Development of complex executive function over childhood: Longitudinal growth curve modeling of performance on the Groton Maze Learning Task

This longitudinal study modeled children's complex executive function (EF) development using the Groton Maze Learning Task (GMLT). Using a cohort-sequential design, 147 children (61 males, 5.5–11 years) were recruited from six multicultural primary schools in Melbourne and Perth, Australia. Race/ethnicity data were not available. Children were assessed on the GMLT at 6-month intervals over 2-years between 2010 and 2012. Growth curve models describe age-related change from 5.5 to 12.5 years old. Results showed a quadratic growth trajectory on each measure of error—that is, those that reflect visuospatial memory, executive control (or the ability to apply rules for action), and complex EF. The ability to apply rules for action, while a rate-limiting factor in complex EF, develops rapidly over early-to-mid childhood.     

The effects of teacher support,parental monitoring,motivation and self-efficacy on academic performance over time

European Journal of Psychology of Education - This study aimed to investigate the contribution of teacher support and parental monitoring to academic performance over three years, testing the...     

Strategic Innovation: Conception of Innovation among Social Sciences Researchers in Higher Education in Northwestern México

Innovative Higher Education - Researchers in universities are encouraged to produce innovative scientific research and participate in the international scientific community. In Mexico, public...     

高校构建和谐校园评价指标体系研究

基于对和谐校园文献的查阅和高校教师的访谈,结合对西北工业大学行政管理人员、教师和学生关于高校构建和谐校园的229份调查问卷数据,运用Cronbach’s Alpha和探索性因子分析方法对样本数据进行信度和效度检验,构建了高校和谐校园评价指标体系。井在此基础上应用结构方程模型探析了和谐校园评价指标中一级指标之间的相互关系。为高校和谐校园的构建提供了新思路。     

Effects of non-Newtonian power law rheology on mass transport of a neutral solute for electro-osmotic flow in a porous microtube

Mass transport of a neutral solute for a power law fluid in a porous microtube under electro-osmotic flow regime is characterized in this study. Combined electro-osmotic and pressure driven flow is conducted herein. An analytical solution of concentration profile within mass transfer boundary layer is derived from the first principle. The solute transport through the porous wall is also coupled with the electro-osmotic flow to predict the solute concentration in the permeate stream. The effects of non-Newtonian rheology and the operating conditions on the permeation rate and permeate solute concentration are analyzed in detail. Both cases of assisting (electro-osmotic and poiseulle flow are in same direction) and opposing flow (the individual flows are in opposite direction) cases are taken care of. Enhancement of Sherwood due to electro-osmotic flow for a non-porous conduit is also quantified. Effects if non-Newtonian rheology on Sherwood number enhancement are observed.     

The myth of the team captain as principal leader: extending the athlete leadership classification within sport teams

Abstract

Although coaches and players recognise the importance of leaders within the team, research on athlete leadership is sparse. The present study expands knowledge of athlete leadership by extending the current leadership classification and exploring the importance of the team captain as formal leader of the team. An online survey was completed by 4,451 participants (31% females and 69% males) within nine different team sports in Flanders (Belgium). Players (N = 3,193) and coaches (N = 1,258) participated on all different levels in their sports. Results revealed that the proposed additional role of motivational leader was perceived as clearly distinct from the already established roles (task, social and external leader). Furthermore, almost half of the participants (44%) did not perceive their captain as the principal leader on any of the four roles. These findings underline the fact that the leadership qualities attributed to the captain as the team’s formal leader are overrated. It can be concluded that leadership is spread throughout the team; informal leaders rather than the captain take the lead, both on and off the field.     

Growth and body composition in Brazilian female rhythmic gymnastics athletes

Abstract

The aim was to analyse the physical growth and body composition of rhythmic gymnastics athletes relative to their level of somatic maturation. This was a cross-sectional study of 136 athletes on 23 teams from Brazil. Mass, standing height and sitting height were measured. Fat-free and fat masses, body fat percentages and ages of the predicted peak height velocity (PHV) were calculated. The z scores for mass were negative during all ages according to both WHO and Brazilian references, and that for standing height were also negative for all ages according to WHO reference but only until 12 years old according to Brazilian reference. The mean age of the predicted PHV was 12.1 years. The mean mass, standing and sitting heights, body fat percentage, fat-free mass and fat mass increased significantly until 4 to 5 years after the age of the PHV. Menarche was reached in only 26% of these athletes and mean age was 13.2 years. The mass was below the national reference standards, and the standing height was below only for the international reference, but they also had late recovery of mass and standing height during puberty. In conclusion, these athletes had a potential to gain mass and standing height several years after PHV, indicating late maturation.     

Comparison of Female Athlete Triad Coalition and RED-S risk assessment tools

ABSTRACT

The Female Athlete Triad Coalition (Triad Coalition) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) consensus statements each include risk assessment tools to guide athlete eligibility decisions. This study examined how these tools categorized the same set of individuals to an overall risk factor score and qualitatively compared athlete eligibility decisions resulting from each tool. Exercising women (n = 166) with complete screening/baseline datasets from multiple previously conducted studies were assessed. Data used for risk assessment included: anthropometric measurements, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans, exercise and health status surveys, and two disordered eating questionnaires (Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and Eating Disorder Inventory). Individuals were scored on each tool and subsequently categorized as either fully cleared, provisionally cleared, or restricted from play. Based on the Triad Coalition tool, 25.3% of subjects were classified as fully cleared, 62.0% as provisionally cleared, and 12.7% as restricted from play. Based on the RED-S tool, 71.7% of subjects were classified as fully cleared, 18.7% as provisionally cleared, and 9.6% as restricted from play. The Triad Coalition and RED-S tools resulted in different clearance decisions (p < 0.001), with the Triad Coalition tool recommending increased surveillance of a greater number of athletes.