Critical Developmental Stages Research Articles

Patterns and Crucial Regulation of Alternative Splicing During Early Development in Zebrafish

Many vertebrate genes generate multiple transcript variants that may encode functionally distinct protein isoforms, but the transcriptomes of various developmental stages are poorly defined. Identifying the transcriptome and its regulation during the normal developmental process is the key to deciphering the developmental stage-specific functions of genes. Here we presented a systematic assessment of the temporal alternative splicing (AS) events during the critical development stages to capture the dynamic gene expression changes and AS in zebrafish. An unexpected transcriptome complexity generated by AS was observed during zebrafish development. The patterns of AS events varied substantially among developmental stages despite the similarities in the total proportion of AS genes. We further found that AS afforded substantial functional diversification of genes through the generation of stage-specific AS events from broadly protein-coding genes as an essential developmental regulatory mechanism. Skipped exon (SE) showed the strongest signals among developmental AS (devAS), suggesting that devAS events generated by SE may be necessary for the normal development of zebrafish. Most developmental genes regulated by AS mechanisms were not modulated in terms of their overall expression levels, indicating that AS shaped the transcriptome independently from transcriptional regulation during development. 128-cell stage was a critical stage for gene transcription during embryonic development. Splicing factors as an essential developmental regulator underwent AS in the potential autoregulatory feedback loop and expressed multiple isoforms. Thus, zebrafish development was shaped by an interplay of programs controlling gene expression levels and AS. Overall, we provided a global view of developmental patterns of AS during zebrafish development and revealed that AS transitions were the crucial regulatory component of zebrafish embryonic development.

Tackling the Critical Hurdles: Revising Technology-Based Ideation Processes

Technological innovations are crucial for a country’s economic growth as they often have radical innovation potential. Although recognized as a key role in the innovation process, lots of technologies remain unexploited. University spin-offs (USOs) have the potential to transfer technologies into technological innovations. Often though, in universities there is a lack of consideration of potential implementation right from the start. The so-called fuzzyfront end (FFE) stage is crucial for successful innovation, as no commercialization can be achieved without the identification of a suitable application. This represents a critical hurdle, as of to date appropriate approaches for a successful systematic identification and validation of technology applications are missing. Furthermore, most investigating studies rely on data from spin-offs that are already operating successfully on the market and have therefore survived the critical initial stages of development, without highlighting the FFE of their process. This fact makes the pre-development activity of opportunity recognition appear to be a scientifically neglected topic. In this research a mixed-method approach is conducted to investigate the critical hurdles in the technology application selection (TAS) process of technologies, consisting of an extended literature review, completed by interviews with stakeholder involved in the USOs ecosystem. Striving to uncover the black box of the FFE, the study aims to specify and operationalize requirements for application identification of technologies. These findings are of relevance for researchers and practitioners which like to facilitate the exploration of potential technological innovation.

GC-MS-based metabolomics reveals dynamic changes in the nutritionally important metabolites in coconut meat during nut maturation

Coconut is an economically important tropical palm fruit. Among various coconut products, the endosperm (coconut meat) is a rich source of several nutritionally rich metabolites.The coconut fruit typically takes 10–12 months to attain commercial maturity. Although metabolite profile of coconut meat vary during nut development and maturation because of transformation of liquid endosperm into solid endosperm, there are as such no reports describing the real dynamics of these changes. Therefore, in this work, we applied gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics technology to identify the alteration in the metabolite levels during nut development. Metabolite profile was carried out from 'Chowghat Orange Dwarf ' (COD) and 'Malayan YellowDwarf' (MYD) varieties of coconut at three critical nut development stages. We identified a total of 43 and 40 metabolites from 'COD' and 'MYD', variety, respectively. By employing the partial least squares-discriminant analysis we identified specific fatty acids as important biomarker metabolites for actual prediction of nut maturity stages. These results show several patterns of variation in metabolite composition and level, especially in the primary metabolites, during the process of nut maturation. These fundamental metabolomic profile data will be very useful for understanding the appropriate nut maturity stages and their corresponding nutritional value.

Investigating the Role of Suicidality and Ethnic Identity among Black Adolescents: A Latent Profile Analysis

Objective Suicide among Black adolescent youth has steadily increased in recent years, yet few studies describe how facets of social identity shape suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) during this critical stage of development. Ethnic identity represents an underexplored, yet important element of social identity among Black youth that may contribute to differential associations with STBs. This study examined the association between ethnic identity and self-reported suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts. Methods Data were drawn from 1,170 African American (n = 810) and Caribbean Black (n = 368) adolescents aged 13–17 (Mean age = 15) that participated in the National Survey of American Life Adolescent supplement study. Results Using latent profile analyses, three patterns of ethnic identity were identified: Undifferentiated, Low Ethnic Identification, and Alienated. Caribbean Black adolescents were more likely to be in the Low Ethnic Identification class relative to the Undifferentiated class. Adolescents in the Undifferentiated group reported higher proportions of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts compared to the remaining latent profile groups. Conclusion Findings demonstrate that ethnic identity is an important aspect of social identity that can influence STBs among Black adolescents. Considering increased suicide attempts and death rates among Black youth, findings underscore the importance of examining culturally relevant developmental processes that may shape suicidal beliefs and behaviors.

Long-term reproductive effects of benzo(a)pyrene at environmentally relevant dose on juvenile female rats

Since studies on the reproductive consequences after the exposure to environmentally relevant doses of Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) during critical stages of development are scarce, this study evaluated female reproductive parameters of adult rats exposed to a low dose of BaP during the juvenile phase. Female rats (Post-natal 21) were treated with BaP (0 or 0.1 µg/kg/day; gavage) for 21 consecutive days. During the treatment, no clinical signs of toxicity were observed. Nevertheless, the ages of vaginal opening and first estrus were anticipated by the BaP-exposure. At the sexual maturity, the juvenile exposure compromised the sexual behavior, as well as the placental efficiency, follicle stimulating hormone levels, placenta histological analysis, and ovarian follicle count. A decrease in erythrocyte, platelet, and lymphocyte counts also was observed in the exposed-females. Moreover, the dose of BaP used in this study was not able to produce estrogenic activity in vivo. These data showed that juvenile BaP-exposure, at environmentally relevant dose, compromised the female reproductive system, possibly by an endocrine deregulation; however, this requires further investigation.

Neonatal nutritional risk and pulmonary function.

Introduction:The neonatal period is a critical initial stage of postnatal lung development and maturation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the nutritional status on pulmonary function in late preterm and full-term neonates.Methods:A total of 172 newborns were included in the study. Nutritional risk screening, weight measurement, assessment of albumin and caloric intake, and a pulmonary function examination were conducted on the 7th day after birth.Results:There was a significant correlation between the nutritional risk and changes in body weight. Tidal volume (VT), minute ventilation (MV), VT per kg body weight (VT/kg), and MV per kg body weight (MV/kg) in the low nutritional risk group were significantly higher than those in the medium nutritional risk group (all P < .05). Albumin and caloric intake in the low nutritional risk group were significantly higher than those in the medium nutritional risk group (both P < .01). VT, VT/kg, MV, and MV/kg in the weight loss group were lower than those in the no weight loss group (all P < .05).Conclusions:Changes in neonatal weight mainly affect lung volume (VT, VT/kg, MV, and MV/kg), suggesting that an improvement in the neonatal nutritional status is important for the development of lung volume.

Critical dilution curves for calcium, magnesium, and sulfur in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. Group Andigenum) cultivars Diacol Capiro and Pastusa Suprema

Diagnostic tools must be developed to optimize the management of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) in potato crops. This research aimed to develop the critical dilution curves for Ca, Mg, and S in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. Group Andigenum), establishing harvest indices and characterizing the nutrient relationships. Four field experiments were established in two growth cycles in the localities of Facatativá (high fertility soils) and Chocontá (low fertility soils) in Colombia. Two cultivars (Diacol Capiro and Pastusa Suprema) and two levels of fertilization (0 and 100% of macro and micronutrients) were evaluated. The dry biomass and Ca, Mg, and S concentration in tubers and aerial parts were measured from the formation of main stems until tuber maturation; this information was used to calculate the critical concentrations (Cac, Mgc, Sc), harvest indices, and nutrient correlations. The critical curves established were for Capiro: Cac = 1.7326W-0.2956, Mgc = 0.7191W-0.2803, Sc = 0.6461W-0.3904 and for Suprema: Cac = 1.523W-0.2559, Mgc = 0.6507W-0.236, Sc = 0.7669W-0.3932. Critical levels were established for five phenological stages. Capiro had a higher accumulation of Ca, Mg, and S in the tubers independently of locality, while Suprema had better performance in Chocontá. The accumulation of mineral nutrients in the tubers followed the order Ca&lt;Mg&lt;S. Capiro was a genotype with greater Ca-Mg-S uptake and better adaptation to locations. The Cac, Mgc and Sc curves provided a tool to carry out the nutritional diagnoses at critical stages of development and they are the first ones reported for potato of Group Andigenum.

The Path of Rural Industry Revitalization Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm in the Internet Era.

With the implementation of the Rural Revitalization Strategy, China has entered a critical stage of transformation and development. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee made a major strategic deployment for solidly promoting common prosperity, and clearly put forward that by 2035, the common prosperity of all people will make more obvious substantive progress. In addition, this study also proposes to continue to strengthen the construction of rural grass-roots party organizations; select and strengthen township leading groups, members of the village “two committees,” especially the Secretary of the grass-roots party organization; give full play to the role of the fighting fortress of the rural grass-roots party organization; and improve the villagers' autonomy mechanism under the leadership of the party organization. In places where conditions permit, we should actively promote the Secretary of the village Party organization to serve as the director of the villagers' committee through legal procedures and strengthen the supervision of “one shoulder” cadres of the village “two committees”. We will continue to send the first secretaries and task forces to key villages. We should put more resources in towns and villages, effectively reduce the burden on grass-roots organizations, and let grass-roots cadres devote more energy to helping farmers solve practical difficulties.

Abstract P3087: Single-cell Transcriptomics Reveals Cell-type Specific Transcriptional Responses In Murine Embryonic Hearts Exposed To Maternal Hyperglycemia

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a significant pediatric health burden in the United States and a leading non-infectious cause of mortality in the infants. According to CDC, ~1 in 4 babies born with cardiac defects develop critical CHD and require medical interventions during first year of their lives. Despite the strong heritable basis of CHD, genetic variations explain nearly 30% of cases. The phenotypic heterogeneity and incomplete penetrance of the disease implies a vital role of environmental factors as non-genetic contributors of CHD. Women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) are about four times more likely to have a pregnancy affected by CHD compared to women without diabetes. Previous studies have established that maternal hyperglycemia (matHG) before pregnancy and in first trimester profoundly increases the risk of CHD among the offspring, with a preponderance of conotruncal and septal defects. However, the cell-type-specific sensitivity to matHG responsible for such cardiac malformations remains unclear. Using a chemically induced murine PGDM model, we first demonstrated increased incidence of CHD in matHG-exposed embryos compared to control (CNTRL) embryos. To evaluate the underlying cellular basis of CHD risk in diabetic pregnancies, we performed in vivo single-cell RNA-sequencing in CNTRL and matHG-exposed embryonic hearts. The transcriptomic data revealed cardiac cell-type-specific molecular changes associated matHG. Bioinformatics analysis showed significant gene expression differences in Isl1+ multipotent progenitor cells, Tnnt2+ cardiomyocytes, Tbx18+ epicardial cells, Sox9+ fibromesenchymal cells, Cdh5+ endocardial/endothelial cells, and in Dlx5+ neural crest cell populations. Pseudotime trajectory analysis suggested HG-induced impairments in genes critical for cardiomyocyte differentiation. Furthermore, in vivo Isl1-derived cell fate mapping studies suggested matHG-mediated perturbations in cardiomyocyte proliferation and differentiation at critical stages of cardiac development. In combination with our scRNA-seq and cell fate mapping data, future mechanistic studies will delineate cell-type-specific gene regulatory network perturbed in matHG environment. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in pregnancy is of great clinical significance and more in-depth studies will enable the development of preventative therapeutic measures to ameliorate PGDM associated CHD.

Progress and prospects of carbon dioxide capture, EOR-utilization and storage industrialization

Carbon dioxide capture, EOR-utilization and storage (CCUS-EOR) are the most practical and feasible large-scale carbon reduction technologies, and also the key technologies to greatly improve the recovery of low-permeability oil fields. This paper sorts out the main course of CCUS-EOR technological development abroad and its industrialization progress. The progress of CCUS-EOR technological research and field tests in China are summarized, the development status, problems and challenges of the entire industry chain of CO2 capture, transportation, oil displacement, and storage are analyzed. The results show a huge potential of the large-scale application of CCUS-EOR in China in terms of carbon emission reduction and oil production increase. At present, CCUS-EOR in China is in a critical stage of development, from field pilot tests to industrialization. Aiming at the feature of continental sedimentary oil and gas reservoirs in China, and giving full play to the advantages of the abundant reserves for CO2 flooding, huge underground storage space, surface infrastructure, and wide distribution of wellbore injection channels, by cooperating with carbon emission enterprises, critical technological research and demonstration project construction should be accelerated, including the capture of low-concentration CO2 at low-cost and on large-scale, supercritical CO2 long-distance transportation, greatly enhancing oil recovery and storage rate, and CO2 large-scale and safe storage. CCUS-EOR theoretical and technical standard system should be constructed for the whole industrial chain to support and promote the industrial scale application, leading the rapid and profitable development of CCUS-EOR emerging industrial chain with innovation.

Implementasi Sekolah Balita Melalui Program Pos Pelayanan Terpadu (Posyandu) (Belajar Kasus Di Desa Gayam)

Posyandu now provides educational services as well as health care through toddler schools. Toddler education is a link between Posyandu BKB and Pos PAUD activities. Toddlerhood is a critical stage in human development. All human instruments are produced in this toddler age, not only intelligence but also psychological and physical skills, which is known as the golden era of development. The purpose of this research is to determine the implementation of under-five schools via the Posyandu program. It can lessen and prevent early children growth and development failures, from posyandu programs to toddler schools. As a result, cadre training is required to make early childhood more appealing in conducting the toddler school program.

Wheat yield potential can be maximized by increasing red to far-red light conditions at critical developmental stages.

Sensing of neighbours via the Red to Far-Red light ratio (R:FR) may exert a cap to yield potential in wheat. The effects of an increased R:FR inside the canopy were studied in dense wheat mini canopies grown in controlled environments by lowering FR. To distinguish between effects exerted by light sensing and assimilate supply, the treatments were complemented with elevated CO2 , applied between different developmental timepoints to specifically impact tillering, spike growth, floret fertility and grain filling, in different combinations. The yield response to high R:FR was strongly dependent on the developmental stage in all three cultivars and pivoted between positive if applied after the start of stem elongation, and negative or null if applied before. Yield gains of up to 70% and 120% were observed, respectively, in two cultivars, associated with a higher number of tiller spikes and grains per spike in the main shoot. The response to the combination of high R:FR and elevated CO2 or CO2 alone were cultivar dependent. Taken together, our results suggest that R:FR exerts a significant control on yield potential in wheat and achieving a high R:FR from stem elongation to maturity is a promising lever towards a significant increase in grain yield.

Blood lead concentration in an urban parrot: Nestling Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) demonstrate evidence of exposure to lead via eggs and parental feeding

Lead is a persistent, highly toxic heavy metal known to affect physiological function and survival in birds. Nestlings are particularly at risk as exposure during critical stages of development can result in life-long deficits. Urban environments are increasingly associated with high levels of contamination and lead exposure at the urban-wildlife interface can have significant population health effects on wildlife. Wellington has an established population of Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) and provides the ideal opportunity to study the risks of lead exposure in an urban context. We sampled 139 nestlings over two breeding seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17) and examined concentrations of lead in blood samples. Nestlings were subjected to a clinical and neurological examination. Lead concentrations of egg shells were measured to evaluate maternal transfer of lead to nestlings. Overall, 36.7 % of nestlings showed evidence of lead exposure based on blood lead concentrations, ranging from <3.3μg/dL to 42.9μg/dL, with no detectable clinical signs of toxicity. The pattern of exposure in the majority of nestlings is indicative of exposure from hatch via eggshells and also direct parental feeding of lead following hatch. Lead concentrations in this cohort of Kaka have the potential to contribute to morbidity and mortality in this species. The lack of measurable neurological or physiological deficits associated with lead exposure is suggestive of an innate tolerance to these concentrations of lead in this population. However, the well-described subclinical and persistent effects of lead suggests a need for continued monitoring of this toxicant and its effects on Kaka behaviour and neurodevelopment.

ОСУЧАСНЕННЯ НАПРЯМІВ НІВЕЛЮВАННЯ ФІНАНСОВОЇ НАПРУЖЕНОСТІ : ЗАГРОЗИ ВИНИКНЕННЯ ПРОДОВОЛЬЧОЇ КРИЗИ

Recent decades have been defined by the principles of development, liberal democracy, market economy and sophisticated competition. A new generation grew up on these claims, believing that economic growth, interdependence, freedom of thought and speech, and human progress were as predictable as they were inevitable. However, in 2022 the situation has changed radically, the consequences of which are the basis for the spread of the food crisis, both in Ukraine and in the world as a whole. The aim of the article is to identify obvious and inconspicuous factors of the food crisis in Ukraine and the world, characterize the risks of new segments of financial tensions, identify issues of segmentation of markets and production, the formation of relevant trade blocs. The subject of research - current trends of financial tensions, changes in financial, economic and food supply chains, new threats of food crises. The research hypothesis is the unconditional influence of the consequences of financial and economic deformations on the tendencies of modification of food chains, regional centers of food security, the emergence and spread of the food crisis on all continents and opportunities to prevent it. Methods used in the study: comparison, comparison, systematic and analytical approaches, generalization and classification, dialectical and formal logic. Presenting main material. It is established that currently Ukrainian society is at a critical stage of historical development, the existing economic landscapes are changing instantly. The global pandemic, new external positions, and climate change indicators have already made a negative contribution to the future of the economy and financial markets: too much external debt, too low projected growth and too fast-growing inflation are currently being noted. Neither the government nor civil society is able to meet these challenges alone, so domestic and global cooperation is becoming vital to us. Some countries are taking unilateral trade measures today, which is exacerbating the crisis. It is emphasized that the lack of food security is a catalyst for all crises, which directly leads to armed conflict. The originality and practical significance of the results is the possibility of applying the recommendations to improve accounting and analytical and financial control procedures, improving the efficiency of business processes of economic entities in modern conditions. Conclusions of the study. Thus, the current year becomes the starting point of the economic downturn, which causes the application of austerity measures, which in turn will lead to new manifestations of populism and new uncompromising positions. Regardless of whether discount rates will rise or oil prices fall, influential investors will continue to grow and determine the direction of the global financial capital market.

Molecular signatures and cellular diversity during mouse habenula development.

The habenula plays a key role in various motivated and pathological behaviors and is composed of molecularly distinct neuron subtypes. Despite progress in identifying mature habenula neuron subtypes, how these subtypes develop and organize into functional brain circuits remains largely unknown. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptional profiling of mouse habenular neurons at critical developmental stages, instructed by detailed three-dimensional anatomical data. Our data reveal cellular and molecular trajectories during embryonic and postnatal development, leading to different habenular subtypes. Further, based on this analysis, our work establishes the distinctive functional properties and projection target of a subtype of Cartpt+ habenula neurons. Finally, we show how comparison of single-cell transcriptional profiles and GWAS data links specific developing habenular subtypes to psychiatric disease. Together, our study begins to dissect the mechanisms underlying habenula neuron subtype-specific development and creates a framework for further interrogation of habenular development in normal and disease states.

Potential Sociodemographic Predictors of Childhood Anxiety Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of anxiety among primary school students in rural areas is relatively high. Also, this stage is a critical developmental stage of academic life. Childhood anxiety disorders lead to significant disruption and interference with other aspects of life, including behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and academic achievement. Aims: This study aimed to find the frequency of 6 subtypes of anxiety disorders and to determine the potential sociodemographic factors of anxiety disorders among primary school students in a rural area of Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 411 students answered the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale-Child version (SCAS-C). Descriptive analyses elucidated at-risk students, and multivariate analysis of variance and multiple linear regression presented potential predictors of anxiety disorders. Results: The most common abnormal level was for social phobia (SP) (n = 109/18.6%), and the least common were panic/agoraphobia (n = 85/14.1%) and physical injury fears (PIF) (n = 82/13.6%). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that age ( P &lt; .05), gender ( P &lt; .05), father’s employment ( P &lt; .05), and mother’s educational level (EL) P &lt; .05) were predictors of overall anxiety. A Tukey post-hoc test revealed that older children are more likely to suffer from overall anxiety, separation anxiety (SA), SP, and obsessive-compulsive problems. Children of low-income families were less likely to suffer from SA than those of middle-income families. Children of stay-at-home mothers were less likely to suffer from overall anxiety, SA, and SP than mothers who worked more than 8 h per day. Multiple linear regression could predict 6 models of anxiety based on sociodemographic factors. Conclusion: According to our findings in this study, promoting mental health by providing preventive strategies and screening programs is more recommended for students with sociodemographic risk factors for anxiety disorders.

O-040 Investigating why early embryonic mitoses are highly error prone by real time imaging

Abstract Maintenance of genomic integrity during early embryogenesis is essential for faithful embryonic development. However, mitotic errors during preimplantation development are surprisingly common and despite the fundamental importance of the cell divisions at the beginning of life, the mechanisms that control the correct progression through mitosis during pre-implantation development are not well characterized. The sensitivity of mammalian embryos to light and its demanding in vitro culture requirements have limited real-time imaging during the first embryonic divisions in the past. Today, advances in light-sheet microscopy allow in toto imaging of preimplantation mouse development from zygote to blastocyst at single chromosome resolution and enable us to study spindle assembly, chromosome restructuring and segregation. This presentation will discuss the insights we have gained by real-time imaging of the first cell divisions in mammalian life, and the role of the key molecular mechanisms that regulate mitosis during the critical first stages of embryo development.

Anxiety and psychological needs of high school students: COVID-19 period.

The study aims to examine the relationship between anxiety and psychological needs of high school students during the COVID‐19 pandemic period. The fact that the COVID‐19 virus poses a threat to mental health as well as physical health, the effects of the pandemic period on the psychological needs and anxiety level of adolescents, especially in a critical developmental stage, and the scarcity of studies concerning adolescent mental health in this period, constituted the purpose of the current study. The quantitative (N = 502) and qualitative data (N = 29) of the study, in which triangulation design was used, were collected from high school students studying in the Southeast of Turkey. In the quantitative part of the research Multiple Linear Regression was implemented and content analysis was used in the qualitative part. The results indicate that love, belonging and power, which are subdimensions of basic psychological needs, are significant predictors of anxiety level. Additionally, it is seen that the need for freedom subdimension is the least predictive variable for the anxiety level. It is concluded that there are moderate negative and significant relationships between the general and subdimensions of basic psychological needs and the level of state anxiety. In this sense, it has been found that the level of anxiety tends to decrease as the level of the satisfaction of basic psychological needs increases. The results in the qualitative analysis part largely overlap with the results in the quantitative part. Suggestions based on the findings of the study are made to researchers.

The National council of public trust as a mechanism for implementing deliberative democracy

The article discusses the development of the mechanisms of deliberative democracy in Kazakhstan during the period of political transition on the example of the National Council of Public Trust under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The head of state, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in his Address to the people on March 16, 2022, stated that the National Council of Public Trust “successfully fulfilled its tasks”. Thus, the National Council ceases to exist, on its basis the “National Kurultai” will be created, which makes it possible to analyze the results of the activities of the National Council from the moment it was launched until the moment it ceased to work.Kazakhstan is at a critical stage of political development. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is pursuing a policy of fundamental political reforms aimed at building an effective democratic socially oriented society. There is a lot of work to be done to restructure the political architecture of the country. At the same time, the world political science has been considering the shortcomings of institutional democracy associated with the capitalist mode of production and the development of information technologies for several decades. Various methods for improving democracy are proposed. Deliberative democracy is one of them. It should be noted that elements of deliberative democracy are already beginning to be used in Kazakhstan in the form of the institution of the National Council of Public Trust, as well as Public Councils in various areas of public administrationThe article uses the methods of structural-functional and discursive analysis, discusses official documents, as well as potential scenarios for the development of events

Associations Between Gross Motor Coordination and Executive Functions: Considering the Sex Difference in Chinese Middle-Aged School Children.

Considering that motor and cognitive processes are intertwined and inhibit or help each other throughout life and that primary school age is one of the most critical stages of children's cognitive and motor development, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between executive functions and gross motor skills in Chinese children aged 9–10 years, as well as gender differences. The flanker task, the 1-back task, the more-odd shifting task, and the test of gross motor coordination (Körperkoordinationtest für Kinder) were used to collect data on executive functions and gross motor coordination. The results were as follows. First, there was a weak association between gross motor coordination and the inhibition reaction time in the congruent test and the reaction time of working memory (r = −0.181 to −0.233), but no association was found between gross motor coordination and cognitive flexibility. Second, a weak-to-moderate correlation was presented between the move sideways test and the inhibition reaction time in the congruent test and the reaction time in the refreshing test of the working memory (r = −0.211 to −0.330). Finally, gender influenced on the relationship between gross motor coordination and the reaction time of both inhibition (βGender = −0.153, p < 0.05) and working memory (βGender = −0.345, p < 0.01). To conclude, our results suggest that children with better motor coordination skills require less reaction time, especially girls, and this association was more substantial than in boys. The finding supports the current assertion that there are commonalities between gross motor coordination and cognitive control by showing the relationship between gross motor coordination and complex cognitive processes (executive function) in preadolescent children.