Electrophysiological correlates of inhibitory control in children: Relations with prenatal maternal risk factors and child psychopathology.

Inhibitory control plays an important role in children's cognitive and socioemotional development, including their psychopathology. It has been established that contextual factors such as socioeconomic status (SES) and parents' psychopathology are associated with children's inhibitory control. However, the relations between the neural correlates of inhibitory control and contextual factors have been rarely examined in longitudinal studies. In the present study, we used both event-related potential (ERP) components and time-frequency measures of inhibitory control to evaluate the neural pathways between contextual factors, including prenatal SES and maternal psychopathology, and children's behavioral and emotional problems in a large sample of children (N = 560; 51.75% females; Mage = 7.13 years; Rangeage = 4-11 years). Results showed that theta power, which was positively predicted by prenatal SES and was negatively related to children's externalizing problems, mediated the longitudinal and negative relation between them. ERP amplitudes and latencies did not mediate the longitudinal association between prenatal risk factors (i.e., prenatal SES and maternal psychopathology) and children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Our findings increase our understanding of the neural pathways linking early risk factors to children's psychopathology.

Analysing the Influence of Speed and Jumping Performance Metrics on the Percentage Change of Direction Deficit in Adolescent Female Soccer Players.

Studies show that although female soccer players often have shorter change of direction (COD) deficits than males, indicating different biomechanical profiles, there is a lack of research on the impact of physical metrics on COD performance in females. The purpose of this work was to analyse whether performance metrics based on speed and jumping could explain the variation in %CODD in young female soccer players. Thirty-three highly trained adolescent female soccer players with an age of 16 ± 0.95 years, a body mass of 55.7 ± 7.22 kg, and a height of 160.4 ± 5.22 cm performed COD180 tests, 10 m and 30 m sprint tests, single-leg countermovement, and horizontal jumps. Acceleration in the first 10 m of a sprint was identified as a significant predictor of COD180 performance (R2 = 28%), (R2 = 50%), (p < 0.01), indicating that early sprint performance may largely determine an individual's ability to change direction. However, no predictors were found for %CODD. Significant correlations were observed between COD180 performance and %CODD, acceleration, linear speed, and horizontal jump performance (r = -0.59 to 0.70; p < 0.05). The study suggests that specific physical performance metrics, particularly early acceleration, are crucial for enhancing COD skills in female soccer players, emphasizing the need for targeted training interventions.

Differences in vocal brain areas and astrocytes between the house wren and the rufous-tailed hummingbird.

The house wren shows complex song, and the rufous-tailed hummingbird has a simple song. The location of vocal brain areas supports the song's complexity; however, these still need to be studied. The astrocytic population in songbirds appears to be associated with change in vocal control nuclei; however, astrocytic distribution and morphology have not been described in these species. Consequently, we compared the distribution and volume of the vocal brain areas: HVC, RA, Area X, and LMAN, cell density, and the morphology of astrocytes in the house wren and the rufous-tailed hummingbird. Individuals of the two species were collected, and their brains were analyzed using serial Nissl- NeuN- and MAP2-stained tissue scanner imaging, followed by 3D reconstructions of the vocal areas; and GFAP and S100ß astrocytes were analyzed in both species. We found that vocal areas were located close to the cerebral midline in the house wren and a more lateralized position in the rufous-tailed hummingbird. The LMAN occupied a larger volume in the rufous-tailed hummingbird, while the RA and HVC were larger in the house wren. While Area X showed higher cell density in the house wren than the rufous-tailed hummingbird, the LMAN showed a higher density in the rufous-tailed hummingbird. In the house wren, GFAP astrocytes in the same bregma where the vocal areas were located were observed at the laminar edge of the pallium (LEP) and in the vascular region, as well as in vocal motor relay regions in the pallidum and mesencephalon. In contrast, GFAP astrocytes were found in LEP, but not in the pallidum and mesencephalon in hummingbirds. Finally, when comparing GFAP astrocytes in the LEP region of both species, house wren astrocytes exhibited significantly more complex morphology than those of the rufous-tailed hummingbird. These findings suggest a difference in the location and cellular density of vocal circuits, as well as morphology of GFAP astrocytes between the house wren and the rufous-tailed hummingbird.

Effects of a neuromuscular training program on the performance and inter-limb asymmetries in highly trained junior male tennis players.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of neuromuscular training on the performance of highly trainer junior tennis players. Methods: Twelve male tennis players (age: 13.4 ± 0.36 years; weight: 50.2 ± 6.29 kg; height: 163 ± 4.41 cm) participated and were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (EG) performed neuromuscular training that included exercises for speed, strength, throws, agility, jumps and coordination twice a week for a duration of 10 weeks. Performance was evaluated using various variables, including bilateral and unilateral countermovement jump, 30 cm drop jump and horizontal jump, 505 change of direction test conducted with both the right and left legs, 20-m sprint, and overhead 3 kg medicine ball throw. Asymmetries were also evaluated during the unilateral tests. The impact of the training was assessed through the utilization of ANCOVA tests and effect size measurements. Results: The results indicated a significant enhancement in the EG, specifically in bilateral vertical jump and horizontal jump, as well as explosive strength and speed. Conversely, the control group (CG) did not display similar advancements. Furthermore, there was no increase in asymmetries. Conclusion: This suggests that the implementation of a neuromuscular training program could prove to be an effective approach in enhancing explosive power in the lower limbs among young competitive tennis players. Finally, this training program could contribute to the enhancement of their physical attributes in lower body of young tennis players.

Examining the impact of prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms and socioeconomic status on children's frontal alpha asymmetry and psychopathology.

Prenatal maternal internalizing psychopathology (depression and anxiety) and socioeconomic status (SES) have been independently associated with higher risk for internalizing and externalizing problems in children. However, the pathways behind these associations are not well understood. Numerous studies have linked greater right frontal alpha asymmetry to internalizing problems; however, findings have been mixed. Several studies have also linked maternal internalizing psychopathology to children's frontal alpha asymmetry. Additionally, emerging studies have linked SES to children's frontal alpha asymmetry. To date, only a limited number of studies have examined these associations within a longitudinal design, and the majority have utilized relatively small samples. The current preregistered study utilizes data from a large prospective study of young children (N = 415; Meanage  = 7.27 years; Rangeage  = 5-11 years) to examine the association between prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms, children's frontal alpha asymmetry, and behavior problems. Prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms did not predict children's frontal alpha asymmetry, and there was no association between frontal alpha asymmetry and behavior problems. However, mothers' internalizing symptoms during pregnancy predicted children's internalizing and externalizing outcomes. Non-preregistered analyses showed that lower prenatal maternal SES predicted greater child right frontal alpha asymmetry and internalizing problems. Additional non-preregistered analyses did not find evidence for frontal alpha asymmetry as a moderator of the relation between prenatal maternal internalizing psychopathology and SES to children's behavior problems. Future research should examine the impact of SES on children's frontal alpha asymmetry in high-risk samples.

Kangaroo care: Benefits, challenges, and future perspectives in neonatal care. An integrative review / Método canguro: Beneficios, desafíos y perspectivas futuras en el cuidado neonatal. Una revisión integrativa / Cuidado canguru: benefícios, desafios e perspectivas futuras na assistência neonatal. Uma revisão integrativa

Objective: To review current scientific evidence on the physiological effects of kangaroo care, explore barriers and facilitators to its implementation, and identify areas requiring further research. Materials and methods: An integrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases without language restrictions. Studies included quantitative and qualitative review studies. Critical appraisal of studies was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Results: Sixteen studies were analyzed, providing heterogeneous support for the efficacy of kangaroo care  in improving various neonatal physiological parameters including heart rate, body temperature, and oxygen saturation. Major barriers to implementation included restricted visiting hours, healthcare staff workload, negative cultural beliefs, lack of information and empowerment for mothers, and limited involvement of fathers. Conclusions: kangaroo care positively impacts premature or low birth weight neonatal development, though implementation is influenced by sociocultural factors. Further research is needed to better assess real effects on neonatal physiological parameters. Additional qualitative studies could aid in developing culturally adapted strategies to optimize kangaroo care implementation across contexts by better understanding family and medical team perspectives.

Objetivo. El objetivo es revisar la evidencia científica actual sobre los efectos fisiológicos del método canguro, explorar las barreras y facilitadores para su aplicación, además de identificar áreas de conocimiento aún no exploradas. Materiales y métodos. Revisión Integrativa, que incluyó estudios de revisión cuantitativos y cualitativos, en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science y Cochrane, sin restricción de idioma. La valoración crítica de los estudios se realizó con la herramienta del Joanna Briggs Institute. Resultados. Se analizaron 16 estudios, entre los cuales se encontró evidencia que respalda la eficacia del método canguro en la mejora de diversos parámetros fisiológicos del neonato. Entre estos parámetros se encuentran la frecuencia cardíaca, la temperatura corporal y la saturación de oxígeno. Sin embargo, los resultados son heterogéneos. Las principales barreras para la implementación del método canguro incluyen: restricciones de las horas de visita, carga de trabajo del personal sanitario, creencias culturales negativas, falta de información y empoderamiento de las madres, además de la limitada participación de los padres. Conclusiones. El método canguro tiene un impacto positivo en el desarrollo los neonatos prematuros o de bajo peso. Sin embargo, su implementación se ve afectada por diversos factores socioculturales. Futuras investigaciones deben identificar los efectos reales sobre los parámetros fisiológicos del neonato.  Se necesitan estudios cualitativos para comprender mejor las perspectivas de las familias, de los equipos médicos, y así desarrollar estrategias de adaptación cultural que optimicen la aplicación del este método en diferentes contextos.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é revisar as evidências científicas atuais sobre os efeitos fisiológicos do Método Canguru, explorar as barreiras e facilitadores para sua aplicação, além de identificar áreas do conhecimento ainda não exploradas.Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizada uma Revisão Integrativa, incluindo estudos de revisão quantitativa e qualitativa, nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e Cochrane, sem restrição de idioma. A avaliação crítica dos estudos foi conduzida com a ferramenta Joanna Briggs Institute.Resultados: Foram analisados 16 estudos, nos quais foram encontradas evidências que sustentam a eficácia do Método Canguru na melhoria de diversos parâmetros fisiológicos do recém-nascido, tais como frequência cardíaca, temperatura corporal e saturação de oxigênio. No entanto, os resultados apresentaram heterogeneidade. As principais barreiras à implementação do Método Canguru incluem restrições nos horários de visita, carga de trabalho do pessoal de saúde, crenças culturais negativas, falta de informação e empoderamento das mães, além da participação limitada dos pais.Conclusões: O Método Canguru demonstrou ter impacto positivo no desenvolvimento de neonatos prematuros ou de baixo peso. Contudo, sua implementação é afetada por diversos fatores socioculturais. Pesquisas futuras devem identificar os reais efeitos nos parâmetros fisiológicos do neonato. Estudos qualitativos são necessários para melhor compreender as perspectivas das famílias e das equipes médicas, visando desenvolver estratégias de adaptação cultural que otimizem a aplicação deste método em diferentes contextos.

Maternal education prospectively predicts child neurocognitive function: An environmental influences on child health outcomes study.

A large body of research has established a relation between maternal education and children's neurocognitive functions, such as executive function and language. However, most studies have focused on early childhood and relatively few studies have examined associations with changes in maternal education over time. Consequently, it remains unclear if early maternal education is longitudinally related to neurocognitive functions in children, adolescents, and young adults. In addition, the associations between changes in maternal education across development and more broadly defined neurocognitive outcomes remain relatively untested. The current study leveraged a large multicohort sample to examine the longitudinal relations between perinatal maternal education and changes in maternal education during development with children's, adolescents', and young adults' neurocognitive functions (N = 2,688; Mage = 10.32 years; SDage = 4.26; range = 3-20 years). Moreover, we examined the differential effects of perinatal maternal education and changes in maternal education across development on executive function and language performance. Perinatal maternal education was positively associated with children's later overall neurocognitive function. This longitudinal relation was stronger for language than executive function. In addition, increases in maternal education were related to improved language performance but were not associated with executive functioning performance. Our findings support perinatal maternal education as an important predictor of neurocognitive outcomes later in development. Moreover, our results suggest that examining how maternal education changes across development can provide important insights that can help inform policies and interventions designed to foster neurocognitive development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Dietary Patterns and Factors Associated with Food Affinity in Pregnant Women from Quito, Ecuador.

Nutrition during pregnancy influences perinatal outcomes and predispositions to chronic diseases. A prospective cohort study was carried out with the objectives of describing the dietary patterns in the pregnant population in the city of Quito, Ecuador and analysing the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors that influence the adherence to each dietary pattern. The body mass index was calculated for each patient, and the patients were classified according to the Atalah criteria. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was also applied. The dietary patterns were assessed using a dietary survey with a 24 h recall on two occasions. A total of 535 pregnant women were included. A positive association was found between the pattern "dairy, salads and sweet snacks/dressings" and foreign nationality (ß = 0.82 (0.43;1.21)). The "refined carbohydrates" pattern was negatively associated with education equal to or less than 7 years and an income of up to one basic salary (ß = -0.59 (-1.05; -0.14)). The "traditional Ecuadorian" pattern showed a positive association with being born in the coastal region of Ecuador (ß = 0.62 (0.22; 1.01)). This study identified three dietary patterns in pregnant women and their possible associations with certain sociodemographic factors. More studies are needed to better understand these patterns as well as to analyse their nutritional and caloric properties.

In Utero Exposure to Alcohol and Tobacco and Electroencephalogram Power During Childhood.

Importance: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) are risk factors associated with adverse neurobehavioral and cognitive outcomes. Objective: To quantify long-term associations of PAE and PTE with brain activity in early and middle childhood via electroencephalography (EEG). Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included participants enrolled in the Safe Passage Study (August 2007 to January 2015), from which a subset of 649 participants were followed up in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Program. From September 2018 through November 2022, EEG recordings were obtained at ages 4, 5, 7, 9, or 11 years. Data were analyzed from November 2022 to November 2023. Exposures: Maternal self-reported consumptions of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy were captured at the recruitment interview and at up to 3 visits during pregnancy (20-24, 28-32, and ≥34 weeks' gestation). Classifications of PAE (continuous drinking, quit-early drinking, and nondrinking) and PTE (continuous smoking, quit-early smoking, and nonsmoking) were previously obtained. Main Outcomes and Measures: EEG band powers (theta, alpha, beta, gamma) were extracted from the EEG recordings. Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations of PAE and PTE with EEG estimates. Results: The final sample included 649 participants (333 [51.3%] female) aged 4, 5, 7, 9, or 11 years. Children whose mothers were in the quit-early drinking cluster had increased alpha power (0.116 [95% CI, 0.023 to 0.209] µV2; P = .02) compared with individuals without PAE. The magnitude of this increase was approximately double for children exposed to continuous drinking (0.211 [95% CI, 0.005 to 0.417] µV2; P = .04). Children whose mothers were in the continuous smoking cluster had decreased beta power (-0.031 [95% CI, -0.059 to -0.003] µV2; P = .03) and gamma power (-0.020 [95% CI, -0.039 to -0.000] µV2; P = .04) compared with the nonsmoking cluster. In exploratory sex-stratified models, male participants in the quit-early PAE cluster had greater EEG power in the alpha band (0.159 [95% CI, 0.003 to 0.315] µV2; P = .04) compared with those with no PAE, and the difference was approximately double for male participants with continuous PAE (0.354 [95% CI, 0.041 to 0.667] µV2; P = .03). Male participants in the continuous PTE cluster had decreased beta (-0.048 [95% CI, -0.090 to - 0.007] µV2; P = .02) and gamma (-0.032 [95% CI, -0.061 - 0.002] µV2; P = .04) power compared with those with no PTE. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that even low levels of PAE and PTE were associated with long-term alterations of brain activity.

Social versus non-social behavioral inhibition: Differential prediction from early childhood of long-term psychosocial outcomes.

Behavioral inhibition (BI) is a temperamental style characterized by cautious and fearful behaviors in novel situations. The present multi-method, longitudinal study examined whether young children's observed and parent-reported BI in social versus non-social contexts predicts different long-term psychosocial outcomes. Participants (N = 279) were drawn from a longitudinal study of socioemotional development. BI in social contexts ("social BI") was measured via children's observed wariness toward unfamiliar adults and peers at 24 and 36 months and parents' reports of children's social fear/shyness at 24, 36, and 48 months. BI in non-social contexts ("non-social BI") was measured via children's observed fearful responses to masks and novel toys, and parents' reports of children's distress to non-social novelty at 9 months and non-social fear at 48 months. At 15 years, anxiety was assessed via adolescent- and parent-reports, and global internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed via parent-reports. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that a two-factor model fit the BI data significantly better than a single-factor model, providing evidence for the dissociation of BI in social versus non-social contexts. Social BI was uniquely associated with adolescent social anxiety, whereas non-social BI was specifically associated with adolescent separation anxiety. Neither social BI nor non-social BI predicted global internalizing and externalizing problems, providing evidence for the specific relations between BI and anxiety problems. Together, these results suggest that young children's inhibited responses in social versus non-social situations predict different subtypes of anxiety problems in adolescence, highlighting the multifaceted nature of BI and the divergent trajectories of different anxiety problems.

Association of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Perinatal Maternal Depression with Early Childhood Behavioral Problems: An Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Study.

This study examined the association of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), prenatal, and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms with externalizing, internalizing, and autism spectrum problems on the Preschool Child Behavior Checklist in 2379 children aged 4.12 ± 0.60 (48% female; 47% White, 32% Black, 15% Mixed Race, 4% Asian, <2% American Indian/Alaskan Native, <2% Native Hawaiian; 23% Hispanic). Data were collected from the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program from 2009-2021. GDM, prenatal, and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms were each associated with increased child externalizing and internalizing problems. GDM was associated with increased autism behaviors only among children exposed to perinatal maternal depressive symptoms above the median level. Stratified analyses revealed a relation between GDM and child outcomes in males only.

Importancia del VO2máx y la capacidad de recuperación de los futbolistas

El consumo máximo de oxígeno se considera un indicador directamente relacionado con la resistencia aeróbica, por lo que dicha capacidad se hace determinante en el rendimiento del futbolista. Conocer los criterios teóricos nacionales que sustentaron la importancia del VO2máx en la capacidad de recuperación en el fútbol constituyó un paso previo hacia conformar estrategias prospectivas de intervención directa para la toma de decisiones. En tal sentido, se planteó como objetivo de la investigación determinar, por consulta de especialistas, los criterios existentes de la importancia del VO2máx en la capacidad de recuperación de los futbolistas. La investigación fue descriptiva-correlacional de orientación exploratoria; se encuestaron a 13 especialistas que emitieron criterios sobre cinco indicadores. La importancia de la resistencia aeróbica en el entrenamiento del fútbol obtuvo un puntaje de (X4.62) y en relación al resto de las capacidades físicas aplicadas al fútbol un (X3.23); la importancia del VO2máx en el proceso de dirección un (X4.46); la correlación entre VO2máx y la recuperación un (X4.54) y la necesidad de perfeccionar la resistencia aeróbica en el fútbol ecuatoriano un (X4). El índice de concordancia entre especialistas obtuvo un nivel aceptable (w=0.527). Todos los indicadores de análisis obtuvieron una cualificación entre alta y muy alta, por lo que la investigación resaltó la importancia teórica brindada por los especialistas sobre el consumo máximo de oxígeno como indicador directamente relacionado con la resistencia aeróbica y el vínculo entre este y la capacidad de recuperación de los futbolistas.

SÍNTESE O consumo máximo de oxigênio é considerado um indicador diretamente relacionado à resistência aeróbica, tornando esta capacidade um fator determinante no desempenho de um jogador de futebol. Conhecer os critérios teóricos nacionais que sustentavam a importância do VO2max na capacidade de recuperação no futebol foi um passo anterior para a formação de estratégias prospectivas de intervenção direta para a tomada de decisões. Neste sentido, o objetivo da pesquisa foi determinar, consultando especialistas, os critérios existentes sobre a importância do VO2max na capacidade de recuperação dos jogadores de futebol. A pesquisa foi descritivo-correlacional com uma orientação exploratória; 13 especialistas foram pesquisados e deram critérios sobre cinco indicadores. A importância da resistência aeróbica no treinamento de futebol obteve uma pontuação de (X4,62) e em relação ao resto das capacidades físicas aplicadas ao futebol a (X3,23); a importância do VO2max no processo de gerenciamento a (X4,46); a correlação entre VO2max e recuperação a (X4,54) e a necessidade de aperfeiçoar a resistência aeróbica no futebol equatoriano a (X4). O índice de concordância entre especialistas obteve um nível aceitável (w=0,527). Todos os indicadores de análise obtiveram uma qualificação entre alto e muito alto, portanto a pesquisa destacou a importância teórica dada pelos especialistas sobre o consumo máximo de oxigênio como um indicador diretamente relacionado à resistência aeróbica e a ligação entre esta e a capacidade de recuperação dos jogadores de futebol.

The maximum oxygen consumption is considered an indicator directly related to aerobic endurance, so this capacity becomes decisive in the performance of the soccer player. Knowing the national theoretical criteria that supported the importance of VO2max in the recovery capacity in soccer was a previous step towards shaping prospective strategies of direct intervention for decision making. In this sense, the objective of the research was to determine, by consulting specialists, the existing criteria of the importance of VO2max in the recovery capacity of soccer players. The research was descriptive-correlational with an exploratory orientation; 13 specialists were surveyed who issued criteria on five indicators. The importance of aerobic endurance in soccer training obtained a score of (X 4.62) and in relation to the rest of the physical capacities applied to soccer a (X3.23); the importance of VO2max in the direction process a X 4.46); the correlation between VO2max and recovery a (X 4.54) and the need to improve aerobic endurance in Ecuadorian soccer a (X 4). The concordance index between specialists obtained an acceptable level (w=0.527). All the analysis indicators obtained a qualification between high and very high, so the research highlighted the theoretical importance provided by specialists on maximum oxygen consumption as an indicator directly related to aerobic endurance and the link between this and the ability to recovery of footballers.

Children's social wariness toward a different-race stranger relates to individual differences in temperament.

When children first meet a stranger, there is great variation in how much they will approach and engage with the stranger. While individual differences in this type of behavior-called social wariness-are well-documented in temperament research, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the social groups (such as race) of the stranger and how these characteristics might influence children's social wariness. In contrast, research on children's social bias and interracial friendships rarely examines individual differences in temperament and how temperament might influence cross-group interactions. The current study bridges the gap across these different fields of research by examining whether the racial group of an unfamiliar peer or adult moderates the association between temperament and the social wariness that children display. Utilizing a longitudinal dataset that collected multiple measurements of children's temperament and behaviors (including parent-reported shyness and social wariness toward unfamiliar adults and peers) across early childhood, we found that 2- to 7-year-old children with high parent-reported shyness showed greater social wariness toward a different-race stranger compared to a same-race stranger, whereas children with low parent-reported shyness did not. These results point to the importance of considering racial group membership in temperament research and the potential role that temperament might play in children's cross-race interactions. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Previous research on temperament has not considered how the race of strangers could influence children's social wariness. We find evidence that 2- to 7-year-old children with high parent-reported shyness show greater social wariness toward a different-race stranger compared to a same-race stranger. These results point to the importance of considering racial group membership in temperament research. Our findings also suggest temperament may play a role in children's cross-race interactions.

Gross Motor Development in Preschoolers through Conductivist and Constructivist Physical Recreational Activities: Comparative Research.

Developing gross motor function implies strengthening the basic body position and the balance associated with posture and mobility, for which different teaching models and psycho-pedagogical interventions are applied. OBJECTIVE: to develop gross motor function in male preschoolers through physical recreational activities based on conductivist (Group 1) and constructivist (Group 2) teaching and determine the best teaching paradigm. Two basic skills were studied in two homogeneous independent samples (walking: w = 0.641; running: w = 0.556), selecting 25 children for each group (3-4 years) through the use of intentional sampling. The gross skills evaluation was based on norms established by the Education Ministry, including a mood assessment. RESULTS: each group improved their basic skills in the post-test (Group 1: W = 0.001; W = 0.001. Group 2: W = 0.046; W = 0.038), but the conductivist paradigm was superior (w = 0.033; w = 0.027). Group 1 presented better indicators in the motor evaluations "Acquired" and "In Process" than Group 2, and lower percentages in the "Initiated" evaluation than Group 2 in the abilities "walking" as well as "running", which were significantly different in the "Initiated" evaluation (p = 0.0469) for the walking ability, and significantly different in the "Initiated" and "Acquired" evaluations (p = 0.0469; p = 0.0341, respectively) for the running skill. CONCLUSIONS: The conductivist teaching model was superior in terms of gross motor function optimization.

Age-related trends in aperiodic EEG activity and alpha oscillations during early- to middle-childhood.

Age-related structural and functional changes that occur during brain development are critical for cortical development and functioning. Previous electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies have highlighted the utility of power spectra analyses and have uncovered age-related trends that reflect perceptual, cognitive, and behavioural states as well as their underlying neurophysiology. The aim of the current study was to investigate age-related change in aperiodic and periodic alpha activity across a large sample of pre- and school-aged children (N = 502, age range 4 -11-years-of-age). Power spectra were extracted from baseline EEG recordings (eyes closed, eyes open) for each participant and parameterized into aperiodic activity to derive the offset and exponent parameters and periodic alpha oscillatory activity to derive the alpha peak frequency and the associated power estimates. Multilevel models were run to investigate age-related trends and condition-dependent changes for each of these measures. We found quadratic age-related effects for both the aperiodic offset and exponent. In addition, we observed increases in periodic alpha peak frequency as a function of age. Aperiodic measures and periodic alpha power were larger in magnitude during eyes closed compared to the eyes open baseline condition. Taken together, these results advance our understanding of the maturational patterns/trajectories of brain development during early- to middle-childhood.

Impact of the Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Radiology: What Do Students Think?

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, and particularly in radiology, is becoming increasingly prominent. Its impact will transform the way the specialty is practiced and the current and future education model. The aim of this study is to analyze the perception that undergraduate medical students have about the current situation of AI in medicine, especially in radiology. A survey with 17 items was distributed to medical students between 3 January to 31 March 2022. Two hundred and eighty-one students correctly responded the questionnaire; 79.3% of them claimed that they knew what AI is. However, their objective knowledge about AI was low but acceptable. Only 24.9% would choose radiology as a specialty, and only 40% of them as one of their first three options. The applications of this technology were valued positively by most students, who give it an important Support Role, without fear that the radiologist will be replaced by AI (79.7%). The majority (95.7%) agreed with the need to implement well-established ethical principles in AI, and 80% valued academic training in AI positively. Surveyed medical students have a basic understanding of AI and perceive it as a useful tool that will transform radiology.

A Developmental Pathway from Early Inhibitory Control to Social Connectedness.

Social connections are critical for mental and physical health; however, the developmental pathways to children's social connectedness outcomes are not well understood. This study examined the pathways from children's inhibitory control at 4 years to two social connectedness outcomes - loneliness and friendship quality at age 10 - through behavioral problems at age 7. As part of a longitudinal study (N = 291, 54% girls), children's inhibitory control was assessed via a Go/No-Go task when children were 4 years old. Mothers reported on children's behavioral problems at ages 4 and 7 years. Children reported on their friendship quality and loneliness at ages 7 and 10 years. Greater inhibitory control at 4 years predicted lower behavioral problems at 7 years, which in turn predicted better friendship quality and lower loneliness at 10 years. Indirect effects from inhibitory control at 4 years to loneliness and friendship quality at 10 years via behavioral problems at 7 years were significant. Findings suggest that inhibitory control in early childhood may play a key role for the development of social connectedness in middle childhood via its impact on children's behavioral problems.

Action experience in infancy predicts visual-motor functional connectivity during action anticipation.

Despite substantial evidence indicating a close link between action production and perception in early child development, less is known about how action experience shapes the processes of perceiving and anticipating others' actions. Here, we developed a novel approach to capture functional connectivity specific to certain brain areas to investigate how action experience changes the networks involved in action perception and anticipation. Nine- and-12-month-old infants observed familiar (grasping) and novel (tool-use) actions while their brain activity was measured using EEG. Infants' motor competence of both actions was assessed. A link between action experience and connectivity patterns was found, particularly during the anticipation period. During action anticipation, greater motor competence in grasping predicted greater functional connectivity between visual (occipital alpha) and motor (central alpha) regions relative to global levels of whole-brain EEG connectivity. Furthermore, visual and motor regions tended to be more coordinated in response to familiar versus novel actions and for older than younger participants. Critically, these effects were not found in the control networks (frontal-central; frontal-occipital; parietal-central; parietal-occipital), suggesting a unique role of visual-motor networks on the link between motor skills and action encoding. HIGHLIGHTS: Infants' motor development predicted functional connectivity patterns during action anticipation. Faster graspers, and older infants, showed a stronger ratio of visual-motor neural coherence. Overall whole-brain connectivity was modulated by age and familiarity with the actions. Measuring inter-site relative to whole-brain connectivity can capture specific brain-behavior links. Measures of phase-based connectivity over time are sensitive to anticipatory action.

Development of auditory change-detection and attentional capture, and their relation to inhibitory control.

EEG methods offer a promising approach to study the development of attention or attention-related processes such as change-detection and attentional capture. However, the development of these attention processes from early to middle childhood is not well understood. In the current study, we utilized a passive three-stimulus oddball paradigm to examine age-related changes in auditory change-detection and attentional capture in a large sample of children across childhood (N = 475; 249 female, 226 male; Mage  = 6.71; SDage  = 2.22; Rangeage  = 4.01-11.5 years). Conventional ERP analyses revealed no age-related changes in change detection (mismatch negativity) and attentional capture (P3a) components, but we observed age-related reductions in late automatic processing of auditory change (late discriminative negativity). However, when utilizing time-frequency analyses, we observed developmental increases in frontocentral signal strength (power) and consistency (inter-trial phase synchrony) in delta and theta bands in response to novel sounds. Such frontocentral delta/theta responses have been linked in prior work to cognitive control. To further examine this possibility, we examined relations with inhibitory control. Results revealed that increased consistency in theta in response to novel sounds was related to improved inhibitory control. Together, our results advance our understanding of the development of attention in childhood. Moreover, they demonstrate the contributions of time-frequency approaches to studying neurocognitive development. Finally, our results highlight the utility of neuroimaging paradigms that have low cognitive and motor demands to study the development of psychological processes.