Orthographic Learning

This chapter discusses orthographic learning, i.e., how children learn the relation between their spoken language and writing system. The process is discussed for children learning to read and write in one language, as well as for multilingual children acquiring literacy in more than one language. In both cases, the developmental course is mapped from children's first insights into the form and function of their writing systems to the development of word-specific mental representations that code for multiple linguistic forms (i.e., sound, spelling, and meaning). The chapter concludes with instructional recommendations for supporting children's orthographic learning throughout development.

Influence of the Shape of the First Metatarsal Cuneiform Joint on the Development of Hallux Valgus Deformity

Objective:To examine the presence of certain shapes of the first metatarsal-cuneiform joint (MTC) joint in feet with hallux valgus (HV) deformity. To determine whether the anatomical orientation of this joint affects the size of the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the first intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and whether it contributes to the dynamics of the developmental course of HV deformity.Methods:The shape of the first MTC joint was determined on a sample of 315 feet with HV deformity. The influence of the shape of this joint on the values of HVA and IMA was explored. The relation between the position of the tibial sesamoid and the size of HVA and IMA as well as the dynamics of the development of this deformity depending on the shape of the first MTC joint, was examined.Results:The oblique shape of the first MTC joint was found in 165 (52.4%) feet, the transverse in 145 (46%), and the convex shape was registered in five feet (1.6%). In the oblique shape of this joint, a moderate and severe degree of HV deformity is predominant, while in the transverse shape a mild degree dominates. A statistically significant dependence of HVA on the shape of the first MTC joint was found (Sig. = 0.010), while the dependence of IMA did not show statistical significance (Sig. = 0.105). HVA values follow the position of the tibial sesamoid in both shapes of the MTC joint while the size of the IMA in the transverse shape is not consistent with the position of this sesamoid.Conclusion:The oblique shape of the first MTC joint is associated with the more severe form of HV deformity and its faster developmental course. In the analyzed sample, it was shown that HVA is higher in the oblique shape of the MTC joint and significantly depends on the anatomical orientation of this joint. Furthermore, IMA has a higher value in the oblique shape compared to transverse but this dependence is not statistically significant. The analysis showed that the oblique shape of the first MTC joint contributes to the development of HV deformity.

Sibling Bullying: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Associations with Positive and Negative Mental Health during Adolescence

It is well documented that sibling bullying is associated with poor mental health. The prospective longitudinal relationships between sibling bullying and both positive and negative mental health remain unclear. Additionally, the developmental course of negative mental health after sibling bullying involvement is yet to be investigated. Regression models were fitted to data from a UK-based Millennium Cohort Study (n=17,157, 48% female). Adolescents self-reported on sibling bullying in early- (age 11 years) and mid-adolescence (14 years) and on positive (general well-being and self-esteem) and negative mental health (internalising problems, externalising problems, psychological distress, and self-harm) in late adolescence (17 years). Primary caregivers also reported on internalising and externalising problems throughout adolescence. Sibling bullying involvement as a victim-only or bully-victim in early adolescence was associated with more symptoms of negative mental health and lower levels of positive mental health in late adolescence compared to those not involved in any sibling bullying. Being a bully-only was associated with externalising problems but no other aspect of mental health in late adolescence. Persistent sibling bullying victimisation in early- and mid-adolescence was associated with more symptoms of negative mental health and reduced positive mental health in late adolescence. Finally, the developmental course of externalising, but not internalising, problems during adolescence differed depending on the sibling bullying role in early adolescence. These findings suggest that, if causality can be established, sibling bullying in early adolescence likely affects the developmental course of externalising problems and has a detrimental effect both positive and negative mental health in late adolescence.

The Natural History of Insomnia: Predisposing, precipitating, coping and perpetuating factors over the early developmental course of insomnia

While there is an extensive literature on predisposing, precipitating, coping and perpetuating factors in those with chronic insomnia, very little work has been undertaken to evaluate these factors over the early developmental course of insomnia. The present aim was to determine whether several hypothesized factors in each domain (predisposing, precipitating, coping and perpetuating), assessed during an episode of acute insomnia, are related to its persistence or remission to normal sleep. Participants comprised n = 140 people with acute insomnia and n = 737 normal sleepers recruited from the general public. Participants completed measures assessing predisposing characteristics (personality traits, arousal predisposition and insomnia vulnerability), precipitating events and outcomes (life events, perceived stress, anxiety and depression), coping styles (thought control strategies and coping styles) and perpetuating factors (sleep preoccupation, pre-sleep arousal, dysfunctional beliefs and fatigue). Additionally, insomnia status (from acute insomnia at baseline to its persistence or natural remission) was assessed one month later (n = 129). Baseline differences between normal sleepers and individuals with acute insomnia were observed in each domain with increasing age, lower openness to experience and conscientiousness, higher insomnia severity, levels of anxiety and affective sleep preoccupation significantly predicting acute insomnia status. Further, a previous episode of insomnia, higher depression scores and affective sleep preoccupation scores significantly predicted its persistence, as opposed to its natural remission. Results are discussed with reference to the conceptualization of insomnia and how the findings may influence the design of preventative interventions to circumvent the transition from acute to chronic insomnia.

Developmental variation in ovaries and kernels in a multi-kernelled rice variety- Jugal

ABSTRACTThe rice fruit or spikelet contains only one kernel. A handful traditional cultivars are available with more than one ovaries/kernels per spikelet. Jugal, a traditional rice cultivar from West Bengal, India possess multiple ovaries before flowering and multiples kernels per spikelet. In this endeavour, the single grained-spikelet varied from 0.00 to 46.26% per panicle. Single pistillated-spikelet was first reported on 8th day before flowering and it was 2.63%. The number of spikelet bearing single ovary/kernel gradually increased till the panicle emergence and then till physiological maturity of grains. Maximum single kernelled-spikelet was recorded on 30th day after panicle emergence (46.26%). The double ovary/kernelled-spikelet per panicle varied from 53.74% to 95.39%. High percentage of double pistillated-spikelet per panicle was recorded before heading and it was more than 90% or very near to 90%. Gradually the double pistillated-spikelet per panicle decreased with the advancement of developmental course of the panicle and continued to decrease till grain maturity. Lowest percentage (53.74%) of double kernelled-spikelet per panicle was observed on 30th day after panicle emergence and it almost remained static till harvest of the crop. Triple pistillated-spikelet was 4.33% per on 10th day before panicle emergence. On 9th day before panicle emergence it was 2.33% and on 8th day before panicle it was 1.00% only and subsequently, no triple pistillated-spikelet was observed till grain maturity. However, randomly one/two triple kernelled-spikelet was also reported. It would be useful if all the spikelets were doubled kernelled. The shape of kernels obtained from doubled kernelled-spikelets were slender, which has high demand among the urban and sub-urban consumers.