Perceived motor ability and selection, optimization, and compensation: Effects of age and institutionalization

The authors examined the mediation effect of the perceived motor ability (PMA) on the direct “effects” of age (third vs. fourth age) and residential status (institutionalized vs. communitarians) on selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) strategies. With a non-probabilistic sample of 107 elders (Mdn = 80 years) from urban areas, and controlled for cognitive impairment and depression, the authors analysed the structural component of the path model with latent constructs that represents those relationships. This was made only after the structural validity of the constructs had been assured. Constructs were operationalized through the PMA questionnaire and a 16-item version of the SOC questionnaire. Only age had direct effects on the constructs: lower PMA and lower SOC of the elders in the fourth age. Authors also verified that the PMA mediation effect was partial

Aspectos psico-sociais do envelhecimento nos seniores

A evolução demográfica traduziu-se num aumento do número e da proporção de seniores em Portugal e no mundo. O estudo deste grupo populacional implica a familiarização com algumas das suas circunstâncias mais relevantes, nas quais se incluem aspectos psico-sociais. Para compreender e poder investigar os seniores portugueses é importante atender a vários aspectos aqui apresentados. Salientamos a diferença entre terceira e quarta idade e a forma como esta permite compreender diferentes perfis de envelhecimento. Enfatizamos a compreensão da especificidade psico-social para colocar o envelhecimento em contexto, assim como o estudo de como o envelhecimento se processa em meio urbano em meio rural. Salientamos também a diferença entre saúde funcional e saúde mental, onde se destaca a prevalência da demência. Referimos como determinadas características inerentes ao processo do envelhecimento têm implicações importantes para a auto-estima e auto-conceito dos seniores. Olhamos para o impacto do isolamento social neste grupo e abordamos a importância da religião nesta fase do ciclo de vida. Finalmente, debatemos a existência de variados modelos de sucesso no envelhecimento. O retrato aqui traçado de algumas das principais variáveis a ter em conta no estudo ou debate do envelhecimento em Portugal é misto, com o aumento da esperança média de vida e os ganhos ao nível da sabedoria sendo contrapostos com perdas cognitivas, sociais e, especialmente na quarta idade, de bem-estar

Math modules training improves math achievement & associated cognitive processing

Background: Previous research point to a correlation between mathematical skills and cognitive processes involved in planning and simultaneous processing. Consistent with multicomponent models of mathematical achievement (domain-general and domain-specific skills), PASS theory appears to be very useful as a multifactorial framework that provides specific tests to monitor the development of mathematical competence and to direct intervention procedures and improve mathematical skills. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the impact of the Math Modules Cognitive Training Program on the mathematical competence of typical 2nd-grade students in calculation, problem-solving, and underlying mental functions, compared to a control group. The program was designed to optimize the Planning/FE, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive cognitive processes through a series of tasks. Participants: The study involved 60 students aged between 6 and 8 years (Mdn = 7 years and 7 months), who were in the second grade of two urban public schools. Method: The program focused on mathematical skill tasks related to fluent calculation and mathematical problem solving that requires PASS cognitive processes for successful completion. The intervention group received the Math Modules program, and the control group followed their usual classroom program. Students were evaluated in calculation, problem-solving, and PASS cognitive processes. Results: Our results showed that the Math Modules Cognitive Training Program focused on calculation and problem solving skills were effective in improving children’s mathematical performance and their PASS cognitive processes, generating gains not achieved by the control group. Conclusions: Our study suggests that fluid calculation and problem-solving math tasks, based on planning and simultaneous processing, could foster curricular math competency

Valoração ecológica aplicada a áreas de preservação permanente.

Este trabalho aplica os conceitos da Avaliação Emergética e da Avaliação Funcional dos Ecossistemas para estimar os valores associados à manutenção de Áreas de Preservação Permanente diante de uma perspectiva ecológica; as áreas de estudo estão conservadas em pequenas propriedades rurais no interior do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram valorados seis Serviços Ambientais: (1) o Serviço de fornecimento de água e nutrientes para os riachos; (2) o Serviço de recarga de aqüíferos; (3) o Serviço de regulação do clima; (4) o Serviço de fornecimento de alimento para a fauna e flora silvestre dos ecossistemas vizinhos; (5) o Serviço de polinização, controle biológico, aumento da fertilidade e da produtividade do sistema; (6) o Serviço fixação de carbono e regulação da composição química da atmosfera. Os valores totais dos serviços anuais, para os fragmentos de 7, 25, 75 e 200 anos respectivamente, somam R$3.376,13, R$ 3.534,86, R$4.015,95 e R$ 4.712,06. As Áreas de Preservação Permanente são importantes para sustentabilidade de processos produtivos que usufruem, diretamente, dos diferentes Serviços Ambientais prestados por estas áreas e para a manutenção do bem estar das populações humanas

South American Expert Roundtable : increasing adaptive governance capacity for coping with unintended side effects of digital transformation

This paper presents the main messages of a South American expert roundtable (ERT) on the unintended side effects (unseens) of digital transformation. The input of the ERT comprised 39 propositions from 20 experts representing 11 different perspectives. The two-day ERT discussed the main drivers and challenges as well as vulnerabilities or unseens and provided suggestions for: (i) the mechanisms underlying major unseens; (ii) understanding possible ways in which rebound effects of digital transformation may become the subject of overarching research in three main categories of impact: development factors, society, and individuals; and (iii) a set of potential action domains for transdisciplinary follow-up processes, including a case study in Brazil. A content analysis of the propositions and related mechanisms provided insights in the genesis of unseens by identifying 15 interrelated causal mechanisms related to critical issues/concerns. Additionally, a cluster analysis (CLA) was applied to structure the challenges and critical developments in South America. The discussion elaborated the genesis, dynamics, and impacts of (groups of) unseens such as the digital divide (that affects most countries that are not included in the development of digital business, management, production, etc. tools) or the challenge of restructuring small- and medium-sized enterprises (whose service is digitally substituted by digital devices). We identify specific issues and effects (for most South American countries) such as lack of governmental structure, challenging geographical structures (e.g., inclusion in high-performance transmission power), or the digital readiness of (wide parts) of society. One scientific contribution of the paper is related to the presented methodology that provides insights into the phenomena, the causal chains underlying “wanted/positive” and “unwanted/negative” effects, and the processes and mechanisms of societal changes caused by digitalization

Histochemical Characterization, Distribution and Morphometric Analysis of NADPH Diaphorase Neurons in the Spinal Cord of the Agouti

We evaluated the neuropil distribution of the enzymes NADPH diaphorase (NADPH-d) and cytochrome oxidase (CO) in the spinal cord of the agouti, a medium-sized diurnal rodent, together with the distribution pattern and morphometrical characteristics of NADPH-d reactive neurons across different spinal segments. Neuropil labeling pattern was remarkably similar for both enzymes in coronal sections: reactivity was higher in regions involved with pain processing. We found two distinct types of NADPH-d reactive neurons in the agouti's spinal cord: type I neurons had large, heavily stained cell bodies while type II neurons displayed relatively small and poorly stained somata. We concentrated our analysis on type I neurons. These were found mainly in the dorsal horn and around the central canal of every spinal segment, with a few scattered neurons located in the ventral horn of both cervical and lumbar regions. Overall, type I neurons were more numerous in the cervical region. Type I neurons were also found in the white matter, particularly in the ventral funiculum. Morphometrical analysis revealed that type I neurons located in the cervical region have dendritic trees that are more complex than those located in both lumbar and thoracic regions. In addition, NADPH-d cells located in the ventral horn had a larger cell body, especially in lumbar segments. The resulting pattern of cell body and neuropil distribution is in accordance with proposed schemes of segregation of function in the mammalian spinal cord

Equivalencia factorial de las versiones en español y portugués de un cuestionario de expectativas académicas

Este estudio presenta los resultados de una investigación sobre expectativas académicas de estudiantes universitarios de primer año de Enseñanza Superior (ES) pertenecientes al norte de Portugal y noroeste de España. Su objetivo es replicar las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento utilizado obtenidas con una versión anterior del mismo. La muestra está integrada por 1.268 estudiantes de primer año de ES con edades comprendidas entre los 17 y 52 años (Mdn = 18, siendo de más de 23 años el 7.4%). Proceden de la región noroeste de España 413 estudiantes (Galicia, Universidad de Vigo) y 855 de la región norte de Portugal (Minho, Universidade do Minho). El 58.1% del total de la muestra son mujeres. Por ámbito de estudio, el 58.4% cursa titulaciones del ámbito científico-tecnológico y los demás del ámbito jurídico-social. Se aplicó el Cuestionario de Percepciones Académicas-Expectativas (CPA-E), estructurado en siete dimensiones: Formación para el empleo/carrera, Desarrollo personal y social, Movilidad estudiantil, Implicación político/ciudadana, Presión social, Calidad de formación e Interacción social. La invarianza del modelo factorial oblicuo del CPA-E fue testada con el LISREL 8.80 mediante el método bivariado latente normal y la estimación de máxima verosimilitud, con la corrección de Satorra y Bentler (1994). Todos los ítems representaron bien a sus respectivos factores y los factores mostraron una buena validez y fiabilidad para los países y el género. Se obtuvo, por tanto, invarianza factorial del modelo para los países y el género. Se asume una versión final del cuestionario común para España y Portugal, así como para mujeres y hombres.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Organization and Connections of Second Somatosensory Cortex in the Agouti

In order to understand how the mammalian sensory cortex has been structured during evolution, it is necessary to compare data from different species across distinct mammalian lineages. Here, we investigated the organization of the secondary somatosensory area (S2) in the agouti (Dasyprocta aguti), a medium-sized Amazonian rodent, using microelectrode mapping techniques and neurotracer injections. The topographic map obtained from multiunit electrophysiological recordings were correlated with both cytochrome oxidase (CO) histochemistry and with patterns of corticocortical connections in tangential sections. The electrophysiological mapping of the lateral strip of parietal cortex adjacent to the primary somatosensory area (S1) revealed that S2 displays a mirror-reversed topographical representation of S1, but with a smaller cortical magnification factor. The caudal border of S2 is surrounded by sensory fields which also respond to auditory stimulation. BDA injections into the forelimb representation of S2 revealed a dense homotopic ipsilateral projection to S1, supplemented by a less dense projection to the caudolateral cortex located near the rhinal sulcus (parietal rhinal area) and to a frontal region probably associated with the motor cortex. Our findings were similar to those described in other mammalian species, reinforcing the existence of a common plan of organization for S2 in the mammalian parietal cortex