Estudio correlacional entre habilidades matemáticas y memoria y control inhibitorio en Educación Infantil

XVIII Jornades de Foment de la Investigació de la Facultat de Ciències Humanes i Socials (Any 2013)Algunas investigaciones apuntan que las funciones ejecutivas tienen una relación directa con los futuros aprendizajes matemáticos (Geary, Hoard y Nugent, 2012, Miranda et al., 2012, Toll et al., 2011). Es por ello que este estudio pretende analizar dicha relación en niños que cursaban 3 curso del segundo ciclo de educación infantil de la provincia de Castellón. Se utilizaron como método evaluador test clínicos, Tedi-Math (Grégoire, Noël y Van Nieuwenhoven, 2005) para evaluar habilidades matemáticas, Sun-Moon Stroop (Archibald y Kerns, 1999), una subprueba del NEPSY-II (golpeteo, Korkman, Kirk y Kemp, 2007) para control inhibitorio y de memoria cuatro subpruebas extraídas de Pickering, Baqués y Gathercole (1999, dígitos directos, dígitos inversos, conteo y laberintos) y Odd-One- Out (Henry y MacLean, 2003). Las correlaciones son estadísticamente significativas para la mayoría de los casos. Parece que las correlaciones de memoria de trabajo y habilidades matemáticas son significativas en mayor medida que las de control inhibitorio. Sólo una de las dos pruebas de inhibición tiene correlaciones similares a las de la memoria. Concluyo que las puntuaciones obtenidas en habilidades matemáticas son mayores cuanto más grande es la capacidad memorística e inhibitoria

Competencias matemáticas y funcionamiento ejecutivo en preescolar: Evaluación clínica y ecológica

This study compares the relationship between executive functioning, analyzed with clinical and ecological tests, and math skills in preschoolers. The children (255 children 5 to 6 years old) were evaluated using neuropsychological tests of inhibition, and working memory and the TEDI-MATH to estimate basic mathematical skills. The ecological evaluation of the executive functioning by the parents and teachers was carried out with the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Compared to the ecological ratings, the neuropsychological measures show more correlations with math skills and a greater predictive capacity. The teachers’ BRIEF results were superior to those of the parents. In all cases, working memory is the process that shows the greatest predictive power.Este estudio compara la relación entre el funcionamiento ejecutivo, analizado a través de pruebas clínicas y ecológicas, y la competencia matemática en preescolares. La evaluación de los niños (255 de 5 y 6 años) incluía pruebas neuropsicológicas de inhibición y memoria de trabajo, y el TEDI-MATH para estimar las habilidades matemáticas básicas. La valoración ecológica del funcionamiento ejecutivo a través de los padres y maestros se realizó mediante el Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). En comparación con las estimaciones ecológicas, las medidas neuropsicológicas muestran más correlaciones con las competencias matemáticas y una mayor capacidad predictiva. Los resultados del BRIEF de los profesores han demostrado ser superiores a los de los padres. En todos los casos, la memoria de trabajo es el proceso que mayor poder predictivo manifiesta.Este trabajo está financiado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (EDU2012-37452) y la Universidad Jaume I (beca pre-doctoral 2I005-PREDOC/2013/34)

Comorbidity between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and reading disabilities: implications for assessment and treatment

Comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reading disabilities (RD) is greater than what would occur by chance. Considering the well-documented adverse impact of both ADHD and RD on development, the presence of both conditions may lead to particularly poor outcomes for affected people. This chapter, which reviews 43 research studies carried out in the last decade that have focused on the link between ADHD and RD, is divided into two broad nuclei of contents. First, studies are described that contribute information about characteristics of the comorbid phenotype. Second, studies related to procedures directed toward evaluation and intervention in this problem are analyzed. The review carried out does not make it possible to extract definitive results on the exact nature of ADHD and RD comorbidity or, even less, reach conclusions about its causes. However, the literature-based evidence shows a cognitive profile of ADHD+RD characterized by failure of various functions that can produce more severe functional deficits and worse neuropsychological, academic, and behavioral outcomes. Furthermore, the analysis of the set of results from the studies shows a limited efficacy of pharmacological and psychopedagogical treatments, and highlights the need for continued research on this topic. From a clinical and educational standpoint, the conclusions derived from this review underline the importance of performing an exhaustive evaluation of children and adolescents with symptoms of ADHD and/or RD, in order to be able to plan interventions with greater possibilities of success in each cas

Funcionamiento ejecutivo y rendimiento matemático: un estudio longitudinal

El objetivo del presente estudio longitudinal consistió en examinar el poder predictivo de las funciones ejecutivas de inhibición y memoria de trabajo (MT) evaluadas en Educación Infantil (T1) sobre los aspectos formales e informales del rendimiento matemático en 2º de Educación Primaria (T2). La muestra inicial estuvo conformada por 209 preescolares de 5 a 6 años, de los que un 86.12 % de los sujetos volvieron a ser evaluados en el T2 (7-8 años). En el T1, se administraron seis tareas neuropsicológicas relacionadas con las funciones ejecutivas de inhibición y MT verbal y visoespacial. En el T2, se aplicó la batería TEMA-3 (Gingsburg y Baroody, 2003) para evaluar diferentes aspectos relacionados con el rendimiento matemático. Los resultados mostraron que 5 de las 6 tareas aplicadas en Educación Infantil son capaces de predecir el rendimiento matemático posterior, con un especial peso de la MT verbal. Se comentan las implicaciones de estos hallazgos para la investigación y la práctica psicoeducativa.This longitudinal study aimed to analyze the predictive power of the executive functions of inhibition and working memory (WM) assessed at Kindergarten (T1) on the formal and informal aspects of the mathematical performance in 2nd grade of Primary School (T2). The initial sample consisted of 209 preschool children of 5-6 years old. The 86.12% of this sample was re-evaluated in the T2 (7-8 years). In the T1 six neuropsychological tasks related to the executive functions of inhibition and verbal and visuospatial WM were administered. In T2, the test TEMA-3 (Ginsburg & Baroody, 2003) was used to assess different aspects of math performance. The results showed that 5 of the 6 tasks applied in kindergarten are able to predict later math achievement, with a special weight of the verbal WM function. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.El presente trabajo ha sido financiado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (EDU2012-37452) y la Universitat Jaume I de Castellón (beca pre-doctoral; 2I005-PREDOC/ 2013/34)

Motivación y estilo atribucional sobre el rendimiento académico en Educación Infantil

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo examinar el poder predictivo de variables del sistema motivacional sobre las habilidades iniciales de lectura y matemáticas en una muestra de niños de Educación Infantil. Participaron 209 preescolares (5-6 años) y sus maestros. Se evaluaron las habilidades matemáticas de conteo, conocimiento de los números, cálculo y resolución de problemas. Para determinar el rendimiento en lectura se administraron tareas de identificación de letras y de lectura de palabras. Respecto al sistema motivacional, se analizaron las variables de competencia-motivación, atención-persistencia y actitud hacia el aprendizaje, así como las dimensiones de internalidad, globalidad y estabilidad del estilo atribucional. Los resultados indican que la variable competencia- motivación resultó un predictor significativo de todas las aptitudes lectoras y de la mayoría de las habilidades matemáticas analizadas. La dimensión atención-persistencia predijo todas las habilidades matemáticas. Por último, la internalidad y la estabilidad ante eventos positivos predijeron la habilidad para resolver problemas matemáticos. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la importancia de la motivación sobre los aprendizajes instrumentales iniciales. Se resalta la importancia de desarrollar y reforzar desde la escuela competencias motivacionales adecuadas desde los primeros años, dada su repercusión en la adquisición temprana de la lectura y de las matemáticas.This study aims to examine the predictive power of the motivational system variables on initial reading and math skills in a sample of preschool children. Participants were 209 preschoolers (5-6 years) and their teachers. Regarding mathematical domain, counting skills, number knowledge, cal culation and problem solving were evaluated. To determine performance in reading, letter identification and word reading tasks were administered. Concerning the motivational system, competence- motivation, attention-persistence and attitude toward learning variables, as well as the dimensions of internality, globality and stability of attributional style were analyzed. The results indicate that competence-motivation variable was a significant predictor of all reading skills and the most of math skills analyzed. Attention-persistence dimension predicted all mathematical skills. Finally, internality and stability in positive events predicted ability to solve mathematical problems. The results highlight the importance of motivation on initial instrumental learning. The importance of developing and strengthening motivational skills from school right from the early years is highlighted, given their impact on the early acquisition of reading and mathematics.peerReviewe

Efectos sobre el contexto familiar de una intervención psicosocial compleja en niños con TDAH

The attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder has a complex negative impact on the family system that has not been thoroughly examined. This study analyzes the effects of psychosocial treatment on a wide range of aspects of family dynamics, such as to what degree the families overcome the difficulties they experience in the social and economic areas, improvements in the feelings and attitudes of the parents, or the tension between siblings or the within the couple. The purpose is also to analyze whether the presence of associated behavioral problems modulates the effects of the intervention. The participants in the study were 42 families divided into two groups, with and without treatment. The intervention included 3 programs differentiated according to the context in which they were implemented: directly with the children, with the parents and with the teachers. Each program included techniques of behavior modification, self-regulation, academic accommodations and social skills. The results show the beneficial effect of the multi-component intervention performed on all the family aspects analyzed, especially for the group of children without associated behavior problems.El trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad ejerce una compleja influencia negativa sobre el sistema familiar pocas veces investigada. Este trabajo analiza los efectos del tratamiento psicosocial sobre aspectos amplios de la dinámica familiar, como el grado de superación de las dificultades que las familias experimentan en el plano social y económico, las mejoras en los sentimientos y actitudes de los padres, o la tensión entre los hermanos o la propia pareja. Se pretende analizar también si la presencia de problemas de conducta asociados modula los resultados de la intervención. Participaron en el estudio un total de 42 familias distribuidas en dos grupos, con y sin tratamiento. La intervención comprendió 3 programas diferenciados en función del contexto en el que se implementan: directamente con los niños, con los padres y con los profesores. Incluyó técnicas de modificación de conducta, autorregulación, acomodaciones académicas y habilidades sociales. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto el efecto beneficioso de la intervención multicomponente implementada, sobre todo para el grupo de niños sin problemas de conducta asociados

Intraoperative transfusion practices in Europe

Transfusion of allogeneic blood influences outcome after surgery. Despite widespread availability of transfusion guidelines, transfusion practices might vary among physicians, departments, hospitals and countries. Our aim was to determine the amount of packed red blood cells (pRBC) and blood products transfused intraoperatively, and to describe factors determining transfusion throughout Europe. We did a prospective observational cohort study enrolling 5803 patients in 126 European centres that received at least one pRBC unit intraoperatively, during a continuous three month period in 2013. The overall intraoperative transfusion rate was 1.8%; 59% of transfusions were at least partially initiated as a result of a physiological transfusion trigger- mostly because of hypotension (55.4%) and/or tachycardia (30.7%). Haemoglobin (Hb)- based transfusion trigger alone initiated only 8.5% of transfusions. The Hb concentration [mean (sd)] just before transfusion was 8.1 (1.7) g dl and increased to 9.8 (1.8) g dl after transfusion. The mean number of intraoperatively transfused pRBC units was 2.5 (2.7) units (median 2). Although European Society of Anaesthesiology transfusion guidelines are moderately implemented in Europe with respect to Hb threshold for transfusion (7-9 g dl), there is still an urgent need for further educational efforts that focus on the number of pRBC units to be transfused at this threshold

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Intraoperative transfusion practices in Europe

© 2016 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia.Background: Transfusion of allogeneic blood influences outcome after surgery. Despite widespread availability of transfusion guidelines, transfusion practices might vary among physicians, departments, hospitals and countries. Our aim was to determine the amount of packed red blood cells (pRBC) and blood products transfused intraoperatively, and to describe factors determining transfusion throughout Europe. Methods: We did a prospective observational cohort study enrolling 5803 patients in 126 European centres that received at least one pRBC unit intraoperatively, during a continuous three month period in 2013. Results: The overall intraoperative transfusion rate was 1.8%; 59% of transfusions were at least partially initiated as a result of a physiological transfusion trigger- mostly because of hypotension (55.4%) and/or tachycardia (30.7%). Haemoglobin (Hb)- based transfusion trigger alone initiated only 8.5% of transfusions. The Hb concentration [mean (sd)] just before transfusion was 8.1 (1.7) g dl-1 and increased to 9.8 (1.8) g dl-1 after transfusion. The mean number of intraoperatively transfused pRBC units was 2.5 (2.7) units (median 2). Conclusions: Although European Society of Anaesthesiology transfusion guidelines are moderately implemented in Europe with respect to Hb threshold for transfusion (7-9 g dl-1), there is still an urgent need for further educational efforts that focus on the number of pRBC units to be transfused at this threshold

Mortality after surgery in Europe: a 7 day cohort study

Background: Clinical outcomes after major surgery are poorly described at the national level. Evidence of heterogeneity between hospitals and health-care systems suggests potential to improve care for patients but this potential remains unconfirmed. The European Surgical Outcomes Study was an international study designed to assess outcomes after non-cardiac surgery in Europe.Methods: We did this 7 day cohort study between April 4 and April 11, 2011. We collected data describing consecutive patients aged 16 years and older undergoing inpatient non-cardiac surgery in 498 hospitals across 28 European nations. Patients were followed up for a maximum of 60 days. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcome measures were duration of hospital stay and admission to critical care. We used χ² and Fisher’s exact tests to compare categorical variables and the t test or the Mann-Whitney U test to compare continuous variables. Significance was set at p<0·05. We constructed multilevel logistic regression models to adjust for the differences in mortality rates between countries.Findings: We included 46 539 patients, of whom 1855 (4%) died before hospital discharge. 3599 (8%) patients were admitted to critical care after surgery with a median length of stay of 1·2 days (IQR 0·9–3·6). 1358 (73%) patients who died were not admitted to critical care at any stage after surgery. Crude mortality rates varied widely between countries (from 1·2% [95% CI 0·0–3·0] for Iceland to 21·5% [16·9–26·2] for Latvia). After adjustment for confounding variables, important differences remained between countries when compared with the UK, the country with the largest dataset (OR range from 0·44 [95% CI 0·19 1·05; p=0·06] for Finland to 6·92 [2·37–20·27; p=0·0004] for Poland).Interpretation: The mortality rate for patients undergoing inpatient non-cardiac surgery was higher than anticipated. Variations in mortality between countries suggest the need for national and international strategies to improve care for this group of patients.Funding: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, European Society of Anaesthesiology