Prenatal programming of sporting success: Associations of digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker for prenatal androgen action,with world rankings in female fencers

Abstract

Associations of the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker for prenatal androgen action, and of absolute finger length, a putative marker for pubertal–adolescent androgen action, with sport performance were examined in a multinational sample of 87 world-class women épée fencers. Lower (masculinized) digit ratios correlated, although not significantly so, with better current and highest past world rankings. These correlations were significant for right-hand 2D:4D with controls for the most salient factors for 2D:4D (ethnicity) and world rankings (years of international experience, height, and weight). Longer (masculinized) fingers correlated strongly with better current and highest past world rankings; these correlations became insignificant with the same controls. Replicating previous evidence for fencers, left-handedness was much more prevalent in this sample (21%) than in the female general population, and left-handers had somewhat, but not significantly so, lower 2D:4D as well as better world rankings than right-handers. These findings extend related evidence suggestive of prenatal programming of aptitude across a variety of sports, especially running and soccer. Some known extragenital effects of prenatal testosterone that contribute to the development of efficient cardiovascular systems, good visuospatial abilities, physical endurance and speed, and to the propensity for rough-and-tumble play, apparently promote sporting success in adult life.     

Effects of social isolation and crowding upon active-avoidance performance in the rat

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats reared in social isolation and in crowded conditions were tested on their active-avoidance performance. Only males appeared to be affected by the treatments; no housing-condition effect was found on the performance of females. The most severe housing-condition effect was that of social isolation; the isolated males showed impaired acquisition of the avoidance response. We have previously reported diminished adrenocortical flexibility in male isolates, which might account for the present results. A possible failure of the inhibition mechanisms of isolates is also taken into account.     

The social condition of higher education: globalisation and (beyond) regionalisation in Latin America

This article aims to discuss the relationship between higher education (HE), globalisation and regionalism projects focusing on HE in Latin America and Brazil. It is claimed that HE has predominantly taken the diverse, yet concerted and co-ordinated routes of globalisation and regionalisation and, by doing so, been profoundly transformed. The first section considers a set of theoretical categories in relation to the phenomena of globalisation and regionalisation. The second section analyses the global and regional dimensions of HE in Latin America, exploring: (1) the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR), along with the processes and mechanisms put into place to settle MERCOSUR's Educative Sector. It is argued that despite the political relevance of this regional project, its major developments are still harbouring important but preliminary preparations for future regional positioning and empowerment; (2) it is argued that the commodification, privatisation and ‘marketisation’ of HE, having occupied the centre stage in determined nations of the world, have become the founding conditions of a global market in HE; and (3) the Brazilian HE policies are examined in order to develop an argument about the decisive role played by national government in promoting and adjusting the process of globalisation and the regionalism project for HE.     

Review by (non)peers as an opportunity for learning: a case study on the editorial process of papers by junior researchers / La revisión por (im)pares como instancia de aprendizaje: un estudio de casos del proceso editorial de artículos de investigadoras noveles

Abstract

We analysed the editorial process of the four articles authored by junior researchers published in the special issue The peer review process as an opportunity for learning. Our aims were to study the unfolding of the main critiques and suggestions made by reviewers in the different review rounds, as well as to explore how both authors and reviewers experienced and valued the review process. Data sources include all review reports and letters where the authors explained the changes made, and questionnaires completed by all the authors and some reviewers. The most commonly identified critiques in the reports were related to content selection and elaboration (coherence and relevance), the own author’s voice (critical positioning and caution) and attention to the reader (precision and consistency in terms and concepts, methodological clarity, writing style, legibility and formal adequacy). All four authors stated that being part of this process was rewarding and educational, highlighting the development of academic writing skills. Some reviewers emphasized the importance of reading other reviewers’ reports. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of providing junior researchers with resources that support them in communicating their research to the academic community.     

Investigaciones sobre los efectos de la institucionalización en los retrasados mentales

Resumen

La revisión bibliográfica de estudios comparativos y longitudinales de niños, normales y retrasados mentales, en instituciones y en familias, no presta mucho apoyo a la idea tradicional de que la institucionalización como tal, por sí misma y en si misma, trae consigo ciertos males duraderos e irreparables en la evolución de la personalidad del niño. Con todo, tales estudios presentan serias limitaciones y no ban explorado más que ciertos géneros de conducta social y adaptativa, por lo que se sugiere la necesidad de estudios empíricos más amplios que, con parecida metodología, pongan a prueba categorías clínicas más amplias acerca de los posibles trastornos de personalidad y/o del aprendizaje.     

La conceptualización de la vida social escolar

Resumen

El objetivo de este estudio era indagar a qué tipos de conceptos recurren los preadolescentes cuando razonan sobre sucesos ordinarios de la vida social escolar. Brinda trasfondo teórico a la investigación la hipótesis de los dominios de juicio social formulada por Elliot Turiel. Se mantuvo una entrevista de inspiración clínica con 96 alumnos de entre 10 y 16 años, distribuidos en tres grupos de edad. Como estímulos se presentaron cinco episodios representados en tiras de comics. El análisis de los resultados, más cualitativo que cuantitativo, permite detectar la complejidad conceptual de los episodios de la vida ordinaria y la pluralidad de categorías que conforman el conocimiento social; se clarifica también la entidad epistemológica de algunas nociones sociales a la par que algunos cambios de pensamiento asociados con la edad. Se apuntan, por fin, aquellas claves teóricas cuya profundización permitirá acercarse más al sujeto pensante real.     

Training Alone Is Not Enough

Improving healthcare services in the developing world remains a major goal for many organizations and despite enormous training and program investments from international organizations, service improvements have been modest. This study looks at how to improve results by examining the relationship between the conditions in a healthcare providers' work environment and his or her performance. Drawing upon a human performance model that assumes that performance expectations, timely feedback, adequate environment, incentives, and skills and knowledge are required for a worker to perform well, this study explores how these conditions might affect healthcare provider performance in four countries. The study successfully shows that although multiple conditions were deficient or missing in every country, significant association is found between the performance of workers and conditions in the workers environment. Further, when viewed across all countries, non‐monetary incentives is the most powerful “predictor‘ of performance when compared with other factors. Of particular interest to Performance Improvement practitioners, knowledge and skills surfaced as important in only three of eight possible cases (with multiple cases in each country)—the least influential factor overall.     

Effects of AM3 (Inmunoferon) on increased serum concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor receptors I and II in cyclists

The aims of this study were to examine the changes in plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines induced by training and competition in professional cyclists. We report the serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), tumour necrosis factor receptors I and II (TNFR-I and -II) in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial involving the administration of AM3 (Inmunoferon), an oral booster immunomodulator, or placebo to 16 professional cyclists (n = 8 in each group) for 65 consecutive days. Serum was collected just before treatment began (baseline), at the end of pre-competition training, before the mountain stage of the competition (60 days), 4 h after finishing this stage (62 days), and 18 h after the fifth and last day of competition (65 days). To determine the normal levels of cytokines and soluble TNF receptors, individual samples from 14 moderately trained healthy controls were studied. After 60 days of training, the serum concentrations of IL-6 did not differ significantly from those at the beginning of the study for either group of cyclists (placebo and AM3). A significant rise was seen in IL-6 concentrations in both the AM3 and placebo groups at 62 days, 4 h after finishing the mountain stage. The increase was significantly greater in the placebo group than in the AM3 group. At 65 days of treatment, 18 h after the fifth and last day of competition, IL-6 concentrations were similar to those recorded at the end of the training, but were significantly higher in the placebo group than in the AM3 group. At the end of training, serum TNFR-I concentrations in both groups of cyclists were significantly lower than at baseline. The concentrations of serum TNFR-I and -II both 4 h after finishing the mountain stage and 18 h after the fifth and last day of competition were significantly higher than those recorded after training in both groups. Professional cycling competition is associated with increases in serum IL-6 and TNFR-I and -II concentrations. Inmunoferon treatment reduced significantly the concentrations of IL-6 but not those of TNFR-I and -II.     

Conceptualizing sound as a form of incarnate mathematical consciousness

Much of the evidence provided in support of the argument that mathematical knowing is embodied/enacted is based on the analysis of gestures and bodily configurations, and, to a lesser extent, on certain vocal features (e.g., prosody). However, there are dimensions involved in the emergence of mathematical knowing and the production of mathematical communication that have not yet been investigated. The purpose of this article is to theorize one of these dimensions, which we call incarnate sonorous consciousness. Drawing on microanalyses of two exemplary episodes in which a group of third graders are sorting geometric solids, we show how sound has the potential to mark mathematical similarities and distinctions. These “audible” similarities and distinctions, which may be produced by incarnate dimensions such as beat gestures and prosody, allow children to objectify certain geometrical properties of the objects with which they transact. Moreover, the analysis shows that sonorous production is intertwined with other dimensions of students’ bodily activity. These findings are interpreted according to the “theory of mathematics in the flesh,” an alternative to current embodiment/enactivist theories in mathematics education.