Executive Function and IQ Predict Mathematical and Attention Problems in Very Preterm Children

Objective of this study was to examine the impact of executive function (EF) on mathematical and attention problems in very preterm (gestational age ≤ 30 weeks) children. Participants were 200 very preterm (mean age 8.2 ± 2.5 years) and 230 term children (mean age 8.3 ± 2.3 years) without severe disabilities, born between 1996 and 2004. EFs assessed included verbal fluency, verbal working memory, visuospatial span, planning, and impulse control. Mathematics was assessed with the Dutch Pupil Monitoring System and parents and teachers rated attention problems using standardized behavior questionnaires. The impact of EF was calculated over and above processing speed indices and IQ. Interactions with group (very preterm versus term birth status) were examined. Analyses were conducted separately for two subsamples: children in preschool and children in primary school. Very preterm children performed poorer on tests for mathematics and had more parent and teacher rated attention problems than term controls (ß_s>.11, P_s<.01). IQ contributed unique variance to mathematics in preschool and in primary school (ß_s>.16, P_s<.007). A significant interaction of group with IQ (ß = −. 24, P = .02) showed that IQ contributed unique variance to attention problems as rated by teachers, but that effects were stronger for very preterm than for term infants. Over and above IQ, EF contributed unique variance to mathematics in primary school (ß = .13, P<.001), to parent rated inattention in preschool and in primary school (ß_s>−.16, P_s<.04), and to teacher rated inattention in primary school (ß = −.19; ß = .19, P_s<.009). In conclusion, impaired EF is, over and above impaired IQ, an important predictor for poor mathematics and attention problems following very preterm birth.     

Countries with Higher Levels of Gender Equality Show Larger National Sex Differences in Mathematics Anxiety and Relatively Lower Parental Mathematics Valuation for Girls

Despite international advancements in gender equality across a variety of societal domains, the underrepresentation of girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related fields persists. In this study, we explored the possibility that the sex difference in mathematics anxiety contributes to this disparity. More specifically, we tested a number of predictions from the prominent gender stratification model, which is the leading psychological theory of cross-national patterns of sex differences in mathematics anxiety and performance. To this end, we analyzed data from 761,655 15-year old students across 68 nations who participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Most importantly and contra predictions, we showed that economically developed and more gender equal countries have a lower overall level of mathematics anxiety, and yet a larger national sex difference in mathematics anxiety relative to less developed countries. Further, although relatively more mothers work in STEM fields in more developed countries, these parents valued, on average, mathematical competence more in their sons than their daughters. The proportion of mothers working in STEM was unrelated to sex differences in mathematics anxiety or performance. We propose that the gender stratification model fails to account for these national patterns and that an alternative model is needed. In the discussion, we suggest how an interaction between socio-cultural values and sex-specific psychological traits can better explain these patterns. We also discuss implications for policies aiming to increase girls’ STEM participation.     

Numerical Capacities as Domain-Specific Predictors beyond Early Mathematics Learning: A Longitudinal Study

The first aim of the present study was to investigate whether numerical effects (Numerical Distance Effect, Counting Effect and Subitizing Effect) are domain-specific predictors of mathematics development at the end of elementary school by exploring whether they explain additional variance of later mathematics fluency after controlling for the effects of general cognitive skills, focused on nonnumerical aspects. The second aim was to address the same issues but applied to achievement in mathematics curriculum that requires solutions to fluency in calculation. These analyses assess whether the relationship found for fluency are generalized to mathematics content beyond fluency in calculation. As a third aim, the domain specificity of the numerical effects was examined by analyzing whether they contribute to the development of reading skills, such as decoding fluency and reading comprehension, after controlling for general cognitive skills and phonological processing. Basic numerical capacities were evaluated in children of 3^rd and 4^th grades (n=49). Mathematics and reading achievements were assessed in these children one year later. Results showed that the size of the Subitizing Effect was a significant domain-specific predictor of fluency in calculation and also in curricular mathematics achievement, but not in reading skills, assessed at the end of elementary school. Furthermore, the size of the Counting Effect also predicted fluency in calculation, although this association only approached significance. These findings contrast with proposals that the core numerical competencies measured by enumeration will bear little relationship to mathematics achievement. We conclude that basic numerical capacities constitute domain-specific predictors and that they are not exclusively “start-up” tools for the acquisition of Mathematics; but they continue modulating this learning at the end of elementary school.     

Renal adrenomedullin and high altitude diuresis

Previous investigations revealed that most of the fluid regulating hormones showed no consistent relationship to the hypoxic diuretic response (HDR). In this study we examined if adrenomedullin (AM), a hypoxia-mediated diuretic/natriuretic peptide is connected to HDR. Thirty-three persons were examined at low altitude (LA), on the third exposure day at 3440 m (medium altitude, MA) and on the fourteenth day at 5050 m (high altitude, HA). Nocturnal diuresis rose from 460 ml [interquartile range 302 ml] at LA to 560 [660] ml at MA to 1015 [750] ml at HA (p<0.005). Sodium excretion was similar at LA and MA (41.8 [27.0] vs. 41.4 [28.4] mM) and increased to 80.2 [29.1] mM at HA (p<0.005). Urinary AM excretion was 7.9 [3.9] at LA, 7.5 [5.7] pM at MA, and increased to 10.5 [5.1] pM (p<0.05) at HA. Urinary AM excretion was correlated to diuresis (r=0.72, p<0.005) and sodium excretion (r=0.57, p<0.005). Plasma AM concentration rose from 16.4 [3.1] to 18.8 [4.9] pM/l at MA (p<0.005) and to 18.3 [4.3] pM/l at HA (p<0.005). Plasma AM concentration and urinary AM excretion were not correlated, neither were plasma AM concentration and diuresis or natriuresis. Our data suggest the involvement of increased renal AM production in the pathophysiology of high altitude fluid and sodium loss.     

Mathematical struggles and ensuring success: post-compulsory mathematics as preparation for undergraduate bioscience

This article reports on data from a large-scale study investigating students’ mathematical transitions to higher education. Three hundred and seventy-one undergraduate bioscientists were surveyed in order to investigate their perceptions and experiences of studying post-compulsory mathematics, as preparation for the mathematics elements of their degree. A-level Mathematics was well-received, with more than three-quarters of participants describing the qualification as good preparation for their degree. Participants particularly valued the statistics units at A-level. However, A-level Further Mathematics was perceived to be less useful preparation, although participants reported that it was enjoyable and challenging. Ongoing qualification reform, as well as the proliferation of post-compulsory mathematics options, means that universities and schools would do well to consider how best to maximise bioscience students’ mathematical preparation prior to beginning their undergraduate studies.     

Mathematical disabilities in young primary school children with velo-cardio-facial syndrome

The aim of the present study was to examine the previously reported mathematical disabilities (MD) of children with Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (VCFS) in children of a younger age range. Fourteen children with VCFS (aged 6-10 years) participated in this study. These children were individually matched on sex, IQ, age and parental educational level to a control group of peers, selected from the same classes. A broad range of mathematical abilities were assessed, comprising number reading and writing, number comparison, counting, single-digit arithmetic, multidigit arithmetic and word problem solving. Consistent with previous reports, children with VCFS were significantly slower in counting numerosities and they tended to perform more poorly on number comparison. These results indicate that difficulties in low-level number processing in children with VCFS occur already at a very young age. Furthermore, children with VCFS demonstrated preserved retrieval of arithmetic facts, but, in contrast to older children with VCFS, no procedural difficulties in mathematics were observed. Finally, word problem solving appeared to be an important area of weakness, starting already at this young age.     

Procedural Metacognition and False Belief Understanding in 3- to 5-Year-Old Children

Some studies, so far limited in number, suggest the existence of procedural metacognition in young children, that is, the practical capacity to monitor and control one’s own cognitive activity in a given task. The link between procedural metacognition and false belief understanding is currently under theoretical discussion. If data with primates seem to indicate that procedural metacognition and false belief understanding are not related, no study in developmental psychology has investigated this relation in young children. The present paper aims, first, to supplement the findings concerning young children’s abilities to monitor and control their uncertainty (procedural metacognition) and, second, to explore the relation between procedural metacognition and false belief understanding. To examine this, 82 3- to 5-year-old children were presented with an opt-out task and with 3 false belief tasks. Results show that children can rely on procedural metacognition to evaluate their perceptual access to information, and that success in false belief tasks does not seem related to success in the task we used to evaluate procedural metacognition. These results are coherent with a procedural view of metacognition, and are discussed in the light of recent data from primatology and developmental psychology.     

Children’s Mapping between Non-Symbolic and Symbolic Numerical Magnitudes and Its Association with Timed and Untimed Tests of Mathematics Achievement

The ability to map between non-symbolic numerical magnitudes and Arabic numerals has been put forward as a key factor in children’s mathematical development. This mapping ability has been mainly examined indirectly by looking at children’s performance on a symbolic magnitude comparison task. The present study investigated mapping in a more direct way by using a task in which children had to choose which of two choice quantities (Arabic digits or dot arrays) matched the target quantity (dot array or Arabic digit), thereby focusing on small quantities ranging from 1 to 9. We aimed to determine the development of mapping over time and its relation to mathematics achievement. Participants were 36 first graders (M = 6 years 8 months) and 46 third graders (M = 8 years 8 months) who all completed mapping tasks, symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude comparison tasks and standardized timed and untimed tests of mathematics achievement. Findings revealed that children are able to map between non-symbolic and symbolic representations and that this mapping ability develops over time. Moreover, we found that children’s mapping ability is related to timed and untimed measures of mathematics achievement, over and above the variance accounted for by their numerical magnitude comparison skills.     

Chronic hypoxia, pregnancy, and endothelium-mediated relaxation in guinea pig uterine and thoracic arteries

Vasodilation that occurs during normal pregnancy is associated with enhanced relaxation and decreased contractile response to agonists, which are in part due to increased stimulated and basal nitric oxide (NO). In preeclampsia and/or pregnancies carried at high altitude (HA), this normal vascular adjustment is reversed or diminished. We previously reported that HA exposure did not inhibit the pregnancy-associated decrease in contractile response to agonist or basal NO in guinea pig uterine arteries (UA). We therefore sought to determine whether altitude interfered with effects of pregnancy on endothelium-dependent relaxation through a reduction in stimulated NO. We examined the relaxation response to ACh in UA and bradykinin in thoracic arteries (TA) and effects of NO inhibition with 200 microM N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) in arterial rings isolated from nonpregnant and pregnant guinea pigs exposed throughout gestation to low altitude (LA, 1,600 m, n = 26) or HA (3,962 m, n = 22). In pregnant UA, relaxation to ACh was enhanced (P < 0.05) at both altitudes and NO inhibition diminished, but did not reverse, ACh relaxation. The effect of L-NNA on the relaxation response to ACh was less in HA than in LA animals (P = 0.0021). In nonpregnant UA, relaxation to ACh was similar in LA and HA animals. L-NNA reversed the relaxation response to ACh at HA but not at LA. In TA, relaxation to bradykinin was unaltered by pregnancy or altitude and was completely reversed by NO inhibition. These data suggest that effects of NO inhibition are diminished in UA during pregnancy at HA. Additional studies are needed to confirm whether these effects are mediated through inhibition of stimulated NO. HA exposure did not inhibit relaxation to ACh, perhaps because of stimulation of other vasodilators.     

Oxygen debt in submaximal and supramaximal exercise in children at high and low altitude

The effect of high altitude (HA) on O2 debt and blood lactate concentration [( L]) was examined in 10- to 13-yr-old children who exhibited the same level of physical fitness. Fifty-one children acclimatized to HA (3,700 m) were compared with 40 children living at low altitude (LA, 330 m) during submaximal (20-95% maximal aerobic power, MAP), maximal and supramaximal (115% MAP) bicycle exercise. Results showed that 1) maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) and maximal heart rate were significantly (P less than 0.001) lower at HA than at LA by 15% and 11 beats X min-1, respectively; 2) for a given absolute work load, O2 debt was higher at HA than at LA, and the slopes of the linear relationships between O2 debt and O2 uptake were significantly higher at HA; 3) when related to percent of VO2max, O2 debts in HA and LA were similar; for 115% MAP maximal O2 debt and [L] were not significantly different (maximal O2 debt, 45.7 +/- 2.7 and 45.9 +/- 3.8 ml X kg-1; [L], 6.0 +/- 0.3 and 6.7 +/- 0.5 mM); and 4) linear relationships between maximal O2 debt and [L] were the same at HA and LA. This suggests that HA did not modify the anaerobic capacity in children.     

Dissociation between Emotional Remapping of Fear and Disgust in Alexithymia

There is growing evidence that individuals are able to understand others’ emotions because they “embody” them, i.e., re-experience them by activating a representation of the observed emotion within their own body. One way to study emotion embodiment is provided by a multisensory stimulation paradigm called emotional visual remapping of touch (eVRT), in which the degree of embodiment/remapping of emotions is measured as enhanced detection of near-threshold tactile stimuli on one’s own face while viewing different emotional facial expressions. Here, we measured remapping of fear and disgust in participants with low (LA) and high (HA) levels of alexithymia, a personality trait characterized by a difficulty in recognizing emotions. The results showed that fear is remapped in LA but not in HA participants, while disgust is remapped in HA but not in LA participants. To investigate the hypothesis that HA might exhibit increased responses to emotional stimuli producing a heightened physical and visceral sensations, i.e., disgust, in a second experiment we investigated participants’ interoceptive abilities and the link between interoception and emotional modulations of VRT. The results showed that participants’ disgust modulations of VRT correlated with their ability to perceive bodily signals. We suggest that the emotional profile of HA individuals on the eVRT task could be related to their abnormal tendency to be focalized on their internal bodily signals, and to experience emotions in a “physical” way. Finally, we speculated that these results in HA could be due to a enhancement of insular activity during the perception of disgusted faces.     

A Graph Theoretical Approach to Study the Organization of the Cortical Networks during Different Mathematical Tasks

The two core systems of mathematical processing (subitizing and retrieval) as well as their functionality are already known and published. In this study we have used graph theory to compare the brain network organization of these two core systems in the cortical layer during difficult calculations. We have examined separately all the EEG frequency bands in healthy young individuals and we found that the network organization at rest, as well as during mathematical tasks has the characteristics of Small World Networks for all the bands, which is the optimum organization required for efficient information processing. The different mathematical stimuli provoked changes in the graph parameters of different frequency bands, especially the low frequency bands. More specific, in Delta band the induced network increases it’s local and global efficiency during the transition from subitizing to retrieval system, while results suggest that difficult mathematics provoke networks with higher cliquish organization due to more specific demands. The network of the Theta band follows the same pattern as before, having high nodal and remote organization during difficult mathematics. Also the spatial distribution of the network’s weights revealed more prominent connections in frontoparietal regions, revealing the working memory load due to the engagement of the retrieval system. The cortical networks of the alpha brainwaves were also more efficient, both locally and globally, during difficult mathematics, while the fact that alpha’s network was more dense on the frontparietal regions as well, reveals the engagement of the retrieval system again. Concluding, this study gives more evidences regarding the interaction of the two core systems, exploiting the produced functional networks of the cerebral cortex, especially for the difficult mathematics.     

外源性apelin对大鼠慢性低氧性肺动脉高压的防治作用

目的:探讨外源性给予小分子活性肽apelin对大鼠慢性低氧性肺动脉高压和肺血管重构的作用及其机制。方法:采用常压低氧法建立SD大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压模型。实验分4组(n=10)对照组(NC)、低氧组(HH)、低氧+apelin低剂量组(5nmol/(kg.d)(LA)和低氧+apelin高剂量组(10nmol/(kg.d)(HA),HA组和LA组通过皮下埋植微量渗透泵持续给药。低氧4周后,测定平均肺动脉压(mPAP)、右心室与左心室加室间隔的重量比[RV/(LV+S)]、肺细小动脉管壁面积/管总面积(WA/TA)、管腔面积/管总面积(CA/TA)、中膜厚度(PAMT)以及肺组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性与丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果:①mPAP和RV/(LV+S):HH组较NC组高,HA组较HH组低;LA组mPAP较HH低,而RV/(LV+S)两组间无显著性差异。②WA/TA和PAMT:HH组较NC组高,HA组、LA组均较HH低。③CA/TA:HH组较NC组低,HA组、LA组均较HH高。④肺组织SOD含量:HH组较NC低,HA组、LA组均较HH高。⑤MDA含量:HH组较NC高,HA组、LA组均较HH低。结论:Apelin对低氧性肺动脉高压和肺血管重构的形成具有防治作用,这种作用可能与直接舒张肺血管作用及改善氧化应激有关。     

Selective influence of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate on anxiety induced by corticotropin-releasing hormone injection

The objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) on changes of anxiety level, induced by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) injection. Active and passive rats were selected from Wistar rats on the basis of T-maze testing. Active rats were then divided into the groups with high (HA) and low anxiety (LA) level after testing in elevated-plus maze. Intranasal injection of CRH induced increase of anxiety level in the LA rats, while in HA rats it remained unchanged. DHEA-S exerted a moderate anxiolytic effect on the LA rats and sedative effect--on the HA rats. DHEA-S injection had no effect on anxiety level in passive rats that typically demonstrate high level of trait-anxiety and resistance to CRH. These results suggest that DHEA-S effect depends on the individual psycho-emotional status and responsiveness to CRH.     

Open Right Hemicolectomy:Lateral to Medial or Medial to Lateral Approach?

Objective

Currently, no published studies have compared the clinical outcomes of the medial-to-lateral approach (MA) and lateral-to-medial approach (LA) for open right hemicolectomy. Thus, the present study aimed to assess whether one of these approaches has any potential benefits over the other.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed of all patients who underwent open right hemicolectomy with pathologically confirmed disease who met the eligibility criteria between June 2008 and June 2012. The population was divided into an MA group and an LA group by propensity scoring. We compared patient demographic and clinical characteristic variables between the two groups and assessed short-term and long-term outcomes.

Results

A total of 450 patients (MA, n = 150; LA, n = 300) were evaluated. The operation time (MA,138.4 minutesvs.LA,166.2 minutes; P < .05) and blood loss (MA,52.0mL vs. LA,62.6mL; P < .05)were significantly lower in the MA group. No differences in the number of harvested lymph nodes and oncologic outcomes were observed between the two groups. Further subgroup analysis for stage III colon cancer revealed that the MA group had significantly more retrieved lymph nodes (MA,18.8vs. LA,16.0; P = .028). There were no differences in other variables between the two groups.

Conclusions

The MA reduced operative time and blood loss compared with the LA. We thus concluded that the MA provided short-term benefits compared with the LA in open right hemicolectomy for right-sided colon cancer.     

Adding Cognition to the Formula for Culturally Relevant Instruction in Mathematics

Although equity is one of the goals of the mathematics reform movement, there has been little research done to develop programs that meet the needs of specific cultural groups. By studying how mathematical knowledge is developed in the course of everyday life, it is possible to change mathematics instruction to enhance mathematical achievement. In a series of research projects with Native Hawaiian children, ethnographic information and cognitive studies of mathematical thinking guided a program to develop culturally relevant mathematics teaching. The approach taken in this study is compared to other recent efforts to develop culturally relevant instruction in mathematics.     

Developmental Gains in Visuospatial Memory Predict Gains in Mathematics Achievement

Visuospatial competencies are related to performance in mathematical domains in adulthood, but are not consistently related to mathematics achievement in children. We confirmed the latter for first graders and demonstrated that children who show above average first-to-fifth grade gains in visuospatial memory have an advantage over other children in mathematics. The study involved the assessment of the mathematics and reading achievement of 177 children in kindergarten to fifth grade, inclusive, and their working memory capacity and processing speed in first and fifth grade. Intelligence was assessed in first grade and their second to fourth grade teachers reported on their in-class attentive behavior. Developmental gains in visuospatial memory span (d = 2.4) were larger than gains in the capacity of the central executive (d = 1.6) that in turn were larger than gains in phonological memory span (d = 1.1). First to fifth grade gains in visuospatial memory and in speed of numeral processing predicted end of fifth grade mathematics achievement, as did first grade central executive scores, intelligence, and in-class attentive behavior. The results suggest there are important individual differences in the rate of growth of visuospatial memory during childhood and that these differences become increasingly important for mathematics learning.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus nigra</Emphasis> Arn. ssp <Emphasis Type="Italic">salzmannii</Emphasis> early recruitment and initial seedling growth in warmer and drier locations: the role of seed and soil provenance

Current decreasing precipitation and increasing temperatures promote the likelihood of extreme drought events and may alter the recruitment capacities of tree species. Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. salzmannii) initial recruitment is being one of the most affected pine species by changing conditions with alterations in the future species distribution. In this context, a cross-exchange experiment was implemented using an outdoor nursery located in a warmer and drier location for testing different Spanish Black pine seeds and soil provenance combinations in relation to early recruitment and initial seedling growth. Soil and seeds were collected at a high (HA, 1641 m.a.s.l.) and low (LA, 1099 m.a.s.l.) altitude in Cuenca Mountains (Spain). Then, a cross-sown experiment using HA and LA soils and seeds was set up in an outdoor nursery, which is located in Albacete (704 m.a.s.l.). Soil quality, seedling emergence, seedling survival, initial seedling growth and total seedling dry mass were measured after one year. We found higher seed emergence and seedling survival by combining LA soil with LA seeds or HA soil with HA seeds. Seedlings from LA seeds with both soil origins and seedlings from HA seeds with LA soils allocated more biomass to roots than seedlings from HA sites growing in HA soils under drier and warmer conditions. These results support the idea that autochthonous provenances have the potential to adapt to changing climatic conditions in their habitats.     

Catch-and-Hold Activation of Muscle Acetylcholine Receptors Having Transmitter Binding Site Mutations

Agonists turn on receptors because their target sites have a higher affinity in the active versus resting conformation of the protein. We used single-channel electrophysiology to measure the lower-affinity (LA) and higher-affinity (HA) equilibrium dissociation constants for acetylcholine in adult-type muscle mouse nicotinic receptors (AChRs) having mutations of agonist binding site amino acids. For a series of agonists and for all mutations of αY93, αG147, αW149, αY190, αY198, εW55, and δW57, the change in LA binding energy was approximately half that in HA binding energy. The results were analyzed as a linear free energy relationship between LA and HA agonist binding, the slope of which (κ) gives the fraction of the overall binding chemical potential where the LA complex is established. The linear correlation between LA and HA binding energies suggests that the overall binding process is by an integrated mechanism (catch-and-hold). For the agonist and the above mutations, κ ∼ 0.5, but side-chain substitutions of two residues had a slope that was significantly higher (0.90; αG153) or lower (0.25; εP121). The results suggest that backbone rearrangements in loop B, loop C, and the non-α surface participate in both LA binding and the LA ↔ HA affinity switch. It appears that all of the intermediate steps in AChR activation comprise a single, energetically coupled process.     

Future Cognitive Ability: US IQ Prediction until 2060 Based on NAEP

The US National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) measures cognitive competences in reading and mathematics of US students (last 2012 survey N = 50,000). The long-term development based on results from 1971 to 2012 allows a prediction of future cognitive trends. For predicting US averages also demographic trends have to be considered. The largest groups’ (White) average of 1978/80 was set at M = 100 and SD = 15 and was used as a benchmark. Based on two past NAEP development periods for 17-year-old students, 1978/80 to 2012 (more optimistic) and 1992 to 2012 (more pessimistic), and demographic projections from the US Census Bureau, cognitive trends until 2060 for the entire age cohort and ethnic groups were estimated. Estimated population averages for 2060 are 103 (optimistic) or 102 (pessimistic). The average rise per decade is dec = 0.76 or 0.45 IQ points. White-Black and White-Hispanic gaps are declining by half, Asian-White gaps treble. The catch-up of minorities (their faster ability growth) contributes around 2 IQ to the general rise of 3 IQ; however, their larger demographic increase reduces the general rise at about the similar amount (-1.4 IQ). Because minorities with faster ability growth also rise in their population proportion the interactive term is positive (around 1 IQ). Consequences for economic and societal development are discussed.