67 research outputs found
Positive evidence for neonatal imitation:A general response, adaptive engagement
The study employed four gestural models using frame-by-frame microanalytic methods, and followed how the behaviours unfolded over time. Forty-two human newborns (0-3 days) were examined for their imitation of tongue protrusion, 'head tilt with looking up', three-finger and two-finger gestures. The results showed that all three gesture groups were imitated. Results of the temporal analyses revealed an early and a later, second stage of responses. Later responses were characterized by a suppression of similar, but non-matching movements. Perinatal imitation is not a phenomenon served by a single underlying mechanism; it has at least two different stages. An early phase is followed by voluntary matching behaviour by the neonatal infant
Enrichment of CH3F nuclear spin isomers by resonant microwave radiation
Theoretical model of the coherent control of nuclear spin isomers by
microwave radiation has been developed. Model accounts the M-degeneracy of
molecular states and molecular center-of-mass motion. The model has been
applied to the 13CH3F molecules. Microwave radiation excites the para state
(J=11,K=1) which is mixed by the nuclear spin-spin interaction with the ortho
state (9,3). Dependencies of the isomer enrichment and conversion rates on the
radiation frequency have been calculated. Both spectra consist of two
resonances situated at the centers of allowed and forbidden (by nuclear spin)
transitions in the molecule. Larger enrichment, up to 7%, can be produced by
strong radiation resonant to the forbidden transition. The spin conversion rate
can be increased by 2 orders of magnitude at this resonance.Comment: REVTEX, 14 pages + 6 eps figure
Infant crying problems and symptoms of sleeping problems predict attachment disorganization at 18 months
This longitudinal study examined the associations among infant crying, symptoms of sleeping problems, and attachment while considering the influence of maternal sensitivity and depressive symptoms. One hundred and five healthy full-term infants (42.9% female) were assessed for crying and symptoms of sleeping problems at 3 and 18 months via parental interview. Maternal sensitivity was measured through researcher observation, and attachment was measured at 18 months using the Strange Situation procedure. It was found that infant crying and symptoms of sleeping problems were not linked to the organized patterns of secure or insecure (avoidant versus resistant) attachment. However, when the disorganized attachment was considered, there were direct links found from infant crying and symptoms of sleeping problems at 3 months (β= .22, p< .05) and 18 months (β= .21, p< .05). Thus, crying and symptoms of sleeping problems as early as 3 months may indicate a disruption in the coherence of infants’ relationship to their caretakers
The association of infant crying, feeding, and sleeping problems and inhibitory control with attention regulation at school age
Regulatory problems in infancy and toddlerhood have previously been associated with an increased risk of developing attention problems in childhood. We hypothesized that early regulatory problems are associated with attention problems via reduced inhibitory control. This prospective study assessed 1,459 children from birth to 8 years. Crying, feeding, and sleeping problems were assessed at 5 and 20 months via parent interviews and neurological examinations. At 20 months, inhibitory control was tested with a behavioral (snack delay) task. Attention regulation was assessed at 6 and 8 years using multiple instruments and informants. Detrimental effects of crying, feeding, and sleeping problems on attention regulation were partly mediated by children's ability to inhibit unwanted behaviors (β = −0.04, p = 0.013). Accounting for cognition diminished this indirect effect (β = −0.01, p = 0.209). Instead, the effects of crying, feeding, and sleeping problems on attention regulation were fully mediated by children's cognitive functioning (β = −0.10, p < 0.001). These results support that inhibitory control abilities partly mediate effects of crying, feeding, and sleeping problems. However, these effects may be accounted for by children's general cognitive abilities. Early regulatory problems may set infants on a course of under control of behavior into school age, and such trajectories are highly associated with general cognitive development
Acquired and congenital disorders of sung performance: A review.
Many believe that the majority of people are unable to carry a tune. Yet, this
widespread idea underestimates the singing abilities of the layman. Most
occasional singers can sing in tune and in time, provided that they perform at a
slow tempo. Here we characterize proficient singing in the general population
and identify its neuronal underpinnings by reviewing behavioral and neuroimaging
studies. In addition, poor singing resulting from a brain injury or neurogenetic
disorder (i.e., tone deafness or congenital amusia) is examined. Different lines
of evidence converge in indicating that poor singing is not a monolithic
deficit. A variety of poor-singing "phenotypes" are described,
with or without concurrent perceptual deficits. In addition, particular
attention is paid to the dissociations between specific abilities in poor
singers (e.g., production of absolute vs. relative pitch, pitch vs. time
accuracy). Such diversity of impairments in poor singers can be traced to
different faulty mechanisms within the vocal sensorimotor loop, such as pitch
perception and sensorimotor integration
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