Attentiveness, a variable of communication, primarily serves a stylistic function in the communicative process by providing behavioral evidence that an individual is actively involved in message reception. Past research suggests that while both verbal and nonverbal behaviors signal attentiveness, nonverbal cues are more closely associated with this construct. Among the many nonverbal behaviors of individuals in interactions, postural positions have been deemed highly indicative of attentiveness. At present however, most of the empirical evidence attesting to this notion has been established through the use of self-report measures. As a result of the felt need by this author to improve upon the methodology used in substantiating the construct of attentiveness, this investigation was conducted in order to apply a multiplicity of methods to testing this relatively new construct. This research is believed to be significant as it adds to the existing knowledge on the communication process in general and assists in theory-building a construct to which considerable attention of late has been given by communication theorists.

Title: Inclusion of compensatory exercises in preschool education and their impact Objectives: The aim of this work is to verify the effect of the intervention exercise program in preschool education. The next object was to evaluate the postural position of selected group of preschool children. Methods: In our empirical-theoretical work we were used the methods of comparative analysis of literature with the topic of the work. We used input and output measurements by Matthias's test. From the initial testing of 60 preschool children we selected 7 individuals with the worst results who were included in the intervention program. After the intervention we re-evaluated the postural body position of 7 individuals together with 7 preschool children in the control group. We used the method of observation during testing and during the intervention and we used mathematical-statistical methods also. Results: We were found that in a sample of 60 children had 8.4 % poor posture but it is a better score than in similarly focused studies. Seven children with the worst evaluated results were included in the intervention exercise program. After the intervention program we measured better results in postural body position in 5 individuals. Based on the results of the experiment it can be said that compensatory...

The thesis deals with prefaces to the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, especially with those he wrote retrospectively. The goal of the thesis is to state what purposes Nietzsche meant to achieve with his prefaces and what literary strategies he used to achieve these purposes. The core assumption of the thesis is that Nietzsche decided to utilize his copyright and used his prefaces as a means to establish himself as an author. My approach is based on 20th century literary theories dealing with the concept of "the author" and on approaching the preface as a self-contained genre. Aside from the various literary strategies Nietzsche used in his prefaces, I will also focus on the work Ecce Homo treating it as one great preface to the whole lifework of Nietzsche. Keywords: Nietzsche, author, reader, authorial strategies, preface, author's posture

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Postural control is essential for maintaining an upright sitting position. However, children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) IV-V present with impaired postural control, often limiting their daily function and environmental interaction. Most interventions targeting postural dysfunction in CP consider the trunk as a single biomechanical segment and are challenging to use in the GMFCS IV-V population. The aim of this study was to develop the Segmental Intensive Trunk Training (SITT), which uses the segmental model of trunk control. The motor learning framework was chosen for structuring SITT to be an intensive approach, with a dosage of 2hrs/day, 3days/week for 4 weeks (24 hours). The development process included the test of feasibility and the initial evidence of effects, using a single subject research design (SSRD). An A-B-A design was used, where the first phase A included 4 baseline assessments, and phase B included the 4 weeks of SITT intervention. The second phase A was the withdrawal period including an immediate posttest, post 1 week test and a 3 month follow up evaluation. Postural control and reaching behavior were assessed during all 3 phases, using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCO) and Seated Postural and Reaching Control Test (SP&R-co). Hand dexterity and function was measured using the Box and Block test, and ABILHAND-kids questionnaire. Gross motor function was measured using the Gross Motor Function Measure Item Set (GMFM-IS). Performance on functional goals was assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Data analysis was descriptive, including visual analysis and the two standard deviation band method. One participant (11 years, GMFCS V) participated in the study with a 100% completion rate and 88% participation rate. SITT was a feasible approach for training segmental postural control and reaching behavior in children with CP GMFCS V. The improvements in postural control were associated with an improvement in manual dexterity, gross motor function, functional goal performance, and performance-related satisfaction. The gains in static control and COPM performance and satisfaction were retained at 3 months. These improvements were seen in the areas of body structure and function, and activity domains. Progress in motor performance in response to SITT was established at an individual level; however, more evidence is needed to establish the external validity of the approach.

This dissertation aimed to spotlight a prevalent issue in lifespan development and learning that is under-appreciated in educational research and practice. Many children in the United States and abroad learn to coordinate fundamental motor actions with maladaptive postural deviations that impose excessive stress and strain on musculoskeletal structures. The stabilization of maladaptive movement patterns during a critical period of psychomotor development produces non-structural sagittal misalignments of the spine, including Forward Head Posture (FHP) and Postural Thoracic Hyperkyphosis. Moreover, the reproduction of maladaptive movement patterns may be associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders and associated chronic pain conditions that impact the global public. The researcher employed philosophical synthesis to describe and explain the adverse effects of maladaptive postural coordination on lifespan human development while amplifying its origins in early childhood. Principles from the traditions of Pragmatism and Dynamical Systems Theory are applied to develop a positive model of adaptive psychomotor learning and development that is seamlessly integrated into Early Childhood Education curriculum and learning formats. To this end, Early Childhood Education should structure learning experiences to guide the discovery and stabilization of adaptive movement patterns that (1) accomplish fundamental action goals in the here-and-now and (2) support the health of the changing neuromuscular-skeletal system across its lifetime. Therefore, the researcher proposes a model of early learning in which the study of the body-self is seamlessly woven into all aspects of the general ECE curriculum.

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Title: Kinematic of cervical thoracic spine in the context of whole body posture Problematics: This work describes the kinematics of upper thoracic spine during specific movement of the shoulder girdle. The kinematic changes are evaluated with the relationship of the whole body posture. Aim: To develop the objective evaluation of the posture and the amount of the segmental spinal movement of cervical thoracic spine. To describe the relationship between the specific movement of arm - adduction and external humeral rotation - and the posture using 3D kinematic analysis. To objectify this tested movement as a diagnostic tool or a therapy for forward head posture. Methods: The theoretical part of this work summarizes the current knowledge of poor posture and there is defined the upright posture. The experimental part describes the measurement of the movement of shoulder girdle and its response to the axial system using 3D kinematic analysis. Result: The results of kinematic 3D motion analysis show that the external humeral rotation with adduction of the shoulder leads to the upright posture if there is the horizontal position of the thorax and pelvis. The posture was divided due to the physiological or pathological response with this simple movement. Conclusion: A new model for evaluation of the...

The paleobiology of the Pleistocene North American giant short-faced bear, Arctodus simus, has eluded paleontologists for decades. Its more gracile form has led past researchers to myriad intepretations of the locomotion and feeding ecology of this species. While earlier studies have focused on craniodental morphology and simple postcranial indices, it is forelimb morphology that represents a direct compromise between locomotor and foraging behavior. The study here uses traditional and 3D landmark morphometrics to more completely compare the 3-dimensional shape of the major forelimb elements and their muscle attachment sites between A. simus, extant ursids, and other carnivorans. Results herein agree well with previous studies and provide additional evidence for reduced abductor/adductor and supinator/pronator musculature, more restricted parasagittal motion, increased stride length, and lighter and more packed distal elements. Forelimb skeletal morphology therefore supports the hypothesis that A. simmus represents a bear in the early stages of cursorial evolution.