bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Test for Children's Goal-Directed Behavior: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lehto Juhani E.
Published: December 2005

A test for children's goal-directed behavior was developed, based on neuropsychological executive function research of Vilkki and Holst and on the framework of Lewin's level-of-aspiration research. 46 12-yr.-old children were participants. Fluid Intelligence was expected to be linked to goal-directed behavior and a commonly used executive function task, the Wisconsin Card-sorting Test. A child was asked to set personal goals in a short-term memory task without prior knowledge about performance. Four different task versions were developed employing both verbal (memorizing series of words) and visuospatial (memorizing block sequences) material. The child set an individual goal for each memory trial. Goal-setting after successful and failed trials was investigated. Usually, the children lowered their goals after failures and set their goals higher or did not change them after successful trials. Compared to goal on a previous trial, Inadequate Responses included setting a goal higher after a failed trial and setting it lower after success. Fluid Intelligence was related to goal-directed behavior, viz., Inadequate Responses. It also correlated with scores on the Wisconsin Card-sorting Test. The results are in concordance with previous research. In addition to experimental executive function research, the novel test might be useful in research concerning children's motivation, self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning.
Influence of Motoric Encoding on Forgetting Function of Memory for Action Sentences in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Masumoto Kouhei , Tsuneto Satoru , Takai Tsuneo , Kashiwagi Tetsuo
Published: December 2005

This study assessed whether verbal encoding and motoric encoding have different effects on the forgetting function for action sentences of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Subjects were 13 healthy elderly adults and 10 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Three tasks were used: verbal tasks, subject-performed tasks, observed tasks. On the verbal tasks, subjects only heard the action sentences as read to them. On the subject-performed tasks, subjects heard, then performed each action sentence. On the observed tasks, subjects heard the action sentences read while observing the object mentioned in each action sentence. After presentation of each task, subjects conducted immediate and 30-min. delayed recall tests, and then a recognition test. Analysis indicated recall performance for subject-performed tasks was significantly better than that for verbal tasks and observed tasks at both immediate and delayed recall in each group. On the recognition test, carrying out the action had no effect, but for both groups recognition was enhanced by observing the object. Elderly adults performed significantly better than patients on all tasks of recall and recognition. However, the results indicate that patients with Alzheimer's disease can use multimodal resources from motoric encoding even if time passes.
Relation of Handedness with Season of Birth of Professional Baseball Players Revisited
Authors: Abel Ernest L. , Kruger Michael L.
Published: December 2005

We reexamined the relationship between month and season of birth and handedness in male professional baseball players listed in Lahman's Baseball Archive Vol. 4.5 database. The sample of 8,016 individuals (left-handed = 1,658; right-handed = 6,358) played major league baseball between 1900–2001. A slightly higher, but statistically significant, percentage of left-handed players were born in June compared to other months, and in the winter–spring months, but we were unable to corroborate Rogerson's spring and early summer categorization of handedness as related to birth season. The data did not support the hypothesis that the prevalence of left-handedness is related to season of birth.
Interrater Reliability in Professional Psychology Student Selection
Authors: Pillay Anthony L. , Edwards Stephen D.
Published: December 2005

High interrater reliability was noted among academics selecting students for professional psychology training. Women raters showed higher concordance than men, although all raters showed significant agreement about the male and the female applicants.
Corsi's Block-Tapping Test: Some Characteristics of the Spatial Path Which Influence Memory
Authors: Orsini A. , Simonetta S. , Marmorato M. S.
Published: December 2005

By using a sequence of digits it is possible to indicate the path of Corsi's block-tapping test by drawing a line to join the central points of the cubes which make up the sequence. By doing this one can analyze the sequence of digits according to quantitative parameters. There were three characteristics of the spatial path taken into consideration in this research: the number of cubes which constitute a series of digits, the number of times the path intersected itself, and the length of the path measured in millimeters. The experiment, carried out with 70 university students, showed that all three factors were significant on analysis of variance, and also that there were differences between the sexes, the men performing better. No interactions were significant. Despite this, additional significant differences were found among the series with the same number of cubes, intersections, and length, meaning that other variables influence the difficulty of the spatial path.
Relationship between Physical Education Students' Achievements in a French Badminton Service Test and Expert Ratings of Technique Quality
Authors: Toriola Abel L. , Toriola Olutoyin M. , Dhaliwal Harvinder S. , Igbokwe Nicholas U.
Published: December 2005

Assessment of practical skills in physical education lessons have often been criticised as subjective. In this study three experienced judges' ratings poorly predicted the 116 students' scores on the French badminton short service test.
Influence of Cup Stacking on Hand-Eye Coordination and Reaction Time of Second-Grade Students
Authors: Udermann Brian E. , Mayer John M. , Murray Steven R. , Sagendorf Kenneth
Published: December 2005

Cup stacking has been adopted recently by many physical education programs to enhance rudimentary motor skills such as hand-eye coordination and ambidexterity as well as quickness and concentration; however, no empirical evidence has been published to support these claims. We examined the influence of cup stacking on hand-eye coordination and reaction time of 24 boys and 18 girls in second grade as measured by the Soda Pop and Yardstick tests, respectively. Two physical education classes were randomly assigned as treatment and control groups and were pre- and posttested for hand-eye coordination and reaction time. The treatment group participated in a 5-wk. cup-stacking program. Significant improvements were noted for both hand-eye coordination and reaction time between the pre- and posttest scores for this group but not for the control group. Therefore, cup stacking is indeed effective in enhancing hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
Further Investigation of Harmonic Priming in Long Contexts Using Musical Timbre as Surface Marker to Control for Temporal Effects
Authors: Tillmann B. , Bigand E.
Published: December 2005

Harmonic priming studies have reported facilitated processing for chords that are harmonically related to the prime context. Responses to the target (the last chord of an 8-chord sequence) were faster and more accurate when the target was strongly related, i.e., a tonic chord, to the preceding prime context than when it was less related, i.e., a subdominant chord. Results have been interpreted in terms of musical expectations and processing speed: the prime allows listeners to develop expectations for future events which lead to facilitated processing of the most strongly expected event. The present experiment investigated an alternative hypothesis suggesting that the harmonic structure of the prime context might create an ambiguity about “when” to respond that is stronger in contexts ending on less related targets than in contexts ending on strongly related targets. A change of musical timbre was used as surface marker indicating without ambiguity the temporal occurrence of the target. Participants made speeded intonation judgments of the target, i.e., judging whether targets are acoustically consonant or dissonant. The findings replicate the previously reported priming effect and rule out that processing differences are solely due to ambiguities about when in time the target will occur.
Perceptions of Body Image among Japanese and Croatian Children of Preschool Age
Authors: Ambrosi-Randić Neala , Tokuda Katsumi
Published: December 2005

This study examined the differences in current and ideal body size among 108 Japanese and 129 Croatian preschool children ( M = 4.9 yr.). Boys and girls in both samples showed similarities by selecting the figure representing their current body size. Significant sex differences were found in selection of an ideal figure in the Japanese sample but not in the Croatian group. Japanese girls showed greater preference for a thinner figure than boys. In selection of an ideal body size significant cultural differences were found only for boys: Japanese boys preferred thinner figures. Results relating to body discrepancy (Current minus Ideal figures) indicated that there were fewer satisfied Japanese girls than Croatian girls whereas for the boys, a significantly larger number of Japanese than Croatian boys wished to be heavier.
Relationships of Coping Styles with Type of Sport
Authors: Philippe Roberta Antonini , Seiler Roland , Mengisen Walter
Published: December 2005

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the type of sport is associated with coping styles. 80 athletes (weightlifters, runners, swimmers, and triathletes) were administered the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Analysis showed weightlifters had a lower mean score on Avoidance coping than the other groups of athletes. Differences concerning sex and ability were found as well.
Concurrent Validity of Tests to Measure the Coordinated Exertion of Force by Computerized Target Pursuit
Authors: Nagasawa Yoshinori , Demura Shinichi , Kitabayashi Tamotsu
Published: December 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine concurrent validity of a new test for coordinated exertion of force. Coordinated exertion of force was measured using computerized target pursuit from the following viewpoints: the relations between the new test, a pursuit-rotor test, and a pegboard test. College students (24 men and 24 women) were required to change their grip exertion to match changing demand values (displayed in either a bar chart or a wave form) appearing on the display of a personal computer. The sum of the differences between the demanded values and grip-exertion values for 25 sec. was a parameter to evaluate the new test. The reliabilities of the new test, the pursuit-rotor, and the pegboard test were acceptable (ICC = .70 to .99). Scores on the new test showed low correlations with the pursuit-rotor and the pegboard test. The relation between the two different displays in the new test was significant but low ( r = .49, p<.05). It was inferred that the new test measures a somewhat different ability than that measured by the pursuit-rotor and pegboard test and that the abilities tested by the types of displayed demand values are somewhat different.
Stimulus Array Onset as a Preparatory Signal in Attentional Selection
Authors: Rodway Paul
Published: December 2005

Warning signals enhance psychomotor performance by optimising preparation for the arrival of an event. Recent evidence, however, suggests that a warning signal can also disrupt attentional preparation by interfering with the process of preparing. It was hypothesised that a warning signal consisting of a change to the task-relevant items (array onset) may be more effective than a traditional warning signal consisting of the arrival, or removal, of a bar-cue which is independent of the task array. In three experiments array onset was a more effective warning signal than the bar-cue because reaction times were significantly faster without an increase in errors. In addition, an auditory warning signal resulted in faster reaction time than the bar-cue but in performance equivalent to that with an onset warning signal. Thus, the superiority of an auditory warning signal, reported by Davis and Green, was not found, when the interference of the visual warning signal with preparation was reduced. These results suggest that a visual warning signal consisting of a change to the stimulus array is more effective than an event independent from the stimulus array.
Perceived Exertion during Resistance Exercise by Children
Authors: Faigenbaum Avery D. , Milliken Laurie A. , Cloutier Greg , Westcott Wayne L.
Published: December 2005

This pilot study examined the validity of a new scale of perceived exertion during acute bouts of resistance exercise in young children. The researchers developed an 11-point numerical scale with five pictures representing youths at various levels of exertion while lifting weights. 26 children ( M age 10.1 ± 1.2 yr.) performed one set of 10 repetitions at 35%, 55%, and 75% of their one-repetition maximum on the chest press and leg press exercises using child-size weight training machines. Scaling procedures for the perceptual anchors on the perceived exertion scale were based on one repetition maximum testing. Children could use this scale to translate into numbers their perceptions of physical exertion during upper and lower body resistance exercise. Perceived exertion distributed as a positive linear function of the percent of one repetition maximum on the chest press and leg press exercises ( rs = .70 to .77), and perceived exertion increased significantly across all three exercise intensities on both exercises. These preliminary findings provide partial evidence for validation when this scale was used during resistance exercise with children. Additional validation regarding perceived exertion during resistance exercise with children is warranted.
Effects of Expectations about Evaluation and Peer Recommendations on Students' Ratings
Authors: Schmelkin Liora Pedhazur , Hoag Jennifer , Liebling Dana E. , Kaufman Aviele M.
Published: December 2005

Previous research on consumer satisfaction suggests that the anticipation of providing a later evaluation leads to more negative appraisals. Within the context of higher education, the current experiment focused on the evaluation of a presentation and its presenter. College students (35 men, 59 women) were randomly assigned to six conditions regarding evaluative expectations and peer recommendations. Students watched a brief video of a lecture on an educational topic and then evaluated the speaker and presentation. Anticipation of providing evaluations did not influence the subsequent evaluations; however, peers' positive recommendations led to more positive evaluations whereas negative recommendations led to more negative evaluations.
Effect of Deception of Distance on Prolonged Cycling Performance
Authors: Paterson S. , Marino F. E.
Published: December 2005

This study examined the effect of deception of distance end-point on prolonged cycling performance. 21 subjects were randomly allocated to three groups ( n = 7 per group). Each group completed three self-paced time-trials separated by one day. Subjects were told that each trial was a 30-km time-trial and were required to complete the distance in the fastest time possible. Following the initial trial of 30 km, one group completed Trial 2 with a longer distance (long distance group; 36 km), another group with a shorter distance (24 km; short distance group), and the third group as control (30 km; control). Each group then completed a third time-trial of 30 km. At no time was the deception of distance in Trial 2 disclosed to the subjects, and all sources of physiological and mechanical feedback were withheld during the trials. Data from Trials 1 and 3 were analysed by repeated-measures analysis of covariance. Time to complete Trial 1 was similar among groups (–65 min.). Following the deception in Trial 2 the time to complete the 30 km in Trial 3 was increased for the short distance group, decreased for the long distance group, whilst the time for the control group remained unchanged. The times to complete the 30 km on Trials 1 and 3 were matched by changes in power output throughout the trials. It is concluded that subjects deceived of the actual distance completed will complete the subsequent performance trial based on perceived effort rather than on actual distance.
Deception and Perceived Exertion during High-Intensity Running Bouts
Authors: Hampson David B. , Gibson Alan St Clair , Lambert Mike I. , Dugas Jonathan P. , Lambert Estelle V. , Noakes Timothy D.
Published: December 2005

This investigation examined the overall and localized perceived exertion responses to repeated bouts of submaximal, high-intensity running when subjects were deceived. Well-trained male and female ( n = 40) runners were randomly assigned to four groups who completed three 1680-m bouts of running at 80–86% peak treadmill running speed. The two experimental groups, Expected Similar and Expected Increase, were deceived of the actual run intensities while the two control groups, Control Increase and Control Similar, were informed of the actual protocol. After each run, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were taken for the whole body, chest, legs, head, and other areas. No significant differences were found in overall RPE between deceived and control groups. However, there was a tendency for the Expected Increase group, deceived into believing the intensity would be higher than they were subsequently made to run, to experience an attenuated increase in RPE between runs compared to the control group (Control Increase) who were honestly informed. For all groups, legs and chest were given consistently higher localized exertion scores than the head and other areas. It appears that a precise system of afferent feedback mediates the overall perceived exertion response during high-intensity running, and psychological intervention that alters pre-exercise expectations has minimal feedforward effect on exertion ratings taken postexercise.
Improving Accuracy of Veracity Judgment through Cue Training
Authors: Santarcangelo Maria , Cribbie Robert A. , Hubbard Amy S. Ebesu
Published: December 2005

The ability to make judgments of veracity was investigated to see if training individuals on visual, vocal, or verbal content cues of deception would increase their ability to judge whether a message was truthful. The overall rate of accuracy of judging veracity was significantly greater for subjects trained on verbal content cues. More specifically, for detecting truthful messages, subjects trained on verbal content cues had significantly greater accuracy than subjects who received no cue training, whereas for detecting deceptive messages, there were no significant differences in accuracy among conditions.
Use of the Same and a Longer Time Series to Replicate David Lester's Study of Suicide and Birth Rates in Canada
Authors: Bridges F. Stephen , Pearson L. Carolyn
Published: December 2005

This is a replication of Lester's work (2000) using the time series 1970–1990 to study associations between age-standardized rates of suicide and crude birth rates in the 10 Canadian provinces were also examined between 1961 and 1999.
Perceived Building Density as a Function of Layout
Authors: Zacharias John , Stamps Arthur
Published: December 2005

This paper addresses two issues in the subjective measurement of density, (a) whether perceived density is influenced by the sizes and spacing of buildings and (b) whether perceived density is influenced by surface details. Two experiments were conducted. Stimuli in Exp. 1 were 9 photomontages of rows of residential buildings. Factors were (a) building surface area (at low, medium, and high levels) and (b) layout (many small buildings and small gaps to few large buildings and large gaps, in three levels). Amount of visible building surface area accounted for 63% of variance of scaled impressions of density, while layout accounted for 15% of variance. Stimuli in Exp. 2 were grey boxes with the same factors of building surface area and layout. Scaled impressions of density of buildings and boxes correlated at .95, suggesting that surface detail had a minor effect in perceived density.
From Phonemes to Meaning: John Steinbeck's Work Examined
Authors: Thompson Glenn L. , Kunto Sara
Published: December 2005

Two novels were selected from two distinct periods in John Steinbeck's career, and text samples from each were pooled according to era. Using quantitative measures of text emotion, between-sample and norm-relative comparisons were computed to evaluate a priori expectations regarding differences in the use of implicit emotional information. These hypotheses reflected abstract characteristics that transcend the focus of a single novel. Analysis of word-based measures did not yield the between-sample differences expected. Rather, the hypotheses were supported by distinct patterns of phoneme distribution. The findings confirm and extend previous work by demonstrating that authors of prose manipulate the emotional quality of phonemes, and that the associated patterns can occur at a more abstract level than previously demonstrated.
Handedness and Writing Performance
Authors: Vlachos F. , Bonoti F.
Published: December 2005

The present study investigated possible differences in left- and right-handers' writing performance. An equal number of left- and right-handed Greek children ( N = 182) ages 7 to 12 years were examined using the Greek adaptation of Luria-Nebraska's neuropsychological battery in spontaneous writing, copying, and writing to dictation. Analysis showed a significant effect of age in writing performance and writing speed, while handedness was not significantly related to writing performance or writing speed. However, the incidence of right-handers was slightly higher among proficient writers, whereas the left-handers were clearly overrepresented among poor writers. The results are discussed on the grounds of neuropathological as well as hormonal-developmental theories of handedness.
Diagnosing Estimate Distortion Due to Significance Testing in Literature on Detection of Deception
Authors: Bradley M. T. , Stoica G.
Published: December 2005

Studies journals typically report or feature results significant by statistical test criterion. This is a bias that prevents obtaining precise estimates of the magnitude of any underlying effect. It is severe with small effect sizes and small numbers of measurements. To illustrate the problem and a diagnosis technique, results of published studies on the detection of deception are graphed. The literature contains large effect sizes affirming that deceptive responses in contrast to truthful responses are associated with more reactive Skin Resistance Responses. These effect sizes when graphed on the x-axis against n on the y-axis are distributed as funnel graphs. A subset of studies show support for predicted small to medium effects on different physiological measures, individual differences, and condition manipulations. These effect sizes graphed by sample ns follow negative correlations, suggesting that effect sizes from published values of t, F, and z are exaggerations.
Retention of Practice Effects on Simple Reaction Time for Peripheral and Central Visual Fields
Authors: Ando Soichi , Kida Noriyuki , Oda Shingo
Published: December 2005

Previous researchers reported that EMG Reaction Time (RT) for a key press in peripheral and central visual fields decreases with practice. The practice effects on the RT for peripheral visual field transferred to the RT for the central visual field, and vice versa. The present study investigated whether practice effects on the RT for peripheral and central visual fields and the corresponding transfer effects lasted 3 wk. or not. 16 male subjects were divided into two groups, one practicing using peripheral vision, the other practicing using central vision. Each group practiced RT tasks for 3 wk. 3 wk. after practice terminated, the practice effects and the transfer effects were maintained as a significant decrease in RT was found over the 3-wk. retention interval, suggesting that once the neural correlates of responding quickly are improved, the improved performances are remarkably stable for at least 3 wk.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: Xcix. Reductions in Numbers of Neurons within the Parasolitary Nucleus in Rats Exposed Perinatally to a Magnetic Pattern Designed to Imitate Geomagnetic Continuous Pulsations: Implications for Sudden Infant Death
Authors: Dupont M. J. , McKay B. E. , Parker G. , Persinger M. A.
Published: December 2005

Correlational analyses have shown a moderate strength association between the occurrence of continuous pulsations, a type of geomagnetic activity within the 0.2-Hz to 5-Hz range, and the occurrence of Sudden Infant Deaths. In the present study, rats were exposed continuously from two days before birth to seven days after birth to 0.5-Hz pulsed-square wave magnetic fields whose intensities were within either the nanoTesla or microTesla range. The magnetic fields were generated in either an east-west (E-W) or north-south (N-S) direction. At 21 days of age, the area of the parasolitary nucleus (but not the solitary nucleus) was significantly smaller, and the numbers of neurons were significantly less in rats that had been exposed to the nanoT fields generated in the east-west direction or to the microTesla fields generated within either E-W or N-S direction relative to those exposed to the N-S nanoTesla fields. These results suggest nanoTesla magnetic fields, when applied in a specific direction, might interact with the local geomagnetic field to affect cell migration in structures within the brain stem that modulate vestibular-related arousal and respiratory or cardiovascular stability.
Carry-Over Effects of Music in an Isometric Muscular Endurance Task
Authors: Crust Lee
Published: December 2005

This study tested the effects of exposure to self-selected motivational music both prior to and during performance of a muscular endurance task. 27 male undergraduate students in sports science completed an isometric weight-holding task on two separate occasions while listening either to self-selected motivational music or white noise. Participants were assigned to one of three groups on the basis of scores on a familiarization trial. The three groups were Prior Exposure, music or white noise played immediately before task commencement; Half Exposure, conditions initiated simultaneously with task commencement but terminated approximately half-way through the trial; and Full Exposure, conditions initiated simultaneously with trial commencement and continuing until voluntary cessation. A two-way mixed-model analysis of variance yielded a significant interaction and a main effect for condition. Participants held the weight suspended significantly longer when listening to music than with white noise. For the interaction, analysis of gain scores indicated participants' performance increased more for exposure to music during the entire session, than for exposure to music prior to the session. These results suggest that exposure to music during muscular endurance trials can yield significantly longer endurance times, but that exposure to music prior to task commencement may not carry over to influence performance.
Contralateral hand anesthesia transiently improves poststroke sensory deficits
Authors: Voller Bernhard , Flöel Agnes , Werhahn Konrad J. , Ravindran Shashi , Wu Carolyn W. , Cohen Leonardo G.
Published: December 2005

Objective

To test a possible strategy to alleviate somatosensory deficits after stroke.

Methods

Here, we applied ischemic nerve block to the intact hand of patients with chronic stroke, which in healthy subjects elicits improvements in sensibility of the other hand.

Results

We found that sensibility in the affected hand improved with intact hand anesthesia, but not with intact foot anesthesia or no anesthesia.

Interpretation

We conclude that reduction of sensory input from the intact hand leads to site‐specific improvements in tactile discriminative skills in the affected hand after the period of anesthesia, a potentially relevant finding in designing neurorehabilitative interventions. Ann Neurol 2006
Clinical heterogeneity of α‐synuclein gene duplication in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Nishioka Kenya , Hayashi Shin , Farrer Matthew J. , Singleton Andrew B. , Yoshino Hiroyo , Imai Hisamasa , Kitami Toshiaki , Sato Kenichi , Kuroda Ryu , Tomiyama Hiroyuki , Mizoguchi Koichi , Murata Miho , Toda Tatsushi , Imoto Issei , Inazawa Johji , Mizuno Yoshikuni , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: December 2005

Objective

Recently, genomic multiplications of α‐synuclein gene (SNCA) have been reported to cause hereditary early‐onset parkinsonism. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of SNCA multiplications among autosomal dominant hereditary Parkinson's disease (ADPD).

Methods

We screened 113 ADPD probands and 200 sporadic PD cases by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and confirmed SNCA multiplications by flurorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and comparative genomic hybridization array.

Results

Two families (two patients from Family A and one from Family B) with SNCA duplication were identified among ADPD patients. Even though they had the same SNCA duplication, one patient had dementia. Because there was exactly the same difference between the regions originated from each patient, the finding suggests that the phenotype of SNCA multiplication may be also influenced by the range of duplication region. We also detected asymptomatic carriers in the families of both patients. Interestingly, the penetrance ratio was 33.3% (2/6) in one kindred, indicating that the ratio was very much lower than expected.

Interpretation

These two newly identified Japanese patients with SNCA duplication and the five previously identified American and European families with SNCA triplication or duplication mutations indicate that the incidence of SNCA multiplication may be more frequent than previously estimated. Ann Neurol 2006
Motor neuron disease in a patient with a mitochondrial tRNAIle mutation
Authors: Borthwick Gillian M. , Taylor Robert W. , Walls Timothy J. , Tonska Kasia , Taylor Geoffrey A. , Shaw Pamela J. , Ince Paul G. , Turnbull Douglass M.
Published: December 2005

Objective

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a common neurodegenerative condition for which the underlying cause is uncertain in many patients. We identified a patient with clinical features suggestive of MND but additional cardiac and metabolic symptoms. We wished to determine if the clinical features were due to a mitochondrial DNA mutation.

Methods

The brain and spinal cord were studied using neuropathological techniques and agenetic defect investigated in individual neurons.

Results

There were atypical neuropathological features and genetic studies identified a pathogenic, heteroplasmic mitochondria tRNAIle (4274T>C) mutation.

Interpretation

This case adds to the phenotypic variation seen in mitochondrial DNA disease but also highlights the potential role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the cause of MND. Ann Neurol 2006
Surface functionalization of polymer nanofibers by silver sputter coating
Authors: Wei Q. F. , Ye H. , Hou D. Y. , Wang H. B. , Gao W. D.
Published: December 2005

The surface properties of polymer nanofibers are of importance in many applications. In this study, the electrospun polyamide nanofibers were used as substrates for creating functional coating on the nanofiber surfaces. A direct current (DC) sputter coating was used to deposit functional silver nanofilm onto the nanofibers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) were employed to study the topography and chemical composition of the nanofibers, respectively. The AFM results indicate a significant difference in the morphology of the nanofibers before and after the sputter coating. The observations by AFM also show the change in the morphology of the nanofibers with coating time. A full energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) mounted on the ESEM was also used to detect the elemental composition of the functional nanofibers. EDX examination reveals the change in the chemical compositions of the nanofiber surfaces. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2006
Surface modification of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene. I. Characterization and sintering studies
Authors: Rezaei Mostafa , Ebrahimi Nadereh Golshan , Kontopoulou Marianna
Published: December 2005

We performed surface modification of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) through chromic acid etching with the aim of improving the performance of UHMWPE's composites with poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers. In part I of this study, we evaluated the effects of chemical modification on the surface properties of UHMWPE with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and contact angle measurements. The thermal properties, rheology, and sintering behavior of the modified UHMWPE were compared to those of the base material. XPS and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on the surface of the modified powders. The substitution of polar groups into the backbone of the polymer decreased its contact angles with water and hexadecane and increased its surface energy, as evidenced by contact angle measurements. The modified UHMWPE was more crystalline than the base resin and less prone to thermal degradation. Although the rheological properties were virtually identical, the modified powders sintered more readily, presumably due to their higher surface energy, which suggested enhanced processability by compression molding. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Surface modification of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene. II. Effect on the physicomechanical and tribological properties of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites
Authors: Rezaei Mostafa , Shirzad Azadeh , Golshan Ebrahimi Nadereh , Kontopoulou Marianna
Published: December 2005

We performed surface modification of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) through chromic acid etching, with the aim of improving the performance of its composites with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers. In this article, we report on the morphology and physicomechanical and tribological properties of modified UHMWPE/PET composites. Composites containing chemically modified UHMWPE had higher impact properties than those based on unmodified UHMWPE because of improved interfacial bonding between the polymer matrix and the fibers and better dispersion of the fibers within the modified UHMWPE matrix. Chemical modification of UHMWPE before the introduction of PET fibers resulted in composites exhibiting improved wear resistance compared to the base material and compared to unmodified UHMWPE/PET composites. On the basis of the morphological studies of worn samples, microploughing and fatigue failure associated with microcracking were identified as the principle wear mechanisms. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Fabrication of a graded‐index polymer optical fiber preform without cavity via the automatic refilling process
Authors: Choi Jin Sung , Im Sang Hyuk , Song Min Young , Park O Ok , Cho Hansol , Hwang Jin Taek
Published: December 2005

When two monomers with different densities and refractive indices are polymerized under a centrifugal force field, a cavity is generated in the rotational axis as a result of inherent volume shrinkage. Accordingly, an additional monomer‐refilling process is necessary to compensate for the undesirable cavity. In this study, we modified the stepwise refilling process to an automatic process and have successfully fabricated a graded‐index polymer optical fiber preform without a cavity. The process could also reduce the processing time and enhance the transmission speed of a polymer optical fiber compared with the stepwise process. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Protein‐imprinted soft‐wet gel composite microspheres with magnetic susceptibility. II. Characteristics
Authors: Lu Shulai , Cheng Guoxiang , Pang Xingshou
Published: December 2005

Protein‐imprinted soft‐gel composite microspheres with magnetic susceptibility (MS‐PIGMs) were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization using Fe3O4 particles as magnetically susceptible component and bovine serum albumin and lysozyme (Lyz) as templates, respectively. The average content of magnetically susceptible component (Fe3O4) inside MS‐PIGMs was determined using thermogravimetric analyzer, and the magnetic characteristics of MS‐PIGMs were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer. The results showed that the resulting MS‐PIGMs had a certain magnetic response to external magnetic fields, and their average content of Fe3O4 was 2.08%. Their recognition specificity was investigated using BSA and Lyz as both templates and control molecules and characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and the mechanism of imprinting and recognition was analyzed. It was shown that the resulting BSA imprinted soft‐gel composite microspheres with magnetic susceptibility (BSA‐PIGMs) and Lyz imprinted soft‐gel composite microspheres with magnetic susceptibility (Lyz‐PIGMs). All exhibited good recognition selectivity for their templates, and the relative separation factor (β) was 4.75 and 5.88, respectively. The recognition selectivity of MS‐PIGMs to their templates depended mainly on the synergic action of a large quantity of hydrogen binding being caused by complementation and very close contact of outer surface of proteins with inner surface of “imprinting cavities.” © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Explanation of tackifier effect on the viscoelastic properties of polyolefin‐based pressure sensitive adhesives
Authors: Yuan Bing , McGlinchey Chris , Pearce Eli M.
Published: December 2005

The effects of three tackifiers on the glass transition temperature, terminal relaxation time, plateau modulus, and steady shear viscosity of polyolefin‐based pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) were investigated. Free volume theory and the Gordon‐Taylor equation are used to explain the special effects of tackifiers on the glass transition temperature of the PSA systems. The plateau modulus and zero shear viscosities were determined from which entanglements and monomeric friction coefficients were calculated. The terminal relaxation time (related to the whole molecular chain relaxations) was calculated from the plateau modulus and zero shear viscosity. Explanations were offered as to why tackifiers have “paradoxical” effects on the viscoelastic properties of the polyolefin‐based PSA, such as increasing the glass transition temperature but decreasing the plateau modulus of the base polymer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
The effect of source nature and status on the subjective value of information
Authors: Raban Daphne R. , Rafaeli Sheizaf
Published: December 2005

This is an empirical, experimental investigation of the value of information, as perceived through the willingness to purchase information (WTP) and the willingness to sell it (accept payment, WTA). We examined the effects of source nature: expertise versus content, and source status: copy versus exclusive original of information on the WTA–WTP ratio. In an animated computer simulation of a business game, players could maximize their profits by making choices regarding inventory and prices. Participants were offered the chance to bid for buying or selling information regarding the weather that may affect demand. We find, as hypothesized, that the subjective value of information does indeed follow the predictions of endowment effect theory. The ratio of willingness to accept to willingness to purchase (WTA–WTP) recorded for the 294 subjects resembles the ratio common for private goods, rather than the intuitively expected unity. The WTA–WTP ratios diverged from unity more often and in a more pronounced manner for information traded in the “original” form rather than as a copy of the original, although even for copies the WTA–WTP ratio is still double. The results yield a value of about three for the WTA–WTP ratio for original information whether the source is content or expertise. Copy information received a subjective value that was significantly different (lower) than original information. The implications for both online trading and online sharing of information are discussed.
Impact of Cis‐proline analogs on peptide conformation
Authors: Che Ye , Marshall Garland R.
Published: December 2005

The β‐turn is a common motif in both proteins and peptides and often a recognition site in protein interactions. A β‐turn of four sequential residues reverses the direction of the peptide chain and is classified by the Φ and Ψ backbone torsional angles of residues i + 1 and i + 2. The type VI turn usually contains a proline with a cis‐amide bond at residue i + 2. Cis‐proline analogs that constrain the peptide to adopt a type VI turn led to peptidomimetics with enhanced activity or metabolic stability. To compare the impact of different analogs on amide cis–trans isomerism and peptide conformation, the conformational preference for the cis‐amide bond and the type VI turn was investigated at the MP2/6‐31+G** level of theory in water (polarizable continuum water model). Analogs stabilize the cis‐amide conformations through different mechanisms: (1) 5‐alkylproline, with bulky hydrocarbon substituent on the Cδ of proline, increases the cis‐amide population through steric hindrance between the alkyl substituent and the N‐terminal residues; (2) oxaproline or thioproline, the oxazolidine‐ or thiazolidine‐derived proline analog, favors interactions between the dipole of the heterocyclic ring and the preceding carbonyl oxygen; and (3) azaproline, containing a nitrogen atom in place of the Cα of proline, prefers the cis‐amide bond by lone‐pair repulsion between the α‐nitrogen and the preceding carbonyl oxygen. Preference for the cis conformation was augmented by combining different modifications within a single proline. Azaproline and its derivatives are most effective in stabilizing cis‐amide bonds without introducing additional steric bulk to compromise receptor interactions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 81:392–406, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Two‐step cell patterning on planar and complex curved surfaces by precision spraying of polymers
Authors: De Silva Mauris N. , Paulsen Jason , Renn Michael J. , Odde David J.
Published: December 2005

Controlling adhesion of living animal cells plays a key role in biosensor fabrication, drug‐testing technologies, basic biological research, and tissue engineering applications. Current techniques for cell patterning have two primary limitations: (1) they require photolithography, and (2) they are limited to patterning of planar surfaces. Here we demonstrate a simple, precision spraying method for both positive and negative patterning of planar and curved surfaces to achieve cell patterns rapidly and reproducibly. In this method, which we call precision spraying (PS), a polymer solution is aerosolized, focused with sheath airflow through an orifice, and deposited on the substrate using a deposition head to create ∼25 µm sized features. In positive patterning, adhesive molecules, such as laminin or polyethylenimine (PEI) were patterned on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates in a single spraying operation. A variety of animal cell types were found to adhere to the adhesive regions, and avoid the non‐adhesive (bare PDMS) regions. In negative patterning, hydrophobic materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and PDMS, were patterned on glass substrates. Cells then formed patterns on the exposed glass regions and avoided the hydrophobic regions. Cellular patterns were maintained for up to 2 weeks in the presence of serum, which normally fouls non‐adhesive regions. Additionally, we found that precision spraying enabled micropatterning of complex‐curved surfaces. Our results show that precision spraying followed by cell plating enables rapid and flexible cellular micropatterning in two simple steps. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Versatility of Pentalene Coordination to Transition Metals: A Density Functional Theory Investigation
Authors: Bendjaballah Saïda , Kahlal Samia , Costuas Karine , Bévillon Emile , Saillard Jean‐Yves
Published: December 2005

DFT calculations with full geometry optimization have been carried out on a series of real and hypothetical compounds of the type [CpM(C8H6)], [(CO)3M(C8H6)], [M(C8H6)2], [(CpM)2(C8H6)], [{(CO)3M}2(C8H6)], and [M2(C8H6)2] (M=transition metal). The bonding in all the currently known compounds is rationalized, as well as in the (so far) hypothetical stable complexes. Depending on the electron count and the nature of the metal(s), η2 (predicted), η3, η5, η8, or intermediate coordination modes can be adopted. In the case of the mononuclear species, the most favored closed‐shell electron counts are 18 and 16 metal valence electrons (MVE). In the case of the dinuclear species, an electron count of 34 MVEs is most favored. However, other electron counts can be stabilized, especially in the case of dinuclear complexes. Coordinated pentalene should most often be considered as formally being a dianion, but sometimes as a neutral ligand. In the former case it can behave as an aromatic species made of two equivalent fused rings, as a C5 aromatic ring connected to an allylic anion, or even as two allylic anions bridged by a C7C8 double bond. In the latter case, it can behave as a bond‐alternating cyclic polyene or as a C5 aromatic ring connected to an allylic cation.
Amplification of Chirality in Hydrogen‐Bonded Tetrarosette Helices
Authors: Mateos‐Timoneda Miguel A. , Crego‐Calama Mercedes , Reinhoudt David N.
Published: December 2005

The amplification of chirality in hydrogen‐bonded tetrarosette assemblies under thermodynamic equilibrium is described. The extent of the chiral amplification obtained by means of “sergeants‐and‐soldiers” experiments depends only on the structure of the assembly and it is independent of the methodology used for the formation of the tetrarosette assemblies. The difference in free energy (Δ${G{{{\rm o}\hfill \atop M/P\hfill}}}$) between the M‐ and P‐diastereomeric helices is up to 40 times higher than for double rosette assemblies.
Conversion between the reflectance spectra and the Munsell notations
Authors: Laamanen H. , Jääskeläinen T. , Parkkinen J.
Published: December 2005

A novel general transformation between reflectance spectra and the corresponding coordinates of the Munsell Color System is presented. The coefficient values of the transformation were experimentally determined by mapping the actual reflectance spectra of the chips in the Munsell Book of Color into the Munsell Color Order System and by minimizing the distance between calculated and actual coordinates. The experiment was repeated with a selected set of points of the Munsell Renotation System. Both the Smith–Pokorny functions and the CIE 1931 standard color‐matching functions were used as a basis of the transformation. There is a good correspondence between calculated and actual coordinates of the Munsell Color System. It is also shown that the linear part of the same transformation applied to the basis functions results in one achromatic response function and two chromatic response functions in accordance with the opponent‐colors theory. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 31, 57–66, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20173