This study assessed the effect of acute continuous and intermittent physical activity (PA) on children's executive function (EF). Twenty-four participants (14 boys M = 10.32 ± 0.48 years), using a within-subjects design, performed (70% HRmax) an (≥85%HRmax; 12 bouts: 30 s work, 45 rest) PA bout cycling, both lasting 15 min. Executive was Stroop task, Digit Span Corsi Blocks tests these were adm...

OBJECTIVES Autistic disorder is a developmental handicap with an unknown neurological basis. Current neuropsychological models for autism suggest an abnormal construction of visual perceptual representation or a deficit in executive functions. These models predict cerebral lesions in the temporo-occipital or frontal regions of autistic patients. The present study aimed at studying the presence ...

The present study assessed the spatial abilities of male and female human participants using different versions of the non-navigational Corsi block-tapping test (CBT) and a search task. Males performed significantly better than females on the standard manual version of the CBT; however, the standard CBT does not allow discrimination between spatial memory span and the role of spatial organisati...

We study the serial correlation of high-frequency intraday returns on the Italian stock index futures (FIB30) in the period 2000-2002. We find that intraday autocorrelation is mostly negative for time scales lower than 20 minutes, mainly due to the bid-ask bounce effect. While this supports the efficiency of the Italian futures market, we also provide evidence that intraday serial correlation b...

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that is particularly important for the metabolism of dopamine. Functional polymorphisms of COMT have been implicated in working memory and numerical cognition. This is an exploratory study that aims at investigating associations between COMT polymorphisms, working memory, and numerical cognition. Elementary school children from 2th to 6th grades ...

This research focuses on the associations between interactive processes of early childhood classrooms and gains in children's cognitive self-regulation (CSR) across the preschool year. Data from 803 children (45.8% female; M = 54 months; 39.1% Caucasian, 26.3% African American, 24.6% Hispanic, 9.9% Other) were collected at fall and spring of the preschool year, and classroom observations were c...

Several tests from the CANTAB neuropsychological test battery previously shown to be sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction were administered to a large group of normal volunteers (N 5 341) ranging in age from 21 to 79 years. The main tests included a computerized form of the Tower of London test of planning, a self-ordered spatial working memory task, and a test of attentional set formation and...

In this paper we deal with the semantics for quantified modal logic, QML in short, and their philosophical relevance. In the first part we introduce Kripke semantics for the first-order modal language L= with identity, then we consider some unsatisfactory features of this account from an actualist point of view. In addition, we show that the calculus QE .K + BF on free logic, with the Barcan fo...

BACKGROUND regular physical activity has an effect on biological responses in both muscles and organs that, in turn, alter the structure and functions of the brain. Therefore, this study aims at comparing motor (sprint, coordination ability and explosive legs strength skills) and cognitive abilities (working memory, attention, executive functioning) in children. METHODS 39 children with avera...

Visual-spatial impairment is a fundamental disorder in cerebral palsy (CP). However, current spatial testing is restricted to reaching space, whereas navigational space is seldom assessed. The Magic Carpet test, derived from the Corsi Block-tapping Task (CBT) for visual-spatial memory, is a new developmental test for navigation. The performances of the Magic Carpet test and CBT were assessed in...