O presente trabalho tem por finalidade determinar numericamente o campo de escoamento potencial bidimensional num perfil aerodinâmico para diferentes ângulos de ataque visando a posterior avaliação das características aerodinâmicas de aerofólios para sua aplicação no projeto de pás de turbinas eólicas. O modelo empregado baseia-se na teoria de escoamento passante (Through-flow theory), sendo utilizadas as equações que definem o escoamento numa superfície de corrente entre pás (blade to blade). Na solução numérica é aplicado um método implícito de diferenças finitas determinando-se os valores da função corrente de todo o domínio. Num procedimento iterativo a solução do problema converge para valores satisfatórios. A distribuição de velocidades no domínio é obtido por diferenciação numérica da função corrente. Posteriormente. a distribuição de pressão ao longo da corda do aerofólio é obtida e comparada com dados experimentais da referência consultada. Os resultados obtidos apresentam uma boa concordância com os dados experimentais até próximo do ângulo de ataque critico do perfil (Estol). Divergências da distribuição de pressão são detectadas na região da borda de ataque quando comparadas com os resultados experimentais, sendo isso atribuído à baixa densidade da malha. O modelo potencial não é adequado para ângulos que excedem o ângulo de ataque critico (Estol), já que o campo de escoamento próximo da superfície é afetado adversamente pela viscosidade.

O presente trabalho constitui o projeto e a construção de um motor de combustão interna de êmbolo rotativo, idealizado pela empresa M.I.T. (Miranda Inovações Tecnológicas), no qual buscou-se, por analise teórica e comparação com outras máquinas identificar as reais possibilidades das inovações sugeridas, tanto no aspecto funcional quanto no construtivo. A investigação visou descrever e explicar o embasamento teórico sobre o qual foi pensado o motor, as diversas inovações propostas e as peculiaridades construtivas em relação ao que é atualmente produzido. Dentre as novidades pode-se destacar a configuração escolhido para o motor, o formato das câmaras de combustão e, principalmente, o sistema de vedação proposto. Este último usa a chamada vedação por labirinto (tipo de vedação que se vale da perda de pressão que ocorre em um fluído após sucessivas expansões e compressões), no local do sistema tradicional (que veda através do contato físico entre os elementos de selagem e os componentes do motor). Para que fosse possível operacionalizar, ainda que teoricamente, este tipo de vedação, praticamente todo o estudo do motor concentrou-se sobre este ponto. O projeto e a construção de dois protótipos do motor expõem as dificuldades envolvidas na produção de uma máquina com as características propostas, mesmo quando são desconsideradas diversas variáveis (como custo de produção e peso final), e visa-se apenas criar as condições necessárias para que o motor possa ser confeccionado com a máxima confiabilidade possível em relação as soluções estudadas para conseguir demonstrar, quando testado, a sua real potencialidade. As alternativas propostas pelo motor MIT parecem bastante promissoras porém, por tratar-se de uma máquina que apresenta diversos inovações, estudos mais aprofundados deverão ser feitos para melhor entender aspectos fundamentais de seu funcionamento. Entretanto a questão mais importante, e que diferencia este motor, é o sistema de vedação das câmaras de trabalho, portanto compreender a influência do formato e dimensão do labirinto, da distância deste da parede da câmara de trabalho, da velocidade do êmbolo e outros fatores que afetem o seu desempenho pode ser essencial para viabiliza-lo tecnicamente. / The present work describes the project and construction of rotary piston internal combustion engine, designed by MIT ( “Miranda Inovações Tecnológicas”) company, with the purpose of, through theoretical analysis and the comparison with other machines, identifying the real possibilities of the suggested innovations, considering both functional and constructive aspects. The investigation aimed at describing and explaining the theoretical basis on which the engine was idealized, the various innovations proposed and the constructive peculiarities in relation with what is being nowadays produced. Among the novelties, special attention can be given to the configuration that was chosen for the engine, the format of the combustion chambers and, mainly, the proposed sealing system. The latter uses the so-called labyrinth sealing (kind of sealing that uses the loss of pressure that occurs in a fluid after the gas successively compressing and expanding) in the place of the traditional system (which seals through physical contact between the sealing elements and the engine components). In order to make this kind of sealing operational, even if theoretically, nearly all the study of the engine was focused on this point. The project and construction of two engine prototypes reports the difficulties involved in the production of a machine with the characteristics proposed, even when many variables are not considered (such as cost of production and final weight) and it is aimed only at creating the necessary conditions to build the engine with the most possible reliability with regards to the solutions studied so that, when it is tested, its real potentiality can be demonstrated. The alternative proposed by the MIT engine seems to be very promising but, due to the fact that it is a machine presenting several innovations, it should be more thoroughly studied so there can be a better understanding of essential aspects of its functioning. However, the most important point and which differentiates this engine is the system of sealing the work chambers. As a consequence, understanding the influence of the format and dimension of the labyrinth, of the distance between the labyrinth and the work chamber wall, of the piston speed and other factors which can affect the performance of the engine may be essential to make it technically feasible.

O objetivo desta pesquisa, de delineamento quase-experimental, foi investigar os efeitos de um Programa de Intervenção Motora, em crianças obesas e não-obesas, nos parâmetros motores, nutricionais e psicossociais. A amostra desta pesquisa foi de 78 crianças (38 crianças do grupo interventivo e 40 crianças do grupo controle), com idades de 5 a 7 anos. Para as avaliações das crianças, foram utilizadas a avaliação antropométrica, tendo como referência os padrões do National Center for Health and Statistics; a avaliação motora no teste e em contexto de aprendizagem, por meio do Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) (ULRICH, 2000); a escala Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children (HARTER; PIKE, 1980); e as categorias descritoras de respostas (RINK, 1996). O programa foi desenvolvido em 28 semanas, implementando os pressupostos da estrutura TARGET à aprendizagem das habilidades motoras básicas. General Linear Model com medidas repetidas no fator tempo foi conduzido para avaliar os efeitos do programa no estado nutricional, no desempenho motor, nos níveis de percepção de competência e nas categorias descritoras de respostas. Análise de variância com medidas repetidas no fator tempo, delta e significância do delta por meio de One Way ANOVA foram utilizadas para avaliar o impacto da intervenção. Os resultados quanto ao estado nutricional do grupo interventivo evidenciaram mudanças significativas no IMC (p = 0,000) da pré para a pós-intervenção. No grupo controle, mudanças significativas não foram encontradas (p = 0,383). No desempenho motor geral, houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos interventivo e controle (p =0,000). As crianças do grupo interventivo apresentaram um aumento de 22 pontos no quociente motor do teste, enquanto que as crianças do grupo controle tiveram um aumento médio de 3,22 pontos. Com relação ao desempenho motor em contexto de aprendizagem motora, mudanças significativas foram encontradas da pré para a pósintervenção, nas crianças obesas (p = 0,000) e não-obesas (p = 0,007). No somatório de percepção de competência, o grupo interventivo mudou significativamente da pré para a pós-intervenção (p = 0,000); ao passo que, no grupo controle, mudanças não foram encontradas do pré para a pós (p = 0,238). Quanto ao engajamento motor de forma apropriada com sucesso na ação motora, mudanças significativas foram encontradas da pré para a pós-intervenção nas crianças obesas (p = 0,000) e nãoobesas (p = 0,000). Conclui-se que a implementação de um Programa de Intervenção Motora, baseado em propostas metodológicas eficazes e condizentes com as necessidades reais das crianças obesas e nãoobesas, promove ganhos nos parâmetros motores, nutricionais e psicossociais que efetivam o engajamento das crianças nas mais variadas práticas motoras. / The purpose of the present study, with a quasi-experimental design, was to investigate the effects of the Motor Intervention Program, in obese and nonobese children, on motor, nutritional, and psychosocial parameters. The sample was composed of 78 children (38 in the intervention group and 40 in control group), aged 5-7 yr. The children were assessed using the anthropometrical assessment, based on the National Center for Health and Statistics patterns; the motor assessment in test and learning environment, conducting the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) (ULRICH, 2000); the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children scale (HARTER; PIKE, 1980); and the descriptive response categories (RINK, 1996). The program was carried out in 28 weeks and implemented the TARGET structure assumptions to the learning of basic motor skills. General Linear Model with repeated measures on the time factor was conducted to assess the program effects on nutritional status, motor development, perceived competence levels, and descriptor response categories. Analysis of variance with repeated measures on the time factor, delta, and delta significance using One Way ANOVA were used to assess the intervention impact. The results regarding the intervention group’s nutritional status evidenced significant changes in BMI (p = 0.000) from pre- to post-intervention. In control group, no significant changes were found (p = 0.383). In general motor development, significant changes (p =0.000) between intervention and control groups were observed. Children in the intervention group showed a 22-point increase in the test motor quotient, whereas children in control group experienced an average increase of 3.22 points. Concerning motor development in motor learning environment, significant changes were found from preto post-intervention, in obese (p = 0.000) and nonobese children (p = 0.007). In the summation of perceived competence, the intervention group significantly changed from preto post-intervention (p = 0.000); whereas, in control group, no changes were found from preto post-intervention (p = 0,238). Concerning successful appropriate motor engagement in motor action, significant changes were found from pre- to post-intervention in obese (p = 0.000) and nonobese (p = 0.000) children. It was concluded that the implementation of a Motor Intervention Program based on effective methodological proposals that are suitable for obese and nonobese children’ real needs fosters motor, nutritional, and psychosocial gains that reinforce children engagement in the most varied motor activities.

Le but de cette étude était d'analyser la relation entre l'économie de course à pied (ECO) et l'efficience mécanique (Eff) dans la performance des coureurs spécialistes en moyenne et longue distance, utilisant des modèles allométriques. Dans l'étude originale I, 13 coureurs amateurs (hommes, âge : 33.3 ± 8.4 ans, poids corporel : 76.4 ± 8.6 kg, consommation maximale d'oxygène - VO2max 52.8 ± 4.6 ml•kg-l. min-1) et 13 coureurs d'haut niveau (hommes, âge : 25.5 ± 4.2 ans, poids corporel : 62.8 ± 2.7 kg, VO2max : 70.4 ± 1.9 ml*kg -l•min-1), tous spécialistes en preuves de moyenne distance, ont effectué un test progressif maximal afin de déterminer les valeurs de VO 2max, et un test de ECO de 6-min à 70% du VO 2rnox pour mesurer la consommation d'oxygène sous-maximale (VOZsubmax), avec et sans l'application d'un exposant allométrique (b) spécifique correspondant à déterminée par la relation allométrique y= axb, oú y correspond à la taux métabolique maximal, a au coefficient allométrique et x à la masse corporelle. Tous les coureurs également ont participé de une course à pied de moyenne distance en une piste de athlétisme. Dans cette étude, nous avons étudié l'effet de l'échelle allométrique dans la relation entre ECO et performance, selon le conditionnement cardiorespiratoire. Dans l'étude original II, 14 coureurs amateurs (hommes, âge : 29.0 ± 7.0 ans, poids corporel : 70.0 ± 10.2 kg, VO2max : 52.0 ± 4.9 mkg -L min-1), spécialistes en longue distance, également ont effectué un test progressif maximal afin de déterminer les valeurs de VO2max, et un test de ECO de 6-min à 3.1 ms -1 pour évaluer le VO2submax. Pendant le test sousmaximal a été effectuée un registre cinématique afin de mesurer le travail mécanique interne (Wint), externe (Wext) et total (W tot) et, après, les relier à la performance en 10.000 de course à pied, avec et sans l'utilisation des exposants allométriques spécifiques. Pour cette étude, nous avons adopté les exposants allométriques correspondant à 0.75, suggérées par Ia littérature, et 0.45, spécifique du group de sujets évalués. Dans l'étude original III, 13 coureurs amateurs (hommes, âge : 33.3 ± 8.4 ans, poids corporel : 76.4 ± 8.6 kg, VO 2max : 52.8 ± 4.6 ml•kg -L min-1 ) ont effectué un test progressif maximal, un test d'ECO composé de trois intensités sousmaximales correspondants à 50%, 70% et 90% du VO2max avec une durée de 6-min chacun et, un test supramaximal correspondant à 110% de la vitesse du VO2max• Après des tests en laboratoire, tous les coureurs ont participé de une course à pied de 10.000-m en une piste de athlétisme oú la technique a été enregistrée cinématiquement avec des quatre caméscopes de haute fréquence. Afin d'étudier des relations de l'ECO et l'Eff avec la performance des coureurs expertises en longue distance, ont été déterminées des exposants allométriques correspondant au taux métabolique en situations maximal et sous-maximal (0.84 et 0.76, respectivement). La contribution de l'énergie aérobique (AE) et anaérobique (AnE) dans le coút énergétique en course à pied (C r) a été évaluée. Nous avons utilisé des statistiques descriptives (moyenne et écarts-types) et le test de Shapiro-Wilk pour vérifier la normalité des données. Les tests T de Student dépendant et indépendant, des analyses de corrélation de Pearson et de Régression Linéaire Multiple et, la transformation de Fisher r-to-z ont été réalisés. Selon les résultats, l'échelle allométrique peut améliorer la relation entre ECO et performance dans la course à pied de moyenne et longue distance, principalement en coureurs amateurs, pour raison morpho-fonctionnelles. Également, pour cette même population, des travails mécaniques, principalement le W ext, peut être considérées comme prédicteurs de la performance de la course à pied de sujets spécialistes en longue distance, et un exposant allométrique peut améliorer cette prédiction. En ce qui concerne à l'Eff, les résultats ont montré que, comme également occur avec l'ECO et les travails mécaniques, cette variable est, aussi, une important variable de prédiction de la performance en preuves de longue distances. Toutefois, quand appliqué des exposant allométriques, il n'y avait aucune amélioration dans cette prédiction, principalement en coureurs de haut niveau. Les résultats ont montré, aussi, que pour le calcul de l'Eff, la contribution AnE est important, parce que, contrairement, les résultats peuvent être surestimés comme déjà signalé en autres études. En général, lorsque l'objectif est prédit la performance des coureurs amateurs de moyenne ou de longue distance, à travers des puissances métaboliques ou mécaniques, est suggéré d'adopter un exposant allométrique spécifique du groupe étudié. Toutefois, lorsque cette prédiction est réalisée avec la utilisation de l'Eff en un group de coureurs de haut niveau, l'échelle allométrique n'est pas indiquée. / O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar as relações da economia de corrida (ECO) e da eficiência mecânica (Ef) com o desempenho de corredores de rendimento, utilizando modelos alométricos. No estudo original 1, 13 corredores recreacionistas (homens; idade: 33,3 ± 8,4 anos; massa corporal: 76,4 ± 8,6 kg; consumo máximo de oxigênio - VO2máx: 52,8 ± 4,6 mrkg - 1•min-1) e 13 corredores de alto-rendimento (homens; idade: 25,5 ± 4,2 anos; massa corporal: 62,8 ± 2,7 kg; VO2máx: 70,4 ± 1,9 ml*kg-t rnin -1), todos praticantes de provas de meio-fundo, realizaram um teste máximo de esforço progressivo, até a exaustão, com o intuito de determinar o valor de VO2máx, e um teste de ECO com duração de 6-min à 70% do VO2máx para a mensuração do consumo submáximo de oxigênio (VO2submáx), com e sem a aplicação de um expoente alométrico (b) específico correspondente a 0,75, determinado através da relação alométrica y = axb, onde y corresponde à taxa metabólica máxima, a ao coeficiente alométrico, e x à massa corporal. Todos os corredores, também, participaram de uma prova de meiadistância em uma pista de atletismo. Neste estudo, investigou-se o efeito da escala alométrica na relação entre ECO e desempenho em prova de meia-distância, de acordo com o condicionamento cardiorrespiratório. No estudo original II, 14 corredores recreacionistas (homens; idade: 29,0 ± 7,0 anos; massa corporal: 70,0 ± 10,2 kg; VO 2máx : 52,0 ± 4,9 ml•kg -Lmin- 1), praticantes de corridas de longa-distância, também realizaram um teste máximo de esforço progressivo, até a exaustão, para a determinação do VO2máx, e um teste de ECO com duração de 6-min à 3,1 rns-1 para a determinação do VO2submáx. Durante o teste submáximo, foi realizada uma videometria no plano sagital direito de cada sujeito com o objetivo de mensurar os trabalhos mecânicos interno (Wird), externo (Wext) e total (W t1ot ,e , posteriormente, relacioná-los com o desempenho em prova de rua de 10.000 m, com e sem o uso de expoentes alométricos específicos. Para este estudo foram adotados os expoentes alométricos correspondentes a 0,75, sugerido pela literatura, e 0,45, determinado matematicamente. No estudo original III, 13 corredores recreacionistas (homens; idade: 33,3 ± 8,4 anos; massa corporal: 76,4 ± 8,6 kg; VO 2máx : 52,8 ± 4,6 ml•kg-1'min-1) realizaram um teste máximo de esforço progressivo, até a exaustão, um teste de ECO dividido em três testes submáximos (50%, 70% e 90% do VO2máx), com duração 6-min cada, e um teste supra-máximo voluntário, até a exaustão, correspondente a 110% da velocidade no VO 2máx . Após os testes laboratoriais, todos os corredores participaram de uma prova de 10.000-m em uma pista de atletismo. Para cada sujeito, a técnica de corrida foi registrada cinematicamente utilizando-se 4 câmeras digitais de alta frequência. Com o objetivo de investigar a relação da ECO e da Ef com o desempenho de corredores de rendimento, usando modelos alométricos, foram determinados os expoentes alométricos correspondentes às taxas metabólicas máxima e submáxima (0,84 e 0,76, respectivamente). A contribuição das energias aeróbica (AE) e anaeróbica (AnE) no custo energético da corrida (C r) também foi investigada. Foi aplicada a estatística descritiva através de médias e desvios-padrão e o teste Shapiro-Wilk para verificação da normalidade dos dados. Foram empregados os testes T de Students para amostras dependentes e independentes, as análises de correlação de Pearson e de Regressão Linear Múltipla e, a transformação de Fisher r-to-z. A partir dos resultados apresentados nos três estudo originais, conclui-se que a escala alométrica pode melhorar a relação entre ECO e desempenho em meia e longa-distância, principalmente de corredores recreacionistas, devido a influência dos aspectos morfofuncionais no desempenho físico. Da mesma forma, para esta mesma população, os trabalhos mecânicos, especialmente o Wext, podem ser considerados preditores do desempenho, e um expoente alométrico específico pode melhorar essas predições. Em relação a Ef, os resultados demonstraram que, assim como ocorre com a ECO e com os trabalhos mecânicos, esta também é uma importante variável preditora do desempenho em provas de longa-distância. Entretanto, quando aplicada a alometria, não houve melhora na predição do desempenho advindo da Ef. Os resultados também demonstraram que para o cálculo da Ef deve-se considerar a contribuição da AnE pois, do contrário, os resultados podem ser superestimados, como já verificados em outros estudos. Em suma, quando o objetivo for predizer o desempenho de corredores recreacionistas, meio-fundistas ou fundistas, através das potências metabólica ou mecânica, sugere-se adotar um expoente alométrico específico do grupo investigado. No entanto, quando essa predição for realizada considerando-se a Ef, especificamente em corredores de alto-rendimento, a aplicação alométrica não é necessária.

D.Phil.

Studies investigating human information processing have provided evidence that in some cases, movements can be prepared in advance. Although evidence for motor preparation has been shown at cortical and spinal levels, motor preparation at a subcortical level is not well described. One line of inquiry has involved the use of a startling acoustic stimulus (115-124 dB) that can act as an early trigger for pre-programmed actions in reaction time (RT) tasks. In light of this new research paradigm, the startle reflex may be used as a tool to investigate motor preparation. Here, six experiments were conducted that work towards the goals of understanding the mechanism of RT shortening due to startle, and motor preparation at a subcortical level. The first section (2 experiments) of this dissertation provides evidence that when a motor action can be prepared in advance, it is pre-programmed and stored subcortically awaiting the normal cortical “go” signal. A startle appears to activate structures directly that are involved with the voluntary response channel leading to early triggering of the pre-programmed response, and dramatically reduced RT. In the current dissertation we investigated alternative mechanisms to explain startle RT facilitation, including the stimulus intensity effect, and a fast transcortical route, with results supporting the original subcortical storage hypothesis. The second section (4 experiments) presents data which together provide insight into motor programming processes, and the circumstances under which a response is pre-programmed. For example, when the possibility of not having to make the response existed, a known response was not pre-programmed. Similarly, no pre-programming occurred when certainty existed regarding when to respond. However, while a previous experiment showed that having to make a choice between several response alternatives precluded pre-programming, this dissertation shows that if possible response alternatives are not in conflict with one another, multiple responses can be prepared in parallel. Finally, the complexity of a response such as one involving multiple sequenced sub-components may limit the ability to pre-program in a simple RT task. Taken together, these results suggest that pre-programming is dependent on the task characteristics and appears to involve implementation of strategies to increase programming efficiency. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate

In a competitive manufacturing environment a firm must be able to simultaneously produce multiple and diverse products, upgrade and redesign its products in short life cycles, and execute efficient production changeovers. This implies that the firm's manufacturing facilities should be capable of efficiently responding to the changes associated with the above abilities. These capabilities are a key requirement for building an agile manufacturing enterprise. To successfully attain these capabilities a firm must evaluate and build flexibility in its manufacturing operations. Success in manufacturing requires the adoption of methods in customer acquisition and order fulfilment processes that can manage anticipated change with precision while providing a fast and flexible response to unanticipated changes. A review of the related literature reveals that though there has been considerable research on the subject of flexible manufacturing, insufficient attention has been devoted to the development of a comprehensive method for designing and building flexible manufacturing (FM) solutions. A significant portion of the FM research and the ensuing industrial applications have focused on highly automated metal working facilities, commonly referred to as flexible manufacturing system or FMS. The objective of this research was to understand what the general understanding of FMS is in the automotive component supplying industry as well as to develop a strategy based on world class principles on how to implement such a strategy. The established strategy will then be used to implement a FMS at Shatterprufe a division of the PFG group. A comprehensive literature study was conducted on Flexible Manufacturing to get a good idea on what it is all about. A questionnaire was designed based on the guidelines in the literature study in order to establish the understanding of FMS within companies in the automotive component supplying industries. Twenty five companies were selected, based on their employee numbers and potential high complexity in the parts that they manufacture. Participating companies must also be part of National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) and supplying directly to all of the local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s). Eighteen out of the twenty five companies selected did participate and return the questionnaires. Three companies replied stating that they do not have a FMS in place and thus do not want to participate in the research. The completed questionnaires were processed and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2003, running on the Windows XP suite of computer packages. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided in the literature survey, in order to identify how to answer the main questions the author wanted to use as part of selecting an appropriate implementation approach for FMS at Shatterprufe. The following were the main recommendations and conclusions: • It is essential that the executive team at Shatterprufe realises the need of a FM programme. Based on the analysis from the theoretical research as well as from the questionnaire it should not be difficult for them to realise this; • It is recommended that the knowledge gained from the research theory and that of the research questionnaire be used as a guideline for introduction and implementation; • It is recommended that the employees that will be required to implement the FMS are properly trained in the basics of WCM and FMS and that they receive the necessary tools to perform their tasks; • It is essential that everyone throughout the entire organisation is involved from the start in the development, improvement and maintenance of the system; • It is critical that the barriers to implementation be taken seriously at the start of the whole implementation process and plans be put in place to overcome them. Make sure that there is: • proper understanding of the total effort required; • complete management support; • union buy-in; • enough training carried out; • change of priorities; • full commitment and persistence; • development of a good installation strategy; and • insurance of choosing the right approach.

Thirty volunteer subjects were given thirty trials on the pursuit rotor. Twenty trials were given on one day and ten further trials were given approximately twenty-four hours later. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) the directed stress group: 2) the non-directed stress group: and 3) the control group. Shock and instructions were used to induce the stress in the two stress groups. The instructions to the directed stress group were assumed to have directed the subjects' attention toward the pursuit rotor task, while the instructions to the non-directed stress group were not designed to give direction to their attention. The results showed that there was no difference in performance due to either stress condition when compared to the control group. However, when tested twenty-four hours later, both stress groups showed significant improvements in learning over the control group. There was no significant difference in learning between the two stress groups. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

An investigation was conducted to determine if the performance and learning of a pursuit rotor skill was a function of practice schedule and initial ability level. Two groups of 30 subjects each were given two consecutive days of practice, with 22 and 20 trials respectively, on the pursuit rotor under different schedules of practice. The performance score of the massed practice group (30 secs. work, 5 secs. rest) was found to be significantly lower than that of the distributed practice group (30 secs. work, 30 secs. rest) on the first day of practice. However, after 24 hours of interpolated rest, both groups were statistically equal in terms of the amount learned. A further analysis of the first day's performance scores of the 10 high initial ability and the 10 low initial ability subjects from each of the two main groups found no differential effect of practice schedule attributable to initial ability level. Further, there was no significant ability levels by practice schedules interaction for learning. However, reminiscence was found to be related to ability level as low ability subjects reminisced significantly more than high ability subjects. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

An experiment was designed to test the role of knowledge of results (KR) in perceptual trace (PT) development with KR temporal delay intervals and presence or absence of KR as independent variables. Each of three groups of 10 Ss_ per group had a specific arrangement of KR temporal delay intervals such that over all groups there were two KR delay intervals of 1.0 and 30.0 seconds, two post-KR delay intervals of 10.0 and 39.0 seconds and two intertrial intervals (ITI) of 11.0 and 40.0 seconds. All groups performed a linear positioning task over three phases of responding in order to vary the presence or absence of KR. Two hypotheses were tested. Hypothesis 1, which stated that the post-KR delay interval is the locus of post-KR phase response bias, was not supported by the results. However, there was a tentative finding that the KR phase ITI is the locus of post-KR phase response bias, which supports both the concept of a functioning,PT and the concept that the PT is formed solely from response-produced feedback (FB). Hypothesis 2, which stated that KR does not permanently affect response variability, was supported by the results. Response variability was the same prior to (i.e., pre-KR phase) and following (i.e., post-KR phase) the presentation of KR. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate