bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age Effects in Earwitness Recall of a Novel Conversation
Authors: Ling Jonathan , Coombe Allison
Published: December 2005

Recall of conversation is an important part of memory for events. Previous studies have focused predominantly on adults. In the present study, 195 participants ages 11 to 63 years listened to a novel audiotaped conversation. They were not informed they would later have to recall elements of this conversation. Recall was a week later. There were no age-related differences in the recall of children ages 11, 13, and 15; however, there was a difference between retention over 7 days of children and adults, with adults recalling more information correctly. No sex differences were observed. These results are evaluated in the context of research on eye- and ear-witness recall and suggestions for research are given.
Examination of the New Environmental Paradigm Scale in a Military Sample
Authors: Holt Daniel T. , Lofgren Steven T.
Published: December 2005

The factor structure of the 12-item New Environmental Paradigm Scale was examined. A random sample of 900 active duty military members participated by completing a 35-item questionnaire measuring demographics and environmental attitudes. Using structural equation modeling techniques, three models consistent with the previous empirical work on which the scale's factor was based were compared. A correlated three-factor model was the most appropriate model for the data.
Parallel Comparison of Grip Strength Measures Obtained with a Microfet 4 and a Jamar Dynamometer
Authors: Bohannon Richard W.
Published: December 2005

Repeated measures of grip strength obtained bilaterally with a Jamar and a MicroFET 4 dynamometer were compared. Measurements obtained with the MicroFET 4 tended to be slightly (2.2–3.1 lb.) higher but were highly correlated ( r ≥ .96) with those obtained with the Jamar. Parallel reliability for the two devices was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ .96). Although clinicians should be cautious about using the devices interchangeably, the MicroFET 4 appears to be a legitimate alternative to the Jamar dynamometer.
Comment on Perceptual Defense in Anxiety Disorders
Authors: York Michael W.
Published: December 2005

This paper is intended to lend support to the 2003 findings of Poloni, Riquier, Zimmermann, and Borgeat. Further, some extensions of these and other findings with respect to perceptual defense are suggested.
Direction of an Approaching Stimulus on Coincident Timing Performance of a Ballistic Striking Task
Authors: Coker Cheryl A.
Published: December 2005

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of stimulus direction and velocity on the coincident timing performance of a ballistic striking task. 26 subjects randomly performed 20 trials at each of two stimulus velocities (4 and 8 mph) and two striking variations (moving with an approaching stimulus or in opposition to it). Analysis indicated the direction of an approaching stimulus does not appear to influence the coincident timing of a ballistic striking action.
Critique of Venkatagiri's Hypothesis (2004): A Response to Onslow
Authors: Venkatagiri H. S.
Published: December 2005

In this rebuttal, I show that Onslow falls short both in logic and on facts in his critique of a model of stuttering I proposed.
Effect of Slow Movement Execution on Cognitive Function
Authors: Naruse Kumi , Sakuma Haruo , Hirai Takane
Published: December 2005

We investigated the effect of slow paced movement on cognitive function. The task movement was a dual-task performance composed of a continuous forearm rotation for the right hand and a simple reaction task for the left hand. Exp. 1 was designed to compare reaction time during performance at a slow pace to that at medium pace by 14 female undergraduate students. The mean reaction time for the left hand under the Slow Pace was significantly longer than that under the Middle Pace condition ( p<.05), which showed that the subjects were required to give more attention to right-hand performance at the slow pace as it was difficult. Exp. 2 examined changes in reaction time when using the left hand that were associated with the learning of a slow paced task while using the right hand. Twenty-three female undergraduate students participated and repeated the task 6 times. The 3 sec. prior to and the 3 sec. after each auditory stimulus were used to establish rotation speed and mean coefficients of variation. The mean coefficients of variation, evaluated as within-subject variability, showed a significantly positive correlation with reaction time at Trials 1 and 6 for prestimulus and Trials 5 and 6 for poststimulus. Over successive trials participants continued performing the primary forearm task at a constant slow pace before and after receiving auditory stimuli, and this progress was related to a decrease in reaction time. Further, the sense of concentration evaluated by the subjects poststimulus was significantly higher than that prestimulus ( p<.01). Performance at a constant speed, which was much slower than the ordinary or preferred speed of each subject, may have had a strong effect on their ability to remain conscious of movement execution.
Evaluation of Empirical Methods and Methodological Foundations of Human Left-Handedness
Authors: Janßen Josef P.
Published: December 2005

The methodological and empirical foundations underlying the theories on human left-handedness are examined, including the definition and classification of left-handedness, its relation to pathology, and the results on family, adoption, and twin research. It is argued that major research findings on left-handedness are based on inadequate empirical methods, and the concrete definitions and assessment procedures do not meet validity and reliability criteria. This also casts doubt on the relationship between left-handedness and pathology reported in the literature. Furthermore, findings from family, adoption, and twin studies do not allow interpretation of possible direct genetic contributions to explaining left-handedness. It is concluded that the methodological limitations of a causal explanation should encourage an examination of the epistemological and methodological premises of theory formulation. The functional method and a theoretical framework based on early childhood experiences and the neural plasticity of the brain may be more appropriate for the selection of empirical methods in research of human left-handedness.
Relations between the Inflection Point on the Force-Time Curve and Force-Time Parameters during Static Explosive Grip
Authors: Ikemoto Yukio , Demura Shinichi , Yamaji Shunsuke
Published: December 2005

Individual differences in muscle contractile speed during static explosive muscle contraction are reflected in the developmental phase of the force-time curve. The purposes of this study were to clarify the properties and reliability of the inflection point of force-time, statistically dividing speed during static explosive grip into two phases and to assess the relations between that inflection point and others. Static explosive grip data were measured two times with a 5-min. rest (sampling frequency; 100 Hz). 32 healthy, young men (age: 15.5 ± 0.8 yr., height: 173.9 ± 7.3 cm, body mass: 71.5 ± 11.2 kg) participated. 8 static explosive grip parameters were selected: time of reaching, integrated area, and quotient values of the integrated areas up to 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 sec. divided by maximal grip force. The inflection point was calculated statistically from two regression lines fitted to a developmental phase and the almost steady-state phase of reaching maximal grip force by applying a two-phase regression model. The reliabilities of maximal grip force, time of reaching 90% of maximal grip force, and the integrated area until 0.5 sec. and 1.0 sec. after the onset of grip were good ( ICC = .77 to .93). The time of reaching an inflection force value appeared at 0.3 sec. after the onset of grip, corresponding to 80% of maximal grip force, and the reliabilities of the parameters regarding inflection point were good ( ICC = .77 to .95). The time determined by boundary data between the former and the latter regression data set and the regression coefficient during the developmental phase correlated significantly with the time of reaching 90% of maximal grip force, the integrated area, and the quotient values of the integrated areas up to 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 sec. divided by maximal grip force ( rs = −.78 to −.96 and −.75 to 0.88, respectively, p < .05). However, these parameters did not correlate with maximal grip force. A force during the developmental phase and maximal grip force can depend on different physiological factors. The time determined by boundary data between the former and the latter regression data set and the regression coefficient during the developmental phase are useful parameters for evaluating static explosive grip.
Sport Injuries: Relations to Sex, Sport, Injured Body Region
Authors: Dane Şenol , Can Süleyman , Gürsoy Recep , Ezirmik Naci
Published: December 2005

The present study evaluated the association among sex, sport, and injured body region of sport injuries. The subjects were 329 men and 127 women, ranging in age from 17 to 28 years, attending classes in the departments of Physical Training and Sport of Atatürk University (Erzurum, Erzincan, and Ağri in Turkey). There were no differences between men and women in percentages of injuries. The difference among various sports in the percentages of injured athletes was statistically significant. Running had the lowest percentage of injuries and basketball had the highest percentage. The most frequently injured body regions were the foot and the ankle in basketball, volleyball, soccer, and running, but in wrestling, the knee. These findings suggest that injury rates are associated with the sport rather than sex of player, and the most frequently injured body regions are the lower extremities. Therefore, the muscles of lower extremity should be strengthened to avoid injuries.
Effects of Reducing Attentional Demands on Performance of Reading Comprehension Tests by Third Graders
Authors: DiCerbo Kristen Eignor , Oliver Jill , Albers Craig , Blanchard Jay
Published: December 2005

The researchers examined the effects of reducing attentional demands on reading comprehension test scores. Third grade students ( N = 939) completed two forms (T & S) of the Stanford 9 Reading Comprehension Test (54 items, 50 min.) in the spring of 1999. Form T (state-mandated) was administered following standardized procedures in one session. Form S (alternate) was administered in multiple, divided-time sessions, that is, the total test time and items were divided in halves and thirds per session to lessen attentional demands. A repeated-measure analysis of variance yielded significant effects for average and low readers. A resource match explanation and a metacognitive explanation are offered for the results, and educational implications are discussed.
Field Dependence–Independence in Complex Motor Skills
Authors: Guillot Aymeric , Collet Christian
Published: December 2005

This study analyzed the relationship between field dependence–independence and complex motor skills. According to the requirements of each sporting activity, subjects' motor system can be mainly controlled through exteroceptive or proprioceptive information. Sport performances require the athlete to disembed himself, other players, or the ball from the background, and decision-making appears to require cognitive restructuring. 26 athletes (13 men and 13 women) involved in acrobatic sports (gymnastics, trampoline, half-pipe snowboard, synchronized 3-m springboard, acrobatic rock, skateboard, and free skating) and 26 athletes (13 men and 13 women) involved in individual racket sports (tennis and table-tennis) completed the Group Embedded Figures Test. Participants (at least 10 years of practice) were from 16 to 35 years of age ( M = 22.0, SD = 3.1). No significant difference among athletes on scores for field dependence–independence was evidenced given this expertise, sex, or age. Significantly higher scores were obtained by athletes in acrobatic sports, indicating that they tended to be predominately more field-independent whereas the lower scores were obtained by tennis and table-tennis players.
On the Independence of Golf Scores for Professional Golfers
Authors: Clark Russell D.
Published: December 2005

This study involved professional golfers who played in 1999 on the Professional Golfers' Association Tour (PGA Tour, N = 2,967), Senior Professional Golfers' Association (SPGA Tour, N = 2,751), and the Ladies Professional Golfers' Association (LPGA Tour, N = 2,638) and investigated whether there is independence between golfers' scores on consecutive rounds within tournaments. The mean correlations between scores on consecutive rounds for players on the PGA Tour ( r = −.08, p<.01) and LPGA Tour ( r = −.03, p = .05) were negative although negligible and of little practical importance. There was a small, positive correlation ( r = .27, p<.01) between scores on consecutive rounds for players on the SPGA Tour. Such evidence suggests the greater dependence of golf scores on the SPGA Tour may be due to the greater range of players' skill on that tour.
Validity and Reliability of a Cantonese-Translated Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale among Hong Kong Adults
Authors: Leung Raymond W. , Leung Mee-Lee , Chung Pak-Kwong
Published: December 2005

This study assessed the validity and reliability of the Cantonese-translated version of the Borg 6–20 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale during continuous incremental cycle ergometry by Hong Kong adults. A total of 54 participants (25 males and 29 females), ages 22.2 ± 4.7 yr., volunteered to participate. They performed two trials of identical continuous incremental cycling exercise 1 wk. apart for the reliability test. The objective measures of exercise intensity (heart rate, power output, and oxygen consumption) and the subjective measure of effort (RPE) were obtained during the incremental exercise. Significant ( p<.01) Pearson correlations were found when RPE values were correlated with heart rate ( rs ≥ .73), power output ( rs ≥ .69), and oxygen consumption ( rs ≥ .68). The overall test-retest intraclass correlation ( R = .92) indicated that the scale was reliable. In conclusion, this Cantonese scale for rating of perceived exertion appears to be a valid and reliable psychophysiological tool to measure perceptions of exertion during controlled cycle ergometer exercise by Hong Kong adults.
Sex Differences in Simple Reaction Tasks
Authors: Kalb Roland , Jansen Stephanie , Reulbach Udo , Kalb Stefanie
Published: December 2005

Many anatomical and brain mapping studies show a higher bilateral symmetry of female brains and a higher asymmetry of male brains so correlations between simple visual and auditory, left- and right-hand reaction times were examined for such sex differences. 20 healthy women and 20 men were tested in two sessions. For women all six response times correlated with each other significantly in Session A, but in Session B there were only two significant interhemispheric correlations. This represented different changes in visual and auditory reaction times between Sessions A and B. Men showed the same pattern in both sessions: a significant correlation between the interhemispheric visual reaction times and one between auditory reaction times. Women showed a total correlation pattern in Session A and an interhemispheric correlation pattern in Session B. This was interpreted as a transition between a holistic information-processing strategy in Session A and an analytic strategy in Session B. Men showed an analytic strategy in both sessions.
Corsi's Block-Tapping Task: Standardization and Location in Factor Space with the Wais–R for Two Normal Samples of Older Adults
Authors: Saggino Aristide , Balsamo Michela , Grieco Anna , Cerbone Maria Rosaria , Raviele Nicla Nicolina
Published: December 2005

Corsi's block-tapping task and WAIS–R were administered to two Italian samples of 200 normal older adults (aged 65–74 years and 75–100 years). Corsi's reliabilities and standardization data are shown. Additionally, Corsi's location in the factor space of cognitive abilities represented by the 11 WAIS–R subtests is presented. Corsi's test seems to be a reliable one for older Italians. It seems also to be a measure of general intelligence in those 65–74 years of age and a measure of the Freedom from Distractibility factor in subjects 75 years and older.
Handedness and Hobby Preference
Authors: Giotakos Orestis
Published: December 2005

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between handedness and hobby preference in healthy individuals. For this reason, the Annett handedness questionnaire and a standard questionnaire on preference for hobbies were administered to 879 healthy young men (age, M = 22.3, SD = 4.8 yr.). Analysis showed more cultured individuals were much less likely to be strongly right-handed. Especially, pure right-handedness highly overrepresented among those who mainly preferred doing sports, pure left-handedness among those who preferred reading books, collecting, or going to the cinema/theater, and mixed-handedness among those who preferred arts, like playing music, drawing, or handicraft. The findings support evidence that handedness is associated with hobby preference.
Differential Effects of Laughter on Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin and Neurotrophin Levels in Tears
Authors: Kimata Hajime
Published: December 2005

Laughter after viewing a humorous video “Modern Times” decreased Japanese cedar pollen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG4 levels, while it enhanced Japanese cedar pollen-specific IgA levels in tears of patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis, while viewing a nonhumorous weather information video did not do so. Laughter after viewing “Modern Times” also decreased nerve growth factor levels without affecting neurotrophin-3 levels in tears of those patients, while viewing a weather information video did not. These results indicate that laughter decreased allergen-specific IgE and IgG4 production and increased allergen-specific IgA production with concomitant decrease in nerve growth factor. These results indicate that laughter may have some implications for study and treatment of allergic diseases.
Influence of Color on Number Perseveration in a Serial Addition Task
Authors: Proios Hariklia , Brugger Peter
Published: December 2005

The present study examined the influence of coloring the repeated number in a serial addition task that elicits perseveration in normal subjects. 110 undergraduates were administered the original, black-and-white version of the task, 112 other undergraduates the new, colored version. The task required adding the following numbers: 1000 + 40 + 1000 + 30 + 1000 + 20 + 1000 + 10. We predicted that, in the colored version, the enhanced saliency of the repeated number 1000 would reduce the incidence of perseverative errors. Results with the black-and-white version replicated our 1994 findings, i.e., the majority of subjects produced the perseverative response 5000 rather than the correct answer of 4100. Contrary to our expectation, color did not improve performance but rather increased both perseverative and nonperseverative errors. We speculate that the enhanced saliency of the 4 repeated 4-digit terms may have further distracted subjects from discovering the critical lure, namely, the repetitive digit changes in the partial sums at irrelevant positions, i.e., in the thousands and tens but never in the hundreds.
Semantic Satiation Effect in Young and Older Adults
Authors: Pilotti Maura , Khurshid Ayesha
Published: December 2005

Auditory and auditory+visual massed repetition served to examine semantic satiation in young and older adults and to understand the possible sources of this phenomenon. In Exp. 1, participants either heard or heard and saw prime words (ROYALTY) repeated 2, 15, or 30 times and made relatedness judgments on targets that were either semantically related (queen) or unrelated (box) to the repeated word. To distinguish satiation from general boredom, semantic satiation was operationally defined as a repetition-induced change in the difference between related and unrelated pairs (relatedness effect). Auditory massed repetition, either alone or in conjunction with prolonged visual exposure, produced semantic satiation effects in both young and older adults. In Exp. 2, participants heard the prime words of the earlier experiment, each repeated 30 times and reported perceptual changes (verbal transformations) during the repetition treatment. In this experiment, older adults were less susceptible to this type of habituation. The discussion focuses on the mechanisms that may be responsible for producing semantic satiation effects in young and older adults with different forms of massed repetition.
High‐Performance and Stable Organic Thin‐Film Transistors Based on Fused Thiophenes
Authors: Sun Y. M. , Ma Y. Q. , Liu Y. Q. , Lin Y. Y. , Wang Z. Y. , Wang Y. , Di C. A. , Xiao K. , Chen X. M. , Qiu W. F. , Zhang B. , Yu G. , Hu W. P. , Zhu D. B.
Published: December 2005

A series of new organic semiconductors for organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) using dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophene as the core are synthesized. Their electronic and optical properties are investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV‐vis and photoluminescence spectroscopies, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The compounds exhibit an excellent field‐effect performance with a high mobility of 0.42 cm2 V–1 s–1 and an on/off ratio of 5 × 106. XRD patterns reveal these films, grown by vacuum deposition, to be highly crystalline, and SEM reveals well‐interconnected, microcrystalline domains in these films at room temperature. TGA and DSC demonstrate that the phenyl‐substituted compounds possess excellent thermal stability. Furthermore, weekly shelf‐life tests (under ambient conditions) of the OTFTs based on the phenyl‐substituted compounds show that the mobility for the bis(diphenyl)‐substituted thiophene was almost unchanged for more than two months, indicating a high environmental stability.
Fate of Facultative Pathogenic Microorganisms during and after the Flood of the Elbe and Mulde Rivers in August 2002
Authors: Abraham Wolf‐Rainer , Wenderoth Dirk F.
Published: December 2005

Extreme precipitation in August 2002 led to the flooding of large areas of the rivers and Mulde in the eastern part of Germany. Furthermore, flooding of villages and towns impacted also the local sewage systems leading to a release of untreated water into the river where high abundances of faecal bacteria might be dangerous. After the retreat of the flood, mud enriched by an unknown degree with facultative pathogenic microorganisms remained. High bacterial cell counts were observed in the cellars of the flooded houses, the playgrounds, and the streets forming a pathogenic reservoir. This is especially important in situations where many persons try to prevent and to repair flood damages. The high cell counts were not observed in open water and in wells implying that the cellars were a special niche for the survival of bacteria. The isolates obtained from media specific for facultative pathogenic bacteria showed a high biodiversity and a surprisingly high degree of multi‐resistances against antibiotics. The origin of these resistances was not the river water because isolates from the Elbe river showed much lower multi‐resistances than those from the flood water. Therefore, the multi‐resistant bacteria are assumed to come from flooded sewage plants or from farms. Our results demand a closer monitoring of the sources of multi‐resistant bacteria during future flooding events to protect humans from infections by multi‐resistant bacteria.
Identification of Organic Pollutants in Waters and Sediments from the Lower Mulde River Area
Authors: Franke Stephan , Heinzel Nicolas , Specht Michael , Francke Wittko
Published: December 2005

The flood disaster along the Elbe and Mulde rivers in summer 2002 not only caused acute damage; in addition, it increased the risk of long‐term release of pollutants. The area of the Lower Mulde river, that must be assessed as particularly critical in this context, because of the pollutants and refuse dumps accumulated in the industrial region Bitterfeld‐Wolfen, was examined by GC‐MS non target screening for organic substances in selected samples from groundwaters, river waters and sediment. Directed to the detailed qualitative analysis of the single sample, this approach supplied an overview of existing pollutants in the Lower Mulde river area, as well as knowledge about formerly unidentified organic substances, not covered by monitoring routines and associated with unassessed environmental risks. Newly identified chloroacetals and chlorinated products of formaldehyde‐styrene chemistry may be useful as tracers for transport paths of pollutants, that might have changed in consequence of the flood. Furthermore, the chirality of the compounds provides a means to probe the extent of degradative microbial activity.
Flood Induced Heavy Metal and Arsenic Contamination of Elbe River Floodplain Soils
Authors: Krüger Frank , Meissner Ralph , Gröngröft Alexander , Grunewald Karsten
Published: December 2005

Although the qualities of the river water and the sediments of the river Elbe have greatly improved over the past twenty years, both the suspended matter and the sediments are still contaminated with heavy metals and arsenic (HM). This contamination exceeds the action values specified in the Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance (BBodSchV). The status of floodplain soil contamination with HM along the entire German alluvial Elbe was investigated and evaluated, based on former research activities and recently performed analyses after the extreme flood event in August 2002 and the subsequent winter flooding. The section downstream of the river Mulde inflow was contaminated much higher than the upstream section. With the installation of permanently marked observation areas a tool for soil quality monitoring has been established for the future.
A Study on Arsenic and the Heavy Metals in the Mulde River System
Authors: Klemm Werner , Greif Annia , Broekaert José A. C. , Siemens Volker , Junge Frank W. , van der Veen Andrea , Schultze Martin , Duffek Anja
Published: December 2005

Analyses of water, suspended particulate matter, and sediment for the area drained by the river Mulde (Germany) for the early 90's show a high level of pollution in several sections of the river system. This was caused primarily by mining, and industrial and urban activity. The influence of the extreme “100‐year‐flood” into the Mulde and Elbe river systems as a result of the extremely high precipitation in the ore mountains (Erzgebirge) in August 2002 was studied. During the flood, large amounts of strongly polluted sediments were transported into the Freiberger Mulde and Zwickauer Mulde, and deposited on the flooded areas and along river banks in the Vereinigte Mulde. Concentrations of As and heavy metals in the flood sediments of the Freiberger Mulde were found to be very high. This is due primarily to waste dump leaching into the polluted part of the river near Freiberg. Studies in such strongly polluted area show that there is a permanent supply of pollutants from point and diffuse sources, and new sediments with the same level of pollution are formed in the river system.

The study of the Bitterfelder Mulde river reservoir documents its function as a sink for suspended matter and heavy metals in the lower Mulde and Elbe system, even at extremely high flow rates. As a result of the flooding of the Lake Goitsche, large amounts of sediment were observed, particularly in the first subbasin Döbern. The deposited sediments contained large concentrations of As and heavy metals.
Flooding Induced Effects from the Mining Lake Goitzsche on Groundwater and Land‐use in the Bitterfeld Area
Authors: Wycisk Peter , Neumann Christian , Gossel Wolfgang
Published: December 2005

The exceptional flooding event of the river Mulde in August 2002 led to an unexpected filling of the Goitzsche, an open‐pit lignite mining lake, within two days. Due to this exceptional situation, the groundwater table in the vicinity of the lake rose several meters in the area of Bitterfeld. Over the last 100 years, this region has been affected by a large‐scale contaminated aquifer of the former chemical industry complex Bitterfeld/Wolfen. Consequent to the rising groundwater level, the regional hydraulic situation and the groundwater flow direction changed entirely, as proven by hydraulic modelling results. Due to the heterogeneous aquifer conditions, the hydraulic importance was shown of a small scale channel‐fill at the bottom of the upper aquifer. This predominant geological structure evidently affects the groundwater flow direction indicated by the modelled path lines. The resulting pathways of the contaminants can be used for the identification of exposure routes related to areas of high ecological sensitivity. The monitoring of highly soluble groundwater contaminants (e.g. benzene, TCE, cis‐1,2‐DCE), close to the flooding event, shows (irregular patterns of increasing, as well as decreasing, concentration values of related groundwater contaminants. Until the present, no consistent regional pattern can be recorded in the shift of the distribution of the concentration induced by the flooding event. Local differences in the concentration values are obviously more related to small scale variations within the Quaternary aquifer in terms of hydraulic conductivity and higher residual concentration of the contaminated matrix sediments. The temporal effects of concentration values ca be traced back, by most of the organic compounds, to distinct observation wells within the monitored time span at the starting point before flooding.
Plant and Soil Contamination with Trace Metals in the Elbe Floodplains: A Case Study after the Flood in August 2002
Authors: Gröngröft Alexander , Krüger Frank , Grunewald Karsten , Meißner Ralph , Miehlich Günter
Published: December 2005

After the severe Elbe flood in August 2002 the topsoil mobility of trace metals and the contamination of the floodplain vegetation was studied on 18 recent floodplain sites of the Elbe and lower Mulde. The mobile fraction of the trace metals decreased in the order Cd > Zn > Cu ≈ Pb > As > Hg. For Cu and As a significant correlation to total element concentration was found in the soils. For the extractable share of Cd, Zn and Pb regression curves accounting for soil pH value are presented. They indicate a comparatively high metal mobility. Directly after the flood metal concentrations in all plant samples exceeded EU maximum values for feedingstuffs as given by due to surface contamination. In 2003, 50 % of all plant samples still exceeded maximum values. For the transfer of contaminants into the food chain different pathways are possible. Their share with respect to total contaminations, however, can until now not be quantified. Nevertheless, the observed soil and plant contaminations indicate the necessity of activities to prevent transfer into the food chain.
The Situation of PCDD/Fs and Dioxin‐like PCBs after the Flooding of River Elbe and Mulde in 2002
Authors: Umlauf Gunther , Bidoglio Giovanni , Christoph Eugen H. , Kampheus Josef , Krüger Frank , Landmann Dietrich , Schulz Ann Johanna , Schwartz René , Severin Karl , Stachel Burkhard , Stehr Dorit
Published: December 2005

Following the Elbe and Mulde flooding in August 2002 a series of research and monitoring programmes were conducted to assess the contamination of the flooded areas with PCDD/Fs and related compounds and to identify related threats to the food chain. The present paper reports an overview of PCDD/F and dioxin‐like PCB results obtained for soil samples from the floodplains and behind broken dikes, river sediments and feedstuff produced on the floodplains, and some products from animals fed with feedstuffs grown on the contaminated floodplains.

The highest contamination levels in soil were found in periodically flooded pastureland riverside of the dikes. PCDD/Fs in most samples from pasture land exceeded the German threshold of 5 pg/g I‐TEQ. Maximum concentrations in soil were up to 2100 pg/g I‐TEQ. PCDD/Fs in agricultural soils, usually not flooded except during 2002, did not exceed the threshold of 40 pg/g. Maximum concentrations in soil were below 10 pg/g I‐TEQ. PCDD/Fs in playgrounds and sporting areas did not exceed the threshold of 100 pg/g I‐TEQ in soil, maximum concentrations were around 25 pg/g I‐TEQ. Dioxin‐like PCBs were of minor importance for the WHO‐TEQ in soil and sediment but dominate the WHO‐TEQ in Elbe fish.

The soils behind broken dikes – only affected by the 2002 flood – were only marginally contaminated with PCDD/Fs. In contrast, most soils from the pasture lands riverside of the dikes, continuously affected by periodic flooding, revealed high contamination levels. This demonstrates that the 2002 flooding had only minor impact on the contamination of soils.

The downstream concentration profile of Elbe sediments and alluvial soils identifies the rivers Mulde and Saale as important input sources. The related congener distribution suggests input from former metallurgic processing (magnesium) in the Mulde and Saale catchment. The downstream contamination profile in the sediments showed one order of magnitude lower PCDD/F levels and the peak contamination was located about 200 km further upstream when compared to the floodplains.

Analytical surveys on feedstuffs cultivated on the contaminated floodplains did not reveal significant soil‐grass transfer of PCDD/Fs, which indicates a low mobility of the PCDD/Fs present in the floodplains. However, co‐ingestion of soil by grazing animals gave a clear signal of contaminant uptake and demonstrates the necessity of a careful agri‐management of the floodplains of Elbe and Mulde.
Occupational magnetic field exposure and the risk of acoustic neuroma
Authors: Forssén Ulla M. , Lönn Stefan , Ahlbom Anders , Savitz David A. , Feychting Maria
Published: December 2005

Background

Acoustic neuroma is the intracranial tumor subtype showing the highest relative risk in relation to ionizing radiation but other environmental risk factors are largely unknown. This study was performed to investigate the effect of power frequency magnetic fields.

Method

A total of 793 cases between 1987 and 1999 were identified through the Swedish cancer registry and 101,762 controls were randomly selected from the total population. Information about occupation was obtained from censuses and linked to gender specific job‐exposure matrices based on actual measurements of 50 Hz magnetic field exposure.

Result

We investigated time‐weighted average, peak values, and rate of change of magnetic field exposure considering several different time windows in relation to cancer diagnosis. We found no increases in risks regardless of exposure metric or time window of exposure.

Conclusion

This study is the largest ever on acoustic neuroma and the first study to evaluate this tumor subtype specifically in relation to extremely low frequency magnetic fields. The results do not support the hypothesis that 50 Hz magnetic fields increase the risk of acoustic neuroma. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lung cancer mortality among workers at a nuclear materials fabrication plant
Authors: Richardson David B. , Wing Steve
Published: December 2005

Background

The Oak Ridge, Tennessee Y‐12 plant has operated as a nuclear materials fabrication plant since the 1940s. Given the work environment, and prior findings that lung cancer mortality was elevated among white male Y‐12 workers relative to US white males, we investigated whether lung cancer mortality was associated with occupational radiation exposures.

Methods

A cohort of 3,864 workers hired between 1947 and 1974 who had been monitored for internal radiation exposure was identified. Vital status was ascertained through 1990.

Results

Over the study period 111 lung cancer deaths were observed. Cumulative external radiation dose under a 5‐year lag assumption was positively associated with lung cancer mortality (0.54% increase in lung cancer mortality per 10 mSv, se = 0.16, likelihood ratio test (LRT) = 5.84, 1 degree of freedom [df]); cumulative internal radiation dose exhibited a highly‐imprecise negative association with lung cancer mortality.

Discussion

The positive association between external radiation dose and lung cancer mortality was primarily due to exposure occurring in the period 5–14 years after exposure (0.97% increase in lung cancer mortality rate per 10 mSv, se = 0.28, LRT = 6.35, 1 df). The association between external radiation dose and lung cancer mortality was negative for exposures occurring at ages <35 years and positive for exposures occurring at ages 35–50 and 50+ years.

Conclusions

There is evidence of a positive association between cumulative external radiation dose and lung cancer mortality in this population. However, a causal interpretation of this association is constrained by the uncertainties in external and internal radiation dose estimates, the lack of information about exposures to other lung carcinogens, and the limited statistical power of the study. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outside St. Jørgen: Leprosy in the medieval Danish city of Odense
Authors: Boldsen Jesper L. , Mollerup Lene
Published: December 2005

Leprosy was a common and dreaded disease in the Danish Middle Ages (AD 1050–1536). Starting in the second half of the 13th century, leprosaria were established in many Danish towns and cities. In the city of Odense (on the island of Funen, Denmark), the cemetery of the leprosarium was totally excavated, and four nonleprosarium medieval and early modern cemeteries have been partly excavated. This paper explores the frequency of leprosy in the nonleprosarium cemeteries in Odense, and looks for evidence of selective exclusion from the ordinary population. The analyses are based on 733 skeletons from four cemeteries in Odense: the Gray Friars monastery, St. Albani parish church, St. Knuds cathedral, and Black Friars monastery. Seven lesions are scored and, based on known epidemiological properties (i.e., specificity and sensitivity) of these lesions, scores were transformed to statistics characterizing an individual's risk of having suffered from leprosy. This statistical approach remains of primary theoretical value, pending confirmation by independent research groups at other sites. Prevalence of the skeletal manifestation of leprosy at death varied between 0–17% among the different cemeteries in Odense. The highest prevalence was seen in cemeteries with many burials before AD 1400. It is estimated that before AD 1400, between 14–17% of those buried in the nonleprosarium cemeteries suffered from leprosy. In all nonleprosarium cemeteries, there was evidence for selective exclusion of people with facial leprosy lesions. For a short period just up to AD 1300, the cemetery of the Odense leprosarium had, on average, more than 20 yearly burials. The establishment of the leprosarium was followed within a relatively short period by a dramatic decline in the number of sufferers of leprosy in the nonleprosarium cemeteries. The number of yearly burials in the leprosarium cemetery also declined rapidly during the 14th century. The present analyses do not permit conclusions about the reasons for this decline in leprosy prevalence. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spastic paraplegia type 2 associated with axonal neuropathy and apparent PLP1 position effect
Authors: Lee Jennifer A. , Madrid Ricardo E. , Sperle Karen , Ritterson Carolyn M. , Hobson Grace M. , Garbern James , Lupski James R. , Inoue Ken
Published: December 2005

Objective

To report an association between spastic paraplegia type 2 with axonal peripheral neuropathy and apparent proteolipid protein gene (PLP1) silencing in a family.

Methods

Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis, custom array comparative genomic hybridization, and semi‐quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction analyses were used to examine the PLP1 genomic region.

Results

Electrodiagnostic studies and a sural nerve biopsy showed features of a dystrophic axonal neuropathy. Molecular studies identified a small duplication downstream of PLP1.

Interpretation

We propose the duplication to result in PLP1 gene silencing by virtue of a position effect. Our observations suggest that genomic rearrangements that do not include PLP1 coding sequences should be considered as yet another potential mutational mechanism underlying PLP1‐related dysmyelinating disorders. Ann Neurol 2005
Migraine with aura is a risk factor for unprovoked seizures in children
Authors: Ludvigsson Petur , Hesdorffer Dale , Olafsson Elias , Kjartansson Olafur , Hauser W. Allen
Published: December 2005

Objective

Migraine is associated with epilepsy, but the time order and nature of the relationship are unclear. We conducted a population based case control study to clarify the time order to determine whether migraine is a risk factor for epilepsy.

Methods

Migraine symptoms were evaluated in a population‐based case–control study of all incident epilepsy in Icelandic children and in matched controls (next two same sex births in the country).

Results

Migraine was associated with a fourfold increased risk for developing epilepsy, an association explained by migraine with aura (odds ratio, 8.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.7–24.3). Migraine without aura did not increase risk for epilepsy.

Interpretation

Children with migraine with aura have a substantial increased risk to develop subsequent epilepsy. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that migraine with aura and migraine without aura may be different disorders. Ann Neurol 2006;59:210–213
Suppression of mitoxantrone cardiotoxicity in multiple sclerosis patients by dexrazoxane
Authors: Bernitsas Evanthia , Wei Wei , Mikol Daniel D.
Published: December 2005

Objective

To explore the potential of dexrazoxane to suppress subclinical cardiotoxicity in MS patients receiving mitoxantrone.

Methods

An open‐label study was performed to evaluate possible subclinical cardiotoxicity in multiple sclerosis patients treated quarterly with mitoxantrone (48mg/m2 cumulative), with and without concomitant dexrazoxane, using blinded serial radionucleide ventriculography.

Results

No patient experienced symptoms of heart failure. Patients receiving dexrazoxane, which is cardioprotective for anthracyclines, exhibited a significantly lesser decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (mean change, −3.80% vs −8.55%, p < 0.001).

Interpretation

These results support a cardioprotective effect of dexrazoxane in mitoxantrone treated multiple sclerosis patients. Ann Neurol 2006;59:206–209
Permeation of Telone C‐35 EC™ and chloropicrin through protective gloves
Authors: Zainal Hanaa , Que Hee Shane S.
Published: December 2005

Telone is a potent volatile liquid chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide based on 1,3‐dichloropropene that is applied without dilution for fumigation purposes, and so poses an inhalation and air pollution threat, as proven by past monitoring. 1,3‐Dichloropropene also causes allergic skin effects, is absorbed through the skin, and metabolites have been shown to be excreted after skin absorption, so making it a skin exposure threat too, one that may become most important in the situations of adequate respirator protection or cleaning up spills. It is often coformulated with agents like chloropicrin, a chemical warfare agent, to substitute for methyl bromide fumigant. The aim of the study was to assess if nitrile and laminated gloves provided adequate protection against Telone C‐35 EC™, using an ASTM‐type I‐PTC‐600 permeation cell containing disposable (Safeskin™) and chemically‐resistant (Sol‐Vex™) nitrile and laminated (Barrier™ and Silver Shield™) glove materials with hexane liquid collection. Analyses of cis‐ and trans‐1,3‐dichloropropene and chloropicrin in the collection fluid at various times were performed on a moderately polar capillary column, using gas chromatography–electron capture detection by the internal and external standards methods. Both nitrile materials were degraded by the formulation and pure chloropicrin, and so were unsuitable for protection. Both laminated glove materials offered some protection with Silver Shield™ the better, since less mass had permeated by 8 h, but the extent of protection was still inadequate, as illustrated by a risk assessment of the skin exposure situation. It is recommended that Viton gloves be worn rather than the laminated ones when Telone C‐35 EC™ is handled. Laminated gloves may protect against pure chloropicrin. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 18–25, 2006
On‐line confocal imaging of the events leading to structural dedifferentiation of an axonal segment into a growth cone after axotomy
Authors: Sahly Iman , Khoutorsky Arkady , Erez Hadas , Prager‐Khoutorsky Masha , Spira Micha E.
Published: December 2005

The transformation of a transected axonal tip into a growth cone (GC) after axotomy is a critical step in the cascade of events leading to regeneration. However, the mechanisms underlying it are largely unknown. In earlier studies we reported that axotomy of cultured Aplysia neurons leads to a transient and local increase in the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration, calpain activation, and localized proteolysis of the submembranal spectrin. In a recent ultrastructural study, we reported that calpain activation is critical for the restructuring of the microtubules and neurofilaments at the cut axonal end to form a compartment in which vesicles accumulate. By using on‐line confocal imaging of microtubules (MTs), actin, and vesicles in cultured Aplysia neurons, we studied the kinetics of the transformation and examined some of the mechanisms that orchestrate it. We report that perturbation of the MTs' polymerization by nocodazole inhibits the formation of an MT‐based compartment in which the vesicles accumulate, yet actin repolymerization proceeds normally to form a nascent GC's lamellipodium. Nevertheless, under these conditions, the lamellipodium fails to expand and form neurites. When actin filament polymerization is inhibited by cytochalasin D or jasplakinolide, the MT‐based compartment is formed and vesicles accumulate at the cut axonal end. However, a GC's lamellipodium is not formed, and the cut axonal end fails to regenerate. A growth‐competent GC is formed only when MT restructuring, the accumulation of vesicles, and actin polymerization properly converge in time and space. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:705–720, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.