Globally, songs and instrumental melodies are slower, higher, and use more stable pitches than speech: a registered report

Both music and language are found in all known human societies, yet no studies have compared similarities and differences between song, speech, and instrumental music on a global scale. In this Registered Report, we analyzed two global datasets: (i) 300 annotated audio recordings representing matched sets of traditional songs, recited lyrics, conversational speech, and instrumental melodies from our 75 coauthors speaking 55 languages; and (ii) 418 previously published adult-directed song and speech recordings from 209 individuals speaking 16 languages. Of our six preregistered predictions, five were strongly supported: Relative to speech, songs use (i) higher pitch, (ii) slower temporal rate, and (iii) more stable pitches, while both songs and speech used similar (iv) pitch interval size and (v) timbral brightness. Exploratory analyses suggest that features vary along a “musi-linguistic” continuum when including instrumental melodies and recited lyrics. Our study provides strong empirical evidence of cross-cultural regularities in music and speech

Increased Anterior Pelvic Angle Characterizes the Gait of Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

<div><p>Background</p><p>Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently have motor problems. Previous studies have reported that the characteristic gait in children with ADHD is immature and that subjects demonstrate higher levels of variability in gait characteristics for the lower extremities than healthy controls. However, little is known about body movement during gait in children with ADHD. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristic body movements associated with ADHD symptoms in children with ADHD.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Using a three-dimensional motion analysis system, we compared gait variables in boys with ADHD (n = 19; mean age, 9.58 years) and boys with typical development (TD) (n = 21; mean age, 10.71 years) to determine the specific gait characteristics related to ADHD symptoms. We assessed spatiotemporal gait variables (i.e. speed, stride length, and cadence), and kinematic gait variables (i.e. angle of pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle) to measure body movement when walking at a self-selected pace.</p><p>Results</p><p>In comparison with the TD group, the ADHD group demonstrated significantly higher values in cadence (<i>t</i> = 3.33, <i>p</i> = 0.002) and anterior pelvic angle (<i>t</i> = 3.08, <i>p</i> = 0.004). In multiple regression analysis, anterior pelvic angle was associated with the ADHD rating scale hyperactive/impulsive scores (<i>β</i> = 0.62, <i>t</i> = 2.58, <i>p</i> = 0.025), but not other psychiatric symptoms in the ADHD group.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Our results suggest that anterior pelvic angle represents a specific gait variable related to ADHD symptoms. Our kinematic findings could have potential implications for evaluating the body movement in boys with ADHD.</p></div

Three-dimensional motion analysis system.

<p>The system is comprised of 10 strobe cameras mounted from the ceiling and four force plates placed in the middle of the walkway. The white circles represent 14 mm reflective markers according to the Plug-in-Gait marker set.</p

Partial correlation analysis of gait variables and ADHD rating scale.

<p>These show correlation between ADHD-RS and cadence (A), or pelvic angle (B) with FSIQ as covariate. Blue circle and solid line: TD group; Red circle and solid line: ADHD group; Black dotted line: all subjects.</p

Differences in gait variables between ADHD and TD groups.

<p>Differences in gait variables between ADHD and TD groups.</p

Demographic and clinical characteristics of ADHD and TD groups.

<p>Demographic and clinical characteristics of ADHD and TD groups.</p

Regression model statistics and coefficients of variables for anterior pelvic angle.

<p>Regression model statistics and coefficients of variables for anterior pelvic angle.</p

Schema for pelvic angle in sagittal angle during gait.

<p>A shows the pelvic angle. B shows the pelvic angle during gait. Ant: anterior; post: posterior.</p

DHA meta-analysis data

Percentage of DHA in total fatty acid were obtained from literatures. DHA contents in algae and consumers from marine and freshwater habitats were analyzed