments on middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCA_v) in relation to cognitive and exercise performance whilst cycling. In a randomised-controlled-cross-over design, 15 well-trained male cyclists were recruited to participate in three identical trials wearing loose fitting shorts (control), low-grade, or medium-grade compression garments. The protocol involved four 8?min increments of cycling at 30%, 50%, 70%, and 85% maximal power output and a 4?km time-trial. Participants undertook a cognitive Stroop task at baseline and at the midpoint of each increment. MCA_v was monitored with Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and partial pressure of end-tidal CO₂ (P_etCO₂) were measured throughout. MCA_v, MAP, P_etCO₂, and reaction time of the complex Stroop task were influenced by exercise intensity, but not compression garments. Compression garments significantly affected cognitive accuracy in the complex Stroop task such that low-grade compression appeared to enhance cognitive accuracy in comparison to the control condition at the highest intensity (p?=?.010). Time-trial performance did not differ between the control (338.0?±?17.3 s), low-grade (338.7?±?18.7 s), or medium-grade (342.2?±?19.3 s) conditions (p?=?.114). Compression garments did not affect MCA_v during exercise or time-trial performance, but compression may be beneficial for improved cognitive accuracy during high-intensity exercise. Further research is required to elucidate the potential impact on cognitive performance.     

On some projectively flat polynomial （α,β）-metrics

In this paper, we consider some polynomial (α,β)-metrics, and discuss the sufficient and necessary conditions for a Finsler metric in the form F=α a1β a2β2/α a4β4/α3 to be projectively flat, where ai (i=1,2,4) are constants with a1≠0, α is a Riemannian metric and β is a 1-form. By analyzing the geodesic coefficients and the divisibility of certain polynomials, we obtain that there are only five projectively flat cases for metrics of this type. This gives a classification for such kind of Finsler metrics.     

“Spinning Themselves into Poetry”: Images of Urban Adolescent Writers in Two Novels for Young Adults

In contrast to the educational research and policy literature depicting urban adolescents as reluctant and struggling readers and writers, young people in recent young adult novels claim writing as an efficacious practice for self-discovery and social understanding. Analysis of the images of writers and writing in Locomotion and Call Me María provide insights into both urban adolescents and literacies as social practices. Framed by New Literacy Studies, analysis of the novels finds that the characters use writing to document and process life-altering events; to seek meaning and inspiration in their surroundings; to resist ascribed identities; and to search for a sense of belonging in the sociopolitical landscape in which they are often marginalized due to their race, gender, youth, and/or language. This article argues that the novels humanize and dramatize adolescent literacies in ways that test results and crisis language often disguise and distort.