Object permanence in four species of psittacine birds: An African Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), an Illiger mini macaw (Ara maracana), a parakeet (Melopsittacus undulatus), and a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Four psittacids—an African Grey parrot, an Illiger macaw, a cockatiel, and a parakeet—were tested on object-permanence tasks that are commonly used to assess levels of understanding in human infants during their first 2 years. These birds showed Stage 6 competence, demonstrating that object permanence is not limited to mammals. The results for these birds were comparable to those of an African Grey parrot that had been trained in interspecies communication prior to object-permanence testing. Our findings thus suggest that although language-like behavior provides a communication channel that facilitates testing, such language training is unlikely to affect the outcome of the tests.     

Fatness and fitness in relation to functional movement quality in overweight and obese children

This study aimed to investigate the independent and combined associations between several fatness indicators and fitness components with functional movement quality in overweight/obese children. A total of 56 children (33 girls, aged 8–12) classified as overweight/obese according to the World Obesity Federation standard cut points, participated in this study. Participants underwent assessments of fatness [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and bioelectrical impedance measures], fitness [1 repetition maximum bench and leg press, and ALPHA test battery], and functional movement quality [4 tests from Functional Movement Screen ^TM (FMS)]. All fatness outcomes, except waist circumference, were negatively associated with total FMS score, after controlling for cardiorespiratory fitness. Cardiorespiratory fitness, lower limbs muscle strength, and speed-agility were positively associated with the total FMS score, regardless of BMI. Our results suggest that children with greater fatness indicators demonstrate lower functional movement quality independently of their fitness level, whereas children with better fitness level (i.e. cardiorespiratory fitness, lower limbs muscular strength, and speed-agility) demonstrate greater functional movement quality independently of their fatness level. However, children´s weight status seems to be more determinant than their fitness level in terms of functional movement quality, whereas being fit seems to moderately attenuate the negative influence of fatness.     

Movement concepts approach in studies on flamenco dancing: A systematic review

Background: Flamenco is a highly emotional and demanding dance form. It is important to understand how the dancer’s body works in order to improve fitness levels and reduce injuries. Thus, our investigation reviewed studies on kinesiological aspects of flamenco over recent years. Methods: The review was restricted to experimental studies. Literature searches were conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Ebsco: SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Medline, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Health Source – Consumer Edition. After limiting the search, 180 potential articles remained for analysis. Results: A total of 27 papers on different aspects of flamenco dance were finally selected: biomechanics (14), podiatry (6), injury incidence (3), anthropometry (2), and physiology (2). These studies have applied well-established methods from sports studies. However, we noted a number of potential limitations when applied to flamenco. Conclusions: The evidence from this review shows that flamenco dancing demands high levels of effort. Further research is required to understand how the dancer’s body works in order to improve fitness levels and reduce injuries. Most of the results presented here are consistent among studies. However, there is a great scarcity of research addressing flamenco movement in a more comprehensive perspective.     

Activity-related typologies and longitudinal change in physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents: The UP&DOWN Study

Background: Children and adolescents can be distinguished by different typologies (clusters) of physical activity and sedentary behavior. How physical activity ...     

A new family of high viscosity polymeric dispersions for cleaning easel paintings

The procedures for making and applying a new family of high viscosity aqueous polymeric dispersions based on poly(vinyl alcohol)-borax (PVA-borax) matrices are presented. A specific system of this type has been used to remove an oxidized varnish coating from the surface of “Coronation of the Virgin with Saints”, a 15th century egg tempera painting on wood by Neri di Bicci (Florence, 1418–1492). FTIR spectra showed that the oxidized varnish was constituted of highly aged shellac resin. Good cleaning performance was attained when the liquid portion of the dispersion consisted of a mixture of water and acetone. Rheological investigations indicate that the acetone content does not affect the mechanical properties of the polymeric dispersion. Those mechanical properties permit easy removal of the cleaning agent simply by peeling it from the surface by means of a forceps or spatula once it has carried out its cleaning function. Optical microscopic and FTIR investigations show that the cleaning agent is able to remove the oxidized varnish coating from the surface of the Neri di Bicci painting without leaving detectable residues.     

Spelling! Developing a Good Foundation

This articie is a brief response to an article on spelling by David Waugh which appeared in Vol. 29(2). The authors argue that the Letterland system can be of great benefit in approaching spelling.     

Willingness to pay and experienced utility as measures of affective value of information objects: Users’ accounts

The article discusses two instant measures of affective value of information objects: Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) and Experienced Utility (EU). The potential utility of these measures for information retrieval research is positioned within a broader discussion of distinctions between instant utility and remembered utility and their relationship to immediate as opposed to retrospective subjective evaluations. The paper describes an approach for obtaining instant WTP and EU ratings in document evaluation in contexts of information search and thereafter reports results from a usability study of its implementation. Participants encountered no difficulties in use of the design format and in rating documents using WTP and EU measures. Although two measures were found statistically significantly correlated with each other, participants in the usability study offered different reasons for the ratings of WTP and EU made for the same document.