To investigate the role of temporal processing in language lateralization, we monitored asymmetry of cerebral activation in human volunteers using positron emission tomography (PET). Subjects were scanned during passive auditory stimulation with nonverbal sounds containing rapid (40 msec) or extended (200 msec) frequency transitions. Bilateral symmetric activation was observed in the auditory cortex for slow frequency transitions. In contrast, left-biased asymmetry was observed in response to rapid frequency transitions due to reduced response of the right auditory cortex. These results provide direct evidence that auditory processing of rapid acoustic transitions is lateralized in the human brain. Such functional asymmetry in temporal processing is likely to contribute to language lateralization from the lowest levels of cortical processing.

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To assess the efficacy of fetal mesencephalic grafts in Parkinson's disease, it is important to know if the grafted cells survive and are functional. Positron emission tomography (PET) and [18F]fluorodopa ([18F]dopa) have been used to demonstrate the survival of the grafted cells, but the relationship of [18F]dopa uptake changes in the grafted striatum to motor function remains unclear. We investigated this question with 16 serial PET scans in 5 severe parkinsonian patients unilaterally grafted in whom we found a significant and progressive increase of the [18F]dopa uptake in the grafted putamen. The number of patients was too small to assess the sensitivity of [18F]dopa PET scans in individual patients. Yet, by analyzing the 16 serial PET scans we found a correlation between the [18F]dopa uptake (Ki) in the grafted putamen and the percentage of daily time spent "on," suggesting that Ki changes have a functional meaning. In addition, the Ki values were correlated with the contralateral finger dexterity to the same extent in both the grafted and nongrafted putamen. These results indicate that [18F]dopa uptake reflects the motor function of the opposite side of the body, similarly in the grafted and ungrafted putamen, at least in terms of these tasks. Finally, extrapolating from these correlations offers the suggestion that clinical optimal results of the graft could be achieved if the graft brings the Ki values in the putamen to about two standard deviations of mean control values.

ResumoA educação infantil -EI pode estar associada ao desenvolvimento psicossocial favorável de crianças durante o ensino fundamental -EF. Os objetivos deste estudo longitudinal foram: (a) investigar a estabilidade das habilidades sociais e dos comportamentos externalizantes e internalizantes das crianças na escola, do 3º ao 5º ano do EF; (b) investigar o curso das habilidades sociais e dos comportamentos problemáticos, em função da exposição à EI. Participaram 294 alunos do EF em cinco escolas públicas. As professoras responderam ao Social Skills Rating System no 3º, no 4º e no 5º ano. Controlado o nível socioeconômico, observou-se trajetória descendente de comportamentos problemáticos. A EI foi associada a menos problemas internalizantes e, entre as meninas, a melhores habilidades sociais. Palavras-chave: Habilidades sociais, problemas de comportamento, educação infantil, ensino fundamental. AbstractEarly Childhood Education (ECE) may be associated with children's positive psychosocial development during Elementary School (ES). This longitudinal study has two aims: (a) to investigate the stability of children's social skills as well as externalizing and internalizing behaviors at school from 3 rd to 5 th year of ES; (b) to investigate the course of social skills and problem behaviors regarding the exposure to ECE. Participants were 294 ES students from fi ve public schools. The teachers responded to the Social Skills Rating System in the 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th year. When socioeconomic status was controlled, behavior problems showed a descending trajectory. ECE was associated with fewer internalizing problems, and, among girls, with better social skills.

These results suggest a predominant role of prefrontal and cingulate dysfunction in cognitive and behavioral disorders of patients with severe traumatic brain injury, even in the absence of focal structural lesion of the brain. Further cognitive functional activation research using PET or functional MRI might help clarify the relative contributions of both areas to dysfunction.

Objective This work aimed to analyze parental burnout (PB) and establish a comparison between the times before (Wave 1) and during (Wave 2) the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background The COVID‐19 pandemic brought additional stress to families. The pandemic could be particularly difficult for parents experiencing parental burnout, a condition that involves four dimensions: an overwhelming sense of exhaustion, emotional distancing from the child, saturation or a loss of fulfillment with the parental role, and a sharp contrast between how parents used to be and how they see themselves now. Method A quasi‐longitudinal research design was adopted, comparing two cross‐sectional studies among Portuguese parents (N = 995), with an interval of 2 years between each wave of data collection. Participants were surveyed voluntarily through an online questionnaire located on the institutional web platform of the universities involved in the study. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to take into account the associations among variables, alongside controlling the possible confounding effects. Results Parents have overall higher parental burnout scores in Wave 2 than Wave 1, with increased exhaustion, emotional distancing, and contrast, but decreased saturation. Although parental burnout levels remain higher for mothers across the two Waves, the growth is greater for fathers than for mothers. Conclusion Reconciling childcare with paid work is a stressful and new experience for many fathers. However, results suggest that even amid a crisis, some parents had the opportunity to deeply bond with their children. Implications We expect this work to encourage stakeholders to consider proper intervention strategies to address potential parental burnout. Also, initiatives that strengthen gender equity within parenting context are needed.

In a familistic southern European society such as the Portuguese, the family has historically played a prominent role in supporting the negotiation of transition pathways into adulthood. The present study aimed at capturing (1) the relative weight of parental financial support and autonomy support in contributing to the youngsters' psychological well‐being (PWB), and (2) the mediating role of identity capital and uncertainty management in this relationship. A total of 620 participants completed measures of parental support, identity capital, uncertainty management and PWB. Autonomy support was found to be the strongest predictor of PWB, both directly and indirectly through its effects on identity capital and the use of target focused uncertainty management strategies. Conversely, financial support evidenced only a minor indirect impact through the mediation of tangible identity capital. Autonomy stimulation may constitute one of the most developmentally determinant family challenges in assisting the process of coming of age in Portugal.