An examination of bimanual coordination and the suggestion that it is the result of a complex set of neurological events which can be enhanced under the proper learning conditions.
1,290 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 9 sources, 2001, $ 43.95
Abstract In this paper the author takes an in-depth look at bimanual coordination and assess the extent to which hands can move in a synchronous manner and, conversely, the extent to which they can be 'uncoupled' according to task demands. The author attempts to discover whether bimanual coordination is the product of learning or a physical process.
From the paper:
?Human movement is composed of a large number of components, which include neurons, muscles, and joints. Past studies on bimanual coordination have revealed a general preference to move the limbs in a symmetrical fashion, also denoted as in the in-phase mode. Its counterpart, the asymmetrical or anti-phase mode, is performed with lower degrees of accuracy and stability. This tendency to activate the homologous muscle groups is referred to as the muscle grouping constraint (egocentric constraint).?
Abstract This paper attempts to illustrate the effectiveness and importance of participative management in a brokerage firm. The paper begins with an overview of participative management. Next, on the basis of this overview, a discussion is offered as to how management can utilize skills based on participative management in order to maximize the efficiency of the team. The discussion also covers strategies that can be implemented to incorporate participative management into management's daily routine. Finally, a discussion is provided as to why participative management is so important for the success of the team and the larger organization.
From the Paper "A number of factors have been identified as influential in helping to insure that positive outcomes occur when participative management is used. Hermel (1990) emphasized that characteristics associated with the organization may either operate to help facilitate or restrain efforts to use participative management. First, the organizational environment must be one that is supportive of efforts to implement the model. Secondly, the culture of the organization must be such that participative management can be blended with strategy to bring about desired outcomes."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of the methodological strengths and drawbacks of participation observation. The writer uses examples to introduce the link between ethnography and participant observation. In addition, several practical issues including gaining access to and being accepted by the group are highlighted.
From the Paper "Many of the things we now know about life were derived from research that was done to discover the answers. The things we like, the products we purchase, the way therapy is handled, and thousands of other decisions are made in part because research determined what would be best or what we want most. Research is the cornerstone of civilized society and there are many approaches that can be used."
Abstract This paper analyzes and discusses four articles written about the increasing trend towards active performance of women in the world of sports. An emphasis is placed on the sociological issues and health concerns surrounding this trend. The articles reviewed discuss the positive psychological and physiological benefits derived from a women's active participation in sports. They also discuss the detrimental effects women may experience from excessive physical activity and the social barriers women often encounter in the athletic arena.
From the Paper "While the Women's Sports Foundation article (discussed earlier) had outlined the sociological, psychological, and physical benefits of engaging in sports, two articles regarding women's physical health in sports discuss the problems that women face nowadays in order to be physically fit and attain their ideal ?body figure/form,? which is the thin figure. The first article, entitled, ?Women's Health and Sports,? is a research study by Drs. Stephen and Amelia Pribut, wherein the different physical problems that commonly afflict women as a result of sports and exercise participation are discussed. It cited the famous ?Female Athlete Triad,? which is a tripartite "relationship of three (3) health problems" common among female athletes. This topic is also discussed in the second article, entitled, "The Female Athlete Triad" (Women's Sports Foundation 2001). These three common health problems are eating disorders, amenorrhea (loss of monthly period), and osteoporosis (bone loss)."
Argues for prison educational programs that incorporate establishing and maintaining more meaningful parental involvement on the part of incarcerated fathers.
Abstract This paper stresses that children of incarcerated fathers most often become incarcerated themselves because they do not have the involvement of their fathers in their upbringing. The author recommends that educational programs for incarcerated fathers be coordinated with the curricula of their children so that they might share and reinforce positively their academic experiences. The paper relates that the role of the social worker within this initiative would include primary responsibility for coordination of curricula and the promotion of the benefits of program participation, both among incarcerated populations and the families outside.
Table of Contents:
Introduction - Statement of the Problem
Proposal for Solution through Educational Initiative
Prisoner Education Programs and the Benefits of Increased Parental Involvement
Prisoner Education Programs and the Motivating Potential for Prisoner Cooperation
Assessment of Proposed Initiative in Relation to Impact on Social Workers
Conclusion
From the Paper "Ultimately, the successful implementation of this initiative will also impact on the responsibilities of social workers, by their efforts to increasing the motivation of prisoners to cooperate and take full advantage of the opportunities that fall within the professional responsibilities of the social worker to facilitate. As will be discussed in much greater detail in subsequent sections, social workers will play an essential role at the program design and development stage, in particular."
Abstract This paper explains what exactly a health unit coordinator does and why such a person is so vital to the successful running of a healthcare business. Referring to the book "Health Unit Coordination" by Myrna la Fleur, the paper examines the following issues: (1) The history of health unit coordination, including addressing the changing needs over time and in different environments, (2) The non-clinical management required of health unit coordinators, (3) Practical considerations such as managing patient charts and transcribing doctors orders, (4) Basic procedures necessary for appropriate health coordination such as admissions/transfers/discharges, (5) Physical anatomy and illnesses, (6) lastly, specialty services such as the need for health unit coordination in pediatric facilities and psychiatric units.
From the Paper "When assessing health unit coordination and program management, it is essential that one understands the need of a health unit coordinator to be familiar with all of the factors listed above, including the history of healthcare care administration. Health program management has never been a static reality. The priorities for patients and physicians, care workers and visitors, or external customers, has changed drastically over time."
Abstract This paper explains that there is an extensive body of literature discussing the roles of the curriculum coordinator, but there is no consensus on what that role entails. The paper stresses the importance of role theory in issues of position definition. The author states that the proposed research will examine the perceptions of the role of curriculum coordinator held by teachers, principals, vice-principals and curriculum coordinators themselves and will test whether these perceptions differ in relation to the perceivers' position within their schools.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Role Theory: Theoretical and Historical Research
Applications of Role Theory to Organizations, Institutions and Educational Institutions
Application to Organizations/Institutions
Direct Application to Educational Institutions
Application of Role Theory to Role of Curriculum Coordinator Perceptions of the Role of Curriculum Coordinators Summary and Conclusions
From the Paper "In some of the earliest research on role theory in direct relation to educational institutions, Biddle (1961) applied the theory to the role of the public school teacher and the relationships between the teacher's role and the problems of teacher recruitment. Specifically, the study examined teacher differences in teacher roles as perceived by teachers, college education majors and college students in other fields. The assumption underlying the study was that occupational choice was most often made because of role concepts and expectations. Questionnaires were used to elicit respondents' views of positive norms, negative norms, and expectations for teacher behavior in a variety of settings and situations."
Abstract This paper explains that, as gear-manufacturing technology became more complex, it was more difficult to perform gear measurements with the degree of accuracy required; thus, precision in the field of gear-manufacturing began to suffer partly as a result of this declining precision. The author points out that the demands of total quality management systems, such as Six Sigma and ISO 9000, continue to raise the level of expectation to a defect-free manufacturing, which is being addressed by adding new multi-sensor units to coordinate measurement machines. The paper relates that coordinate measuring machines are not yet able to completely replace CNC generative gear testers, but demands from the automotive industry, new technologies and globalization are creating an environment where these machines will continue to improve in efficiency, precision and cost effectiveness.
Pictures.
Table of Contents
CMM Introduction
CMM History
The CMM Culture
Management Strategies
Advantages and Disadvantages
Conclusion
From the Paper "To understand how we got to where we are today, an understanding of CNC Generative Gear Testing Machines may help to clarify the improvements on Coordinate Measurement Machines. CNC generative gear testers are nothing more than computer controlled and fully automated machines that can used to carry out various analytic tests on manufactured gears. The true difference between coordinate measuring machines and the CNC Generative Gear Testing Machines is that the latter are specifically for testing gears. Of course, many in the industry feel that CNC generative gear testers are the most accurate way of measuring axis gears. Coordinate measuring machine offer different options. For instance, coordinate measuring machines have the ability to plot and record many more axis positions. Once recorded, these axis positions serve as the necessary data points to create either two or three dimensional models of a gear or part."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a diagnosis that is just coming into the spotlight in pediatric clinics across the world. The writer discusses that a referral to a physical, occupational, or behavioral therapist might only treat one of many symptoms and lead to an inefficient and limited treatment. With this disadvantage, a single therapist attempting to treat a child with DCD would be at a loss. The writer points out that due to its complex nature and wide-ranging symptoms, the best way to treat a child with DCD would be to attend to all of these symptoms with their respective therapists and address problems with the use of a team approach. The writer concludes that DCD is a multi-faceted disorder and its complexities present a number of challenges. The writer maintains that the key to providing the best treatment for children with DCD is to address each of these challenges with relevant treatments and maximize efficiency with a healthcare team.
Outline:
What is DCD?
What are the Treatments?
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
How Can We Address These Needs?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Since both bottom-up and top-down treatments are effective, there is little refuting either approach. Therapists are given the creative freedom to treat a child with either method, or a combination of the two. The collaboration of the bottom-up and top-down approaches, which could consist of strength training as well as treatment in gross motor skills, might be the most promising intervention in the physical therapy realm. The evidence, however, does show that physical therapy alone does not fully cure the problems that DCD presents. Children, even after the interventions, remained below the developmental level of their same-age peers, often because of psychosocial and fine motor issues. After physical therapy, children should be able to run without falling; however, they still might be unable to tie their shoes or continue to act out in class. Physical therapy is indeed crucial, but it must be used in tandem with the other necessary treatments to ensure that all aspects of the disability are addressed."
Abstract The paper relates that the lack of a known cause of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) raises the uncertainty of the most effective treatment method. The paper focuses on the two treatments therapists usually opt for; task-oriented interventions (top-down approaches) that teach purposeful goals, or an attempt to treat the underlying motor issues (bottom-up approaches) at the neural and muscular level. The paper points out that, although these therapies benefit the subjects, they do not serve as cures for their significant motor deficits. The paper concludes that this reinforces the need for further research as to the exact cause of DCD.
Outline:
Bottom-Up
Top-Down
Future Research
Conclusion
From the Paper "Thirteen years ago, researchers agreed upon including "Developmental Coordination Disorder" (DCD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) (Iversen, Ellertsen, & Tytlandsvik, 2005). Today, a diagnosis of DCD often replaces the previously common assumption that a child who has uncoordinated motor skills is simply clumsy or going through an awkward phase. Approximately 5-8% of children between 5 and 11 years are diagnosed with DCD and therefore have significantly impaired motor function, which interferes with their activities of daily living. While many theories exist regarding the etiology of DCD, such as a secondary result of neuronal damage or neonatal insult, researchers have not defined an exact cause (Barnhart, Davenport, Epps, & Nordquist, 2007)."
Abstract This paper analyzes the factors that determine the historical trends in labor force participation rates in Canada. It describes the changes in rates based on gender, race and age. The paper then focuses on women's increasing participation rates and men's dropping participation rates over time. The paper contains graphs and tables illustrating its points.
Table of Contents:
About Participation Rates
Participation Rates across Time
Labor Force in Canada
Women's Increasing Participating Rates
Men's Dropping Participation Rates
The Aging Population
Decreasing Youth's Participation Rate
Conclusions
From the Paper "Another factor that generated mutations in the Canadian participation rates has a macroeconomic nature and is linked to globalization and market liberalization. Free circulation of products and services between countries has generated immigration to Canada. As such, currently, the Canadian workforce is formed of both locals and foreigners. Future predictions include a general decrease in youth and men's participation rates, a stagnation of women's participation rates and also a stagnation of immigrants' participation rates."
Abstract Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are purported by many to increase democratic participation and build communities. To analyze this supposition, the paper first defines democratic participation and community building in the context of ICTs. Specifically, it reviews literature on 1) enhancing strong democracy 2) revitalizing sense of community and 3) increasing social capital. In section two, the paper then presents cases that illustrate the arguments for and against these claims. In the third and final section, the paper summarizes the potentials and limitations of using ICTs to build communities and increase participation. Finally, it makes policy recommendations for realizing the empowering capabilities for democratic participation and community building of ICTs.
From the Paper "To reach the possibilities afforded by these technologies, public policies must support an environment that fosters political participation and community building. It is therefore important that the public interest notion that is integrated into existing telecommunications policies not be overwritten with notions of economic efficiency as the basis for public interest (Horwitz, Robert Britt, 1989). As Schaefer (1995) indicates, privatizing the evolving network infrastructure for ICTs undermine the network's long-range potential to encourage citizen-to-citizen discussion of public issues (Schaefer, Richard J., 1995). Similarly, equitable access to ICTs through all strata of society is necessary for pluralist discussions to take place online."
Abstract This paper discusses participative management style. It explains the philosophy and origins of this style of management and examines why there is a growing interest among organizations and businesses in participative management. The paper defines the advantages of participative management and concludes, based on the author's own experiences, that it is the best way to promote the type of productive management style required for a successful company.
From the Paper "Today's international world of business is too complex and competitive for an authoritative approach to management. In order to succeed, companies need the support and expertise of its employees. Businesses are being redesigned to be flatter, so that decisions are made by people close to the action. A more loosely created organizational structure can quickly adapt to changing business conditions and current projects. Overall, this belief in employee involvement is called participative management. It has been discussed and implemented for many years by scores of corporations, since empowered employees will feel better about their jobs and be more productive."
Abstract This paper presents an exploratory, observational analysis of the notion of being part of a public and the influence public participation has on the development of the constitution of publics. More specifically the paper assesses the following: (1) What the nature of shared conditions, interests and purposes are within society, (2) How these commonalities create an awareness of forming a public action and (3) The extent to which public participation influences society as a whole. The paper also examines how technology has influenced public participation in recent years and changed the constitution of publics.
Outline
Introduction
Significance of Study
Preliminary Literature Review
Methodology
References
From the Paper "The nature of public participation with regard to publics has been analyzed by many in recent years. Warner comments that as citizens all people are the subjects of publicity, regardless of their culture, race, gender or class, and by participating in any public discourse bring with them an interpretation of events as they relate to oneself; people will adapt themselves to conform to a certain constitution even if they are themselves rather abstract and separate from them (Warner, 2002; Cowell, 2003)."
Abstract This research paper examines the impact sports participation has on self- esteem and a student's sense of self-worth. In particular, this study seeks to determine whether or not a relationship exists between high self-esteem and sports participation, particularly among high school and collegiate students. The paper examines the hypothesis that participation in sports during high school and collegiate years contributes to improved self-esteem. The researcher of the paper combines qualitative analysis of the research with quantitative field examination to prove or disprove this hypothesis.
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Methods
Results
Discussion/Conclusions
From the Paper "There have been numerous studies in recent years that have attempted to evaluate the effects of exercise and sports on one's well being. The results of many of these studies have been controversial. It is important for the medical community and for individuals working with students and the population at large to understand the relationship that exists between sports participation and self esteem. Numerous correlations studies have suggested that a relationship does exist between self esteem and sports."
