Self-control of task difficulty during training enhances motor learning of a complex coincidence-anticipation task

The aim of the present work was to analyze the influence of self-controlled task difficulty on motor learning. Participants had to intercept three targets falling at different velocities by displacing a stylus above a digitizer Task difficulty corresponded to racquet width. Half the participants (self-control condition) could choose the racquet width at the beginning of each trial. Each was paired with a participant from the yoked group. The self-control condition resulted in better performances and accuracy during immediate and delayed retention tests. These results confirm the advantage of a self-control condition on motor learning. They are discussed with reference to the challenge point hypothesis (Guadagnoli & Lee, 2004).     

Resistance and Endurance: Harriet,The Irishman,and Movies About Indigestible History

Two current biopic movies, Harriet and The Irishman, present the life stories of real people who have been involved with slavery and organized crime. These images contradict the virtuous image of America that is fundamental to our sense of national identity and patriotism. Could this contradiction lead to oppositional movements for social change?     

Early Adverse Experiences and Repeated Wheezing From 6 to 30 Months of Age: Investigating the Roles of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Functioning,Child Sex,and Caregiving Sensitivity

This study examined associations among early adversity, diurnal cortisol, child sex, and caregiver sensitivity at age 6 months in relation to wheezing in children (47% male) followed to 30 months. Analyses included 676 mother-child dyads, 393 of whom completed an observational caregiver sensitivity measure. Participants were primarily ethnic minorities (42.7% Black, 25.4% Hispanic); 22.1% of children had ≥ 1 wheezing episode. Higher adversity was associated with increased wheeze frequency and blunted diurnal cortisol slope. The indirect effect of adversity on wheezing through cortisol slope was significant for females, but not males. Higher caregiver sensitivity was protective against wheezing for males, but not females, with high cortisol. Findings suggest complex associations among adversity, cortisol, child sex, and caregiver sensitivity in predicting wheezing.     

科学博物馆与科学中心——演化路径与当代趋势

将科学博物馆、科学中心、探索中心等互动型科学博物馆与中心统称为科学博物馆与科学中心(简称为SMC)。在澄清SMC内涵的基础上,按SMC的展示理念变迁将其发展的三个历史阶段划分为:技术史展示阶段,展示现代科学和增强科学知识阶段,促进科学大众化与知识扩散阶段。并在公众与科学技术新的互动社会与环境下,指出SMC面临的挑战,提出SMC向第四个阶段,即注重科学技术与社会的关系和尊重公众的主动地位阶段演进的趋势。在科学与社会互动的语境中全面思考科学博物馆与科学中心的定位与演进趋势。