No effects of executive control depletion on prospective memory retrieval processes

Research has suggested that prospective memory retrieval is reliant on executive control processes, and the degree to which these processes are necessary for intention fulfillment is dependent on a host of variables related to the prospective memory task. Based on results suggesting that aspects of the prospective memory task vary in their need for executive control, the current study examined the possibility that executive control depletion from the Stroop task would negatively transfer to prospective memory performance. Depletion of executive control, measured objectively in a Stroop task, did not impair prospective memory performance in either low or high cue-target association conditions. However, participants’ subjective assessments of their own cognitive fatigue correlated significantly with their prospective memory performance, regardless of the association between cues and target responses.     

Domestic cat walking parallels human constrained optimization: Optimization strategies and the comparison of normal and sensory deficient individuals

To evaluate how fundamental gait parameters used in walking (stride length, frequency, speed) are selected by cats we compared stride characteristics selected when walking on a solid surface to those selected when they were constrained to specific stride lengths using a pedestal walkway. Humans spontaneously select substantially different stride length–stride frequency–speed relationships in walking when each of these parameters is constrained, as in walking to a metronome beat (frequency constrained), evenly spaced floor markers (stride length constrained) or on a treadmill (speed constrained). In humans such adjustments largely provide energetic economy under the prescribed walking conditions. Cats show a similar shift in gait parameter selection between conditions as observed in humans. This suggests that cats (and by extension, quadrupedal mammals) also select gait parameters to optimize walking cost-effectiveness. Cats with a profound peripheral sensory deficit (from pyridoxine overdose) appeared to parallel the optimization seen in healthy cats, but without the same level of precision. Recent studies in humans suggest that gait optimization may proceed in two stages – a fast perception-based stage that provides the initial gait selection strategy which is then fine-tuned by feedback. The sensory deficit cats appeared unable to accomplish the feedback-dependent aspect of this process.     

The influence of social instructions on the effectiveness of a cognitive interview used with very young child witnesses

IntroductionThe modified cognitive interview (MCI) is an investigative interview method used to help child eyewitnesses to enhance the quality of their testimonies (Memon et al., 2010). Composed of cognitive (mnemonics) and social instructions, it indeed supports young witnesses to retrieve and to accurately report all their memories. If the benefits of the mnemonics on the MCI efficiency have been now established (e.g., Holliday & Albon, 2004; Verkampt & Ginet, 2010), the contribution of its social components has however not been deeply explored to date. This is notably the case of two main social instructions presented at the right beginning of an interview: the “Child can say ‘I don’t know”’ and the “Interviewer knows nothing about the facts” instructions.ObjectiveThis study aimed at evaluating the influence of these two social instructions on the effectiveness of MCI mnemonics, designed to be used by police officers to gather very young children's testimonies.MethodTo this end, 59 children aged 4 to 5.9 participated in a painting session and were interviewed two days later with a full modified cognitive interview (MCI), a MCI minus the “Child can say I don’t know” instruction, a MCI minus the “Interviewer knows nothing about the event” instruction, or a structured (control) interview that was solely composed of social instructions.ResultsThe results indicated an increase of 42% more correct information recollected with a full MCI relative to a structured interview during the free recall phase. However, the withdrawal of the “Interviewer knows nothing about the event” instruction from the MCI led the children to report 21% less information. This drop reached 3% with the MCI minus the “Child can say I don’t know” instruction.ConclusionChildren testimonies are therefore more informative when the mnemonics of the MCI are presented to the children along with social instructions.     

Muscle strength and functional performance is markedly impaired at the recommended time point for sport return after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in recreational athletes

PurposeTo examine potential deficits in muscle strength or functional capacity when comparing (1) an ACL reconstructed group to matched healthy controls, (2) the ACL reconstructed leg to the non-injured leg and (3) the non-injured leg to matched healthy controls, at the time-point of recommended sport return 9–12 months post-surgery.MethodsSixteen patients (male-female ratio: 9:7) 9–12 months post ACL reconstruction and sixteen age and sex matched healthy controls were included. Outcome measures included maximal knee extensor (KE) and knee flexor (KF) dynamometry, including measurement of rate of force development, functional capacity (counter movement jump (CMJ) and single distance hop (SDH)) and the Lysholm score.ResultsCompared to the control group, maximal KE and KF muscle strength were impaired in the ACL reconstructed leg by 27–39% and 16–35%, respectively (p < .001). Also, impairments of both CMJ (38%) and SDH (33%) were observed (p < .001). Rate of force development for KE were reduced in the ACL group compared to the control group (p < .001). Similarly, the KE and KF muscle strength, CMJ and SDH of the ACL reconstructed leg were impaired, when compared to the non-injured leg by 15–23%, 8–20%, 23% and 20%, respectively (p < .05).ConclusionMuscle strength and functional capacity are markedly impaired in the ACL reconstructed leg of recreationally active people 9–12 months post-surgery when compared to healthy matched controls and to their non-injured leg. This suggests that objective criteria rather than “time-since-surgery” criteria should guide return to sport.     

Solidification thermal parameters,microstructural evolution and dendritic growth in an AlCuNi alloy

ABSTRACT

Unsteady-state upward solidification experiment was carried out with the Al-3Cu-3Ni (wt.%) alloy. Temperature profiles were obtained through a water-cooled directional solidification device. Analysis on the resulting as-cast microstructure and its adaptation to thermal solidification parameter, such as growth and cooling rates and solidification local time, V_L, T_R and t_SL, respectively, was carried out. The results showed that the resulting microstructure is constituted by an Al-rich primary phase (Al _α ), characterised by a dendritic network, and by second phases that take place within the interdendritic regions, forming a eutectic mixture composed by the β-Al₃Ni?+?θ-Al₂Cu intermetallic compounds (IMCs), whose size and morphology have been affected by V_L and T_R. The length of the microstructural scale of the Al _α phase was measured by the secondary dendritic spacing (λ ₂). The experimental mathematical expression of λ ₂ obtained in this work was compared with mathematical models proposed in the literature that associate t_SL-λ ₂ for non-equilibrium and equilibrium solidification conditions.     

The positive eating scale: relationship with objective health parameters and validity in Germany,the USA and India

Objective: The prevailing focus regarding eating behaviour is on restriction, concern, worry and pathology. In contrast, the purpose of the present studies was to focus on a positive relationship with eating in non-clinical samples from Germany, the USA and India.

Design: In Study 1, the Positive Eating Scale (PES) was tested and validated in a large longitudinal sample (T1: N = 772; T2: N = 510). In Study 2, the PES was tested in online samples from the USA, India and Germany (total N = 749).

Main Outcome Measures: Health risk status was measured in Study 1 with objective health parameters (fasting serum glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI).

Results: Study 1 revealed acceptable psychometric properties of the PES, internal consistency (α = .87), as well as test–retest reliability after six months (r = .67). Importantly, a positive relationship with eating was associated with decreased health risk factors six months later. In Study 2, the structure of the PES was confirmed for German, Indian and US-American adults, suggesting validity across remarkably different eating environments.

Conclusion: A positive relationship with eating might be a fruitful starting point for prevention and intervention programmes promoting physical and psychological health.     

Parental Perceived Control and Social Support: Linkages to Change in Parenting Behaviors During Early Adolescence

Prior studies have found that parents’ perceptions of control over their lives and their social support may both be important for parenting behaviors. Yet, few studies have examined their unique and interacting influence on parenting behaviors during early adolescence. This longitudinal study of rural parents in two‐parent families (N = 636) investigated (a) whether perceived control and social support when their youth were in sixth grade were independently or interactively associated with changes in parenting behaviors (discipline, standard setting) and parent–child warmth and hostility 6 months later and (b) if these linkages differed by parent gender. We also investigated the interactive links between perceived control, social support, and parenting. Specifically, we tested if parents’ perceived control moderated the linkages between social support and parenting and if these linkages differed by parent gender. Greater perceived control predicted more increases in parents’ consistent discipline and standard setting, whereas greater social support predicted increases in parent–child warmth and decreases in parent–child hostility. Parental perceived control moderated the effect of social support on parental warmth: For mothers only, social support was significantly linked to parent–child warmth only when mothers had low (but not high) perceived self‐control. The discussion focuses on reasons why perceived control and social support may have associations with different aspects of parenting and why these might differ for mothers and fathers.     

自我决定理论视角下的教师控制

教师控制是指教师通过情感操纵或行为对学生施加压力,迫使学生以特定方式思考、体验或行动。已有研究基于自我决定理论,验证了教师控制对学生的学业表现、情绪、行为等的影响作用和影响机制,但对于教师控制影响的跨文化差异和性别差异问题尚未形成共识。后续研究可进一步精细化分析不同类型的教师控制,采用混合式研究方法和纵向追踪设计分析教师控制的影响,进一步深化教师控制的本土化研究和群体异质性研究。     

Computational modeling of organisational learning by self-modeling networks

Within organisational learning literature, mental models are considered a vehicle for both individual learning and organizational learning. By learning individual mental models (and making them explicit), a basis for formation of shared mental models for the level of the organization is created, which after its formation can then be adopted by individuals. This provides mechanisms for organizational learning. These mechanisms have been used as a basis for an adaptive computational network model. The model is illustrated by a not too complex but realistic case study.