Overt orienting of spatial attention and corticospinal excitability during action observation are unrelated

Observing moving body parts can automatically activate topographically corresponding motor representations in the primary motor cortex (M1), the so-called direct matching. Novel neurophysiological findings from social contexts are nonetheless proving that this process is not automatic as previously thought. The motor system can flexibly shift from imitative to incongruent motor preparation, when requested by a social gesture. In the present study we aim to bring an increase in the literature by assessing whether and how diverting overt spatial attention might affect motor preparation in contexts requiring interactive responses from the onlooker. Experiment 1 shows that overt attention-although anchored to an observed biological movement-can be captured by a target object as soon as a social request for it becomes evident. Experiment 2 reveals that the appearance of a short-lasting red dot in the contralateral space can divert attention from the target, but not from the biological movement. Nevertheless, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over M1 combined with electromyography (EMG) recordings (Experiment 3) indicates that attentional interference reduces corticospinal excitability related to the observed movement, but not motor preparation for a complementary action on the target. This work provides evidence that social motor preparation is impermeable to attentional interference and that a double dissociation is present between overt orienting of spatial attention and neurophysiological markers of action observation

Reach-To-Grasp Movements: A Multimodal Techniques Study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between corticospinal activity, kinematics, and electromyography (EMG) associated with the execution of precision and whole-hand grasps (WHGs). To this end, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), EMG, and 3-D motion capture data have been simultaneously recorded during the planning and the execution of prehensile actions toward either a small or a large object. Differences in the considered measures were expected to distinguish between the two types of grasping actions both in terms of action preparation and execution. The results indicate that the index finger (FDI) and the little finger (ADM) muscles showed different activation patterns during grasping execution, but only the FDI appeared to distinguish between the two types of actions during motor preparation. Kinematics analysis showed that precision grips differed from WHGs in terms of displayed fingers distance when shaping before object\u2019s contact, and in terms of timing and velocity patterns. Moreover, significant correlations suggest a relationship between the muscular activation and the temporal aspects concerned with the index finger\u2019s extension during whole-hand actions. Overall, the present data seem to suggest a crucial role played by index finger as an early \u201cmarker\u201d of differential motor preparation for different types of grasps and as a \u201cnavigator\u201d in guiding whole-hand prehensile actions. Aside from the novelty of the methodological approach characterizing the present study, the data provide new insights regarding the level of crosstalk among different levels concerned with the neuro-behavioral organization of reach-to-grasp movements

Local capacity building and adaptive processes: the place of teachers in the project ClimAdaPT.Local

[Resumo] Assumindo como pressuposto o papel estratégico dos municípios, das comunidades locais e da educação ambiental no esforço conjunto de resposta às alterações climáticas, o projeto ClimAdaPT.Local teve como objetivo a elaboração de Estratégias Municipais de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas e a sua integração no planeamento municipal. Pretendeu-se alcançar este objetivo através do desenvolvimento de ferramentas e metodologias de implementação que incluíram o envolvimento do corpo técnico autárquico de 26 municípios e, ainda a participação e a capacitação das comunidades locais. Estes últimos aspetos surgiram como condição sine qua non para se alcançarem as metas predefinidas e para criar novas oportunidades de transformação individual e social que potenciassem a resiliência local e global. Para tal, contou-se, entre outros atores, com a mobilização dos professores, a sua experiencia formativa e a sua capacidade pedagógica para promover os processos de reflexão individual e coletiva. Centrando-se nos resultados de um inquérito por questionário, este capítulo irá descrever algumas conclusões de uma análise comparativa que postula a mais-valia acrescentada pelos professores no processo de mobilização da comunidade e confronta as suas posturas, capacidades e predisposições com as de outros atores igualmente mobilizados para a adaptação e defesa ambiental.[Abstract] Assuming the strategic role of municipalities, local communities, and Environmental education in the joint e ort to climate change response, the ClimAdaPT.Local project aimed to launch a set of Municipal Strategies for Adaptation to Climate Change and its integration into municipal planning. The objective was to achieve this goal by developing tools and methodologies, by training local technical sta of 26 municipalities, and by empowering of local actors. This last factor emerged as a sine qua non condition to reach the planned goals and to provide new opportunities for individual and social transformation that can enhance local and global resilience. For this end, within other local actors, teachers of all levels have been mobilised, as well as their formative experience, and their pedagogical capacity to promote individual and collective re ection. This chapter is focused on results of a questionnaire survey, and will draw some conclusions from a comparative analysis that posits the added value of teachers in the community mobilisation process, and confronts their positions, capacities and predispositions with other local actors equally mobilised for adaptation and environment protection.

Graduation as a function of attendance and discipline of students in the Student Success Initiative of Texas in one south Texas urban school district

This study examined the trends and patterns across time of grade placement committee students on the dependent variable, graduation. Longitudinal data for independent variables, attendance and discipline was collected for 173 students from 2005 to 2013. The independent variables of attendance and discipline were examined to determine whether or not high school completion is dependent on these two measures. The Grade 5 students of 2005-2006 in one south Texas large urban school district who were retained in the fifth grade or advanced to the next higher grade by the grade placement committee in accordance with the Student Success Initiative (SSI) of Texas were the focus of this study. Exploratory and confirmatory data/statistical analysis was used side-by-side in the present study. Confirmatory statistical/data analysis included a multiple linear regression and logistic regression analysis, followed with a trend analysis over the eight data points for both attendance and discipline. The null hypotheses for the present study were tested with multivariate and univariate F-distributions with a working alpha level of .025 and reporting alpha level of .05. The logistic regression analyses revealed that overall independent variables, attendance and discipline are strong predictors of the criterion variable graduation for grades fifth through twelfth. Attendance in the eleventh grade and discipline in the tenth grade were found to be the best predictors, respectively when analyzed alone. However, both eighth grade attendance and eighth grade discipline were the stronger factors in predicting graduation, the outcome variable, when analyzed together. A recommendation for practice is that the findings of the present study provide the local education agencies, especially school administrators data to consider when working with potential fifth grade GPC students, SSI sixth grade students, potential eighth grade GPC students, or SSI ninth grade students. Knowing that both poor attendance, that is, number of days present, and discipline, that is, a high number of discipline referrals, are strong and high-yield predictors of not graduating from high school, may/should prompt local education agencies and school administrators to put into practice early and immediate interventions to reverse negative attendance trends and discipline issues of Hispanic students in Texas School

The influence of colors in work and trade settings: Complementary colors, mood states and retail environment

This thesis seeks to discuss the influence of color in work and trade settings, to assess the implications of their applicability in both organizational behavior and retail environment. This investigation was sprung with a preliminary literature review about the influence of space and color in organizational behavior. Subsequently, our major research queries were outlined and three focal studies following a within-subject design about color thus ensued. We first sought to understand the emotional processes behind the choice of complementary colors. Bearing in mind that the literature about complementary colors and emotions is scarce, we analyzed the association between complementary colors and mood states (Chapter I). Through an experimental study, 39 participants were instructed to choose colored cards at four different moments through time, after the induction of an emotional state. Four emotion conditions were evoked by means of autobiographical recall (i.e., happiness, sadness, balanced mood, unbalanced mood). Findings showed that complementary colors were preferred in the unbalanced mood scenario, suggesting that the color choice might rely on partially conscious mechanisms aiming at regaining a balanced state. Secondly, we investigated the interrelation between anthropomorphic packaging and color choices (Chapter II). A total of 259 participants were exposed to non-anthropomorphic and anthropomorphic packaging, considering a product from the real market (Milaneza pasta). Four different color conditions were rated in terms of attractiveness and purchase intention. Our findings suggested that anthropomorphism influenced product’s attractiveness but did not affect purchase intention. Importantly, the green anthropomorphic package produced an almost complementary color contrast between the pasta and the package (vivid green vs. orange-red), leading to a higher color contrast perception that positively affected the product’s attractiveness. In the third study, 436 participants assessed two retail scenarios – orange store and blue store – and two products – chocolate and soap (Chapter III). The products varied in color (red, orange, blue and beige), and were assessed in both stand-alone and embedded in the store situations, through image manipulation. Our results showed that there was a triple interaction resulting from retail environment color × product color × product category. Accordingly, we reinforce the idea that color should not be considered individually, but always in the context where it is inserted. With these three studies, we aim to contribute to the knowledge about the influence of color in human behavior. Crucially, we validate our prediction concerning the presumed effect of complementary colors, both emotionally and in retail settings. Here, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.Nesta tese pretendemos discutir a influência da cor no comportamento organizacional e em contexto de marketing, assim como a aplicabilidade deste conhecimento. A investigação teve início com uma revisão de literatura acerca da influência do espaço e da cor no comportamento organizacional. De seguida, o nosso trabalho começou a delinear-se com maior definição, e foram desenvolvidos três estudos sobre cor, com design intra-sujeitos. Em primeiro lugar, tivemos como objetivo o entendimento sobre os processos emocionais que desencadeiam a escolha de cores complementares. Tendo em conta que a literatura sobre cores complementares e emoções é escassa, analisámos a associação entre cores complementares e estados emocionais (Capítulo I). Através de um estudo experimental intra-sujeitos, 39 participantes escolheram cartões coloridos em quatro momentos diferentes, depois da indução de um estado emocional. Foram induzidas quatro condições emocionais (i.e., felicidade, tristeza, equilíbrio emocional, desequilíbrio emocional) através da redação de um episódio autobiográfico. Os resultados revelaram que os cartões que apresentavam as cores complementares foram preferidos quando o desequilíbrio emocional foi evocado, sugerindo que a escolha de cores pode estar baseada em mecanismos psicológicos parcialmente conscientes, procurando de forma inconsciente recuperar um estado emocional mais equilibrado. Em segundo lugar, investigámos a inter-relação entre embalagens antropomórficas e escolhas de cores (Capítulo II). Um total de 259 participantes escolheram entre embalagens antropomórficas e não antropomórficas, considerando um produto existente no mercado (massa Milaneza). Foram avaliadas quatro cores diferentes em termos de atratividade do produto e intenção de compra. Os resultados mostraram que o antropomorfismo beneficia a atratividade do produto, mas não afeta a intenção de compra. Adicionalmente, a embalagem antropomórfica de cor verde produziu um contraste entre cores quase complementares entre si (verde vívido vs. laranja avermelhado), considerando a massa e a embalagem. Este maior contraste entre cores terá produzido uma perceção que afetou positivamente a atratividade do produto. No último estudo, 436 participantes compararam imagens de dois ambientes de loja – loja laranja e loja azul – e dois produtos – chocolate e sabão (Capítulo III). Os produtos analisados divergiam apenas na cor (vermelho, laranja, azul e bege) e foram avaliados de duas formas: (i) individualmente; e (ii) adicionados ao ambiente de loja através de manipulação digital da imagem. Os resultados demonstraram que houve uma tripla interação resultante do ambiente de loja × produto × categoria de produto. Validámos a ideia de que a cor não deve ser considerada individualmente, mas sempre no contexto onde está inserida. Com estes estudos, pretendemos contribuir para o conhecimento sobre a influência da cor no comportamento humano. O presumido efeito produzido pelas cores complementares, decorrente de fatores emocionais e de perceção, foi validado através da nossa investigação. Por último, implicações teóricas e práticas acerca destes resultados são discutidas

Oral hygiene management in patients with visual sensory disabilities

Aim: Oral hygiene maintenance is one of the most difficult tasks for visually impaired people. The aim of study was to investigate about knowledge on oral hygiene practices among patients with visual sensory disabilities by proposing an effective management in order to achieve and maintain oral health status of these patients. Methods:It was administered a questionnaire about oral health management to the patients with visual disabilities accessing to dental unit of “Mons. Di Liegro” Hospital of Gaeta. Results: The survey covered a sample of 49 patients, aged between 14 and 95 years. More than half (66%) was blind ( 65% of cases with primary blindness and the remain ing 35% with secondary blindness). Only 32.65% brushed their teeth 3 times a day; 68% of the surveyed patients limited home oral hygiene procedures to toothbrush and toothpaste; 79% used manual toothbrush; 49% of respondents report ed odontophobia (it was basically generated by pain) often due to bad experience during childhood. More than half declared a dental office attendance as needed. Conclusions: This study showed as, although starting from a compromised oral health and inadequate knowledge of oral hygiene practices, visual impaired/ blind patients were able to achieve and maintain a good level of oral hygiene, using the most appropriate techniques and instrument

Pertinencia de la metodología de enfoque de Sistemas Socio-Ecológicos (SSE) para determinar los actores y sistema de gobernanza en un conflicto ambiental: Estudio de caso del Arroyo de San Basilio de Palenque

El presente texto presenta los resultados de un estudio exploratorio de las interacciones entre el sistema de gobernanza y de los actores como causa de la contaminación del arroyo de San Basilio de Palenque en Colombia. Lo anterior, a partir de la validación de la metodología de enfoque de sistemas socio-ecológicos como método de caracterización de conflictos ambientales con impactos culturales

Nueva Normalidad en las Micro Unidades Económicas Turísticas de la Sierra Norte de Puebla

La actividad turística, una de las más dañadas en la Sierra Norte del Estado de Puebla (México) por la crisis del coronavirus COVID-19 provocó el cierre parcial o total de decenas de Micro Unidades Económicas (MUE), poblaciones como Cuetzalan del Progreso y Chignahuapan donde se realizó el presente estudio, reconocen que deberán adaptarse a las nuevas circunstancias, tanto en espacio, capacitación y difusión para mantener su presencia en los consumidores a través de sus servicios; de ahí que los giros empresariales como Hoteles, Tours, Restaurantes entre otros, deberán mantener una comunicación continua, información oportuna y adaptarse rápidamente a las normas que se dicten oficialmente en la materia con el fin de reinsertarlos a la dinámica económica de la región. Se realizó un análisis metodológico mixto de UE con giros turísticos, de donde se identificaron factores organizacionales externos, internos y de comunicación, cuyos resultados reflejaron numerosas áreas de oportunidad para una toma la de decisiones para diseñar y proponer estrategias de mercadotecnia, adaptadas a las tendencias internacionales que se toman debido a la afectación del SARS CoV2.   The COVID-19 crisis affected a lot of activities in the Sierra Norte of the State of Puebla (Mexico) including tourism activity. This resulted to the partial or total closure of dozens of Micro Economic Units (EUTM). This study was carried out in Cuetzalan del Progreso and Chignahuapan and they realised the need to adapt to the new circumstances both in space, training, and dissemination to maintain their consumers through their services. For this reason, business tours such as hotels and restaurants must maintain a continuous communication, timely information, and adapt quickly to the rules that are officially dictated in this field in order to reinsert them to the economic dynamics of the region. A mixed EU methodological analysis was carried out from which external, internal, and communication organizational factors were identified. This resulted to numerous areas of opportunity for decision-making to design and propose marketing strategies, which are adapted to international trends that are taken due to the involvement of SARS CoV2

Social Motor Priming: when offline interference facilitates motor execution

Many daily activities involve synchronizing with other people\u2019s actions. Previous literature has revealed that a slowdown of performance occurs whenever the action to be carried out is different to the one observed (i.e., visuomotor interference). However, action execution can be facilitated by observing a different action if it calls for an interactive gesture (i.e., social motor priming). The aim of this study is to investigate the costs and benefits of spontaneously processing a social response and then executing the same or a different action. Participants performed two different types of grips, which could be either congruent or not with the socially appropriate response and with the observed action. In particular, participants performed a precision grip (PG; thumb-index fingers opposition) or a whole-hand grasp (WHG; fingers-palm opposition) after observing videos showing an actor performing a PG and addressing them (interactive condition) or not (non-interactive condition). Crucially, in the interactive condition, the most appropriate response was a WHG, but in 50 percent of trials participants were asked to perform a PG. This procedure allowed us to measure both the facilitator effect of performing an action appropriate to the social context (WHG)\u2014but different with respect to the observed one (PG)\u2014and the cost of inhibiting it. These effects were measured by means of 3-D kinematical analysis of movement. Results show that, in terms of reaction time and movement time, the interactive request facilitated (i.e., speeded) the socially appropriate action (WHG), whereas interfered with (i.e., delayed) a different action (PG), although observed actions were always PGs. This interference also manifested with an increase of maximum grip aperture, which seemingly reflects the concurrent representation of the socially appropriate response. Overall, these findings extend previous research by revealing that physically incongruent action representations can be integrated into a single action plan even during an offline task and without any training