We report the dynamic anatomical sequence of human cortical gray matter development between the age of 4–21 years using quantitative four-dimensional maps and time-lapse sequences. Thirteen healthy children for whom anatomic brain MRI scans were obtained every 2 years, for 8–10 years, were studied. By using models of the cortical surface and sulcal landmarks and a statistical model for gray matter density, human cortical development could be visualized across the age range in a spatiotemporally detailed time-lapse sequence. The resulting time-lapse “movies” reveal that (i) higher-order association cortices mature only after lower-order somatosensory and visual cortices, the functions of which they integrate, are developed, and (ii) phylogenetically older brain areas mature earlier than newer ones. Direct comparison with normal cortical development may help understanding of some neurodevelopmental disorders such as childhood-onset schizophrenia or autism.

/pdf/dynamic-mapping-of-human-cortical-development-during-4exe28dzte.pdf

Dynamic mapping of human cortical development during childhood through early adulthood

Pedagosko i psiholosko testiranje i procjenjivanje spadaju među najvažnije doprinose znanosti o ponasanju nasem drustvu i pružaju temeljna i znacajna poboljsanja u odnosu na ranije postupke. Iako se ne može ustvrditi da su svi testovi dovoljno usavrseni niti da su sva testiranja razborita i korisna, postoji velika kolicina informacija koje ukazuju na ucinkovitost kvalitetnih instrumenata u onim situacijama u kojima je njihovo koristenje potkrijepljeno validacijskim podacima. Pravilna upotreba testova može dovesti do boljih odluka o pojedincima i programima nego sto bi to bio slucaj bez njihovog koristenja, a također i ukazati na put za siri i pravedniji pristup obrazovanju i zaposljavanju. Međutim, losa upotreba testova može dovesti do zamjetne stete nanesene ispitanicima i drugim sudionicima u procesu donosenja odluka na temelju testovnih podataka. Cilj Standarda je promoviranje kvalitetne i eticne upotrebe testova te uspostavljanje osnovice za ocjenu kvalitete postupaka testiranja. Svrha objavljivanja Standarda je uspostavljanje kriterija za evaluaciju testova, provedbe testiranja i posljedica upotrebe testova. Iako bi evaluacija prikladnosti testa ili njegove primjene trebala ovisiti prvenstveno o strucnim misljenjima, Standardi pružaju okvir koji osigurava obuhvacanje svih relevantnih pitanja. Bilo bi poželjno da svi autori, sponzori, nakladnici i korisnici profesionalnih testova usvoje Standarde te da poticu druge da ih također prihvate.

Standards for educational and psychological testing

An emerging body of multidisciplinary literature has documented the beneficial influence of physical activity engendered through aerobic exercise on selective aspects of brain function. Human and non-human animal studies have shown that aerobic exercise can improve a number of aspects of cognition and performance. Lack of physical activity, particularly among children in the developed world, is one of the major causes of obesity. Exercise might not only help to improve their physical health, but might also improve their academic performance. This article examines the positive effects of aerobic physical activity on cognition and brain function, at the molecular, cellular, systems and behavioural levels. A growing number of studies support the idea that physical exercise is a lifestyle factor that might lead to increased physical and mental health throughout life.

Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition

Social Learning and Clinical Psychology.

ContextThe Internet has attracted considerable attention as a means to improve
health and health care delivery, but it is not clear how prevalent Internet
use for health care really is or what impact it has on health care utilization
Available estimates of use and impact vary widely Without accurate estimates
of use and effects, it is difficult to focus policy discussions or design
appropriate policy activitiesObjectivesTo measure the extent of Internet use for health care among a representative
sample of the US population, to examine the prevalence of e-mail use for health
care, and to examine the effects that Internet and e-mail use has on users'
knowledge about health care matters and their use of the health care systemDesign, Setting, and ParticipantsSurvey conducted in December 2001 and January 2002 among a sample drawn
from a research panel of more than 60 000 US households developed and
maintained by Knowledge Networks Responses were analyzed from 4764 individuals
aged 21 years or older who were self-reported Internet usersMain Outcome MeasuresSelf-reported rates in the past year of Internet and e-mail use to obtain
information related to health, contact health care professionals, and obtain
prescriptions; perceived effects of Internet and e-mail use on health care
useResultsApproximately 40% of respondents with Internet access reported using
the Internet to look for advice or information about health or health care
in 2001 Six percent reported using e-mail to contact a physician or other
health care professional About one third of those using the Internet for
health reported that using the Internet affected a decision about health or
their health care, but very few reported impacts on measurable health care
utilization; 94% said that Internet use had no effect on the number of physician
visits they had and 93% said it had no effect on the number of telephone contacts
Five percent or less reported use of the Internet to obtain prescriptions
or purchase pharmaceutical productsConclusionsAlthough many people use the Internet for health information, use is
not as common as is sometimes reported Effects on actual health care utilization
are also less substantial than some have claimed Discussions of the role
of the Internet in health care and the development of policies that might
influence this role should not presume that use of the Internet for health
information is universal or that the Internet strongly influences health care
utilization

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/196536/joc21898.pdf

Use of the Internet and e-mail for health care information: results from a national survey.

Online support groups are expanding as the general public becomes more comfortable using computer-mediated communication technology. These support groups have certain benefits for users who may not be able to or do not have the desire to attend face-to-face sessions. Online support groups also present challenges when compared to traditional face-to-face group communication. Communication difficulties may arise resulting from lack of visual and aural cues found in traditional face-to-face communication. Online support groups have emerged within health care as a result of the need individuals have to know more about health conditions they are confronting. The proliferation of these online communities may provide an opportunity for health educators to reach target populations with specific messages. This paper reviews the development of health-related online support groups, examines research conducted within these communities, compares their utility with traditional support groups and discusses the implications of these groups for health education.

Receiving social support online: implications for health education

This study examined the feasibility of collecting health risk behavior data from undergraduate students using a Web-based survey. Undergraduates were randomly selected and assigned randomly to a mail survey group and a Web survey group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for demographics, response rates, item completion, and item completion errors. Yet differences were found for response time and sensitive item completion. This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting health risk behavior data from undergraduates using the Web. Undergraduates are just as likely to respond to a Web survey compared with a mail survey and more likely to answer socially threatening items using this method. Also, the Web format and protocol required less time to administer. Researchers and practitioners conducting health survey research with college students or other homogeneous populations who have access to e-mail and the Web should consider using a Web-based survey design as an alternative to a mail, self-administered survey. In such a population, a Web-based survey should not discourage participation, particularly if participants are interested in the questionnaire content.

The Feasibility of a Web-Based Surveillance System to Collect Health Risk Behavior Data from College Students

Are teachers using computers for instruction

Video and computer-based games have assumed a prominent role in the culture of American children and adolescents. Given the pervasiveness of their influence, it is likely that these games may affect the health and well-being of children. This paper examines the health effects of these games on children, suggests criteria upon which parents and teachers may evaluate the games, and notes some implications for health educators.

Video and Computer Games: Effect on Children and Implications for Health Education

a growing concern has emerged for the quality of health-related documents contained on the World Wide Web. Increased use of the World Wide Web by consumers and health education professionals, as well as ease of Web page publication, has heightened the need for criteria in Web page construction and evaluation. This article reviews and discusses elements to consider in Web page construction and evaluation, and provides a form to assist in assessment.

Steve M. Dorman

Papers

Receiving social support online: implications for health education

The Feasibility of a Web-Based Surveillance System to Collect Health Risk Behavior Data from College Students

Are teachers using computers for instruction

Video and Computer Games: Effect on Children and Implications for Health Education

Evaluating health-related Web sites.