bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Blinks as a Criterion of Visual Fatigue during Prolonged Work on Visual Display Terminals
Authors: Kaneko Kenichi , Sakamoto Kazuyoshi
Published: August 2011

Visual fatigue caused by prolonged work viewing a Visual Display Terminals (VDT) and of work reading a hard-copy were assessed by electromyogram (EMG) waveform and electrooculogram (EOG) waveform in spontaneous blinks as objective criteria, and by questionnaire of subjective feeling, and by task performance. The duration and the amplitude of the EMG of the orbicularis ocular muscle on the right side and the EOG of the vertical direction to the eyelid were measured for 10 subjects who participated in a figure task consisting of the addition of single-digit numbers on a VDT work or a work with a hard-copy. The mean values of the duration and the amplitude of the EMG and the EOG were evaluated by the averaging of 10 waveforms of the spontaneous blinks for all subjects. The time lag from the EMG to the EOG in the process of the generation of spontaneous blinks was also analyzed. These five parameters were evaluated during the work time. The mean values for the duration of the EMG increased gradually during the work time, but the amplitude did not show significant difference between the prework and a work time. There was no significant change of the duration of the EOG, but the mean amplitude of the EOG decreased as the work time progressed, and the time lag significantly extended. The blinks frequency increased relatively when using a VDT. The rate of fluctuation for these parameters was higher during use of a VDT than use of a hard-copy. The time lag at five hours of VDT work was extended by 90% based on the value at the prework. The symptoms of general fatigue and fatigue of the eyes increased linearly during the VDT work for six hours. The results indicated a significant correlation between the objective parameters for the activity of the spontaneous blinks, i.e., duration and amplitude of EMG and EOG, and the time lag between EMG and EOG, and the subjective feeling was recognized in the time course of the task. These experimental results suggested that the parameters regarding the EMG and the EOG for the spontaneous blinks were effective indices for assessing visual fatigue during prolonged VDT work.
Reply to Fudin and Lembessis's Critique of Malik and Paraherakis's Commentary regarding the Capacity of the Unconscious
Authors: Malik Rajesh , Paraherakis Antonios
Published: August 2011

In an earlier paper, we had suggested that the research examining the capacity of the unconscious cannot be interpreted unambiguously to make the claim that the unconscious is limited in scope. Fudin and Lembessis challenged our conclusion, and we address their concerns.
Shifting Gustatory Thresholds and Food Cravings during Pregnancy as Expanding Uterine-Induced Steady Potential Shifts within the Insula: An Hypothesis
Authors: Persinger M. A.
Published: August 2011

A logical extrapolation from the principle that structure dictates function is that transient or anomalous experiences are consequences of simultaneous stimulations of proximal brain regions not typically co-activated. In this paper the occasional shifts in gustatory threshold during the menstrual cycle, the craving for unusual tastes experienced by some during pregnancies, and, the reports by postmenopausal women of the “burning mouth syndrome” are hypothesized to be artifacts of the proximity of gustatory and uterine representations within the female insula. Transient (menstrual) or tonic (pregnancy) stimulation within the uterus might shift the locus of neuronal activity within the insula to include adjacent gustatory neurons and consequently alter taste experiences. Specific tests of this hypothesis are suggested.
Psychometric Analysis of the Visual Form Discrimination Test
Authors: Malina Aaron , Regan Theresa , Bowers Dana , Millis Scott
Published: August 2011

The Visual Form Discrimination Test is a matching-to-sample test involving visual discrimination. Although normative information has been presented, limited psychometric data have been available. The current study estimated the internal consistency and additional psychometric properties of the test in a sample of 66 persons with acute traumatic brain injury. Internal consistency as measured by alpha was .66. A homogeneous sample and a restricted range of scores likely attenuated this estimate. Using the standard cutoff score, only 32% of the sample showed impaired performance. Visual form discrimination as measured by this test may be affected less by traumatic brain injury than other cognitive processes such as attention and memory.
Anxiety Sensitivity and Fear of Pain in Children
Authors: Muris Peter , Vlaeyen Johan W. S. , Meesters Cor , Vertongen Sonja
Published: August 2011

Associations among scores on scales of anxiety sensitivity and trait anxiety and a fear of pain questionnaire were examined for 118 children. Analysis showed that anxiety sensitivity was positively and substantially related to fear of pain in the children. Furthermore, the data suggested anxiety sensitivity to be a better predictor of fear of pain than trait anxiety.
Practice Effects on Visuomotor and Problem-Solving Tests by Children
Authors: Ahonniska Jaana , Ahonen Timo , Aro Tuija , Tolvanen Asko , Lyytinen Heikki
Published: August 2011

Practice effects on a visuomotor test (the Developmental Test of Visuo-Motor Integration), a timed visual discrimination test (the Underlining Test), and two problem-solving tests (the Porteus Mazes Test and the Tower of Hanoi Test) were analyzed. Children of two age groups ( Ms: 7.7 and 11.6 yr.) were chosen to study the effect of age on practice effects. The tests were repeated nine times with test-retest intervals of 2 mo. The Developmental Test of Visuo-Motor Integration showed no practice effects, while the Porteus Mazes Test, the Underlining Test, and the Tower of Hanoi Test showed significant practice effects. Practice effects were larger for the older age group on all the tests, except the Developmental Test of Visuo-Motor Integration. The Developmental Test of Visuo-Motor Integration and the Underlining Test showed good reliability, but those of the problem-solving tasks were less satisfactory. The stability of all the tests, except the Tower of Hanoi Test, was good.
Motivation in Sport: An Achievement Goal Perspective in Young Spanish Recreational Athletes
Authors: Cervelló Eduardo M. , Santos-Rosa Francisco J.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the relationship between goal orientations, perceived motivational climate, enjoyment, satisfaction, perception of ability, and preference for tasks with different levels of difficulty in Spanish athletes. To measure these variables 323 recreational athletes completed the Spanish versions of the Perception of Success Questionnaire, Perception of Significant Others' Sport Success Criteria Questionnaire, Enjoyment/Boredom scale, and Satisfaction in Sport Questionnaire. To measure perception of ability, athletes responded to two items reflecting a general perception and a comparative perception of their ability. Finally, preference for a task of different difficulty was measured by two items reflecting preference for easy and for challenging tasks. Analysis showed that scores on a positive ego orientation and negative task orientation were associated with maladaptive motivational patterns in sport Such patterns involve lower perceptual ability, preference for easy tasks, and less enjoyment and satisfaction in sport activities.
Attitudes toward Violent Conflict Resolution among Male and Female Karateka in Comparison with Practitioners of other Sports
Authors: Björkqvist Kaj , Varhama Lasse
Published: August 2011

Most modern martial arts are based upon a philosophy of nonviolence. Whether practitioners of karate indeed have more negative attitudes toward violent conflict resolution than wresders and boxers, noncontact sportsmen, and controls practising no sports was investigated ( N = 319; 214 men, 105 women; M age = 24.1 yr.). Within sex, male karateka held relatively negative attitudes toward violent conflict resolution, whereas the opposite was noted for female karateka.
Problems in Silverman's Work Indicate the Need for a New Approach to Research on Subliminal Psychodynamic Activation
Authors: Fudin Robfrt
Published: August 2011

The basic assumption in subliminal psychodynamic activation research is that participants can unconsciously perceive the psychodynamic meaning of a complete message as it is intended by the experimenter. In attempts to account for negative findings Silverman contended that this assumption holds only under certain luminance conditions and visual field positions of a message. Paradoxically, almost all of his findings, his major evidence in support of the basic assumption, came from experiments in violation of those strictures. Further, Silverman never presented MOMMY AND I ABE ONE under a critical condition required for it to be effective. These and other considerations identify the need for an account of empirical findings other than his and for changes in his experimental method. Such research must take into account the encoding of subliminal stimuli, an area neglected almost completely by Silverman. Shevrin and his colleagues' 1996 work is outlined as a model for the use of subliminal stimuli to investigate psychoanalytically generated hypotheses.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: Ciii. Days with Sudden Infant Deaths and Cardiac Arrhythmias in Adults Share a Factor with PC1 Geomagnetic Pulsations: Implications for Pursuing Mechanism
Authors: Persinger M. A. , O'Connor R. P.
Published: August 2011

If geomagnetic-mediated stimuli trigger many sudden infant deaths, then the days in which they and hospital admissions for cardiac arrhythmias for adults occur should share a similar source of variance. Factor analyses of the days in which a sudden infant death occurred in Ontario or adults were admitted for one of eight categories of cardiac crisis in the Sudbury (Ontario) Region for the year 1984 supported the hypothesis. This factor, with which infant deaths and adult cardiac arrhythmias each shared about 40% of their variance, also shared about 40% of the variance with a factor with which about 35% of the variance in daily occurrence of geomagnetic pulsations (0.2 Hz to 5 Hz) was associated. These results are consistent with the important role of geomagnetic variables in the occurrence of transient electrical anomalies in brain function rather than cardiac blood flow.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: Civ. Power-Frequency Magnetic Field Transients (5 Microtesla) and Reports of Haunt Experiences within an Electronically Dense House
Authors: Persinger M. A. , Koren S. A. , O'Connor R. P.
Published: August 2011

Magnetic field measurements for power frequencies were measured continuously over two 24-hr. periods for a small house in which two adults who exhibited above normal occurrences of complex partial epileptic-like experiences had reported “waves of fear”, tactile sensations, nightmares, apparitions, and a sensed presence. The experiences occurred within an area in which irregular amplitude modulations between 1 microT and 5 microT (50 mG) from 60-Hz sources, with durations of a few seconds to several tens of seconds, were measured. This case suggests that transient, complex temporal patterns of power-frequency magnetic fields generated by less than optimal grounding in dwellings and telluric currents may be sufficient to evoke experiences in the brains of sensitive individuals. Cultural labels, applied by the experients, then affect the explanations and expectancies for these experiences.
Implicit Theories of Creativity: Laypersons' Perceptions of the Creativity of Adaptors and Innovators
Authors: Puccio Gerard J. , Chimento Melanie D.
Published: August 2011

Kirton has put forward a theory of creativity style in which he maintains that people with more adaptive or more innovative orientations possess equal creative potential. The purpose of this study was to compare Kirton's explicit theory with laypersons' implicit theories of creativity. Laypersons and students were asked to read descriptions of adaptors and innovators and then, using their own personal conceptions of creativity, rate adaptors and innovators on creativity. Analysis showed that the innovative style was perceived as significantly more creative. Furthermore, individuals who possessed a more innovative style were much more likely to rate the innovative orientation as more highly creative. Potential reasons for the implicit view that innovators are more creative are offered. In particular, cultural biases towards the innovative style are discussed.
Visual Imagery in Recognition and Source Memory for Audiotape and Text
Authors: McKelvie Stuart J. , Eberman Carolin
Published: August 2011

80 participants heard an audiotape of a crime, read an account with both correct and new information, then took recognition and source memory tests. While listening and reading, participants attended carefully, and half also formed visual images of the events. Imagery instructions had no effects, but recognition memory was better for material from the text only than from the audiotape only, whereas source memory was better for audiotape than for text. These results replicate previous findings for film and audiotape.
Complexity of Rhythmic Ability as Measured in Preschool Children
Authors: Derm Vassiliki , Tsapakidou Aggeliki , Zachopoulou Evridiki , Gini Vassiliki
Published: August 2011

There are many aspects which need to be explored before a comprehensive description of young children's rhythmic ability can be developed. The present study examined the relation of age and sex and preschool children's rhythmic ability expressed in performance with one and two hands, bilateral and parallel use of upper and lower limbs. Two groups of preschool children participated ( N = 77), 4.5 to 5.5 and 5.6 to 6.5 yr. of age. A version of the High/Scope Beat Competence Analysis Test was used to assess rhythmic ability. The children performed the same six movements, e.g., parallel movement of hands, bilateral movement of hands, movement of the preferred hand, movement of the nonpreferred hand, bilateral movement of feet in a seated position, and bilateral movement of feet in a standing position. Analysis showed that girls were more accurate than boys on bilateral movement of hands while boys were more accurate than girls on bilateral movement of feet in a seated position. Also, children were more accurate (a) on the movement with the preferred hand than with parallel movement of hands and nonpreferred hand movement, (b) on bilateral movement of hands than with parallel movement of hands and bilateral movement of feet in a seated position, and (c) on bilateral movement of feet while standing than seated. It can be concluded that the various rhythmic movements with upper and/or lower limbs follow different rates of development in preschool children. The above findings may assist physical educators in implementing a physical education program more effectively for the corresponding age groups.
Olfactory Sensitivity in Early-Stage Parkinson Patients Affected by More Marked Unilateral Disorder
Authors: Zucco Gesualdo , Zeni Maria Teresa , Perrone Antonio , Piccolo Immacolata
Published: August 2011

Two groups of subjects, 6 medicated Parkinson patients at an early stage of disease and affected by more marked right unilateral disorder and 12 normal elderly people, were examined on matching and naming olfactory tasks. On the former, subjects had to recognize among four previously sniffed odours, while on the latter they bad to label an odour by choosing among four alternatives proposed by the examiner. Stimuli were administered to both nostrils. Analysis indicated that Parkinson patients were less efficient with the left nostril in the matching task, supporting the hypothesis of a larger compromise in the nostril contralateral to the side of the body more affected by the disease. Such a difference was not observed for the elderly people. Data are discussed with reference to the loss of dopamine in Parkinson patients.
Difference Score Reliability for Tactual Performance Test Trials
Authors: Charter Richard A.
Published: August 2011

In further analysis of published data difference score reliabilities are presented for the difference between raw score and blocks-per-minute trial scores on the Tactual Performance Test.
Assisted Ambulation and Activities for Persons with Profound Multiple Disabilities: Assessing Different Ambulation Levels
Authors: Lancioni G. E. , Mantini M. , Groeneweg J.
Published: August 2011

Two participants with profound multiple disabilities were exposed to two occupational situations, which included 1-min. and 3-min. robot-assisted ambulation prior to each activity, respectively. Analysis showed participants' mean percentages of engagement time (session time they spent ambulating or manipulating objects) were well above 90 in both situations. The amount of deviant behavior was somewhat higher in the latter occupational situation for one participant. Implications of the findings were discussed.
An Investigation of Coaches' Perceptions of the Causes of Home Advantage
Authors: Gayton William F. , Broida John , Elgee Lara
Published: August 2011

This study investigated the personal experiences of 144 high school coaches in terms of their perceptions of the causes of the home advantage. Surveys were distributed to varsity coaches of local high school sports asking them to assign a percentage value to each of the most common explanations of the home advantage, reflecting the perceived importance of each, e.g., social support, travel or fatigue, site familiarity, officials' bias, and self-fulfilling prophecy. A 3 × 6 repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that no differences were significant in attribution of the causes of home advantage for the combinations of sex of coach and sex of athlete. A significant difference was noted in the percentages assigned across the five explanations provided the coaches. Post hoc comparison indicated that site familiarity was seen as the most important explanation across the combinations of the sex of coach and sex of athlete.
Information Retrieval and Pedagogy in Adapted Physical Activity
Authors: O'Connor John , Sherrill Claudine , French Ron
Published: August 2011

The purpose was to address which databases would be most productive for literature searches by professionals seeking information on adapted physical activity pedagogy. Four databases were searched using 126 pedagogy and 66 disability terms. The results of the searches (4,130 hits) support the use of Sport Discus ( n = 2,442 hits) as the most productive database for searches on adapted physical activity pedagogy.
Worst-Case Prediction Strategy in Force Programming When Visual Information is Obstructed
Authors: Kawai Satoru , Mackenzie Christine L. , Ivens Chris J. , Yamamoto Takashi
Published: August 2011

A person's strategy for applying force while lifting an object is dependent upon visual cues. This study investigated the alteration of strategy in force programming when visual information about an object's size was obstructed at the moment of lifting. Seven subjects were instructed to use a precision grip for repeated lifts of a cube-like grip apparatus attached to a box. The grip apparatus was a special device designed to measure grip and load forces. Three different-sized plastic boxes of equal weight were pseudorandomly presented by attaching them beneath the grip apparatus to the subjects in two visual conditions. In the Full-vision condition, subjects could view the box's size prior to lifting. In the Obstructed-vision condition, a screen prevented subjects from seeing the box size prior to lifting. In the Full-vision condition, the grip force and load force used by subjects on the grip apparatus increased with box size. In contrast, the subjects in the Obstructed-vision condition used forces appropriate for the largest box regardless of box size. The present results suggest that absence of size information may cause an alteration of strategy used to determine force output in that subjects may apply a maximum force adequate for the largest box, which could be called a “worst-case” prediction strategy, i.e., when there is doubt, the most secure lift may be selected for all possible cases.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XCV. Annual January Rainfall May Modulate the Incidence of Luminous Phenomena within the San Francisco Basin
Authors: Derr J. S. , Persinger M. A.
Published: August 2011

The role of precipitation as a modulator of processes that influence the numbers of reports of anomalous luminous phenomena was investigated within the San Francisco Basin for the years 1950 through 1969. More than 50% of the variance in the numbers of these reports was accommodated by the amount of rainfall during the months of January. The relationship was strongest for events within 100 km of the city. Years in which January rainfall exceeded 8.5 in. and the numbers of earthquakes within the basin increased were associated with the largest numbers of general reports within 400 km from the city, particularly if the previous year had been drier and displayed Jess seismic activity. Application of the equation to years 1970 through 1995 predicted that above average ( z score >1.5) numbers of luminous displays should have occurred during the years 1973, 1993, and 1995. The results support the corollary of the tectonic strain theory that fluid injection or hydrological loads, natural or man-made, can affect the processes of tectonic strain which facilitate the creation of unusual luminous phenomena.
Complex Cognitive Disruption in Frontal Dementia Related to Motor Neuron Disease
Authors: Moretti Rita , Torre Paola , Antonello Rodolfo M. , De Masi Roberto , Cazzato Giuseppe
Published: August 2011

We describe a patient in whom motor neuron disease and frontal dementia showed concomitant development. This patient underwent a detailed and sequential neurolinguistic assessment, which indicated an alteration in language planning, language comprehension, and morphosyntactic operations. He showed also attention deficit, abstract reasoning disturbances, and prosopoagnosia which became worse during the year follow-up. We suggest that a more specific and sensitive neurolinguistic and neuropsychological test battery must be used to detect and study the entire disruption of cognitive processes in frontal dementia related to motor neuron disease.
Cardiac Deceleration in Elite Golfers as Modified by Noise and Anxiety during Putting
Authors: Hassmén Peter , Koivula Nathalie
Published: August 2011

The relationship between attention and performance in sports has been investigated in numerous studies, often by using indirect measurements such as self-reports. Alternatives for studying attentional processes during an event are provided by psychophysiological methods. In the present study, cardiac patterns of highly skilled golfers were monitored during the performance of a putting task in both the presence and absence of noise. As a group, the golfers putted as well when noise was present as when it was absent. However, those who scored high on a trait anxiety test showed greater intraindividual variation between putts when noise occurred. More importantly, the players with higher trait anxiety did not show, as expected, pronounced cardiac deceleration prior to putting, as did the players with low trait anxiety scores. Consequently, the present result calls into question the view that cardiac deceleration is associated with superior athletic performance. Furthermore, cardiac deceleration cannot be used as a general measure of attentional processes because interindividual differences in traits, such as anxiety, are probably also important factors to consider.
Effects of Acute Sleep Restriction on Behavior, Sustained Attention, and Response Inhibition in Children
Authors: Fallone Gahan , Acebo Christine , Arnedt J. Todd , Seifer Ronald , Carskadon Mary A.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the effects of acute sleep restriction on the daytime behavior and performance of healthy children and adolescents. 82 participants (8 to 15 years of age) completed 5 nights of baseline sleep and were randomly assigned to Optimized (10 hr.) or Restricted (4 hr.) sleep for an overnight lab visit. Behavior, performance, and sleepiness were assessed the following day. Sleep restriction was associated with shorter daytime sleep latency, increased subjective sleepiness, and increased sleepy and inattentive behaviors but was not associated with increased hyperactive-impulsive behavior or impaired performance on tests of response inhibition and sustained attention. Results are discussed in terms of current theories regarding effects of inadequate or disturbed sleep among children and adolescents.
Left Ear (Right Temporal Hemisphere) Advantage and Left Temporal Hemispheric Dysfunction in Schizophrenia
Authors: Aydin Nazan , Dane Şenol , Öztürk Işik , Uslu Celil , Gümüştekin Kenan , Kirpinar Ismet
Published: August 2011

In this study, to investigate the right or left ear advantages in psychiatric patients, the durations of hearing for right and left ears were assessed in 61 psychiatric patients, 26 with schizophrenia, 17 with depressive disorder, 13 with bipolar affective disorder, and 5 with brief psychotic disorder, plus 24 controls. Diagnoses were made on the basis of information provided from clinical interviews and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Schizophrenia was associated with a left ear advantage, and both depressive disorder and brief psychotic disorder were associated with right ear advantage as well as controls. These results suggest that their schizophrenia may be associated with a left temporal lobe dysfunction.
Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children
Authors: Croce Ronald V. , Horvat Michael , McCarthy Erick
Published: August 2011

Reliability and concurrent validity of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children were evaluated with a sample of 106 boys and girls, distributed into four age groups: 5–6 yr. ( n = 20), 7–8 yr. ( n = 20), 9–10 yr. ( n = 46), and 11–12 yr. ( n = 20). Test-retest reliability of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, estimated using intraclass correlation coefficients, was high across all age groups, and concurrent validity yielded moderate Pearson correlation coefficients between the Movement battery and long and short forms of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. These results support the use of the Movement battery as a measure of motor ability in children, ages 5 to 12 years.
Development of Muscle Fatigue Assessed by Using Superposition of Evoked and Volitional Myoelectric Potentials
Authors: Yamada Hiroshi , Okada Morihiko , Kiryu Tohru
Published: August 2011

We studied muscle fatigue development using evoked myoelectrical potentials superimposed on volitional ones. The instantaneous frequency of superimposed M-waves and mean power frequencies of volitional electromyography (EMG) declined during sustained contraction, indicating that fatigue progressed. We divided fatigue into 3 phases, with 20 frames in each fatigue phase, corresponding to one-third of the total sample. The instantaneous frequency of superimposed M-waves and mean power frequencies of volitiona EMG were correlated during early intensive isometric voluntary contractions and became increasingly uncorrelated as contraction proceeded. The coefficient between the mean power frequency and instantaneous frequency correlation was also greater at the first peak than at the second peak of the superimposed M-wave, indicating that the motor unit action potential was distorted. Distortion in the motor unit action potential shape depends on elongation of the depolarization zone of muscle fiber, because the superimposed M-wave is a peripheral indicator elicited by electrical stimulation. These results suggest that muscle fatigue develops based on the reduction of the conduction velocity of muscle fiber and on the elongation of the depolarization zone of muscle fiber.
Relationship between the Presentation of the Mommy and I are One Stimulus and Mood
Authors: Fudin Robert
Published: August 2011

In 1992 Weinberger suggested the effects of the presentation of MOMMY AND I ARE ONE might be mediated by its capacity to produce positive mood changes. Later support for this idea is unconvincing because these experiments lack the converging operations required to support the assumption that participants can encode the complete meaning of MOMMY AND I ARE ONE. Furthermore, without justification, they bypassed several variables of importance in prior research. Wide acceptance of findings in this area requires convincing evidence that participants can encode much more information from MOMMY AND I ARE ONE than from other types of subliminal stimuli and from supraliminal stimuli presented briefly. Until such evidence is available, attempts to explore individual differences in neurophysiological responses to MOMMY AND I ARE ONE, after it has been assumed to be encoded, are premature.
Absence of Syllable Effects: Monosyllabic Words are Easier than Multisyllabic Words
Authors: Lee Chang H.
Published: August 2011

The role of syllables using the conventional lexical task of naming was examined with 107 college students. Equal numbers of four- and six-letter monosyllabic and multisyllabic words were presented for naming. There were significant syllable effects for 4-letter words as in previous studies but not for 6-letter words. Instead, monosyllabic words take more time to process than multisyllabic words. Most monosyllabic words are exceptional words with irregular correspondence of letter to sound. These results confirm that letter-to-sound consistency is more important in word recognition than the number of syllables.
Relationship of Field Dependence and Color Coding to Female Students' Achievement
Authors: Moore David M. , Dwyer Francis M.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the relationship of field dependence and diffeentially color-coded instructional materials (black-and-white and colored) with 126 female students' achievement. Significant differences were found between field-independent and field-dependent students with the field-dependent students scoring higher on the Total Criterion measure. No significant interaction between color coding and field dependence was found on the Total Criterion Test scores. Significant differences in achievement were found in favor of women who received the color-coded version of the Total Criterion Test. These results confirm previous findings relating to the importance of field dependence in visual information and points to the necessity for further systematic analysis of the unique contributions color-coded instructional strategies might have in facilitating the achievement of female students.
Learning and Transfer in Two Perceptual-Motor Skills in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Nakafuji Atsushi , Tsuji Keiichiro
Published: August 2011

The present study examined perceptual-motor learning and its bilateral transfer in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is well known as a genetically determined disorder in which muscles gradually degenerate and weaken across age. Mirror-tracing and rotary-pursuit tasks were used to measure perceptual-motor performance in 18 patients with and 28 without (control subjects) the disorder. The results of two experiments indicated that the patients showed learning basically similar to most of the controls. Relatively low performance of these patients seemed to be associated with their kinetic disability, not by deterioration of the mediating process in perceptual-motor coordination.
Comparison and Reliability of Three Goniometric Methods for Measuring Forearm Supination and Pronation
Authors: Gajdosik Richard L.
Published: August 2011

Active supination and pronation range of motion of the right forearm by 10 men and 21 women were measured with a goniometer using three methods. For Method One the moveable arm was aligned with a pencil held in the hand; for Method Two the moveable arm was placed over the anterior and posterior surface of the distal forearm for supination and pronation, respectively; and for Method Three the moveable arm was aligned parallel with a visualized line connecting the distal ulna and radius. Supination range of motion was greatest for Method One, followed by Methods Three and Two, respectively. Pronation range for Method One was less than for the two other methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from .81 to .97 for three trials within the test session and from .86 to .96 between the test and a 1-hr. retest session for both actions using all three methods. Method One was the most reliable but appeared invalid for measuring supination because of movements of the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones. Methods Two and Three appeared appropriate for clinical application but not interchangeable.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XCVI. “Experiences” Attributed to Christ and Mary at Marmora, Ontario, Canada May Have been Consequences of Environmental Electromagnetic Stimulation: Implications for Religious Movements
Authors: Suess L. A. H. , Persinger M. A.
Published: August 2011

Since the year 1992 individuals and groups of people have reported religious experiences near Marmora, Ontario, Canada. The experiences, attributed to Christ or Mary, have occurred near the top of a hill adjacent to an open pit magnetite mine that has been accumulating about 15 million gallons of water per month for more than a decade. During the period between 1992 and 1997 epicentres for local seismic events moved significantly closer to this site. Most of the messages attributed to spiritual beings by “sensitive” individuals occurred one or two days after increased global geomagnetic activity. We suggest that conditions produced by local geophysical and geological properties created the odd lights and induced physiological changes within the thousands of people who visited the area. Direct measurements indicated that weak (0.1 microTesla to 1 microTesla) complex magnetic fields, the temporal patterns of which were similar to the experimental fields we have employed to evoke the sensed presence and altered states within the laboratory, may have been generated within the area.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motives for Originally following a Sport Team and Team Identification
Authors: Wann Daniel L. , Ensor Christi L. , Bilyeu Jaye K.
Published: August 2011

Research indicates that both highly and lowly identified fans are more likely to be intrinsically than extrinsically motivated and that highly identified fans have a particularly strong inclination for intrinsic motivation. The current investigation was designed to extend this work by examining the relationship between level of identification and one's intrinsic and extrinsic motives for originally following a sport team. Preference for intrinsic motives for originally following a team should be highest among those high on team identification. 88 participants completed questionnaires containing the Sport Spectator Identification Scale and items assessing their intrinsic and extrinsic motives for originally identifying with a team. Analyses provided clear support for the hypotheses.
Use of Primary and Secondary Reinforcers after Performance of a 1-Mile Walk/Run by Boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Trocki-Ables Pam , French Ron , O'Connor John
Published: August 2011

Based on visual inspection of time (sec.) across 8 exercise sessions for each, 3 reinforcement techniques of mainly token exchange and verbal praise paired with token exchange, were mildly associated with improvement of the cardiovascular performances of 5 young boys with ADHD. Specific reinforcement techniques improved time for this 1-mile walk/run by 5 boys with ADHD.
Peripheral Vision and Back Tuck Somersaults
Authors: Davlin Christina D. , Sands William A. , Shultz Barky B.
Published: August 2011

Although vision appears to enhance performance of somersaulting skills, few studies have investigated the source (foveal or ambient) of useful visual cues that can potentially be used by gymnasts during a somersault. Therefore, the primary objectives were to investigate the possible role of peripheral vision in the control of orientation and landing balance in a back tuck somersault. 10 female gymnasts (age = 11.6 ± 2.7 yr., competitive level = 8 ± 1.2, training time in gymnastics = 5.9 ± 1.6 yr.) performed back tuck somersaults under four visual conditions (full visual field, horizontal peripheral vision limited to 100°, horizonal peripheral vision limited to 60°, and no vision) while wearing electromagnetic sensors that allowed automatic digitizing. Analysis yielded no statistically significant difference on any of the kinematic variables among vision conditions. Despite limiting the gymnasts' available horizontal peripheral vision, joint angles, angular velocities, and timing remained very similar. There were no statistically significant differences in landing balance between the conditions of full vision, 100° peripheral vision, and 60° peripheral vision. However, gymnasts were less stable at landing when vision was absent as compared to the three other vision conditions.
A Cognitive-Perceptual Analysis of Projective Tests Used with Children
Authors: Seitz Jay A.
Published: August 2011

There are both general and specific problems with projective tests—the production, comprehension, and interpretation of two-dimensional visual representations. At the general level, there is a need to integrate findings from the neuro-and cognitive sciences, cognitive, perceptual, and affective development, and the understanding and interpretation of pictorial material based on the accumulated research base in the arts. At the specific level, much of the research base on projective tests is poor or outdated; evidence for clinical utility is mixed or negative; and the tests possess poor reliability and validity while the putative underlying psychological process of “projection” has not been subject to rigorous empirical examination—the term remains vague and elusive. While earlier critiques and reviews have focused on problems in validity and reliability, there has been a lack of attention to the development of children's pictorial abilities as pertain to projective techniques. Although many of the principles delineated here also apply to adolescents and adults, an important challenge for clinicians is to develop and employ better methods in the “projective” assessment of children.
Role of Motor Imitation in Traversability of Surfaces by Walking Infants
Authors: Toselli Monica , Farnetl Paola , Grossi Elisabetta
Published: August 2011

The ecological approach by Gibson stressed the role of visual cues in toddlers' locomoror activities. In particular, a rigid surface offers more traversability “affordances” to walkers (13–16 mo. old) than a deformable surface. On the other hand, imitation plays a relevant role in human behaviors. In our study a group of 17 walking infants (12–19 mo.) were asked to choose between locomoting on a rigid versus a deformable surface after having seen an older child walking on the deformable surface. A control group of 19 infants were asked to do the same task without having seen a mode). The task was repeated three times. No relevant differences appeared between the two groups as to the choice of surfaces; the rigid surface was preferred by both groups. Some slight differences in the behavior of the experimental group were seen as a result of observing the model. Clearly, however, social stimulus, such as the sight of an older child performing a specific task, does not overcome the affordances which induce infants not to walk on the deformable surface.
Response Selection and Execution Skills of Professionals and Novices during Singles Tennis Competition
Authors: Nielsen Tjai M. , McPherson Sue L.
Published: August 2011

This study extended research on sport expertise concerning the development of cognitive and motor skills in singles tennis (McPherson, 1999) 12 adult male professional and novice tennis players were videotaped during singles competition. Opponents for matches were randomly selected within each group of participants. Two tennis experts utilized an observational scale to judge players' performance generated during competition for serves and shots following the serve, e.g., return of serves, lobs. Each player was scored on three performance components: quality of movement to or control of the ball for serves or shots attempted (control skills), appropriateness of serve or shot selections in the context of game situations (response selection skills), and quality of serves or shots produced (response execution skills). Relative frequency scores for the highest category of each performance component were derived according to the number of opportunities to respond. Serve performance indicated both groups were able to control their serves; however, professionals made more tactical selections and forceful executions. Shot performance indicated professionals made more successful movement to and control of shots, tactical shot selections, and forcing shot executions than novices. Overall, players' tactical response selections were greater than their forceful response executions. Thus, assessing players' decisions during competition may provide vital information concerning tactical skill development. Further, professional players exhibited higher and more consistent tactical behavior than elite collegiate players examined in 1999 by McPherson Findings were attributed to tactical knowledge and motor skill development resulting from competition and practice experiences.
Physical Fitness and Self-Reported Physical Exercise among College Men and Women in 1987 and 1997
Authors: Adame Daniel D. , Johnson Thomas C. , Nowicki Stephen , Cole Steven P. , Matthiasson Haukur
Published: August 2011

The study examined the relations of self-reported physical activity levels and physical fitness scores for two samples of college students assessed in 1987 (n=261) and in 1997 (n=243). Significantly greater exercise was reported by the 1997 women than the 1987 women; amount of exercise reported by men did not differ. For both samples, greater exercise was associated with increased Fitness for women and men as assessed by the Hall 1986 Physical Fitness Test Profile, comprised of measures on body fat composition; grip strength; muscle endurance, flexibility, resting heart rate; systolic and diastolic blood pressures; and aerobic power. For the 1987 sample men were more fit than women. For the 1997 sample, women were more Fit than men. The 1997 women were more fit than the 1987 women; there was no difference on overall fitness measures of the two samples of men.
Learning Chinese Characters May Improve Visual Recall
Authors: Sugishita Morihiro , Omura Kazufumi
Published: August 2011

From elementary through high school, Japanese children are required to memorize a large number of distinct visual forms, i.e., roughly 2,000 Chinese characters, and tremendous effort is expended in learning to read and write them. We hypothesized that early training in memorizing Chinese characters and the use of these characters in daily life shapes brain development and facilitates recall of visual forms in general, including geometrical figures in visual recall tests. To demonstrate whether the learning of Chinese character is correlated with specific aspects of memory, we administered the Wechsler Memory Scale–Revised (WMS–R) to a representative sample of the normal Japanese population (316 persons, 100% Japanese) and compared their scores with data previously obtained from a representative sample of the normal U.S. population (316 persons, 82.5% Caucasian). The WMS–R has 12 memory subtests, each measuring a different aspect of memory and includes two visual recall subtests (Visual Reproduction I and II). Compared to the Americans, the Japanese group obtained significantly higher scores on these two visual recall subtests in each of the six age groups tested (16 to 74 years old). Further, the scores of Japanese on the two visual recall subtests did not decline across age groups as much as scores for the U.S. group. Japanese also scored significantly higher on the Visual Memory Span subtest in three age groups.
Narrow and Broad Definition of Mixed-Handedness in Male Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Giotakos Orestis
Published: August 2011

Differences in assessment and classification procedures of many mixed-handedness studies have made comparison of findings difficult. In the present study, “narrow” and “broad” definitions of mixed-handedness were investigated using the Annett Handedness Questionnaire in patients with schizophrenia ( n = 68), panic disorder ( n = 62), borderline personality disorder ( n = 35), heroin addiction ( n = 54), and mental retardation ( n = 33) in comparison with 944 controls. According to the “narrow” definition of mixed-handedness, an excess of mixed-handedness was observed in patients with borderline personality disorder and mental retardation. An excess of nonmixed-handedness was found in patients with panic disorder. According to the “broad” definition of mixed-handedness, an excess of mixed-handedness was observed in patients with mental retardation, in the total sample of psychiatric patients ( n = 252), and in the schizophrenic patients. Thus, we can conclude that different mixed-handedness definitions can be associated with different results. Furthermore, we suggest that the neurotic part of the present psychopathology spectrum tends to be related to an excess of normal or nonmixed-handedness, and the psychotic as well as the organic portion is associated with an excess of mixed-handedness. regardless of the definition of mixed-handedness used.
Access to Perceptual and Conceptual Information in the Left and Right Hemispheres
Authors: Shibahara Naoki , Lucero-Wagoner Brennis
Published: August 2011

It is assumed that there are hemispheric differences in the type of information available for the processing of word meanings, e.g., categorical or associative information. In the present experiment, we used a semantic priming paradigm to examine whether perceptual or conceptual properties of word meanings would be associated with the left or right hemisphere. The present experiment also examined time-course activation of these properties across the hemispheres, using short and long stimulus onset asynchronies. The results indicated that perceptual information is available only in the right hemisphere at an early rather than a late stage of target processing, while conceptual information is available in both hemispheres at both early and later stages of target processing. It is suggested that the imagery system in the right hemisphere may contribute to the perceptual priming observed in this hemisphere.
Robustness of the Two-Dimensional Structure of Recognition of Facial Expression: Evidence under Different Intensities of Emotionality
Authors: Takehara Takuma , Suzuki Naoto
Published: August 2011

Many studies have indicated that recognition of facial expression is geometrically represented in terms of two underlying bipolar dimensions, pleasure-displeasure and the intensity of arousal. A psychological space defined by these two dimensions has been found under particular conditions using prototype faces; however, the question arises whether this two-dimensional psychological space is also an accurate representation for faces with lower emotional intensity To test this we prepared four different conditions of emotional intensity (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of emotionality) for six basic facial expressions using morphing. Participants (29 for the 100%, 30 for 75%, 35 for 50%, and 34 for the 25% condition) in each condition rated the facial stimuli on a 6-point scale of “not at all” and “very much so”. Multidimensional scaling for each condition clearly indicated a two-dimensional representation, and multiple correlations showed significant similarity across conditions ( p < .001). This shows that the two-dimensional representation of recognition of facial expression is robust.