AFFORDANCES IN EARLY MOTOR DEVELOPMENT: THE ROLE OF CONTEXTUAL FACTORS

Early motor development is a complex phenomenon characterized by a high degree of inter- and intra-individual variability. The primary objective of this work was to test a conceptual model of early motor development that considers the key contextual factors relating to the home environment, infant characteristics, and caregiving practices. Given the lack of appropriate measures targeting these contextual factors, a secondary objective was to develop and run preliminary analyses of two new measures that assess these factors in relation to the motor development of infants aged 4 to 10 months of age. Following the initial item generation phases, exploratory principal components analyses with varimax rotations were run to determine a factor structure for each measure, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis. These measures were then incorporated into the larger conceptual model, which tested the extent to which these contextual factors explained the variability observed in motor developmental scores as measured by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Using structural equation modeling, these direct effects, as well as indirect effects mediated through the Daily Activities of Infants Scale are discussed. The measurement model demonstrated good fit indices (% = 477.9, df = 369, p \u3c 0.01; IFI; 0.940; TLI 0.927; CFI 0.938; RMSEA 0.04) indicating the model fits the data. Analysis of path coefficients revealed that the contextual factors did not explain a significant portion of the variance in early motor development (32%). The factor Opportunities in the Playspace was found to explain 24% of the variance in scores and was significant. Although the results of this work do not provide strong evidence for a role of contextual factors in motor development, they do raise questions about the use of linear statistical analyses to measure non-linear processes and the developmental variations of infants bom full-term and those bom preterm. Full-term infants are known to be resilient and it is suggested that the subtle determinants, such as those concerning contextual factors, might play a more important role in a population of infants who are vulnerable or considered to be at risk

A Narrative Review of the Disenfranchisement of Single Mothers in Highland Ecuador

Background: The Andean South American country of Ecuador presents social challenges that contribute to inequities. The social determinants of health have impacts on the physical, psychological and social health of individuals across all societies. Ecuador is an example of how the interactions of gender roles and social determinants of health impact the health of single mothers and their children. Methods: A retrospective historical literature review was conducted on gender role expectations within the rural context Ecuador to inform future public health strategies and health interventions. Results: Gender inequality contributes to higher rates of single parenting, child labour, and migration. Food insecurity and poverty are affected through the interface of economic hardships and rural agricultural livelihoods. Conclusion: The disenfranchisement of poor rural women in Ecuador is deeply rooted in historical gender discrimination, societal attitudes, and institutionalized gender bias that incur onto the society as a whole in terms of becoming less protectors and producers of human resources. The health of single mothers and children living in poverty and their ability to create a healthy family environment will not improve until women explore their productivity and creativity amid social tensions and livelihood struggles

The prevalence, location, severity, and daily impact of pain reported by youth and young adults with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence, location, severity, and daily impact of pain reported by youth and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP). A secondary aim was to identify any significant associations between the constructs of interest. METHOD: An observational study of 112 participants with CP to understand their experience of pain through a questionnaire. Participants were 56 males and 55 females with a mean age of 18y 9mo (SD 4y 5mo). RESULTS: Pain was reported by 75% of males and 89% of females. Both severity and impact of pain were significantly greater in females. In addition, severity and impact of pain were significantly different between specific GMFCS levels. There were no significant differences in location of pain by gender or GMFCS level. A strong positive correlation between the severity and impact of pain was observed (rs = 0.80). CONCLUSION: The gender differences in the severity and impact of pain and the overall and high prevalence of pain reported here provide healthcare practitioners with an increased awareness of pain distribution/characteristics among young adults with CP. Understanding the impact of pain on daily life can assist practitioners to efficiently manage pain and improve the quality of life for individuals with CP

Scopolamine Administration Modulates Muscarinic, Nicotinic and NMDA Receptor Systems

Studies on the effect of scopolamine on memory are abundant but so far only regulation of the muscarinic receptor (M1) has been reported. We hypothesized that levels of other cholinergic brain receptors as the nicotinic receptors and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, known to be involved in memory formation, would be modified by scopolamine administration

Sustainability as an Input for the Design of Olympic Villages

Since the 1960s, hosting the Olympic Games has been seen as an opportunity to create urban development. The post-Games use of sport venues, the fulfillment of a city’s housing needs by using Olympic Village buildings and the renewal of transport and other infrastructure that accompanies hosting of the Games may be considered indicators for the success of the International Olympic Games. But the city and its citizen do not benefit from these investments in the design of new structures if that design is not carried out in the light of wellplanned urban development projecting. Local and international studies on sustainability, particularly since the 1980s, have shown that sustainable urbanization is only achievable with sustainable development planning. Therefore economic, social and environmental development needs to be provided. If the last Olympic cities are examined in relation to this aspect, it will be seen that an understanding of such factors is reflected in their development. Throughout the history of the modern Games host cities have considered them as an opportunity for development, but cities are now heading towards the implementation of more sensitive actions for the future generation, social and environmental values with the improvement in the approach of sustainable development

The Prevalence, Distribution, and Effect of Pain Among Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

PURPOSE:: To describe the prevalence, distribution, and intensity of pain and determine the relationship between pain intensity and effect on daily activities in adolescents with cerebral palsy. METHODS:: A sample of 104 girls and 126 boys, mean ages 14.7 (SD = 1.7) and 14.8 (SD = 1.7) years, were asked Have you experienced physical pain in the past month? RESULTS:: Sixty-four percent of girls and 50% of boys reported pain. Pain was most frequent in the feet and ankles, knees, and lower back of girls and boys at Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to IV. Foot and ankle and knee pain were also frequent at level V. The Spearman rho value between intensity and effect on daily activities was 0.75 (p \u3c 0.01) and 0.82 (p \u3c 0.01) for girls and boys. CONCLUSIONS:: The high prevalence of pain and its effect on daily activities suggests a need for greater focus on health promotion