Exploring the Relationship between Physical Activity and Executive Function in Early Childhood Populations: An Investigation of Maternal Encouragement of Activity

Researchers have found positive associations between physical activity and executive function in adolescence and adulthood. However, research in early childhood has revealed only negative relationships. In the present study, I explored whether maternal encouragement of physical activity might moderate this relationship in very young children. Using video recordings from an archival dataset, eight maternal encouragement measures were derived from mother-child free play sessions. Although it was expected that maternal encouragement of child activity would broadly play a moderating role in the relationship between children’s physical activity and their executive function, only maternal questions seemed to moderate this relationship. One explanation for these overarching null findings is that maternal encouragement of physical activity may not have a moderating effect until later, such as when children are well on their way into language. Future efforts to explore the impacts of physical activity on executive function may benefit from experimental approaches

A Tactful Conceptualization of Joint Attention: Joint Haptic Attention and Language Development

Research investigating associations between joint attention and language development have thus far only investigated joint attention by way of visual perceptions while neglecting the potential effects of joint attention engaged through other sensory modalities. In the present study, I aimed to investigate the joint attention-language development relationship by investigating the possible links between joint haptic attention and language development, while also exploring the likely contributions of joint visual attention through a mediation analysis. Using video recordings from an archival dataset, measures of joint haptic attention and joint visual attention were derived from behavioral tasks, and measures of vocabulary development were attained from a caregiver reported measure. Analyses revealed that joint haptic attention was associated with joint visual attention, and that joint visual attention was related to language development; however, there were no significant associations between joint haptic attention and language development. Study limitations, future directions, and conclusions are discussed

Associations of Near-Surface Soil Moisture and Annual Plant Community Dynamics

Invasive species have become an increasingly large concern, particularly in already degraded ecosystems, such as sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)-steppe of the Intermountain West. Much of this ecosystem is already infested with large cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) stands and is potentially at risk for future invasions depending on biotic and abiotic conditions. In these ecosystems, the existing vegetation, whether native or non-native, may not effectively utilize the soil moisture resources in the upper portion of the soil, termed the growth pool. If the existing vegetation does not effectively utilize moisture in the growth pool, an open resource is left for the establishment of other plants, including invasives. Through a combination of soil moisture modeling and observational studies, we identified three potential invasion pathways, particularly by annual plants, into a cheatgrass-dominated system, all consistent with the fluctuating resource hypothesis, and all resulting from an available water resource in the growth pool. Results suggest these arid and semi-arid systems are likely to be protected from novel invasive species by complete utilization of growth pool soil water resources by any existing vegetation, whether native or non-native. Our results also suggest the same features which make the site more prone to novel annual invaders may also be useful in guiding establishment of desired vegetation during restoration efforts

Autism and the U.K. secondary school experience

This research investigated the self-reported mainstream school experiences of those diagnosed on the autistic spectrum compared with the typically developing school population. Existing literature identifies four key areas that affect the quality of the school experience for students with autism: social skills, perceived relationships with teaching staff, general school functioning, and interpersonal strengths of the young person. These areas were explored in a mainstream U.K. secondary school with 14 students with autism and 14 age and gender matched students without autism, using self-report questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analyses showed consistent school experiences for both groups, although content analysis of interview data highlighted some differences in the ways in which the groups perceive group work, peers, and teaching staff within school. Implications for school inclusion are discussed, drawing attention to how staff awareness of autism could improve school experience and success for students with autism attending mainstream schools

Star Clusters in M 31. IV. A Comparative Analysis of Absorption Line Indices in Old M 31 and Milky Way Clusters

We present absorption line indices measured in the integrated spectra of globular clusters both from the Galaxy and from M 31. Our samples include 41 Galactic globular clusters, and more than 300 clusters in M 31. The conversion of instrumental equivalent widths into the Lick system is described, and zero-point uncertainties are provided. Comparison of line indices of old M 31 clusters and Galactic globular clusters suggests an absence of important differences in chemical composition between the two cluster systems. In particular, CN indices in the spectra of M 31 and Galactic clusters are essentially consistent with each other, in disagreement with several previous works. We reanalyze some of the previous data, and conclude that reported CN differences between M 31 and Galactic clusters were mostly due to data calibration uncertainties. Our data support the conclusion that the chemical compositions of Milky Way and M 31 globular clusters are not substantially different, and that there is no need to resort to enhanced nitrogen abundances to account for the optical spectra of M 31 globular clusters.Comment: 72 pages, including 15 figures and 14 tables. Published by the Astronomical Journa

Investigating the physical properties of transiting hot Jupiters with the 1.5-m Kuiper Telescope

We present new photometric data of 11 hot Jupiter transiting exoplanets (CoRoT-12b, HAT-P-5b, HAT-P-12b, HAT-P-33b, HAT-P-37b, WASP-2b, WASP-24b, WASP-60b, WASP-80b, WASP-103b, XO-3b) in order to update their planetary parameters and to constrain information about their atmospheres. These observations of CoRoT-12b, HAT-P-37b and WASP-60b are the first follow-up data since their discovery. Additionally, the first near-UV transits of WASP-80b and WASP-103b are presented. We compare the results of our analysis with previous work to search for transit timing variations (TTVs) and a wavelength dependence in the transit depth. TTVs may be evidence of a third body in the system and variations in planetary radius with wavelength can help constrain the properties of the exoplanet's atmosphere. For WASP-103b and XO-3b, we find a possible variation in the transit depths that may be evidence of scattering in their atmospheres. The B-band transit depth of HAT-P-37b is found to be smaller than its near-IR transit depth and such a variation may indicate TiO/VO absorption. These variations are detected from 2-4.6$\sigma$, so follow-up observations are needed to confirm these results. Additionally, a flat spectrum across optical wavelengths is found for 5 of the planets (HAT-P-5b, HAT-P-12b, WASP-2b, WASP-24b, WASP-80b), suggestive that clouds may be present in their atmospheres. We calculate a refined orbital period and ephemeris for all the targets, which will help with future observations. No TTVs are seen in our analysis with the exception of WASP-80b and follow-up observations are needed to confirm this possible detection.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, 9 Tables. Light Curves available online. Accepted to MNRAS (2017 August 25

Effects and Implications of Wearing a Face Mask on Cardiopulmonary Performance During Exercise

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted the use of a face mask (FM) to minimize the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. The use of an FM being an accepted precautionary measure to reduce viral transmission, there is a need for examining the physiological effects of wearing an FM, specifically during exercise. PURPOSE: To assess the impact of wearing a surgical FM on cardiopulmonary parameters and exercise performance. METHODS: Nine males and 9 females (age = 21.6 ± 2.5 yrs; BMI = 24.4 ± 3.1 kg/m2) participated in 2 laboratory visits where they completed a graded maximal exercise test using a modified Bruce Protocol. Participants were randomized to which laboratory visit they would complete first, with face mask (WFM) or without face mask (WOFM), which were performed at least 48 hours apart. Expired gases, blood pressure, heart rate, blood O2 saturation including perfusion index, and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were measured and compared between the WFM and WOFM trials at 6 different intensities (rest, 40%, 55%, 70%, 80%, and 100% VO2max), using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in VO2 (p = 0.001 and n2 = 0.73) between the WFM (38.5 ± 6.8 mL/kg/min) and WOFM (44.3 ± 7.4 mL/kg/min) trials only at the 100% VO2max intensity, where significantly lower values were also found during the WFM trial for respiratory rate (40.0 ± 6.8 vs 47.8 ± 8.9 bpm, p = 0.001, n2 = 0.62), respiratory exchange ratio (1.07 ± 0.08 vs 1.14 ± 0.64, p = 0.001, n2 = 0.52), and the partial pressure of expired oxygen (125.7 ± 3.5 vs 129.4 ± 3.1 mmHg, p = 0.0001, n2 = 0.54). In contrast, the partial pressure of expired carbon dioxide (32.8 ± 3.1 vs 30.8 ± 3.3 mmHg, p = 0.01, n2 = 0.33) was significantly higher during the WFM trial only at 100% VO2max intensity. No other parameters significantly differed at any of the intensities. CONCLUSION: Oxygen consumption was lower with face masks only as participants advanced from 80% to maximal effort. Notably, participants had a slower respiratory rate and exhaled a higher concentration of carbon dioxide with face masks. This result suggests that expired carbon dioxide accumulated under the face masks and participants subsequently rebreathed this expired carbon dioxide. There is no evidence that suggests exercise below 80% of VO2max while wearing face masks will cause any concerning changes in cardiopulmonary parameters. However, it is recommended that future studies examine how different types of face masks may affect cardiopulmonary function during exercise in a variety of subject populations

Chronic Benzene Exposure Aggravates Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction

Benzene is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant abundant in household products, petrochemicals, and cigarette smoke. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen in humans and experimental animals; however, little is known about the cardiovascular toxicity of benzene. Recent population-based studies indicate that benzene exposure is associated with an increased risk for heart failure. Nonetheless, it is unclear whether benzene exposure is sufficient to induce and/or exacerbate heart failure. We examined the effects of benzene (50 ppm, 6 h/day, 5 days/week, and 6 weeks) or high-efficiency particulate absorbing-filtered air exposure on transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced pressure overload in male C57BL/6J mice. Our data show that benzene exposure had no effect on cardiac function in the Sham group; however, it significantly compromised cardiac function as depicted by a significant decrease in fractional shortening and ejection fraction, as compared with TAC/Air-exposed mice. RNA-seq analysis of the cardiac tissue from the TAC/benzene-exposed mice showed a significant increase in several genes associated with adhesion molecules, cell-cell adhesion, inflammation, and stress response. In particular, neutrophils were implicated in our unbiased analyses. Indeed, immunofluorescence studies showed that TAC/benzene exposure promotes infiltration of CD11b(+)/S100A8(+)/myeloperoxidase(+)-positive neutrophils in the hearts by 3-fold. In vitro, the benzene metabolites, hydroquinone, and catechol, induced the expression of P-selectin in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells by 5-fold and increased the adhesion of neutrophils to these endothelial cells by 1.5- to 2.0-fold. Benzene metabolite-induced adhesion of neutrophils to the endothelial cells was attenuated by anti-P-selectin antibody. Together, these data suggest that benzene exacerbates heart failure by promoting endothelial activation and neutrophil recruitment