The relationship between exercise and executive function in individuals with Down syndrome

Executive function is a set of processes that are responsible for organizing and controlling goal oriented behavior, especially in novel situations (Banich, 2009) and there is mounting evidence that exercise improves executive function. It is also a known deficit in individuals with Down syndrome. The current study investigated if there is a relationship between exercise and executive function in Down syndrome. Participants were children and adults ages 6-18 who have previously been diagnosed with Down syndrome. We found no relationship between exercise and executive function, but many important descriptive findings emerged from the study. Specifically, the current study includes novel information related to average steps per day in a population in Down syndrome, replicated the executive function profile found in previous research, and contributes many important methodological suggestions for future studies investigating the relationship between exercise and executive function in Down syndrome. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Legitimising male grooming through packaging discourse:a linguistic analysis

While packaging is a common marketing subject, this illustration paper provides an alternative perspective through the linguistic examination of packaging as discourse, focusing on male grooming, masculinity and metrosexuality. Male grooming is often perceived as trespassing into feminine space and creating ambiguity in gender borders. This study aims to explore how packaging designers negotiate masculinity, in order to persuade men to accept grooming products through social interactions within the packaging of L’Oréal Men Expert. Employing Scollon’s mediated discourse analysis and incorporating the Barthesian order of signification, the study analyses how different social actions within the packaging discourse are mediated by multimodal features. The findings reveal five negotiating strategies, i.e. constructing a hegemonic masculine image; negotiating (a masculinised) metrosexuality; empowering men; giving men a logical reason to groom; and a different portrayal of skincare products. The key aim of this paper is to illustrate the differences between marketing and linguistics and propose possible collaboration