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Effects of Mora Deletion, Nonword Repetition, Rapid Naming, and Visual Search Performance on Beginning Reading in JapaneseContinued from page 8.Previous|Next With respect to reading comprehension in first graders, significant predictors included three of the four types of processing variables: kanji RAN, mora deletion, and nonword repetition. This finding is consistent with studies examining cognitive-linguistic factors and reading in English-speaking children (e.g., Wolf, 1991), and underscores the complex and multifaceted requirements of reading comprehension. It is noteworthy that after kanji RAN, mora deletion was the second strongest predictor of reading comprehension. As noted above, mora deletion was an important contributor to accuracy of oral reading in first graders and, therefore, its effect on comprehension could be related to its role in word recognition. At the same time, the significance of nonword repetition in predicting reading comprehension might reflect the key roles of phonological span and phonological working memory in processing sentences and more extended text (see Shankw eiler & Grain, 1986; Swanson, 1999). Overall, performance on the visual search task contributed only slightly to predicting reading. No significant relationships were found in the kindergarten data. Thus, at the earliest stages of reading in Japanese, RAN and mora deletion tasks (both requiring activation of phonological information) are more significant predictors of reading success than visual processing. However, significant correlations among visual search speed, object RAN, kanji RAN, reading speed, and reading comprehension were found in the first grade data. In fact, when kanji RAN is removed from the regression analysis, visual search speed becomes a significant predictor of reading comprehension, accounting for an additional 10% of the variance after mora deletion and nonword repetition are included in the model. These findings are consistent with previous reports that visual processing contributes to prediction of reading skills both in English and Chinese orthographies (Adams, 1990; Badian, 1994; Bowers & Wolf, 1993; Ho et al, 2004 ). The timed elements of the visual search and RAN tasks might reflect automaticity and fluency in recognizing orthographic symbols while reading text. Given Badian`s findings regarding the relationship between visual processing and reading fluency in English, it is likely that the effects of visual search speed on reading performance in Japanese is greater in higher grades when text is orthographically more complex (see Badian, 1995). As previously noted, the strongest predictors of reading fluency and comprehension in beginning reading of Japanese were RAN tasks. The reasons why RAN performance is highly predictive of reading skills are not fully understood. Researchers have pointed to rate of visual to auditory transfer and efficiency in retrieval of phonological information as key components of rapid naming performance and potential areas of weakness in poor readers (Cutting & Denckla 2001; Korhonen, 1995; Scarborough, 1998; Snyder & Downey, 1995; Wagner et al, 1999; Wolf, 1991). Also, scanning and recognition of visual symbols are key elements of RAN tasks that could be related to processing deficiencies in poor readers (e.g., Badian, 1995). Further research is needed to clarify the contributions of RAN performance to predicting reading success in different orthographies. ADS: 100mph Speedometer Radio Control Boat Modeler , Aug 2005 by Boyd, MattYou`ve heard the expression "Numbers don`t lie." By telling the brutal truth about the kind of speed your boat is capable of, the ADS 100mph Speedometer may undermine your ability to tell tall tales in the pits. But, more important, it tells you whether that last trim change, prop swap or engine tweak did any good. As any experienced racer will tell you, there can be a big difference between feeling faster and actually being faster. The ADS Speedometer takes the guesswork and subjective interpretation out of boat tuning. Use it wisely, and it will make you faster; it`s that simple. HOW IT WORKS The principle is strikingly simple, and a variation on it has been used on full-size aircraft for 80 years. Essentially, it`s an adaptation of the Pitot tube-the device on an airplane that uses airflow (and the resulting pressure it produces) to gauge airspeed in flight. In this case, the speedometer measures water rather than airflow, but the premise is the same. Because flow is a function of speed and pressure is a function of flow, by using a properly calibrated pressure gauge, you can accurately estimate speed based on pressure. INSTALLATION So, now that we know the theory is sound, the next step is application. To get accurate readings, you have to measure "clean" water flow. Since prop-driven boats create a great deal of turbulence-as you can tell by their wakes-you have to mount the pick-up well away from and, if possible slightly forward of the prop. You also have to avoid positioning it near hull protrusions or other parts that will disturb water flow. The manual gives suggestions, and the best place on my test boat-Kyosho`s Lamborghini C-1 Cat (reviewed in the June 2005 issue)-was Just outboard of the left trim tab; it even uses the same mounting screws. Adjust the bracket so that only about ?? inch extends below the trim tab. The gauge itself is even easier to install. I carved a little notch in the foam so the gauge would be visible, inserted the gauge, wrapped waterproof tape around the foam and zip-tied the tube through two open holes on the side of the motor mount. In fact, the only slightly difficult part of the installation is fitting the high-pressure tubing over the end of the water pick-up. The tubing is ultra-stiff to resist expansion under pressure and skewing the speed reading, but that makes it a challenge to slip over the end of the pick-up. OPERATION There`s nothing to this part. Hit the one button on the gauge to clear any reading. Then run the boat. When you pull in, look at the gauge. The needle will be locked on the top speed attained during the run. Record the number, pull the drain plug in the back of the gauge to clear out any water, hit the clear button and make another run. That`s it! ADS Speedometers (250) 768-6940; www.fldsspeetiometers.com Speed reading index
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