bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety and Self-Confidence in Athletic Performance of Beach Volleyball
Authors: Kais Kristjan , Raudsepp Lennart
Published: December 2005

This study considered the influence of competitive anxiety and self-confidence state responses upon athletic performance. 66 male beach volleyball players completed the translated and modified Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2 which included the original intensity scale and a direction scale of Jones and Swain. Players' performance was scored from the video records using a standard rating scales. Correlations indicated scores on Direction subscale of modified Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2 and Self-confidence were moderately positively ( r = .27 to .51) correlated with different skill components and sum of skill components of beach volleyball. Stepwise multiple regressions indicated that, as anticipated, directional perceptions of cognitive and somatic anxiety and self-confidence were significant predictors of beach volleyball performance but accounted for only 42% of variance. Original Intensity subscales of somatic and cognitive anxiety did not predict performance. Findings support the notion that direction of anxiety responses must be taken into consideration when examining anxiety-performance association in sport.
Human Pulling Strengths in Different Conditions of Exertion
Authors: Cheng Te-Shiang , Lee Tzu-Hsien
Published: December 2005

This study tested 29 young Taiwanese men and 31 young Taiwanese women to examine the effects of pulling type (one-handed and two-handed) and height (48 cm, 84 cm, 120 cm, and 156 cm) on maximum horizontal isometric pulling strengths. Analysis showed differences in pulling strength between one-handed and two-handed efforts were surprisingly small for free pulling postures. The pulling strength decreased significantly with pulling height. The highest pulling strength was approximately two to three fold the lowest pulling strength across the four pulling heights. The women's pulling strength was approximately 59% to 67% of men's pulling strength. The test-retest correlations for pulling strength were satisfactory. The correlations between pulling strength and subjects' anthropometry were not sufficiently high to justify the prediction of strength. Most correlations between strengths in any two different pulling conditions were high and significant.
A Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention Program for Students with Special Reading Disabilities
Authors: Zafiropoulou Maria , Mati-Zissi Heleni
Published: December 2005

Interaction among cognitive, meta-cognitive, and emotional factors seems to play a determining part in achievement behavior and especially in scholastic performance. In this study some preliminary results are presented of the implementation of a multidimensional cognitive-behavioral psychoeducational program especially designed for students with reading disabilities in which parents and teachers also take part. The aim of the program was to provide students with appropriate emotional and cognitive skills with which to address their learning problems. First results on the efficacy of the implemented program to 20 primary school boys and girls with special reading disabilities encourage research on management of learning problems with focus on cognitive and emotional aspects in which parents and teachers contribute. Research including a control group is necessary.
Cortical and Subcortical Dynamics of Aging with HIV Infection
Authors: Vance David E.
Published: December 2005

Given pharmaceutical advancements, more people with HIV will be living to old age. Cognitive declines have been observed both during normal aging and in people with HIV; whether there are cumulative cognitive declines in adults aging with HIV remains unknown. Based on current literature, adults aging with HIV may be at risk for psychomotor declines that resemble parkinsonianism.
A Study of 60- to 89-MO.-Old Children's Skill at Writing Numerals
Authors: Arnas Yaşare Aktaş , Siğirtmaç Ayperi Dikici , Gül Ebru Deretarla
Published: December 2005

The skill of writing numerals necessitates a certain developmental maturity. Studying the age at which children start to develop this skill and assessing problems they encounter while writing numerals should give direction to their training. From 8 schools a total of 267 children, ages 60 to 89 mo., were asked to write the numerals 1 to 9. Analysis showed that 80% of the children wrote most of the numerals correctly, 15% wrote inverted numerals, 2.0% wrote some numerals as letters, and 4% did not write certain numerals at all. In addition, 64% of children ages 60 to 65 mo. gave correct responses, and the perception of correct responses increased across age groups until 95% were correct in the group who were 84 to 89 mo. There was no significant difference between girls and boys in these writing skills.
Children's Perceptions of Dangerous Substances
Authors: Pfeffer K. , Wilson B.
Published: December 2005

The aim of this research was to examine age differences in children's perceptions of dangerous substances. Children's responses to photographs of child models encountering alcohol, a syringe, medicine, glue, and household bleach were coded for recognition of substance, awareness of potential danger, and understanding of danger or harm. Responses from 59 children (28 girls and 31 boys, who were all children of the required age in an urban primary school) were compared across three age groups (6–7 years, 8–9 years, and 10–11 years). 15 to 18 of 20 children in each of three age groups recognised all the dangerous substances. Significant differences across age groups were found for awareness of the potential harm from alcohol, glue, and medicine, but not for the syringe or bleach. Children reported less serious consequences from ingesting alcohol than other substances, the consequences of sniffing glue tended to be confused with the sticking properties of glue, children's understanding of transmission of germs, disease, and AIDS through syringes was varied, and there was a tendency among the older children to underestimate the potential harm of self-administration of medicines. Findings were discussed in relation to children's concepts of danger and safety education.
Modeling Judgments of Linear Extent
Authors: Greene Ernest , Frawley William
Published: December 2005

Subjects were asked to make judgments of linear extent, specifically, to assess and reproduce the span between dots, with distances that ranged from 0.5 to 8° of visual angle. The errors of judgment were modeled by regressing against linear and Fourier components, yielding a model for each of the 25 subjects who participated in the five experiments and for each session in which the subjects were tested. Most of the models manifested a complex profile of underestimates and overestimates of span as a function of the span being judged. Successive cycles of under- and over-estimation of spans appeared as quasiperiodic oscillations in some of the models. We hypothesize that spatial position is encoded by neuron receptive fields that are organized as a mosaic, and these judgment errors may reflect defects in or competitive interaction among these receptive fields.
Effects of Foot-Pedal Positions by Inexperienced Cyclists at the Highest Aerobic Level
Authors: Millslagle Duane , Rubbelke Sara , Mullin Tom , Keener John , Swetkovich Ryan
Published: December 2005

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the platform foot-pedal position affected maximal oxygen intake (VO2 max) at the highest aerobic demand in cycling. 21 inexperienced cyclists completed two exercise tests, one in the “normal” platform foot-pedal position and the other in the Biopedal™ forefoot varus foot-pedal position, cycling on an exercise ergometer. The time between tests ranged from 1 to 3 days depending on the subject's reported fatigue and muscle soreness. The highest aerobic demand was the subject's VO2 max at the point just below the subject's anaerobic threshold. A one-way analysis of variance indicated that the subject's VO2 max performance was similar between the foot-pedal positions. These results did not support the assumption that the Biopedal™ forefoot varus foot-pedal position would enable the cyclist to be more efficient at the highest aerobic demand when compared to a standard platform foot-pedal position.
Body Satisfaction in College Women after Brief Exposure to Magazine Images
Authors: Cameron Elizabeth M. , Ferraro F. Richard
Published: December 2005

Female undergraduates were divided into groups based on their rated body dissatisfaction ( n = 45 operationally defined as Satisfied, n = 45 as Dissatisfied). These groups were then randomly assigned to one of three magazine categories: fashion, fitness-and-health, and news. Measures of Body Satisfaction, Depression, Anxiety, Self-esteem, Fear of Fat, Eating Attitudes, and Control of Weight were taken. Significant group main effects were found on Depression, Trait Anxiety, Eating Attitudes, Fear of Fat, and Self-esteem. A significant main effect for media was found for scores on Body Satisfaction, with the fitness-and-health Dissatisfied group reporting decreased body satisfaction following magazine exposure. No interactions were found. It appears women who are dissatisfied with their bodies may be at risk for a further decrease in body satisfaction after even a 15-min. exposure to fitness and health magazines but further follow-up measures were not made.
An Examination of High School Students' Attitudes toward Physical Education with Regard to Sex and Sport Participation
Authors: Koca Canan , Demirhan Giyasettin
Published: December 2005

This study assessed attitudes of high school students toward physical education with regard to sex and sport participation. A total of 440 sport participants (175 girls and 265 boys) and of 427 nonsport participants (227 girls and 200 boys), all of whom were 15 yr. old, voluntarily participated. The Attitudes Toward Physical Education Scale was administered to assess participants' attitudes toward physical education. The results of 2 × 2 (Sex × Sports Participation) analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in attitudes toward physical education between sport participants and nonsport participants, with the former scoring higher, and a difference between boys and girls, with boys scoring higher. However, there was no significant interaction between sex and sports participation on attitudes toward physical education. In general, sport participants had more favorable Attitudes Toward Physical Education scores than nonsport participants, and high school boys scored significantly higher than girls. There was a significant difference in Attitudes Toward Physical Education scores between female and male high school students, with boys having more favorable attitude scores.
Left: Right Differences in Psychophysical and Electrodermal Measures of Olfactory Thresholds and Their Relation to Electrodermal Indices of Hemispheric Asymmetries
Authors: Brand Gérard , Millot Jean-Louis , Jacquot Laurence , Thomas Stéphanie , Wetzel Sonia
Published: December 2005

The study of lateralization processes in olfaction in human subjects has given rise to many contradictory findings. Indeed, sensorial cerebral asymmetry in olfaction depends on several factors (nature of task, quality of stimulus, characteristics of subjects, etc.) and could be also related to differences between the nostrils. In this field, few studies have assessed simultaneously the left–right nostril differences and the hemispheric asymmetry. The present work dealt with this question in the same population with the same odorants, procedures, and stimulations. Seven different concentrations of four specific odorants (two pleasant and two unpleasant) were used by single nostril stimulation with 30 dextral subjects (20 women and 10 men). Threshold detection in unilateral stimulation was investigated using electrodermal response to confirm the first psychophysic measure. Moreover, bilateral recordings of electrodermal activity (EDA) with unilateral stimulation were used as a measure of functional hemispheric asymmetry. Analysis showed no differences between the two nostrils for the threshold detection regardless of the method used (psychophysic or EDA response). However, most subjects presented a constant direction of electrodermal asymmetry whichever nostril was stimulated and whichever odorant stimulus used. The constant bilateral differences in EDA recordings are discussed in terms of asymmetrical activation of the hemispheres.
Effect on Truck Drivers' Alertness of a 30-Min. Exposure to Bright Light: A Field Study
Authors: Landström Ulf , Äkerstedt Torbjörn , Byström Marianne , Nordström Bertil , Wibom Roger
Published: December 2005

Reduced alertness is common during night driving. Light treatment may constitute one countermeasure to reduce sleepiness. To test this idea six professional drivers participated in this study in which they self-administered a 30-min. light treatment during a break in the middle of a night drive of about 9 hours. Two experimental conditions were used, including light exposures with a light box and a light visor. There was a control condition. Alertness was measured on a 100-mm visual analogue scale. No significant effect of light was found, but ratings of sleepiness increased significantly through the night drive. The experimental light treatment was not correlated with any increased wakefulness compared to the drivings where no extra light exposures were carried out.
Association of Culture with Shyness among Japanese and American University Students
Authors: Sakuragi Toshiyuki
Published: December 2005

Previous cross-cultural studies of shyness have generally reported a higher level of shyness among adults in Japan than in the United States. This study examined two aspects of culture potentially related to different levels of shyness among the Americans and the Japanese: complementary relationship orientation, a tendency to maximize the status difference during communication, and family interdependence, a dependent tendency between a child and a parent. The survey included the 13-item version of Cheek's Shyness Scale and Sakuragi's Complementary Relationship Orientation Scale, and the Family Interdependence Scale. Analysis of responses by 166 American university students (76 men, 90 women) and 187 Japanese (81 men, 106 women) indicated that complementary relationship orientation was significantly related to shyness for both the Americans and the Japanese. No significant relationship, however, was found between scores on family interdependence and shyness.
Finno-Ugrians, Blood Types, and Suicide: Comment on Voracek, Fisher, and Marusic
Authors: Lester David , Kondrichin Sergei V.
Published: December 2005

In a sample of 20 European nations, the distribution of blood types provided a better explanation for the association of longitude with suicide rates than did the percentage of Finno-Ugrian ethnic group.
Spatial Visualization of Undergraduate Education Majors Classified by Thinking Styles
Authors: Alkhateeb Haitham M.
Published: December 2005

180 undergraduate education majors studying mathematics were administered the Human Information Processing Survey and classified as showing Left ( n = 34), Right ( n = 38), Integrated ( n = 28), or Mixed ( n = 80) thinking styles. Rotation scores on the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test did not statistically differ among the four groups.
Influence of Music and Distraction on Visual Search Performance of Participants with High and Low Affect Intensity
Authors: Crust Lee , Clough Peter J. , Robertson Colin
Published: December 2005

This study examined the role of music and distraction on the performance of a visual search task (grid test) for 57 volunteer sports science undergraduates ( M = 21.6 yr., SD = 3.0), comprising 39 men and 18 women who were subsequently classified as either high or low in Affect Intensity (responsiveness to emotional stimuli). Participants were instructed to identify as many numbers in sequence from an 8 × 8 concentration grid while being randomly exposed to four conditions: silence (Control), distraction (Talking), Instrumental Music, and Lyrical Music. Each trial lasted 120 sec., with 180-sec. rest periods between trials. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Newman-Keuls post hoc analysis for the entire sample ( N = 57) indicated that significantly higher scores on the grid test were attained with Lyrical Music than with Instrumental Music ( p < .05), Talking ( p < .01), or Control conditions ( p < .01). The Instrumental Music condition had significantly better performance than either the Talking or Control condition ( p < .01). When the 20 highest and lowest Affect Intensity scores were analysed, no significant between-group mean differences in performance were evident. Results suggest that music may facilitate a simple visual search task.
Exact Goodness-of-Fit Tests for Unordered Equiprobable Categories
Authors: Berry Kenneth J. , Johnston Janis E. , Mielke Paul W.
Published: December 2005

An algorithm and computer program to calculate exact goodness-of-fit tests for unordered categories with equal probabilities under the null hypothesis are presented. FORTRAN program EBGF utilizes partitions and multinomial weights to reduce computation times for Fisher's exact, exact chi-square, exact likelihood-ratio, exact Freeman-Tukey, and exact Cressie-Read goodness-of-fit tests.
Prevalence of University Students' Sufficient Physical Activity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Irwin Jennifer D.
Published: December 2005

This study reviewed and analyzed the prevalence of university students' participation in physical activity at the level necessary to acquire health benefits. 19 primary studies (published 1985–2001) representing a total of 35,747 students (20,179 women and 15,568 men) from a total of 27 countries (Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Nigeria, United States, and 21 European countries) are described and the amount of activity identified within each study is analyzed in accordance with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for physical activity. With respect to these guidelines, more than one-half of university students in the United States and Canada are not active enough to gain health benefits. Internationally, the same is true, although Australian students appear to have the highest level of sufficient activity (at 60%). Women, and especially African-American women, are among the least active students, and students living off-campus are more active than those on-campus. Insufficient activity is a serious health concern among university students. Appropriate interventions and tools to measure ACSM-recommended physical activity are needed.
Resistance Training is Associated with Improved Mood in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: McLafferty Charles L. , Wetzstein Carla J. , Hunter Gary R.
Published: December 2005

This study examined the effects of 24 wk. of resistance training on mood in healthy but sedentary older adults. 28 participants performed resistance training 3 times per week for 24 weeks. No significant differences were found in mood scores between high and variable resistance groups, and there were no significant interactions between resistance and sex or intervention, or among all three factors. For pooled data, significant improvement was found on measures of Confusion, Tension, Anger, and Total Mood Scores, although not for scores for Fatigue, Vigor, and Depression. Sex differences were found on some subscales, but no significant interactions between sex and resistance training. These findings support the effectiveness of resistance training in improving mood in healthy older adults, although further study is needed to control for effect size, as well as cohort, social, and attentional effects.
On a General Class of Chi-Squared Goodness-of-Fit Statistics
Authors: Kvålseth Tarald O.
Published: December 2005

A class of chi-squared goodness-of-fit statistics is presented as being based on the so-called divergence of one probability distribution from another. A still more general class of goodness-of-fit statistics is then presented by eliminating some of the restrictions required of divergence-based statistics. This most general class of statistics includes, as particular cases, a variety of statistics used in the published literature.
Perceptual Encoding of Fingerspelled and Printed Alphabet by Deaf Signers: An fMRI Study
Authors: Dufour André , Després Olivier , Brochard Renaud , Scheiber Christian , Robert Christel
Published: December 2005

We measured brain activation during the perception of fingerspelled letters, printed letters, and abstract shapes (control condition) in six congenitally, profoundly deaf signers and six normal hearing subjects. Normal hearing subjects showed essentially extrastriate activation in the fingerspelled letters and printed letters conditions whereas deaf subjects showed activation of a broader network in printed letters and fingerspelled conditions, comprising supplementary frontal and posterior areas, and the supramarginal gyrus (Brodmann Area 6). These results suggest that, on one hand, different cerebral areas in deaf and hearing subjects mediate processing of printed letters and, on the other hand, common cerebral areas are activated in deaf signers when they are engaged in processing fingerspelled or printed letters.
Weekly Treatments with a Burst-Firing Magnetic Field Alters Behavior in the Elevated plus Maze after Two Sessions
Authors: Fitzpatrick R. E. , Persinger M. A.
Published: December 2005

In a split-litter design, rats were either injected with 15 mg/kg of clomipramine or saline from postnatal Days 8 through 21. Other rats from the same litters were not injected. When the rats were 90 days of age, the rats were tested once per week for five weeks in an elevated plus maze that contained two open arms (no walls) and two walled arms. Following each test, they were exposed (total of 4 exposures) for 30 min. to a burst-firing magnetic field (1 microTesla) that has been shown to reduce depression in human beings. After two treatments, the rats exposed to the burst-firing fields spent about half the amount of time in the open arms compared to the sham-field exposed rats. The interaction between adult treatment and whether the rats had received the antidepressant before weaning was not significant statistically. These results suggest that at least two weekly sessions may be required before significant changes in behavior occur after weekly 30-min. exposures to these potentially “therapeutic” magnetic fields.
Covalent Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly of Conjugated Polymers and CdSe Nanoparticles: Multilayer Structure and Photovoltaic Properties
Authors: Liang Z. , Dzienis K. L. , Xu J. , Wang Q.
Published: December 2005

Hybrid thin films of conjugated polymers and CdSe nanoparticles have been fabricated by using a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) approach driven by covalent coupling reactions. This method permits facile covalent crosslinking of the polymer/nanoparticle interlayers in common organic solvents, which provides a general route for preparing robust and uniform functional thin films. The deposition process is linearly related to the number of bilayers as monitored by UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and ellipsometry. Characterization of the multilayer structures has been carried out by fluorescence spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and grazing‐angle Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have also been used. A preliminary application of the hybrid films in the development of organic photovoltaics is presented. Upon illumination with white light at 10 mW cm–2, the self‐assembled multilayer films exhibit steady photocurrent responses with an overall optical‐to‐electrical power conversion efficiency of 0.71 %.
Widespread decrease of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Fujita Masahiro , Ichise Masanori , Zoghbi Sami S. , Liow Jeih‐San , Ghose Subroto , Vines Douglass C. , Sangare Janet , Lu Jian‐Qiang , Cropley Vanessa L. , Iida Hidehiro , Kim Kyeong Min , Cohen Robert M. , Bara‐Jimenez William , Ravina Bernard , Innis Robert B.
Published: December 2005

Objective

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have close interactions with the dopaminergic system and play critical roles in cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to compare these receptors between living PD patients and healthy subjects.

Methods

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were imaged in 10 nondemented Parkinson's disease patients and 15 age‐matched healthy subjects using a single‐photon emission computed tomography ligand [123I]5‐iodo‐3‐[2(S)‐2‐azetidinylmethoxy]pyridine. Using an arterial input function, we measured the total distribution volume (V; specific plus nondisplaceable), as well as the delivery (K1).

Results

Parkinson's disease showed a widespread significant decrease (approximately 10%) of V in both cortical and subcortical regions without a significant change in K1.

Interpretation

These results indicate the importance of extending the study to demented patients. Ann Neurol 2006;59:174–177
Substantia nigra tangles are related to gait impairment in older persons
Authors: Schneider Julie A. , Li Jia‐Liang , Li Yan , Wilson Robert S. , Kordower Jeffrey H. , Bennett David A.
Published: December 2005

Objective

Parkinsonian signs, especially gait impairment, are common and associated with morbidity and mortality in older persons. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that substantia nigra neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are related to parkinsonian signs in older persons with and without dementia.

Methods

We studied 86 deceased older Catholic clergy without idiopathic Parkinson's disease from the Religious Order Study, a longitudinal clinical‐pathological study. Mean age at death was 85.3 years. Signs of gait disturbance, bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor were assessed proximate to death using a modified Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Forty‐micrometer paraffin‐embedded sections of substantia nigra were bleached before tau immunohistochemistry and the optical disector was used to count NFTs. We used multivariable linear regression to examine parkinsonian signs as a function of nigra NFTs, controlling for age, sex, education, and cortical NFTs.

Results

Substantia nigra NFTs were present in 67 of 86 persons (77.9%). After controlling for age, sex, education, and cortical NFTs, nigra NFTs were related to gait impairment (p < 0.001), but not bradykinesia, rigidity, or tremor. Results were not confounded by dementia, Braak score, neuroleptic medication, cerebral infarcts, or Lewy bodies.

Interpretation

NFTs in the substantia nigra are associated with gait impairment in older persons with and without dementia. Ann Neurol 2006;59:166–173
An association between type 1 diabetes and idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Authors: McCorry Dougall , Nicolson A. , Smith D. , Marson A. , Feltbower Richard G. , Chadwick D. W.
Published: December 2005

Objective

Idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) account for approximately 30% of all patients with epilepsy. Both the IGEs and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) represent serious worldwide problems, because of related medical and social management costs. Clinical experience suggested the two conditions were seen in individuals more frequently than might be expected by chance.

Methods

We compared the population prevalence of T1D in 15‐ to 30‐year‐olds to a cohort of 518 15‐ to 30‐year‐olds with IGE.

Results

We found a highly significant excess of T1D in our IGE cohort, with an odds ratio of 4.4 (95% confidence interval, 2.1–9.2).

Interpretation

Our results suggest that the prevalence of T1D is increased by a factor of four in young adults with IGE. To our knowledge, this is the first published association between the two conditions and expands the diseases known to be associated with T1D. Ann Neurol 2006;59:204–206
An effective procedure for constructing a hierarchical text classification system
Authors: Yoon Yongwook , Lee Changki , Lee Gary Geunbae
Published: December 2005

In text categorization tasks, classification on some class hierarchies has better results than in cases without the hierarchy. Currently, because a large number of documents are divided into several subgroups in a hierarchy, we can appropriately use a hierarchical classification method. However, we have no systematic method to build a hierarchical classification system that performs well with large collections of practical data. In this article, we introduce a new evaluation scheme for internal node classifiers, which can be used effectively to develop a hierarchical classification system. We also show that our method for constructing the hierarchical classification system is very effective, especially for the task of constructing classifiers applied to hierarchy tree with a lot of levels.
Experimental evaluation of starch utilization mechanism by activated sludge
Authors: Karahan Özlem , Martins António , Orhon Derin , van Loosdrecht Mark C.M.
Published: December 2005

The study aimed to explore the conversion processes of hydrolysable substrates by activated sludge. Experimental data were collected from a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and from batch tests using activated sludge acclimated to native potato starch (NPS). Parallel batch tests were run with NPS (particulate), soluble starch (SolS), maltose, and glucose for comparative evaluation. The fate of organic carbon in the reactor was followed directly by measuring substrate, poly‐glucose, and oxygen uptake rate. Results indicated that adsorption was the dominant mechanism for starch removal with subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis inside the flocs. The role of bulk liquid enzyme activity was minimal. Starch was observed to hydrolyze to maltose rather than glucose. The behavior of NPS and SolS was quite similar to maltose in terms of poly‐glucose formation and oxygen uptake. Since the simplest hydrolysis product was maltose, the biomass was not acclimated to glucose and thus, glucose exhibited a significantly different removal and storage pattern. The study also showed that differentiation of readily biodegradable and slowly biodegradable COD should better be based on the kinetics of their utilization rather than simple physical characterization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
π Topology and Spin Alignment in Unique Photoexcited Triplet and Quintet States Arising from Four Unpaired Electrons of an Organic Spin System
Authors: Teki Yoshio , Toichi Tetuya , Nakajima Satoru
Published: December 2005

Syntheses, electronic structures in the ground state, unique photoexcited states, and spin alignment are reported for novel biradical 1, which was designed as an ideal model compound to investigate photoinduced spin alignment in the excited state. Electron spin resonance (ESR), time‐resolved ESR (TRESR), and laser‐excitation pulsed ESR experiments were carried out. The magnetic properties were examined with a SQUID magnetometer. In the electronic ground state, two radical moieties interact very weakly (almost no interaction) with each other through the closed‐shell diphenylanthracene spin coupler. On photoirradiation, a novel lowest photoexcited state with the intermediate spin (S=1) arising from four unpaired electrons with low‐lying quintet (S=2) photoexcited state was detected. The unique triplet state has an interesting electronic structure, the D value of which is reduced by antiferromagnetic spin alignment between two radical spins through the excited triplet spin coupler. The general theoretical predictions of the spin alignment and the reduction of the fine‐structure splitting of the triplet bis(radical) systems are presented. The fine‐structure splitting of the unique photoexcited triplet state of 1, as well as the existence of the low‐lying quintet state, is interpreted well on the basis of theoretical predictions. Details of the spin alignment in the photoexcited states are discussed.
Role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in calcium homeostasis and human sperm motility regulation
Authors: Krasznai Zoltán , Krasznai Zoárd Tibor , Morisawa Masaaki , Bazsáné Zsuzsa Kassai , Hernádi Zoltán , Fazekas Zsolt , Trón Lajos , Goda Katalin , Márián Teréz
Published: December 2005

A number of cell functions, such as flagellar beating, swimming velocity, acrosome reaction, etc., are triggered by a Ca2+ influx across the cell membrane. For appropriate physiological functions, the motile human sperm maintains the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) at a submicromolar level. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) in the maintenance of [Ca2+]i in human spermatozoa. Spermatozoa maintained in extracellular medium containing ≥1 μM Ca2+ exhibited motility similar to that of the control. In addition to several calcium transport mechanisms described earlier, we provide evidence that the NCX plays a crucial role in the maintenance of [Ca2+]i. Three chemically unrelated inhibitors of the NCX (bepridil, DCB (3′,4′‐dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride), and KB‐R7943) all blocked human sperm motility in a dose and incubation time dependent manner. The IC50 values for bepridil, DCB, and KB‐R7943 were 16.2, 9.8, and 5.3 μM, respectively. The treatment with the above‐mentioned blockers resulted in an elevated [Ca2+]i and a decreased [Na+]i. The store‐operated calcium channel (SOCC) inhibitor SKF 96365 also blocked the sperm motility (IC50 = 2.44 μM). The presence of the NCX antigen in the human spermatozoa was proven by flow cytometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and immunoblotting techniques. Calcium homeostasis of human spermatozoa is maintained by several transport proteins among which the SOCC and the NCX may play a major role. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative analysis of lesion development and intraspinal inflammation in four strains of mice following spinal contusion injury
Authors: Kigerl Kristina A. , McGaughy Violeta M. , Popovich Phillip G.
Published: December 2005

Susceptibility to neuroinflammatory disease is influenced in part by genetics. Recent data indicate that survival of traumatized neurons is strain dependent and influenced by polygenic loci that control resistance/susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of CNS autoimmune disease. Here, we describe patterns of neurodegeneration and intraparenchymal inflammation after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice known to exhibit varying degrees of EAE susceptibility [EAE‐resistant (r) or EAE‐susceptible (s) mice]. Spinal cords from C57BL/6 (EAE‐s), C57BL/10 (EAE‐r), BALB/c (EAE‐r), and B10.PL (EAE‐s) mice were prepared for stereological and immunohistochemical analysis at 6 hours or 3, 7, 14, 28, or 42 days following midthoracic (T9) spinal contusion injury. In general, genetic predisposition to EAE predicted the magnitude of intraparenchymal inflammation but not lesion size/length or locomotor recovery. Specifically, microglia/macrophage activation, recruitment of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and de novo synthesis of MHC class II were greatest in C57BL/6 mice and least in BALB/c mice at all times examined. However, lesion volume and axial spread of neurodegeneration were similar in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice and were significantly greater than in C57BL/10 or B10.PL mice. Strains with marked intraspinal inflammation also developed the most intense lesion fibrosis. Thus, strain‐dependent neuroinflammation was observed after SCI, but without a consistent relationship to EAE susceptibility or lesion progression. Only in C57BL/6 mice was the magnitude of intraspinal inflammation predictive of secondary neurodegeneration, functional recovery, or fibrosis. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:578–594, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localized brain activation specific to auditory memory in a female songbird
Authors: Terpstra Nienke J. , Bolhuis Johan J. , Riebel Katharina , van der Burg Jorien M.M. , den Boer‐Visser Ardie M.
Published: December 2005

Song acquisition in songbird males is a prominent model system for the study of the brain mechanisms of memory. Male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) learn their songs from an adult conspecific tutor early in life. Previous work has shown that exposure of males to their tutor song leads to increased expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) in the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) and in the caudomedial mesopallium (CMM). In addition, IEG expression in the NCM correlates significantly with the strength of song learning. Interpretation of these findings is complicated, as males both learn the characteristics of tutor song and learn to produce a similar own song. Female zebra finches do not sing, but nevertheless they learn the characteristics of a song to which they were exposed when young, and form a preference for it. Here, adult zebra finch females reared with their fathers showed a significant preference for their father's song. Females that were later reexposed to their father's song showed significantly greater expression of Zenk, the protein product of the IEGZENK, than controls that were exposed to a novel song, in the CMM, but not in the NCM or hippocampus. These results suggest that in female zebra finches the CMM may be (part of) the neural substrate for the representation of the memory of their father's song. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:784–791, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abnormal expression of the G‐protein‐activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel 2 (GIRK2) in hippocampus, frontal cortex, and substantia nigra of Ts65Dn mouse: A model of Down syndrome
Authors: Harashima Chie , Jacobowitz David M. , Witta Jassir , Borke Rosemary C. , Best Tyler K. , Siarey Richard J. , Galdzicki Zygmunt
Published: December 2005

Ts65Dn, a mouse model of Down syndrome (DS), demonstrates abnormal hippocampal synaptic plasticity and behavioral abnormalities related to spatial learning and memory. The molecular mechanisms leading to these impairments have not been identified. In this study, we focused on the G‐protein‐activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel 2 (GIRK2) gene that is highly expressed in the hippocampus region. We studied the expression pattern of GIRK subunits in Ts65Dn and found that GIRK2 was overexpressed in all analyzed Ts65Dn brain regions. Interestingly, elevated levels of GIRK2 protein in the Ts65Dn hippocampus and frontal cortex correlated with elevated levels of GIRK1 protein. This suggests that heteromeric GIRK1‐GIRK2 channels are overexpressed in Ts65Dn hippocampus and frontal cortex, which could impair excitatory input and modulate spike frequency and synaptic kinetics in the affected regions. All GIRK2 splicing isoforms examined were expressed at higher levels in the Ts65Dn in comparison to the diploid hippocampus. The pattern of GIRK2 expression in the Ts65Dn mouse brain revealed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry was similar to that previously reported in the rodent brain. However, in the Ts65Dn mouse a strong immunofluorescent staining of GIRK2 was detected in the lacunosum molecular layer of the CA3 area of the hippocampus. In addition, tyrosine hydroxylase containing dopaminergic neurons that coexpress GIRK2 were more numerous in the substantia nigra compacta and ventral tegmental area in the Ts65Dn compared to diploid controls. In summary, the regional localization and the increased brain levels coupled with known function of the GIRK channel may suggest an important contribution of GIRK2 containing channels to Ts65Dn and thus to DS neurophysiological phenotypes. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:815–833, 2006. Published 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Septal organ of Grüneberg is part of the olfactory system
Authors: Storan Melonie Joanne , Key Brian
Published: December 2005

The olfactory system in rodents and many other mammals is classically divided into two anatomically separate, and morphologically distinct, sensory systems: the main olfactory system and the accessory olfactory system. We have now identified a novel third population of olfactory marker protein‐expressing sensory neurons that is located in a discrete pocket of the rostral nasal septum, which we refer to as the septal organ of Grüneberg (SOG). Neurons in this region of the septum are located in the submucosa, in small grape‐like clusters, rather than in a pseudostratified neuroepithelium, as seen in both the olfactory and vomeronasal neuroepithelia. Despite their unusual location, axons projecting from the SOG neurons fasciculate into several discrete bundles and terminate in a subset of main olfactory bulb glomeruli. These glomeruli most likely represent a subset of atypical glomeruli that are spatially restricted to the caudal main olfactory bulb. The unique rostral position of the SOG suggests that the SOG may be functionally specialized for the early detection of biologically relevant odorants. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:834–844, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polar Cofacially Fixed Sandwich Complexes: Do They Demonstrate Second Harmonic Generation (SHG)?
Authors: Malessa Maik , Heck Jürgen , Kopf Jürgen , Garcia M. Helena
Published: December 2005

For the purpose of possible second harmonic generation (SHG) a cationic and a neutral sandwich unit were cofacially arranged in a three‐step synthesis starting from 1,8‐diiodonaphthalene. First, 1‐cyclopentadienyl‐8‐iodonaphthalene (2) was formed, then the neutral ferrocenyl substituent was fixed in the 8‐position by a Negishi cross‐coupling reaction. The deprotonation of the cyclopentadienyl substituent, and the subsequent coordination of the half‐sandwich fragments ML = [Fe(η5‐C5Me5)]+, [Rh(η5‐C5Me5)]2+, [Ir(η5‐C5Me5)]2+, [Ru(η6‐C6H6)]2+ to the cyclopentadienyl anion revealed the desired dinuclear complexes 1‐[(η5‐cyclopentadienediyl)(η5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iron(II)]‐8‐ferrocenylnaphthalene (5), 1‐[(η5‐cyclopentadienediyl)(η5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III)]‐8‐ferrocenylnaphthalene hexafluorophosphate (6PF6), 1‐[(η5‐cyclopentadienediyl)(η5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iridium(III)]‐8‐ferrocenylnaphthalene hexafluorophosphate (7PF6), and 1‐[(η6‐benzene)(η5‐cyclopentadienediyl)ruthenium(II)]‐8‐ferrocenylnaphthalene hexafluorophosphate (8PF6). The neutral complex 5 was oxidized to the paramagnetic cation 1‐[(η5‐cyclopentadienediyl)(η5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iron(III)]‐8‐ferrocenylnaphthalene hexafluorophosphate (5PF6). Compounds 3, 5PF6, 6PF6, and 7PF6 were characterized by X‐ray structure determination; the neutral compound 3 crystallizes in the space group P21/c, whereas all of the cationic dinuclear complexes crystallize in the chiral space group C2221. A cyclic voltammetry study points to a predominant “through‐space” interaction between the cationic sandwich unit and the neutral ferrocene substituent. The compounds 5PF6, 6PF6, 7PF6, and 8PF6 were subjected to hyper‐Rayleigh scattering (HRS) and Kurtz‐powder measurements. In both studies no SHG intensity could be observed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Apolipoprotein E and obstructive sleep apnea: evaluating whether a candidate gene explains a linkage peak
Authors: Larkin Emma K. , Patel Sanjay R. , Redline Susan , Mignot Emmanuel , Elston Robert C. , Hallmayer Joachim
Published: December 2005

Evidence from both linkage analyses and association‐based analyses has implicated Apoliprotein E (ApoE) as a disease susceptibility locus for obstructive sleep apnea. To further assess the putative role of ApoE in sleep apnea, we performed genotyping, association, and linkage analyses in a cohort assembled to investigate the genetic epidemiology of sleep apnea. Among a subset of the Caucasian families, ten microsatellites, spanning 20 cM, were genotyped in a region near ApoE on chromosome 19 where previous suggestive linkage had been demonstrated using a 9.1‐cM genome‐wide scan. Haseman‐Elston regression analysis, conducted with these fine mapping markers (n=196 sibling pairs, 56 families), showed evidence for linkage to marker AFM210yg9 (p=0.00034), which was increased over that observed with the original scan. ApoE genotyping also was performed on a larger set of data (n=1,211 from 271 families, ages 3–85 years) from the cohort with available DNA. To determine whether the ApoE genotype explains the linkage peak, we included the ApoE genotype as a covariate in regression models. Inclusion of ApoE E2 allele as a covariate reduced the regression coefficient by 18%, suggesting that ApoE does not substantively explain the linkage signal. Finally, we repeated an association‐based analysis in the larger sample of 1,211 individuals, and observed a higher prevalence of sleep apnea among individuals with the ApoE E2 allele. Overall, the evidence suggests that there is a disease susceptibility locus for obstructive sleep apnea in the region of ApoE, but ApoE itself is unlikely to be the causative locus. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison study of a traditional pulsed dye laser versus a long‐pulsed dye laser in the treatment of early childhood hemangiomas
Authors: Kono Taro , Sakurai Hiroyuki , Groff William Frederick , Chan Henry H. , Takeuchi Masaki , Yamaki Takashi , Soejima Kazutaka , Nozaki Motohiro
Published: December 2005

Background and Objective

The role of pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of childhood hemangiomas is still controversial because of the inherent characteristics of hemangiomas as well as the side effects of the PDL. Recently, the long pulsed dye laser (LPDL) with cryogen spray cooling (CSC) has been found relatively more effective and safer than the PDL in the treatment of port‐wine stains and telangiectasia. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and complication rate of PDL versus LPDL for treating childhood hemangiomas.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

We did a prospective, randomized, controlled trial in which we enrolled 52 Asian infants, aged 1–3 months, with early hemangiomas. These infants were assigned to PDL treatment (n = 26) or LPDL treatment (n = 26) and followed to age 1 year. A PDL with a wavelength of 585 nm and spot size of 7 mm and a LPDL with a wavelength of 595 nm and spot size of 7 mm were used. Each patient in the PDL group was treated with energy fluence between 6 and 7 J/cm2 and a pulse duration of 0.45 milliseconds without epidermal cooling. Each patient in the LPDL group was treated with energy fluence between 9 and 15 J/cm2 and a pulse duration of 10–20 milliseconds, utilizing CSC to protect the epidermis. Each group was treated at 4‐week intervals until the lesion cleared. When each patient reached an age of 1 year, outcome measures such as clearance rate, time period of maximum proliferation, and complications were assessed.

Results

The number of children whose lesions showed complete clearance or minimal residual signs at 1 year of age was 14 (54%) in the PDL group and 17 (65%) in the LPDL group (P = 0.397). Compared with the LPDL, PDL treated children had more hypopigmentation (3, 12% vs. 8, 31%; P = 0.001), more hyperpigmentation (2, 8% vs. 4, 15%; P = 0.005), and more textural changes (1, 4% vs. 6, 23%; P = 0.001). The average time period of maximum proliferation in the LPDL group was significantly shorter than that of the PDL group (106 days vs. 177 days; P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Early treatment of childhood hemangiomas with the LPDL is safer and more effective than the PDL. Lasers Surg. Med. 38:112–115, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.