bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fitts' Law Model and Target Size of Pointing Devices in a Vibration Environment
Authors: Liu Chi No , Lin Chiuhsiang Joe , Chao Chin Jung
Published: September 2010

This study examined models of Fitts' law and effective target widths of three pointing devices in vibration environments. From a research institute 10 employees, ages 26 to 31 years were recruited as paid subjects. Pointing tasks consisted of four square target sizes, four movement distances, and four target angles and were performed on a motion platform using a touch screen, a mouse, and a track ball. The platform simulated two levels of sea wave vibration environments besides a static one. Analysis showed effective target widths increased with vibration, indicating increased variability of the pointing task under vibration. The increase in the track ball was smaller, indicating resistance to motion disturbance. The study also suggests an enlarged target (button) size for the touch screen under the vibration environment. The findings have implications in motor control and human-computer interfacing.
Comparison of Speechreading Training Regimens
Authors: Blumsack Judith T. , Bower Carolyn R. , Ross Margaret E.
Published: September 2010

The regimen selected for use in speechreading training is an important consideration for audiological rehabilitation purposes and may play a role in its success. Short-term improvement on a commercially available speechreading training program was compared for two training regimens (daily and weekly). Two groups of university student volunteers (ages 20 to 31 years) (12 students per group) were trained daily or weekly on a vowel speechreading task. Percent correct was recorded for each training session. Both groups showed improved performance across training sessions, but there was no significant difference in improvement by type of training regimen.
Preliminary Examination of Timesharing in United States Air Force ROTC Cadets
Authors: Hardy David J. , Mitrovich Allison K.
Published: September 2010

Previous research has shown that timesharing ability—the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously—is related to various indices of aircraft pilots' proficiency. Superior timesharing has also been demonstrated by experienced pilots. The present study examined timesharing of United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) cadets, who are relatively inexperienced (some with no flying experience). 10 AFROTC cadets ( M age = 21.4 yr., SD = 1.0) and 18 noncadets ( M age =19.8 yr., SD = 0.9) were evaluated. Participants performed a tracking task on the Multi-Attribute Task battery in a single-task condition, a dual-task condition, and a tri-task condition. Cadets' tracking performance was superior to that by noncadets in the dual-task and tri-task conditions.
Analysis of Effects of Distribution of Practice in Learning and Retention of a Continuous and a Discrete Skill Presented on a Computer
Authors: García J. A. , Moreno F. J. , Reina R. , Menayo R. , Fuentes J. P.
Published: September 2010

This investigation examined the effects of distributed and massed practice on the learning and retention of a discrete computerized skill (Exp. 1) and a continuous computerized skill (Exp. 2). 40 men were randomly assigned to one of four groups, of which two groups took part in Exp. 1 and two groups in Exp. 2. Performance was assessed at various points during acquisition and then on 8 retention tests conducted at varying times after acquisition. Learning curves for practice were highly similar for the two conditions. Participants in the distributed-practice group performed significantly better than those in the massed-practice group at the end of practice on both the discrete and continuous skills. However, participants in the distributed-practice group performed significantly more poorly on retention during 24 hr. and after acquisition. Participants in the massed-practice condition performed significantly better on retention tests than did those who learned in the distributed-practice condition.
Voluntary Visual Attention and Phenomenal Line Length
Authors: Masin Sergio Cesare
Published: September 2010

In 1956, Fraisse, et al. reported subjects judged that lines were longer when voluntary attention was focused on the lines than when attention was distracted from the lines. In the many attempts to repeat these results, none has ascertained whether attention on reported line length was a phenomenal effect. In the present study, 46 subjects were shown as stimuli pairs of horizontal or vertical briefly flashed lines with a fixation cross placed equidistant between the lines but far from each one. A change in color of one arm of the cross was used as a cue to focus subjects' voluntary attention on one line. Analysis showed attention increased the judged length of attended lines. Since this effect of attention also occurred when subjects were absolutely certain they saw the stimulus lines differed in length, this effect indicates that attention increased the phenomenal length of the attended lines. This lengthening was quite small: it involved a maximum mean increase of about .15 in the probability of the comparative response that the attended line was longer. This effect occurred in the horizontal dimension and was almost absent in the vertical dimension. In agreement with data indicating that flashed lines expand phenomenally by activating motion detectors and that focused attention makes neural motion responses increase in amplitude, the present results suggest that focused attention makes attended lines look longer because it makes these lines expand phenomenally more rapidly.
Home Advantage in Turkish Professional Soccer
Authors: Seçkin Aylin , Pollard Richard
Published: September 2010

Home advantage is known to play an important role in the outcome of professional soccer games and to vary considerably worldwide. In the Turkish Super League over the last 12 years, 61.5% of the total points gained have been won by the home team, a figure similar to the worldwide average and to the Premier League in England. It is lower (57.7%) for games played between teams from Istanbul and especially high for games involving teams from cities in the more remote and ethnically distinct parts of Turkey (Van and Diyarbakir). Match performance data show that although home teams in Turkey take 26% more shots at goal than away teams, the success rates for shots do not differ. For fouls and disciplinary cards, home and away teams do not differ significantly in Turkey, a finding that differs from games in England, perhaps due to less referee bias.
An Ergonomic Evaluation of a Call Center Performed by Disabled Agents
Authors: Chi Chia-Fen , Lin Yen-Hui
Published: September 2010

Potential ergonomic hazards for 27 disabled call center agents engaged in computer-telephone interactive tasks were evaluated for possible associations between the task behaviors and work-related disorders. Data included task description, 300 samples of performance, a questionnaire on workstation design, body-part discomfort rating, perceived stress, potential job stressors, and direct measurement of environmental factors. Analysis indicated agents were frequently exposed to prolonged static sitting and repetitive movements, together with unsupported back and flexed neck, causing musculoskeletal discomforts. Visual fatigue (85.2% of agents), discomfort of ears (66.7%), and musculoskeletal discomforts (59.3%) were the most pronounced and prevalent complaints after prolonged working. 17 of 27 agents described job pressure as high or very high, and dealing with difficult customers and trying to fulfill the customers' needs within the time standard were main stressors. Further work on surrounding noise, earphone use, possible hearing loss of experienced agents, training programs, feasible solutions for visual fatigue, musculoskeletal symptoms, and psychosocial stress should be conducted.
Point Zero: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Seat of Consciousness
Authors: Bertossa Franco , Besa Marco , Ferrari Roberto , Ferri Francesca
Published: September 2010

Does consciousness have a spatial “location” that can be scientifically investigated? Using a novel phenomenological method, when people are encouraged to explore the question introspectively they not only can make sense of the idea of their consciousness being “located,” but will readily indicate its exact position inside the head. The method, based on Francisco J. Varela's work, involves a structured interview led by an expert mediator in which preliminary questions are asked or untrained volunteers about the location of objects and body parts, and then they are questioned about the location from which they are experiencing these objects. 83% of volunteers located with confidence a precise position for the I-that-perceives in the temporal area of the head centred midway behind the eyes. The same results were obtained with blind subjects (congenitally or later) and with non-Westerners. The significance of this subjective source of the experience of the location of perception is discussed linking it to neurological correlates of self-referred conscious activities and of conscious awareness in memory. Further investigations are suggested with trained volunteers and with individuals with psychiatric disorders.
Imagery and Perceptual Basis of Matching Tasks in Young Children
Authors: Noda Mitsuru
Published: September 2010

Object identification in perceptual tests may include constituents of mental rotation. A matching-to-sample task was conducted with same or different objects to look for evidence of rotation. Elementary schoolchildren (6 to 8 years old) in Grades 1 to 4 ( N = 264) participated, using the inclined Flags Test and the Water Level Test to ensure that children can use kinematic imagery for the Flags Test even if they used static imagery for the Water Level Test. Performance on the inclined Flags Test varied by age group. Use of implicit mental rotation of the inclined object was inferred in recognition. Also, children at the pre-operational stage showed a rotational effect, i.e., they could transform the object by turning it, thereby confirming kinematic imagery is used from age 6. As a consequence, solving both rotation tasks may require not only recognition of object frames but also objects internal to the frame.
Perspective-Taking Skills of 6-Year-Old Children: Preschool Attendance and Mothers' and Fathers' Education and Empathetic Skills
Authors: Oğuz Vuslat , Akyol Aysel Köksal
Published: September 2010

The purpose was to assess whether children's sex, duration of nursery school attendance, and mothers' and fathers' educational levels were associated with any statistically significant differences in perceptual, cognitive, and emotional perspective-taking skills. The relation between these skills and parents' empathetic skill was also of interest. 100 children aged 6 years (49 girls, 51 boys) and their parents participated in the research. Data were collected through a Personal Information Form, the Perspective-taking Test, and the Empathetic Skills Scale–Form B. Analysis suggested that sex, duration of nursery school attendance, and mothers' and fathers' educational levels did not affect perspective-taking skills. There was no significant correlation between the perspective-taking skills of children and the empathetic skills of their parents.
Mixed Handedness and Achievement Test Scores of Middle School Boys
Authors: Sarma P. S. B.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of the study was to replicate findings of an earlier study of fourth grade boys manifesting mixed handedness with a sample. Among 32 mixed-handed boys in Grades 6 to 8, the right-handed writer, left-handed thrower group obtained low spelling scores (Normal Curve Equivalent Scores) on the California Achievement Test significantly more frequently than the left-handed writer, right-handed thrower group. These findings are consistent with data for Grade 4 boys in the earlier study. Findings strengthen the hypotheses that mixed handedness is not a unitary neuropsychological entity and that boys who write with the right hand and throw with the left hand might be at risk for certain academic deficits.
Color, Dispersion, and Exposure Time in Performance on Rotated Figure Recognition
Authors: Huang Kuo-Chen , Lee Shin-Tsann , Chang Chun-Chieh
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the effects of dispersion. color, and rotation of figures on recognition under varied exposure times. A total of 30 women and 15 men, Taiwanese college students ages 18 to 20 years ( M = 19.1, SD = 1.2), participated. Subjects were to recognize a target figure and respond with its location in each stimulus by pressing a mouse button. Analysis showed that the effect of rotation on accuracy was significant. Accuracy for the rotation of 180° was greater than those for 60° and 300°. Exposure time also significantly influenced accuracy. The accuracy was greater for 2 and 3 sec. than for 1 sec. No significant effects on accuracy were associated with dispersion and color, and neither had any interactive effect on accuracy. Dispersion significantly affected the response time as response time for dispersion under 0.4 and 0.5 conditions were shorter than those under 0.2 and 0.3 conditions. Significantly less response time was needed for rotation of 180° than for 60° and 300° conditions. Response time was longer for red figures than for blue, green, and yellow figures. No significant effect on response time was associated with duration of exposure. Two interactive two-way effects were found: dispersion × color of figure and dispersion × rotation. Implications for figure or icon design are discussed.
Hand and Hand Preferences in Use of a Visual Analogue Scale'
Authors: McKechnie Jacqui G. , Brodie Eric E.
Published: September 2010

Visual analogue scales are commonly used to measure the intensity of sensations, and their validity and reliability have been reported. However, biases similar to those found in visual line bisection have not been investigated. 23 right-handed and 19 left-handed participants, with a mean age of 30.1 yr., marked three points on a visual analogue scale representing imagined pain, using both the left and right hands, corresponding to ¼, ½, and ¾ of the way across the scale. In keeping with visual line bisection literature, both right- and left-handed participants marked the scale with the left hand significantly leftward of the point marked with the right hand, thereby underreporting the intensity. Right-handed participants marked ¼ significantly leftward and ¾ significantly rightward of veridical points, thereby underreporting and overreporting, respectively, the intensity. However, left-handed participants did not display this bias and consistently erred leftward for ¼, ½, and ¾ positions, underreporting intensity. These findings were explained in terms of hemispheric specialisation and activation for a manual response to a visuospatial task, with the conclusion that scoring the visual analogue scale to millimetre accuracy is subject to a potential confound of these factors.
Digit Ratio (2D:4D), Abo Blood Type, and the Rhesus Factor
Authors: Voracek Martin
Published: September 2010

Twin and family study findings indicate a substantial heritability of digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker for the masculinizing effects of prenatal androgen exposure. Functional polymorphisms of the X-linked androgen receptor gene, i.e., androgen sensitivity, contribute somewhat to the expression of 2D:4D in men, but otherwise the genetics of 2D:4D is unknown. This study investigated differences in 2D:4D by self-reported ABO blood type and Rhesus factor, two easily collectible genetic traits, in two samples (combined N= 1,273). Effects of blood groups on 2D:4D were small and not significant in all tests in both samples; however, two consistent patterns emerged across samples. Of the ABO types, AB had the lowest right-hand 2D:4D, the highest left-hand 2D:4D, and the lowest right-minus-left difference in 2D:4D, and Rhesus factor Rh– had higher left-hand 2D:4D and lower right-minus-left difference in 2D:4D than Rh+. If replicable, this may suggest genes contributing to the expression of 2D:4D reside in the vicinity of the gene loci (chromosomal locations: 9q34.2 and 1p36.11) of these blood groups or pleiotropic effects of the blood-group genes.
Inertial Loading during Gait Evokes Unique Neuromuscular Adaptations in Old Adults
Authors: Powell Douglas , DeVita Paul , Hortobagyi Tibor
Published: September 2010

This study examined the neuromuscular adaptations of young and old adults in response to a challenge to balance during gait. 12 young (22.2 ± 2.0 yr.) and 10 old adults (78.8 ± 6.3 yr.) performed five level walking trials with and without a challenge to balance which consisted of adding a load bilaterally to the participants' ankles and increasing gait speed (1.5 m/sec. and 1.7 m/sec). Onset, duration, and amplitude of muscle activity in the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and semimembranosus were calculated. Old adults responded to the added load by increasing the activation intensity of their vastus lateralis and semimembranosus disproportionately when compared with young adults. Also, old adults activated their knee flexors earlier and all muscles for a longer period of time than young adults. These findings suggest old adults alter both magnitude of activation and duration of lower extremity musculature in response to increased inertial and velocity demands, and these response characteristics differ from those of young adults.
Skill-Related Differences between Athletes and Nonathletes in Speed Discrimination
Authors: Thomson Kaivo , Watt Anthony , Liukkonen Jarmo
Published: September 2010

This study examined differences in decision-making time and accuracy as attributes of speed discrimination between participants skilled and less skilled in ball games. A total of 130 men, ages 18 to 28 years ( M = 21.2, SD = 2.6), participated. The athlete sample (skilled group) comprised Estonian National League volleyball ( n = 26) and basketball players ( n = 27). The nonathlete sample (less skilled group) included 77 soldiers of the Estonian Defence Force with no reported top level experience in ball games. Speed-discrimination stimuli were images of red square shapes presented moving along the sagittal axis at four different virtual velocities on a computer (PC) screen which represented the frontal plane. Analysis indicated that only decision-making time was significantly different between the elite athlete and nonathlete groups. This finding suggests a possible effect of ball-game skills for decision-making time in speed discrimination.
Exercise Barriers, Self-Efficacy, and Stages of Change
Authors: Simonavice Emily M. , Wiggins Matthew S.
Published: September 2010

This study assessed whether college students in various stages of change relative to exercise adherence would rate self-efficacy and barriers to exercise differently. A total of 198 participants (49 men, 149 women) ranging in age from 17 to 38 years ( M = 20.4, SD = 2.3) completed surveys measuring exercise behavior, barriers to exercise, and both task and coping self-efficacy. Multivariate tests yielded significant differences in means on task self-efficacy, coping self-efficacy, and perceived barriers to exercise. Implications are that people who do not exercise or exercise sporadically perceive more barriers to exercise than those who exercise regularly. Also, people who exercise regularly rate their confidence higher (i.e., self-efficacy) to overcome obstacles to exercise. Health practitioners may find useful assessments of baseline self-efficacy and perceived barriers before implementing exercise programs.
Students' Perceptions of Face-To-Face Pseudostuttering Experience
Authors: Lohman Patricia
Published: September 2010

Students' perceptions of simulating stuttering in public were obtained in order to quantify students' increased understanding of stuttering. 34 women and 2 men ( M age = 30.0 yr., SD = 9.0) majoring in communication disorders participated. All were graduate students enrolled in their first class in fluency disorders. None had previous experience with individuals who stuttered. Participants completed a questionnaire before and after the experiment and discussed these experiences with the group. Responses to 39 questions using a 5-pt. Likert-type scale were analyzed for students' preparation, feelings, attitudes, and perception of listeners' reactions. Participants recounted both positive and negative experiences gaining understanding of and empathy for people who stutter, changing erroneous perceptions and broadening perspective of the disorder. Participants reported that the roundtable discussion contributed to their learning. Assigning students to simulate stuttering in public and participate in a follow-up discussion is an effective evidence-based teaching practice.
A Preliminary Investigation on Exercise Intensities of Gardening Tasks in Older Adults
Authors: Park Sin-Ae , Shoemaker Candice A. , Haub Mark D.
Published: September 2010

Heart rate (HR) was measured continuously while men ( n = 6) and women ( n = 2) ages 71 to 85 years ( M = 77.4, SD = 4.1) completed nine gardening tasks. HR and VO2 from a submaximal graded exercise test were used to estimate gardening VO2, energy expenditure, % HRmax, and metabolic equivalents (METs). Tasks were low to moderate intensity physical activity (1.6–3.6 METs); those which worked the upper and lower body were moderate intensity physical activity while those that worked primarily the upper body were low intensity physical activity.
Steps for ARM and Trunk Actions of Overhead Forehand Stroke Used in Badminton Games across Skill Levels
Authors: Wang Jianyu , Liu Wenhao , Moffit Jeffrey
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine arm and trunk actions in overhead forehand strokes used in badminton games across skill levels. The participants were 80 students (40 boys, 40 girls) who were randomly selected from video recordings of 300 students ages 16 to 19 years. The videotaped performances of overhead forehand strokes were coded based on three steps of arm action (elbow flexion, elbow and humeral flexion, and upward backswing) and three steps of trunk action (no trunk action, forward-backward movement, and trunk rotation). Students across the four skill levels exhibited different patterns of arm and trunk actions. Students at advanced levels used more mature arm and trunk actions.
Nominal–Ordinal Measures of Association: A Comparison of Two Measures
Authors: Berry Kenneth J. , Johnston Janis E. , Mielke Paul W.
Published: September 2010

The measurement of the magnitude of association between a nominal independent variable and an ordinal dependent variable is an important, but neglected, component in psychological research. Two measures of nominal-ordinal association are described and compared. Resampling permutation methods are utilized to compute probability values for both measures.
Ontogenesis of Laterality in 3- to 10-yr.-Old Children: Increased Unimanual Independence Grounded on Improved Bimanual Motor Function
Authors: van Grunsven W. , Vuylsteke-Wauters M. , Njiokiktjien C. , Vranken M.
Published: September 2010

Underlying sensorimotor factors, such as intermanual coupling, contributing to optimal laterality, long remain immature. Using the handmotor laterality blackboard, developmental change in symmetric bimanual motor function for 413 children in groups of 3 to 10 years of age shows synchronicity increased between groups 3 and 5 years of age; but between groups 5 and 7 years of age, given immature coupling, one hand may still disturb the movements of the other one. Between groups 7 and 9 years of age, the hands gradually stop disturbing each other and move independently and fluently. Changes in intermanual coupling with increasing unimanual independence represent expression of changing interhemispheric integration across groups. This promotes optimal laterality and task distribution between the hands. Maturation of the corpus callosum is inferred to be a factor in these ontogenetic changes which ultimately lead to optimal left hemisphere specialization for actions such as fluent writing.
Another Test of the Passive Facial Feedback Hypothesis: When Your Face Smiles, You Feel Happy
Authors: Mori Kazuo , Mori Hideko
Published: September 2010

88 undergraduates (44 men, 44 women) participated in an experiment to examine whether the cutaneous sensation of having the cheeks lifted would cause a feeling of happiness. Two types of paired adhesive bandages connected with rubber bands were prepared and used either to raise or lower the cheeks. While the bandages were applied, the participants rated their feelings. The results showed that 50 participants felt happiness when their cheeks were lifted, statistically significant compared to the 27 who felt sadness. They confirmed the hypothesis that people may feel happy when their cheeks are lifted upward.
Amount of Mental Practice and Performance of a Simple Motor Task
Authors: Kremer Peter , Spittle Michael , McNeil Dominic , Shinners Cassandra
Published: September 2010

The effects of different amounts of mental practice on the performance of a motor skill were studied. Research supports the effectiveness of mental practice on performance; however, little is known about how much practice is needed and whether there is an optimal amount for these practice effects. Participants, 209 students ages 18 to 44 years ( M = 20.5, SD = 2.9), completed a pre- and posttest of dart throwing with the nonpreferred hand. In the practice phase, participants completed either 25 (Mental Practice 25), 50 (Mental Practice 50), or 100 (Mental Practice 100) trials of the darts task or 50 trials of a catching task (Catching Task). Performance for all groups improved from pre- to posttest. Improvements for the three mental practice groups were greater than for the Catching Task group; however, there were no differences for the three Mental Practice groups. The findings support the positive effect of mental practice over a control condition and suggest that small amounts of mental practice may be sufficient for performance improvements, at least for a simple motor skill.
Grip Strength Performances by 5- to 19-Year-Olds
Authors: Butterfield Stephen A. , Lehnhard Robert A. , Loovis E. Michael , Coladarci Theodore , Saucier Dorothy
Published: September 2010

Accurate measures of muscular strength can yield insights about children's growth and development. The purpose of this study was to examine grip strength performances by boys and girls ages 5 to 19 years. A Jamar dynamometer was used to measure grip strength by 736 boys and girls ages 5 to 19 years. Multiple regression equations were applied to analyze the data. Overall, age-sex trends were similar to previous reports as boys and girls increased their performances across age levels. After age 12, boys' mean grip strength increased at a faster rate than girls'. However, participants in the present study performed better in the upper age ranges (13–19 yr.) than did boys and girls tested a generation ago. Potential associations between activity choices and grip strength are discussed.
An Investigation of Home Disadvantage in Davis Cup Tennis
Authors: Gayton William F. , Steinroeder William , Bonnica Corrine , Loignon Andrew C.
Published: September 2010

Occurrence of the home disadvantage in Davis Cup tennis matches was examined by analyzing the outcome of Davis Cup finals matches from 1900 to 2007. There was no significant home disadvantage when Matches 1 and 2 were compared with Matches 4 and 5. However, there was a significant home disadvantage when Matches 1 and 2 were compared with Match 5. These findings are compared with those from earlier studies in which data from professional basketball and baseball were examined.
Obstacle Stepping and Body Scale Modulating Parameters
Authors: Gobbi Lilian Teresa Bucken , Candido Rodrigo Pereira , Menuchi Marcos Rodrigo Trindade Pinheiro , Kleiner Ana Francisca Rozin
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate gait spatial parameters at the point of departure, with obstacle heights adjusted to individual body scale. Undergraduate student volunteers ( M age = 22.4 yr., SD = 2.1; 6 women, 1 man) were asked to step once, then cross over an obstacle and stop. This behavior was video recorded to extract kinematic data. The obstacle heights corresponded to high (knee-height) and low obstacles (half the knee-height). Points of departure corresponded to far (length of the lower limb) and close (half the length of the lower limb). The close point of departure influenced the trailing foot's placement ahead of the obstacle as well as step length. The high obstacle influenced the trailing foot's toe clearance. An interaction between factors was observed for leading foot toe clearance. Results indicate that body scale affected the participants' locomotor behavior during the obstacle-avoidance task.
A Technology-Based Stimulation Program to Reduce Hand Mouthing by an Adolescent with Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Lancioni Giulio E. , Singh Nirbhay N. , O'Reilly Mark F. , Sigafoos Jeff , Didden Robert , Oliva Doretta
Published: September 2010

This study assessed the possibility of reducing hand mouthing, i.e., bringing fingers into or over the mouth, by an adolescent with multiple disabilities through a technology-based stimulation strategy. The strategy ensured that (a) the participant received 10 sec. of preferred stimulation contingent on the response of bringing both hands into a box with objects, and (b) the stimulation would be interrupted prematurely if the participant removed one or both hands from the box for 2 sec. The study involved an ABAB sequence (in which A represented baseline and B intervention phases) and a 3-mo. postintervention check. Data showed that the response of bringing both hands into the box increased from a mean frequency of about four per 10-min. session during baseline to a mean frequency of over 30 per session during the second intervention phase and the postintervention check. During these periods, the participant's mean hand-mouthing time per session was below 1.5 min. (compared to above 7 min. during baseline) and the mean stimulation time per session was about 4 min. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Exploring New Compounds for Functional Imaging Using a Crayfish (Procambarus Clarkia) Aggression Paradigm
Authors: Dingman Sherry , Hurlburt Lara , Otte Maria
Published: September 2010

Covalently bonding multiple fluorine atom tags to the precursors of monoamines could provide compounds for functional imaging. Theoretically, the fluorine atoms can produce detectible signal if concentrated in vesicles inside neurons. Prior to committing more costly resources to the project, evidence was sought for uptake of the molecules into neurons in living organisms. Two 19F tag configurations of seven or nine atoms were investigated. Crayfish aggression provided a paradigm for obtaining preliminary data on the scarce new molecules. After establishing that 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) elicited serotonin-like effects, the fluorine tagged versions (PF-5-HTP) were investigated; then, the elevated aggression produced by these precursors to serotonin was blocked by coadministering fluoxetine. Treatment order effects and interrater reliability of the behavioral inventory were evaluated. Preliminary evidence that these imaging compounds are taken up into neurons obtained by studying crayfish behavior later found support using more sophisticated neuroscience techniques.
Performance on Psychomotor Tasks following Two Yoga-Based Relaxation Techniques
Authors: Subramanya Pailoor , Telles Shirley
Published: September 2010

Previously cyclic meditation and supine rest have been shown to improve performance in a letter cancellation task requiring attention, visual scanning, and motor speed. The present study assessed the performance in 57 volunteers (all male, M age = 26.5 yr., SD = 4.6) in three tasks, viz., a digit-letter substitution task (DLST), a letter-copying task, and a circle-dotting task. The DLST assessed attention and speed of information processing, while the other 2 tests assessed motor speed. Each participant was assessed before and after three types of sessions: Cyclic Meditation, Supine Rest, and Control (no intervention). DLST scores and scores for letter-copying and circle-dotting tasks improved significantly after cyclic meditation; the same scores also improved after supine rest. There was no change after the no-intervention/Control session. From the results it was difficult to conclude whether improved DLST scores after cyclic meditation were due to better information processing speed or improved motor speed.
Pupillary Dilation as an Index of Task Demands
Authors: Cabestrero Raúl , Crespo Antonio , Quirós Pilar
Published: September 2010

To analyze how pupillary responses reflect mental effort and allocation of processing resources under several load conditions, the pupil diameter of 18 participants was recorded during an auditory digit-span recall task under three load conditions: Low (5 digits), Moderate (8 digits), and Overload (11 digits). In previous research, under all load conditions a significant linear enlargement in pupil diameter was observed as each digit was presented. Significant dilations from the end of the presentation phase to the beginning of the recall phase were also observed but only under low and moderate loads. Contrary to previous research, under the Overload condition, no reduction in pupil diameter was observed when resource limits were exceeded; however, a plateau was observed when the ninth digit was presented until the beginning of the recall phase. Overall, pupillometric data seem to indicate that participants may keep processing actively even though resources are exceeded.
Strategies for Posture Transfer Adopted by Elders during Sit-To-Stand and Stand-To-Sit
Authors: Leung Cherng-Yee , Chang Chih-Sheng
Published: September 2010

This study investigated whether three posture-transfer strategies, No support, Chair-arm, and Cane, were associated with the smallest hip-compressed angle and the smallest ankle-compressed angle during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit for 12 elders ( M age = 81.3 yr., SD = 5.9) who volunteered to participate. Using an optoelectronic movement analyzer, the smallest compressed angles of the hip and ankle were measured during standing up and sitting down. The adopted strategies had significant effects on the smallest hip-compressed angle, but not the smallest ankle-compressed angle. Although cane use led to a larger trunk angular displacement than did chair-arm use, a cane can provide help during the whole transfer process. These two strategies may be seen as adaptive mechanisms to decrease risk of anterior disequilibrium.
National Intelligence, Suicide Rate, and Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Voracek Martin
Published: September 2010

Across 73 countries around the world, national intelligence estimates predicted significant increments in the variance of male and female suicide rates over and above the predictive contributions of the cognitive and hedonic facets of subjective well-being (life satisfaction, happiness, and unhappiness). This new result adds to current evidence for cognitive ability as an ecologic (aggregate-level) correlate of suicide prevalence.
Earedness and Auricles
Authors: Reiß Michael , Reiß Gilfe
Published: September 2010

No strong relationship was observed between earedness and the asymmetry of prominent auricles, suggesting no important function of the auricles in ear preference.
Suicide Rates, National Intelligence Estimates, and Differential K Theory
Authors: Voracek Martin
Published: September 2010

In a nation sample of 75 countries around the world, higher suicide rates of the total, male, and female population corresponded to higher levels on the superordinate K factor from differential K theory, thought to reflect a set of mutually interrelated life history and reproductive strategy traits. Countries ranking high on suicide rates concurrently ranked high on national intelligence estimates, longevity, and affluence, whilst low on rates of births, infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, and crimes (rape, serious assault, and homicide). These findings integrate previously reported positive population-level associations between suicide rates and cognitive ability variables into the conceptual space of differential K theory. The propensity toward suicidal behavior is a positive correlate of the K superfactor.
Caseloads and Job Demographics of Adapted Physical Educators in the United States
Authors: Obrusnikova Iva , Kelly Luke E.
Published: September 2010

This study examined adapted physical educators' caseloads, service delivery modalities, and the amount of direct and indirect instructional time provided to students with disabilities in general physical education. The participants were a national sample of 139 certified adapted physical educators, 100 women and 39 men, representing 31 states. Certified adapted physical educators were defined as physical educators who passed the Adapted Physical Education National Standards Exam. The sample completed a web-based survey and had a return rate of 34%. The participants typically worked 41.2 hr. per week and allocated 52.3% of their time to direct and 13.8% of their time to indirect services. Students on the caseloads received on average 32 min of instruction per week. For direct services, 27% of the participants reported serving preschool students, 72% elementary school students, 57% middle or junior high school students, and 59% secondary or high school students. For indirect services, 16% of the participants reported serving preschool students, 55% elementary school students, 41% middle and junior high school students, and 38% secondary or high school students. The participants carried a mean caseload of 51 students, with 42 students served directly and nine students served indirectly. The two factors that possibly influenced the participants' caseloads include students' grade level and policies within each state or school district. The findings are compared to the national job analysis (Kelly & Gansneder, 1998).
Lack of Association between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Assertiveness: Replication in a Large Sample
Authors: Voracek Martin
Published: September 2010

Findings regarding within-sex associations of digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative pointer to long-lasting effects of prenatal androgen action, and sexually differentiated personality traits have generally been inconsistent or unreplicable, suggesting that effects in this domain, if any, are likely small. In contrast to evidence from Wilson's important 1983 study, a forerunner of modern 2D:4D research, two recent studies in 2005 and 2008 by Freeman, et al. and Hampson, et al. showed assertiveness, a presumably male-typed personality trait, was not associated with 2D:4D; however, these studies were clearly statistically underpowered. Hence this study examined this question anew, based on a large sample of 491 men and 627 women. Assertiveness was only modestly sexually differentiated, favoring men, and a positive correlate of age and education and a negative correlate of weight and Body Mass Index among women, but not men. Replicating the two prior studies, 2D:4D was throughout unrelated to assertiveness scores. This null finding was preserved with controls for correlates of assertiveness, also in nonparametric analysis and with tests for curvilinear relations. Discussed are implications of this specific null finding, now replicated in a large sample, for studies of 2D:4D and personality in general and novel research approaches to proceed in this field.
Effects of Goal Difficulty and Temporality in Motor Skill Acquisition Using the Bachman Ladder
Authors: Corrêa Umberto Cesar , de Souza Orlando Pereira
Published: September 2010

The effects of different types of goal setting on motor skill learning were investigated. 100 individuals (64 men, 36 women) without experience in the performance of the Bachman ladder task participated. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five goal groups: (a) generic, (b) long-term, difficult, (c) long-term, easy, (d) short- and long-term, difficult, and (e) short- and long-term, easy. In the acquisition phase, participants performed 200 trials, and in the transfer and retention phases, each performed 50 trials. The dependent variable was the number of steps achieved in blocks of 10 trials. The results showed that the groups had similar performances in both the transfer and retention phases. Setting of generic, difficult, easy, long- and short-term, and self-setting goals all enabled similar effects on motor learning.
Relative Frequency of Knowledge of Results and Task Complexity in the Motor Skill Acquisition
Authors: de Oliveira Dalton Lustosa , Corrêa Umberto Cesar , Gimenez Roberto , Basso Luciano , Tani Go
Published: September 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of knowledge of results (KR) frequency and task complexity on motor skill acquisition. The task consisted of throwing a bocha ball to place it as close as possible to the target ball. 120 students ages 11 to 13 years were assigned to one of eight experimental groups according to knowledge of results frequency (25, 50, 75, and 100%) and task complexity (simple and complex). Subjects performed 90 trials in the acquisition phase and 10 trials in the transfer test. The results showed that knowledge of results given at a frequency of 25% resulted in an inferior absolute error than 50% and inferior variable error than 50, 75, and 100% frequencies, but no effect of task complexity was found.
Performance Measures of Alcohol-Induced Impairment: Towards a Practical Ignition-Interlock System for Motor Vehicles
Authors: Matsumura Kenta , Yamakoshi Takehiro , Ida Takayuki
Published: September 2010

Performance-based alcohol screening devices may help reduce road traffic accidents, but there is a shortage of easy-to-use performance tests available. To address this issue, four recently developed rapid, computerized, easily implementable performance tests, Spiral for iPhone and Spiral for Mac (psychomotor tests), and the Modified Mental Rotation and Catch the Rabbit tests (cognitive tests), were assessed, testing participants at predrink baseline and then during three progressive amounts of alcohol intake. Analyses showed all tests were performed statistically significantly less accurately at 0.11% blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) than at 0.00% BAC, as were all tests except Spiral for iPhone at 0.06% BAC. These results indicate the suitability of all of these tests for measuring alcohol-induced impairment, and some potential for use as a practical performance-based alcohol screening device.
Relations among Training Volume, Body Weight, and Profile of Mood States for Elite Judoka during a Competitive Period
Authors: Hernández Raquel , Torres-Luque Gema , Olmedilla Aurelio
Published: September 2010

The present purpose was to evaluate changes in 10 elite judokas' mood state (5 men, 5 women) during the 7-wk. competitive period of the season. Quantitative monitoring of the training volume and body-weight monitoring were recorded, and an adapted Profile of Mood States was administered weekly, including competition days. Analysis showed that following a significant decrease in the specific training load volume, there were no significant changes in judokas' ratings on the Profile of Mood States; however, there was a decrease of 3 or 4% of the initial body weight during the precompetition weeks, which significantly affected mood state during competition, indicated by an increase in rated Tension and Vigor and a decrease in rated Fatigue.
Beneficial Effects of Accurate and False Brief Biofeedback on Relaxation
Authors: Strunk Kamden K. , Sutton Geoffrey W. , Burns Nathan S.
Published: September 2010

Much research has focused on the efficacy of biofeedback therapy; however, previous studies only compared biofeedback treatment with no-treatment conditions or pre- and posttest data. Examination of biofeedback relaxation therapy with a false-feedback condition could produce data on physiological changes suitable to clarify findings. 63 participants were randomly assigned to either an accurate- or false-feedback condition for a 5-min. period. Analysis of the measures yielded significant differences in both groups between pre- and posttests, but not between groups, suggesting a potential placebo effect of biofeedback-induced relaxation.
Psychometric Properties of a Persian Translation of the Launay-Slade Hallucination Scale in an Iranian Population
Authors: Goodarzi Mohammad Ali
Published: September 2010

For the Launay–Slade Hallucination Scale, a 12-item measure of predisposition toward auditory and visual hallucinations, internal consistency and concurrent validity of a Persian version were assessed. The Persian version was administered to 182 men ( M age = 29.8 yr., SD = 12.4) and 118 women ( M age = 28.4 yr., SD = 10.2) from a community population in Iran. Participants were selected at random at the main Shiraz bus terminal for long distance intercity routes. The factor structure, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of the translation were examined. Principal component analysis identified two factors characterized as clinical and subclinical. The current factor structure supported the two-factor model proposed by Serper, Dill, Chang, Kot, and Elliot, but the strength and importance of factors appear to differ between countries and cultures. All scales had good to acceptable estimates of reliability. Data also showed desirable concurrent validity for the Persian version. These findings suggest that the Persian version is, for an Iranian sample, best represented by a two-factor solution.
Differences in Spatial Working Memory as a Function of Team Sports Expertise: The Corsi Block-Tapping Task in Sport Psychological Assessment
Authors: Furley Philip , Memmert Daniel
Published: September 2010

Individual differences in visuospatial abilities were investigated in experienced basketball players compared with nonathletes. Most research shows that experts and novices do not differ on basic cognitive ability tests. Nevertheless, there are some equivocal findings indicating there are differences in basic cognitive abilities such as attention. The goal of the present research was to investigate team-ball athletes in regard to their visuospatial abilities. 112 male college students (54 basketball players, 58 nonathlete college students) were tested in their spatial capacity with the Corsi Block-tapping Task. No differences in spatial capacity were evident between basketball players and nonathlete college students. The results are discussed in the context of the expert performance approach and individual difference research.
The Effect of Deliberate Play on Tactical Performance in Basketball
Authors: Greco Pablo , Memmert Daniel , Morales Juan C. P.
Published: September 2010

This field-based study analyzed effects of a deliberate-play training program in basketball on tactical game intelligence and tactical creativity. 22 youth basketball players, ages 10 to 12 years, completed basketball training in one of two equal-sized groups. The deliberate-play training program contained unstructured game forms in basketball. The placebo group played in traditional structured basketball game forms. Tactical intelligence and creativity was assessed before and after an 18-lesson intervention. Analysis showed significant training improvement only for the deliberate-play group. In addition, this outperformance of the placebo group was not only observed for tactical creativity but also for tactical intelligence.