A Chance Lost in the Prevention of School Dropout? Teacher-Student Relationships Mediate the Effect of Mental Health Problems on Noncompletion of Upper-Secondary School

There is increasing awareness of the challenges that young people who do not complete upper-secondary school may encounter. The aim of the current study was to investigate teacher-student relationship as a possible mechanism to reduce the associations between mental health problems, grades, and subsequent noncompletion. Mental health problems and teacher-student relationships were assessed through students’ self-reports in 10th grade, and linked with Norwegian registries of education and sociodemography (n?=?10,931). A dual-factor serial mediator model was specified, allowing the effect of mental health problems on school dropout to be mediated by the teacher-student relationship via school grades. Results indicated that teacher-student relationship is a potential mechanism to reduce the negative associations between mental health problems and later noncompletion. However, students with mental health problems seemed to experience less supportive teachers; therefore, interventions targeting teacher-student relationships may be required. The patterns were similar between genders.     

Implementing a Universal Stress Management Program for Young School Children: Are there Classroom Climate or Academic Effects?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible academic and classroom climate effects of the universal school program Zippy's Friends, the primary objective of which is to strengthen children's ability to cope with stress. The sample consisted of 1483 children (aged 7–8 years) from 91 second-grade classes in 35 schools. The schools were matched and randomly assigned to intervention and control conditions. Classroom social climate and academic skills were assessed by the teachers and the children using an adapted version of the German scale SIKS (Social Integration, Classroom Climate and Self-concept of School Readiness). Using a multilevel approach, regression analysis of teacher reports indicated that the program had a positive effect on the social climate in the classroom, reduced bullying and improved academic skills. Analysis of children's reports found no significant overall effects. The results were not influenced by students' sex or socioeconomic status.     

The Willingness-to-Pay for the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen as a Public Good

In this paper some of the results of a Contingent Valuation (CV)-Study of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, are presented. The estimated aggregated willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the Royal Theatre through taxes shows that the Danish population wants to pay at least as much as the theatre receives in public subsidies. The visitors comprise only about 7 per cent of the total population, but the non-users' WTP is quite substantial which is the interesting point. It means that the non-users are willing to pay an option price and that the Royal Theatre has non-use value. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Clever girls’ stories: the girl they call a nerd

In this paper, we explore the issue of gender and mathematics participation, focusing on the ways in which “clever girls” self-author within the discourse order of a high ability group, which has particular significance in the Norwegian context in which this study took place. Contrasting the cases of three girls, only one of whom (Anna) chooses to continue with a higher level of mathematics (mathematics for science), we consider the ways in which they manage being members of the “smart group”. We analyse in particular the storying of Anna as a “nerd” and the social cost of being a “clever girl” against the backdrop of a public discourse of equality of opportunity in Norway.     

Physiological determinants of elite mountain bike cross-country Olympic performance

Detailed physiological phenotyping was hypothesized to have predictive value for Olympic distance cross-country mountain bike (XCO-MTB) performance. Additionally, mean (MPO) and peak power output (PPO) in 4 × 30 s all-out sprinting separated by 1 min was hypothesized as a simple measure with predictive value for XCO-MTB performance. Parameters indicative of body composition, cardiovascular function, power and strength were determined and related to XCO-MTB national championship performance (n = 11). Multiple linear regression demonstrated 98% of the variance (P < 0.001) in XCO-MTB performance (t_XCO-MTB; [min]) is explained by maximal oxygen uptake relative to body mass (VO_2peak,rel; [ml/kg/min]), 30 s all-out fatigue resistance (FI; [%]) and with a minor contribution from quadriceps femoris maximal torque (T_max; [Nm]): t_XCO-MTB = ?0.217× VO_2peak,rel.–0.201× FI+ 0.012× T_max+ 85.4. Parameters with no additional predictive value included hemoglobin mass, leg peak blood flow, femoral artery diameter, knee-extensor peak workload, jump height, quadriceps femoris maximal voluntary contraction force and rate of force development. Additionally, multiple linear regression demonstrated parameters obtained from 4x30s repeated sprinting explained 88% of XCO-MTB variance (P < 0.001) with t_XCO-MTB = ?5.7× MPO+ 5.0× PPO+ 55.9. In conclusion, XCO-MTB performance is predictable from VO_2peak,rel and 30 s all-out fatigue resistance. Additionally, power variables from a repeated sprint test provides a cost-effective way of monitoring athletes XCO-MTB performance.     

A multi-sensor system for automatic analysis of classical cross-country skiing techniques

Commercial systems utilizing data from inertial measurement units (IMUs) to analyse movement patterns have not yet been adapted to monitor daily training in cross-country (XC) skiing. The main purposes of this study are to investigate: (1) the feasibility and potential of a multi-sensor system consisting of a heart rate sensor, global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) data and seven IMUs placed at multiple locations on the body for outdoor XC skiing, and (2) the validity of employing hard decision rules based on the correlation between arms and legs for detecting sub-techniques in classical XC skiing. All sensor data were synchronously sampled and synchronized with GNSS data from a commercially available sports watch while XC skiing on varying tracks, from amateur skiers and world-class athletes. An algorithm based on the correlation of the angular velocity of arms and legs was developed to detect the three main classic sub-techniques, diagonal, double poling with a kick and double poling. Other sub-techniques were classified as miscellaneous (0–20%). The system is shown to work well outdoors on snow during different conditions, and the implemented algorithm was validated by video analyses to detect the three sub-techniques with a sensitivity of 99–100%. This study is the first to detect and link sub-techniques in XC skiing to GNSS data, thereby associating the detection and distribution of sub-techniques to different terrains. Such information gives insight into the technical and tactical aspects of skiers’ daily training and competitions, thereby providing a tool for coaches and athletes.     

The Persuasive Effects of Audiovisual PSAs to Promote Organ Donation: The Mediating Role of Psychological Reactance

The use of shared experiences and an accurate representation of real life situations is critical to effective speech education. This essay examines the use of role playing and principles of learning applied to the modern speech classroom.