The effects of exergaming on physical activity in a third-grade physical education class

We compared the effects of exergaming and traditional physical education on physical activity among 4 active children who were not overweight and who had experience with the exergaming activities prior to the study. Results showed that exergaming produced substantially higher percentages of physical activity and opportunity to engage in physical activity. In addition, an evaluation of the exergaming equipment showed that exergaming stations were associated with differential levels of physical activity across participants.     

潜变量交互效应模型标准化估计中的检验问题

讨论了潜变量交互效应模型是否能直接用统计软件输出的原始估计的t值对模型的标准化估计进行检验的问题,详细介绍了标准化估计的t值计算及其难点,用Bootstrap方法算出标准化估计的标准误和相应的t值（记为t_bs）,并将其与原始估计的t值比较.结果发现,当原始估计t值超过3时,无论用t值还是用t_ bs检验,结果都是显著,即可以使用t值进行检验.而当t值不超过3时,与t_bs很接近,也可以用t值检验,但t值在临界值附近（例如1.5 ～2.5）时,最好还是使用Bootstrap法计算t_bs进行检验.     

Feeling Our Way Forward: Continuity and Discontinuity Within the Cosmic Process

Though their philosophical systems differed in many respects, both Charles Sanders Peirce and Alfred North Whitehead were united in their opposition to what they saw as the materialistic presuppositions of modern science and both urged instead a new psycho-physical approach to reality with emphasis on subjectivity/contingency as well as objectivity/necessity within all natural processes. This article reviews both systems and indicates how, taken in conjunction rather than seen as rival cosmologies, they offer a strong argument for rethinking the way Nature works both within us and around us.     

Veiled Reality and Structural Realism

Abstract

The noted philosopher of science, Bernard d'Espagnat, tries to mediate between objective reality and empirical reality via the notion of veiled reality: namely, while the laws proper to things in themselves are unknown, their existence and interrelated activity can be inferred from observation and analysis of human experience. The author claims that Whiteheadian creativity offers a better candidate for the notion of veiled reality because it is a transcendent activity, not a transcendent actuality. Likewise, a revision of the Whiteheadian category of society as a structured field of activity for its constituent actual entities indirectly confirms Henri Poincaré's notion of structural realism.     

Evolutionary policy contexts and policies in preparation for the twenty‐first century

The importance of preparing now for the next century is emphasized. The author's field and Kondratiev theories as a basis for long‐range policymaking over periods of dynamic, recon‐figurational change are briefly reviewed, and a number of assumptions relevant to this kind of policymaking are provided.. Equilibrium and nonequilibrium structures and thinking are contrasted. Limitations to control associated with limits to knowledge and knowability are discussed. The possibility is considered that continuation of present policies and practices may accelerate movement along a trajectory to nowhere. Problem solutions are considered within the context of what is meant by a civilized society, and some 15 characteristics of a civilized society are proposed. The theoretical basis for preparation for the Twenty‐First Century is advanced. Deficiencies in the present dominant politicoeconomic theories of Western Capitalistic Democracy and Marxism are discussed, and the need for a new set of “founding fathers” is proposed. The importance of developing and implementing a replacement theory of similar magnitude to present theories is emphasized, and the nature of this theory is briefly sketched. Some recommendations for guided paradigm change are offered.     

A Model of Consciousness

Using a combination of reviewing the extensive relevant literature, the author's original scientific research, and exploring the boundaries of human experiences, this article develops a model for consciousness. As a consequence, consciousness is elevated in the scientific understanding of the structure of the Universe, possibly enabling easier interpretation of such concepts as the anthropic principle and quantum physics. The handling of information is a key, leading to a review of the Information Field theory, together with a preliminary attempt at striking the appropriate balance between mind and matter.     

High-resolution characterization of the precipitation behavior of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

The metastable particles in an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy have been examined at atomic-resolution using high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging. In under-aged conditions, thin η′ plates were formed with a thickness of seven atomic planes parallel to the {111}_Al planes. The five inner planes of the η′ phase appear to be alternatively enriched in Mg and Zn, with two outer planes forming distinct Zn-rich interfacial planes. Similar Zn-rich interfacial enrichment has also been identified for the η phase, which is a minimum 11-plane thick structure. In rare instances, particles less than seven planes were found indicating a very early preference for seven-layer particle formation. Throughout the aging, the plate thickness appears constant, while the plate radius increases and no particles between 7 and 11 planes were observed. Based on the HAADF contrast, our observations do not support the η′ models previously set forth by other authors. Clear structural similarities between η′ and η were observed, suggesting that drawing distinctions between η′ and η phases may not be necessary or useful.     

Hemispheric Differences in the Processing of Words Learned Early Versus Later in Childhood

The research investigated whether there are hemispheric differences in processing for words acquired early in childhood (early AoA) and words acquired later in childhood (late AoA). We hypothesized that because of recent evidence suggesting that there is a right hemisphere dominance in early childhood, early AoA words would be represented in the right hemisphere, and late AoA words would be represented in the left hemisphere. This hypothesis differs from an early view that late AoA words would be represented in the left hemisphere, and early AoA words would be represented in both hemispheres (Gazzaniga, 1974). We report two experiments using the divided visual field (DVF) technique. The results showed that there was a right visual field (RVF)/left hemisphere (LH) advantage only for late AoA words. For early AoA words, there was a left visual field (LVF)/right hemisphere advantage (RH). Implications for theories of hemispheric differences in word processing are discussed.     

Systems Factorial Technology provides new insights on global-local information processing in autism spectrum disorders

Previous studies of global-local processing in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have indicated mixed findings, with some evidence of a local processing bias, or preference for detail-level information, and other results suggesting typical global advantage, or preference for the whole or gestalt. Findings resulting from this paradigm have been used to argue for or against a detail focused processing bias in ASDs, and thus have important theoretical implications. We applied Systems Factorial Technology, and the associated Double Factorial Paradigm (both defined in the text), to examine information processing characteristics during a divided attention global-local task in high-functioning individuals with an ASD and typically developing controls. Group data revealed global advantage for both groups, contrary to some current theories of ASDs. Information processing models applied to each participant revealed that task performance, although showing no differences at the group level, was supported by different cognitive mechanisms in ASD participants compared to controls. All control participants demonstrated inhibitory parallel processing and the majority demonstrated a minimum-time stopping rule. In contrast, ASD participants showed exhaustive parallel processing with mild facilitatory interactions between global and local information. Thus our results indicate fundamental differences in the stopping rules and channel dependencies in individuals with an ASD.