bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of Progressive Delay of Motor Development in Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Concurrent Vestibular Dysfunction
Authors: Rine Rose Marie , Cornwall Gabrielle , Gan Karen , LoCascio Christian , O'Hare Todd , Robinson Emily , Rice Michele
Published: August 2011

Gross motor development, and the effect of age, sex and vestibular function on it, was examined in 39 24- to 83-mo.-old children with sensorineural hearing impairment. Repeated testing was completed on 18 children. Delayed gross motor development was evident regardless of age, but only children Jess than 5 years of age had developmental balance deficits on initial testing. Both gross motor and balance development scores were lower on repeated testing. Furthermore, vestibular function scores facilitated identification of those children with a deficit in balance development as well as those with a progressive delay in motor or balance development. Implications for practice are discussed.
Adults' and Children's Recognition of Items Added to or Deleted from Scenes: Salience, Complexity, and Unnaturalness
Authors: Ando Michiyo
Published: August 2011

Adults' and children's recognition of additions to or deletions from scenes and variables affecting recognition of the salience, complexity, and unnaturalness of the alterations were studied. Stimuli were 8 pictures. Features were added to half of them, and features deleted from the other half. In another set of stimuli, the opposite types of alterations were made to the two groups of photographs. Subjects were shown the altered and unaltered pictures in pairs and asked if they were the same or not. Analysis showed that superiority of recognition for additions over deletions was not always observed because of an interaction with the salience of an item. The salience of an item more accurately predicted the percent recognition by adults than its complexity or unnaturalness. Although there were differences in percent recognition according to the type of alteration, the salience of items was nearly the same for adults and children. Similarities and differences in recognition by children and adults may be attributed to development.
Measurement of Upper and Lower Body Strength and its Relationship to Underhand Pitching Speed
Authors: Heitman Robert J. , Pugh Steven F. , Erdmann Joel W. , Kovaleski John E.
Published: August 2011

This study investigated the possible relationship for legs, arms, shoulders, and grip strength with underhand throwing speed. 40 female subjects had their legs, arms, and shoulder strength measured using a multipurpose exercise machine for assessing resistive force. Grip strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. Underhand throwing speed was measured with a radar gun. Regression analysis indicated a relationship ( p ⩽ .05) between strength of the arms and underhand pitching speed. No significant relationships were found for legs shoulders, and grip strength, and underhand pitching speed.
Study Habits and Anxiety about Learning Foreign Languages
Authors: Bailey Phillip , Onwuegbuzie Anthony J. , Daley Christine E.
Published: August 2011

The purpose was to investigate the relationship of self-reported study habits to anxiety about learning foreign languages. 219 college students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds were enrolled in either Spanish, French, German, or Japanese classes. Correlational analyses, using the Bonferroni adjustment, indicated that students with the highest anxiety about foreign languages tended to report that (1) they spend too much time on some subjects and not enough time on others, (2) they frequently do not get enough sleep and feel sluggish in class or when studying, (3) they do not try to space study periods to avoid becoming too tired while studying, and (4) they have trouble settling down to work and do not begin to study as soon as they sit down. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Effects of Listening to Mozart and Bach on the Performance of a Mathematical Test
Authors: Bridgett David J. , Cuevas Jacqueline
Published: August 2011

The purpose of the current study was to assess the effect of listening to Mozart and Bach on the immediate performance of a 10-min. mathematical test. The study consisted of 61 undergraduate participants. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group, a Mozart group, or a Bach group. Participants were then administered a mathematics pretest, listened to a selection of music for 10 min., and were then administered a mathematics posttest. The test was constructed to be similar to items taken from the University Mathematics Placement Examination. Analysis indicated no significant effect on the immediate mathematics test when participants listened to 10 min. of either Mozart or Bach. These findings suggest caution in measuring differences in various cognitive tasks as indicating increases in intelligence scores.
Predicting Participation in Noncompulsory Physical Education: Do Goal Perspectives Matter?
Authors: Spray Christopher M.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between personal and situational achievement goals and participation in an optional physical education program, utilising a prospective design. Pupils ( N=123) in their final year of compulsory schooling completed measures assessing goal orientations, perceptions of the motivational climate of their physical education class, perceived competence, and enjoyment of physical education. Those pupils ( N=76) who continued their full-time education at a sixth form college were later surveyed to determine whether they participated in physical education at college. Hierarchical discriminant function analysis showed that discrimination was possible between participants and nonparticipants in college physical education on perceptions of a prevailing mastery climate and enjoyment. Goal orientations, perceptions of a prevailing performance climate, and perceived competence did not contribute reliably to group separation. Participants at college were more likely to perceive a mastery environment and to enjoy lessons more than students who chose not to take part. These findings underscore the importance of promoting mastery-based criteria for success in classes, along with positive emotional reactions, if teachers wish to maximise involvement in noncompulsory physical education.
The Role of Feedback in Manual Tracking of Visual Targets
Authors: Hocherman Shraga , Levy Hanna
Published: August 2011

The role of visual feedback in manual tracking was investigated in 24 subjects who tracked 5-, 10-, and 40-mm/diameter targets, moving on a screen at 18 to 25 mm/sec., along various paths, by moving an unseen handle over a digitizing tablet. A cursor indicating instantaneous handle position was visible at all times on half the trials and hidden within a circle coaxial with the target but double its diameter in the other half. The handle had to be within the instantaneous target's digitizer-defined boundaries for the latter to keep moving. All tracking movements were segmented into small movement steps. A tendency to outrun the target was seen, indicating predictive control. Absence of visual feedback had negligible effect on movement velocity. Movement direction appeared to involve open-loop programming but improved significantly when subjects could see the cursor. Occasional corrective movements occurred only when visual feedback was given. Otherwise, a large positional error accumulates despite reasonable ability to control tracking direction.
Typicality of Objects in Urban Park Scenes
Authors: Beltran Francesc S. , Herrando Salvador , Miñano Meritxell
Published: August 2011

Typicality is a basic property of any categorization process, including the categorization of environmental scenes. We tried to judge whether a scene as a type of situation influences judgements about the typicality of elements when considering the part-whole relationship between the element and the scene. The subjects were asked to rate typicality on a scale of 1 to 7 and to give a word that defined the urban park elements appearing in a park scene or on a blank background. Some elements (wastepaper basket, fountain, street lamp, and statue) were depicted with two styles (classical and contemporary). The results indicate that the scene or blank background had no effect on the typicality scores but subjects had difficulty providing an appropriate word when elements with a contemporary style were shown on a blank background.
Interword Spacing in Chinese Text Layout
Authors: Hsu Sheng-Hsiung , Huang Kuo-Chen
Published: August 2011

Three experiments using Chinese text were conducted to investigate word spacing and its effect on reading performance. In Exp. 1, a sonogram detector was used to analyze interword and intercharacter (within a word) time intervals from text read aloud by professional TV broadcasters versus college graduates. The results showed interword intervals were significantly longer than intercharacter intervals, indicating that interword spacing has psychological reality in speech. Exp. 2 examined the effect on reading performance due to separating the characters that compose a word. Separating the characters of a word did not decrease reading accuracy but did result in significantly longer reading times. Exp. 3 explored the effect of word spacing in Chinese sentences on reading performance. Analysis showed that word spacing did not affect reading accuracy, but half-character and whole-character spacing significantly reduced reading time. The results of the present study suggest that word spacing in Chinese text layout enhances reading performance. Word spacing may help the reader to segment more quickly a string of characters into words and reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation. Also, ambiguity of sentence structure severely degraded reading accuracy. The implications of the results for word spacing design in Chinese text are discussed.
Effective Learning of Writing and Reading at Preschool Age with a Multisensory Method: A Pilot Study
Authors: Zafrana Maria , Nikoltsou Katerina , Daniilidou Eugenia
Published: August 2011

The readiness of preschool children (3½ to 5 years old) for writing and reading was investigated using educational material specially designed for this purpose. 17 children participated in a three-month pilot program divided into monthly periods during which the language material was presented to them and subsequently, their behavior towards it was observed and recorded. 42.7% of the observations made in all three months ( n = 408), showed occupation of the children with language material from 5 to 15 min. and another 49.0% occupation from 15 to 30 min. Children were involved with the language material mostly individually (92.2%). The materials that mostly attracted their interest were the tombolas and the four-letter cards. Writing was the most popular activity (93.9%), followed by identifying (69.9%), reading (14.5%) and combining (6.3%).
Magnitude Estimation of Manually Assessed Elastic Stiffness: Stability of the Exponent
Authors: Nicholson Leslie , Adams Roger , Maher Christopher
Published: August 2011

Magnitude estimations were obtained for manual assessments of pure elastic stiffness stimuli (metal springs). 20 subjects of varied experience in manual assessment of spinal stiffness volunteered to participate. The mean exponent of the power function relating perceived magnitude of elastic stiffness to measured physical magnitude was 1.65. Exponents varied across the 20 individuals but were stable across testing sessions held at least 2 weeks apart, and the size of the exponent was not related to prior experience.
Random Number Generation Deficit in Schizophrenia Characterized by Oral vs Written Response Modes
Authors: Shinba Toshikazu , Shinozaki Takiko , Kariya Nobutoshi , Ebata Keisuke
Published: August 2011

To characterize the deficit in random number generation in schizophrenia with respect to control of sensory information processing, the present study employed a random number generation task using 10 digits (0 to 9) and compared two response modes (oral and written) with different amounts of sensory availability about the previous choices of the subject. Analysis indicated that the increased availability of previous information in the written response mode may exacerbate an aspect of the deficit in random number generation in schizophrenia reflecting the disturbance in control of sensory information processing. The comparison of performance in written and oral response modes may be useful in assessing schizophrenic psychopathology.
Psychological Factors and Sex Differences in Acceptance of Monovision
Authors: Erickson Deborah B. , Erickson Paul
Published: August 2011

49 participants, adapted to using contact lenses, completed a battery of psychological tests to examine differences between persons who were successful in wearing monovision lenses for presbyopia and those who were unsuccessful. Although visual performance and requirements strongly affect participants' satisfaction with monovision lenses, personality characteristics and visual processing styles appear to influence the percentage of full-time wear. Of the participants, 41% (20 of 49) ultimately rejected monovision for a variety of both visual and psychological reasons. Sex differences were evidenced in the psychological variables correlated to monovision lens wear. Analysis indicated that men scoring as introverts rejected monovision while women with difficulty perceiving a visual pattern against visual background noise had difficulty adapting to monovision and exhibited shorter wearing times.
Changes in Eye-Head-Body Movements during Maze Learning
Authors: Okazaki Shigeyuki , Kitahama Tohru , Miura Toshiaki , Shinohara Kazumitsu
Published: August 2011

Investigation of the relationship between visual search (eye movement) and walking (head and body movement) during way-finding through a maze by each of 6 subject pedestrians who wore an eye camera showed patterns of sight line, head movement, body movement, and changes of coordination between eye-head-body movement during the process of comprehension of the pathways were revealed.
Factor Structure and Internal Consistency of the Greek Version of the Flow State Scale
Authors: Doganis G. , Iosifidou P. , Vlachopoulos S.
Published: August 2011

The present study tested the internal consistency and the factor structure of a translated version of the Flow State Scale with Greek sport participants. Sport psychology literature is not conclusive regarding sex differences and the type of sport in flow. The sample was comprised of 144 women from interactive sports (volleyball and handball) who were drawn from the second division of the first national category. Athletes completed the scale immediately after a game. Values of Cronbach alpha were used to estimate the internal consistency of the scale and confirmatory factor analysis to examine the model. The results showed acceptable psychometric properties of the scale and suggest a need for improvement of the problematic items.
Physical Activity and Sport Involvement in French High School Students
Authors: Deflandre Anne , Lorant Jean , Gavarry Olivier , Falgairette Guy
Published: August 2011

The links between morphological, biological, sociological, psychological, and environmental characteristics, the practice of organized sports, and moderate to vigorous physical activities were examined by means of a questionnaire given to 48 high-school students aged between 16 and 19 years and their continuous heart-rate monitoring. Few correlations appear between these characteristics and moderate to vigorous physical activities. Only maximal oxygen uptake is linked to this type of activity in girls. Concerning sport involvement, correlations were more numerous for girls than boys. Physical and sports activities of girls were linked with maximal oxygen uptake, sport involvement of father, support, and encouragements of practice, perception of own activity, and private environment. Among boys, physical and sport activities were only linked with sport involvement of friends and perception of own activity. Unlike boys, physical and sport activities among girls seemed more strongly linked to sociological characteristics than other ones.
Occupational Physical Activity as an Indicator of Health and Fitness
Authors: Hammermeister Jon , Page Randy M. , Dolny Dennis , Burnham Tim
Published: August 2011

Recent government guidelines suggest that simply increasing physical activity, regardless of mode, leads to improved health profiles. This study examined the relationship between amount of work-related physical activity of United States Forest Service (USFS) workers and 12 indicators of health and fitness. Subjects were 110 USFS workers recruited from 8 separate USFS ranger stations in the Pacific Northwest. The associations between work-related physical activity and indicators of health and fitness indicated the 63 workers who were physically active on the job displayed better overall health and fitness patterns as evidenced by higher aerobic capacity, lower body fat, and greater muscular flexibility than their 47 inactive peers.
Homework in Elementary Physical Education: A Pilot Study
Authors: Smith Jennifer , Cluphf David , O'Connor John
Published: August 2011

As physical education continues to decline in importance in the public school curriculum, it has become increasingly important for physical educators to provide opportunities for activity in nontraditional formats. This pilot study used a research design to examine the effects of homework in physical education. 607 children in Grades 3, 4, and 5 participated. Independent t tests indicated that girls participated at a higher rate than boys and that there were no significant differences among grades. A one-way analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in rate of students' participation by class. A significant difference was also noted by month of the school year.
Validity and Reliability for the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form as Applied in the United Arab Emirates Culture
Authors: Hassan Mohammed M.
Published: August 2011

Validity and reliability of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form were examined through factor analysis, differences in motor proficiency among age groups, and internal consistency. The sample was comprised of 194 children (96 boys and 98 girls) of ages 6 to 11 years. A principal factor analysis solution with varimax rotation produced four factors: Gross and Fine Motor Skills, Eye-Hand Coordination, Balance-Coordination and Speed, and Visual-motor Coordination. The loadings of these factors partially supported the theoretical work of Bruininks. Univariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between age groups either for each single item or for the total score. Correlation coefficients between single-item and total short form were all significant, although some values were relatively small. These results provided positive support for the construction and reliability of the test.
Observers' Reaction to Parent-Child Intimacy
Authors: Hewitt Jay , Walker Brooke
Published: August 2011

A study was carried out to examine how people react to acts of intimacy between parent and child. Based on an extensive series of studies reported in 1998 by Reis who found less intimate interactions between two men who are friends than between men or women or between two women who are friends, it was reasoned that intimacy between two males may violate norms of our culture, so it was predicted that people would react less favorably to intimacy between father and son than to intimacy between father and daughter, mother and daughter, or mother and son. Men ( n= 19) and women ( n = 26), most of whom were 18–24 years of age, read versions of a mother or father having an intimate interaction (lap-sit, hair-stroke, hug/kiss) with an 11-yr.-old daughter or son and then rated the act on a 7-point scale from good to bad. As predicted, the undergraduates rated intimate interactions between father and son less favorably than those between father and daughter, mother and daughter, and mother and son.
Mental Rotation and Real-World Wayfinding
Authors: Malinowski Jon C.
Published: August 2011

Sex differences in mental rotation skills are a robust finding in small-scale laboratory-based studies of spatial cognition. There is almost no evidence in the literature, however, relating these skills to performance on spatial tasks in large-scale, real-world activities such as navigating in a new city or in the woods. This study investigates the connections between mental rotation skills as measured by the Vandenburg-Kuse Mental Rotations test and the performance of college students ( n = 211) navigating a 6-km orienteering course. The results indicate that mental rotation skills are significantly correlated with wayfinding performance on an orienteering task. The findings also replicate sex differences in spatial ability as found in laboratory-scale studies. However, the findings complicate the discussion of mental rotation skills and sex because women often performed as well as men despite having lower mean test scores. This suggests that mental rotation ability may not be as necessary for some women's wayfinding as it is for men's navigation.
The Validity of Role Theory as an Explanation of Gender Stereotypes: Comment on Hosoda and Stone
Authors: Lueptow Lloyd B.
Published: August 2011

Hosoda and Stone note that role theory leads to the prediction that changes in women's roles should be followed by changes in gender stereotypes; however, having described changes in roles and observed stability in stereotypes, they do not draw the conclusion that their results are inconsistent with role theory.
Rpe Responses during Arm and Leg Exercises: Effect of Variations in Spontaneously Chosen Crank Rate
Authors: Marais Gaëlle , Garcin Murielle , Dupont Ludovic , Vanvelcenaher Jacques , Pelayo Patrick
Published: August 2011

The aim of this study was two-fold. First, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was compared between two different upper and lower body exercises. Subjects ( n =12) performed with spontaneously chosen crank or pedal rates: (i) incremental maximum power tests (Test 1), with an initial work rate of 50% of maximal power followed by increases of 10% at each 120-sec. work stage and (ii) tests (Test 2) with exercise bouts set at 20, 40, 60, and 80% of maximal power separated by passive recovery periods. Second, the effects of variations in spontaneously chosen crank rate on RPE was analysed using the second test performed only with upper body. Subjects performed Test 2 three times with crank rates spontaneously chosen by the subjects, set at plus or minus 20% of spontaneously chosen crank rate. During both Tests 1 and 2 for upper or lower body, RPE increased linearly ( p<.01) with power output. No significant difference was noticed between upper and lower body tests; however, RPE was significantly different ( p<.05) between Test 1 results for upper and lower body at 70, 80, 90, and 100% of maximal power. The greater RPE at high power output could be linked to the important effect of fatigue during upper body exercise. Among the three crank-rate conditions, no significant difference in RPE was noticed. The choice of crank rate does not seem to influence the perception of exertion in upper body cycling exercise.
Source of Improvement in Balance Control after a Training Program for Ankle Proprioception
Authors: Chong Raymond K. Y. , Ambrose Amy , Carzoli John , Hardison Leann , Jacobson Ben
Published: August 2011

Previous research on healthy individuals reported improvements in balance control following a purported ankle proprioception-training program. The training may have resulted in a general rather than a specific enhancement of ankle proprioception. To test this hypothesis, subjects were constrained at the hips and trunk with a custom-made thoracolumbosacral orthosis and performed a one-leg standing test with eyes closed and head tilted back, so that they had to rely primarily on their ankle musculature to keep their balance. Subjects were retested after training on the BAPS® three times a week for 4 weeks, following the training recommendations of the manual. Subjects' bodies were not constrained during the training. Analysis showed that subjects made improvements during training in performing more difficult tasks on the board. On the one-leg test, however, there were no improvements in sway velocity, number of touchdowns, or falls relative to pretest scores. Improvements observed during training likely resulted from diffuse enhancement of proprioception in other body segments such as the knees, hips, spine, and upper extremities. A training program in control of general balance does not specifically target ankle proprioception.
Hemispheric Processing Characteristics for Lexical Decisions in Adults with Reading Disorders
Authors: Walker Marianna M. , Spires Hiller , Rastatter Michael P.
Published: August 2011

The present study measured unilateral tachistoscopic vocal reaction times and error responses of reading-disordered and normally reading adults to single words and nonwords in a series of lexical decision tasks at two linguistic levels (concrete and abstract words). Analysis of variance on reaction times indicated that main effects of stimulus type, visual field, and the interaction of these variables were not significant for the reading-disordered group, but visual field and an interaction of visual field and stimulus type were for the normally reading adults. Error rate showed a significant interaction of stimulus x visual field for the reading-disordered group but not for the normal reading group. Post hoc tests showed significant differences in error rates between visual fields for concrete lexicon but not for abstract or nonsense lexicon for the reading-disordered group. These findings suggest a deficit in interhemispheric lexical transfer occurs for reading-disordered samples and suggest use of a callosal relay model wherein the left hemisphere is allocated responsibility for performing central operations underlying lexical decisions by adults with reading disorders.
On Weighted Exponential Entropies
Authors: Kvålseth Tarald O.
Published: August 2011

As an alternative to Shannon's classical entropy measure of information, an exponential entropy function was proposed by Pal and Pal in 1989 and 1991. To generalize Pal's entropy further, this author introduced two different families of exponential entropies that are one-parameter generalizations of Pal's entropy. The purpose of the present paper is to define weighted entropies corresponding to those one-parameter generalizations. Some properties and examples of such weighted exponential entropies are discussed.
Retention of Relative Force in the Scaling of a Serial Force Pattern with an Attenuated-Force Tap
Authors: Inui Nobuyuki , Katsura Yumi , Yamanishi Masaki
Published: August 2011

The present study was designed to examine the retention of relative force in the scaling of a serial force pattern in a finger-tapping sequence using an attenuated tap. On practice trials, 12 undergraduate students tapped a force plate connected to strain gauges that gave them feedback about the force. On test trials, participants recalled the force pattern (200 gm-200 gm-200 gm-100 gm) and the intertap interval (400 msec.) practiced during the practice period without the feedback (recalled task). Then, they adaptively produced a halved (halved task) or doubled force profile (doubled task) at the fixed intertap interval. Analyses showed that mean peak forces at the first three tap positions of the tapping sequence undershot the expected forces across all tasks. Hence, the ratios of the forces in Serial Positions 1 4, 2:4, and 3:4 were considerably lower than 2.0. This is a contextual effect suggesting that the last attenuated tap affected the first three taps of the tapping sequence Thus, because the relative force of movements appears to be a weaker invariant feature than sequencing and relative timing for generalized motor program theory of Schmidt and Lee, this finding does not support the relative force for a generalized motor program.
Accuracy of Two Simple Methods for the Assessment of Health-Related Physical Fitness
Authors: Nakagaichi Masaki , Lee Mi Sook , Tanaka Kiyoji
Published: August 2011

We have developed a useful equation for estimating health-related physical fitness age. This version of health-related fitness age was developed as an extension of the biological age index and is useful for evaluation of individual differences in functional abilities of middle-aged and older adults. This measure consists of 4 independent variables fitness (V̇O2 max, standing trunk flexibility, %fat, and grip strength). However, direct measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2 max) is an invasive clinical procedure and not practical for large scale work. In the current study, we attempted to assess the fitness age more feasibly. We selected a questionnaire method and a 12-min. submaximal treadmill walk test as substitutes for the V̇O2 max test. The three fitness ages were computed for 23 Japanese men [ Mage 54.1 ± 10.7 yr.), using actual V̇O2 max (actual fitness age), questionnaire V̇O2 max (predicted questionnaire fitness age), and treadmill V̇O2 max (predicted treadmill fitness age). Predicted questionnaire fitness age (61.0 ± 10.5 yr.) and predicted treadmill fitness age (60.0 ± 12.4 yr.) were significantly correlated with actual fitness age (60.1 ± 12.4 yr.) ( r = .96 and .97, respectively). There were no significant differences among the three indices, but there was a significant difference between actual fitness age and chronological age ( p<.05). For V̇O2 max substituting the questionnaire for the treadmill estimate is acceptable in assessing fitness age and reducing the clinical risk for middle-aged and older Japanese men.
Prediction of Drivers' Recognition of Posted Signs in Five Arab Countries
Authors: Al-Madani Hashim
Published: August 2011

The effects of six predictor variables, drivers' age, monthly income, years of education, sex, marital status, and nationality on perception of traffic signs were modeled through regression techniques. The populations sampled here were from Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. A total of 28 posted regulatory and warning signs were investigated. A questionnaire especially prepared for this study was distributed to 9,000 drivers in the five states, out of which 4,774 responded (53%). The drivers were selected according to stratified choice-based random sampling technique. Two prediction models were developed for assessment of drivers' recognition of regulatory and warning signs.
Identification of Twins by Spoken Syllables
Authors: Van Dommelen Wim A.
Published: August 2011

It is shown that the results of an experiment on speaker identification described by Whiteside and Rixon in 2000 seem to be contradictory and inconclusive. To investigate whether the experiment allows reliable conclusions, re-evaluation of their data using multiple regression techniques is proposed.
Supporting Independent Indoor Travel of People with Blindness and Intellectual Disability with Reduced Frequencies of Auditory Cues
Authors: Lancioni G. E. , Campodonico F. , Mantini M.
Published: August 2011

This study evaluated the feasibility of supporting independent indoor travel using reduced frequencies of auditory cues with two persons having total blindness and profound intellectual disability. For these persons, who had acquired satisfactory travel performance with cues occurring every 8 sec., the cue frequencies were reduced to one-half or one-third of the original level. Analysis showed that both participants could manage accurate travel under the new cue conditions, even though their travel time (efficiency) seemed negatively affected. Implications of the findings were discussed.
Brief Successive Temporal Observational Sampling as a Possible Indicator of Daily Overt Seizure Activity in Epileptic Rats
Authors: Persinger M. A. , Belanger-Chellew G.
Published: August 2011

Chronic, limbic epilepsy was induced in male rats by a single systemic injection of lithium and pilocarpine. In two separate experiments, each 6 mo. in duration, the proportion of the population that displayed an overt motor seizure (head nodding, rearing, and forelimb clonus) within 10 min. each day after delivery of food pellets (despite food provided ad libitum) was recorded. Cumulative records for the numbers of rats in each population that displayed overt seizure for the first time during the observation period were plotted as a function of time. The occurrence of the saturated (approaching 100%) asymptote at about five months was interpreted to indicate that brief (10 min.) sampling over the 144 successive days that would compose a single 24-hr. period could serve as an estimate of the average probability of an overt seizure during an average 24-hr. period. If this assumption is correct, then these rats would have displayed about one overt seizure per day.
Concurrent Processing of Spatial Relations and Objects in Two Cerebral Hemispheres
Authors: Kogure Terumasa
Published: August 2011

This study examined hemispheric asymmetry for concurrent processing of object and spatial information. Participants viewed two successive stimuli, each of which consisted of two digits and two pictures that were randomly located and judged them as identical or different. A sample stimulus was presented in a central visual field, followed by a matching stimulus presented briefly in a left or right visual field. The matching stimuli were different from the sample stimuli with respect to the object (digit or picture) or spatial (locations or distances of items) aspect. No visual field asymmetry was found in the detection of object change. However, a left visual field advantage was found in the detection of spatial change. This result can be explained by the double filtering by frequency theory of Ivry and Robertson, who asserted that the left hemisphere has a bias for processing information contained in relatively high spatial frequencies whereas the right hemisphere has a bias for processing information contained in relatively low spatial frequencies. Based upon this evidence, the importance of interhemispheric integration for visual scene perception is discussed.
Chronic Low Back Pain and Depression in a Sample of Veterans
Authors: Maloney Pat , McIntosh Everton G.
Published: August 2011

The relationship between chronic low back pain and scores on depression was examined in a sample of 31 veterans who completed a depression inventory. Analysis indicated that those with chronic low back pain scored significantly higher on depression than those without.
Men's and Women's Perceptions of Effort during Progressive-Resistance Strength Training
Authors: Tomporowski Phillip D.
Published: August 2011

Previously sedentary adult men ( M age = 34.3 yr.) and women ( M age = 41.8 yr.) participated in a 25-wk., 7-station circuit-training program designed to evaluate the effects of a low-volume (1 set) and a high-volume (3 set) exercise regimen on the development of muscular strength. Participants completed the Borg scale of perceived exertion immediately following a chest-press exercise and a leg-extention exercise. Neither exercise volume nor sex classification was related to participants' ratings of exertion; however, exertion ratings for both exercises increased over the course of training.
Three Exploratory Studies of Relations between Young Adults' Preference for Activities Involving a Specific Sense Modality and Sensory Attributes of Early Memories
Authors: Westman Alida S. , Stuve Mary
Published: August 2011

Three studies explored whether young adults' preference for using a sense modality, e.g., hearing, correlated with presence or clarity of attributes of that sense modality in earliest memories from childhood, elementary school, or high school. In Study 1, 75 graduates or seniors in fine arts, fashion merchandising, music, conducting, or dance showed no greater frequency or clarity of any modality's sensory attributes. In Study 2, 213 beginning university students' ratings of current importance of activities emphasizing a sense modality correlated with sensory contents of recollections only for smell and taste. In Study 3, 102 beginning students' ratings of current enjoyment in using a sense modality and sensory contents of recollections were correlated and involved every modality except vision.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: Xcii. Experimental Elicitation of the Experience of a Sentient Being by Right Hemispheric, Weak Magnetic Fields: Interaction with Temporal Lobe Sensitivity
Authors: Cook C. M. , Persinger M. A.
Published: August 2011

We tested the hypothesis that proportionally more people with above average numbers of complex partial epileptic-like experiences before the experiment would report a proximal presence during applications of a weak (1 microTesla), frequency-modulated magnetic field over the right hemisphere. Each of 16 subjects sat in a darkened, quiet room and was exposed for 20 min. to complex fields, applied through a helmet, either along the right hemisphere or across both hemispheres. None of the 8 subjects with below average scores reported a presence during the applications of the magnetic fields while 75% and 60% of the 8 subjects with above average scores reported a presence during right hemispheric and bilateral stimulation, respectively.
Cancer and Suicide
Authors: Kondrichin Sergei V. , Lester David
Published: August 2011

Mortality rates from suicide and cancer in 1990 in 37 European nations were positively associated.
Effect of Magnetic Insoles on Postural Sway Measures in Men and Women during a Static Balance Test
Authors: Suomi Rory , Koceja David M.
Published: August 2011

Numerous anecdotal reports have suggested a growing public enthusiasm for magnetic devices for treatment of pain and various motor and sensory dysfunctions Although the principles behind magnetic therapy are well documented, a complete technical explanation of whether static magnet application is effective is lacking due to a paucity of scientific research. In this study the effectiveness of magnetic insoles on postural sway measures during a single application were investigated Twenty-eight adults (14 old, 14 young) were assessed on postural sway measures while performing a static two-legged stance test on a Kistler force platform under two treatment conditions (magnetic insoles, nonmagnetic insoles) Significant reductions in total sway area and lateral sway scores were obtained by the older adults while standing on the magnetic insoles. These preliminary results indicate that treatment of postural instability using magnetic insoles may be a viable alternative for older adults.
The Availability Heuristic with Famous Names: A Replication
Authors: McKelvie Stuart J. , Drumheller Andrea
Published: August 2011

In two experiments, 195 Canadian undergraduates initially judged a list of 25 names (12 famous men and 13 nonfamous women or 12 famous women and 13 nonfamous men) for familiarity. Contrary to previous research, subsequent estimates of the perceived number of men's and women's names were not higher when the names were famous than nonfamous. When the estimated differences were compared to the true difference (−1), famous names were judged more numerous than nonfamous names, but the size of the effect ( d=0.34) was smaller than in previous research. Reasons for these findings are discussed.
Comment on Delayed Left-Ear Accuracy in Dichotic Listening
Authors: Whiteside S. P. , Cowell P. E.
Published: August 2011

Moulden and Persinger recently reported on the emergence of left-ear accuracy during childhood and adolescence. This commentary briefly discusses their findings with reference to previous studies that have reported on dichotic listening paradigms and, in particular, those in which a left-ear focus was used as a behavioral probe sensitive to developmental sex differences.
Writing Apprehension and Academic Procrastination among Graduate Students
Authors: Onwuegbuzie Anthony J. , Collins Kathleen M. T.
Published: August 2011

Academic procrastination has been associated with both fear of failure and task aversiveness. Researchers have reported that most undergraduate and graduate students delay academic tasks. Among the latter, a large proportion report procrastination in writing term papers. Such procrastination may originate from and lead to anxiety about writing so the present purpose was to investigate the relationship between scores on Daly and Miller's 1975 Writing Apprehension Test and on the two dimensions, i.e., fear of failure and task aversiveness, of Solomon and Rothblum's 1984 Procrastination Assessment Scale-Students. Participants were 135 graduate students of varied disciplinary backgrounds. Correlations between writing apprehension and academic procrastination stemmed from fear of failure (.29) and task aversiveness (.41). Implications are discussed.
Patterns of Adaptation in Asthma and Psoriasis
Authors: Rubino I. Alex , Tozzi Federica , Pischedda Simonetta , Ciani Nicola
Published: August 2011

Patterns of adaptation to a conflict situation were explored by means of the repeated confrontation with the Stroop task (Serial Color-Word Test) in two clinical groups: bronchial asthma ( n = 40) and psoriasis ( n = 28). The respective psychosomatic component of each of these syndromes was expected to correspond to peculiar patterns of adaptation. Differences between asthma and psoriasis patients were statistically significant. Asthma was characterized by patterns with high values of nonlinear change, both within each subtest (Primary Types) and across the five subtests (Secondary Types). Psoriatic patients were classified most often as having the CV type (high linear increase of nonlinear changes across the subtests) and showed some more ITA+ types, i.e., within the first subtest, longer reading time at the beginning, followed by uniformly faster times.
Low Scores, Top 10 Finishes, and Big Money: An Analysis of Professional Golf Association Tour Statistics and How These Relate to Overall Performance
Authors: Dorsel Thomas N. , Rotunda Rob J.
Published: August 2011

The present study examined the relationship between primary golf skills of Professional Golf Association (PGA) Touring Professionals, i.e., driving distance, driving accuracy, reaching Greens in Regulation, and putting, and various performance outcomes for these same golfers including their scoring averages. Two additional variables, birdies and eagles, were also analyzed in relation to both the primary skill and performance outcome variables. Multiple regression along with simple correlations were applied. A significant proportion of variance in performance outcome (R = .33-.45), utilizing three different dependent variables (Scoring Average, Top 10 Finishes, and Money Won), was explained by measures of the four primary golf skills. Also, Driving Accuracy proved to be a better performance predictor than Driving Distance and accounted for 19% of the variance in Scoring Average. Both putting performance and reaching Greens in Regulation were significantly correlated with all three dependent variables. Iron play, reflected by hitting Greens in Regulation with approach shots, was the shot-making skill most highly correlated with Scoring Average ( r = 45).
Interrater Reliability for the Basic Categories of the Ao/Asif's System as a Frame of Reference for Classifying Distal Radial Fractures
Authors: Oskam J. , Kingma J. , Klasen H. J.
Published: August 2011

This study is about agreement on the assignment into the three basic classes or categories (A, B, C) of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation's (AO/ASIF) classification system for distal radial fractures. A random sample of 124 distal radial fractures was classified by two experienced observers. Their agreement was calculated according to Cohen's kappa statistic. To investigate the possible bases for disagreement, all conflicting X-ray assessments were discussed in a consensus meeting. It appeared that the kappa value was .65 (good agreement) before the meeting; kappa rose to .86 (excellent agreement) after the consensus meeting. It appeared that the undisplaced fractures were a major source of disagreement. Further, the presence of articular involvement was an important issue. It was frequently noted that one observer classified the fracture as extraarticular (basic Class A), while the other observer chose classification as an intra-articular fracture (basic Class C) or vice versa. This phenomenon has been called the A/C reversal shift. It is concluded that radiological innovations might enhance agreement on articular involvement, and a separate category for undisplaced fractures should be defined in the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) system. However, agreement on relevant distinctive features and discussion of conflicting assessments may also be important in achieving excellent agreement.
Family Motivation and a More Accurate Classification of Preferences for Aggressive Sports
Authors: Wann Daniel L. , Ensor Christi L.
Published: August 2011

In previous research there were no significant differences in family motivation between individuals with a preference for aggressive sports and those with a preference for nonaggressive sports. The current study replicated the past research with a more valid method of classifying participants into the sport-preference groups. 82 participants completed the Family Motivation Subscale of the Sport Fan Motivation Scale and listed their five favorite sports. As predicted, correlations indicated no significant relationships between preferences for aggressive sports and strength of family motivation.
Perceptions of Power in a First-Year Collegiate Varsity Program
Authors: Wann Daniel L. , Pack T. Matthew
Published: August 2011

Analysis of perceptions of a coach's power in a first-year collegiate athletic program showed strong similarities between the current data and previously published reports of perceptions of power in established athletic programs.
Physical and Occupational Therapy Undergraduates' Stereotypes of One Another
Authors: Katz Joanne S. , Titiloye Victoria Moji , Balogun Joseph A.
Published: August 2011

Literature suggests that increased interaction between physical therapy and occupational therapy students may improve their understanding of each other's profession. This cross-sectional study examined positive and negative stereotypes in an educational setting in which physical and occupational therapy students take over 25% of their curricular courses together. The aim of the study was to assess whether interaction between these students in and out of the classroom positively affected their views of each other, as compared with physical and occupational therapy students in previous studies who did not take classes together. Senior students, 25 physical therapy and 28 occupational therapy, completed two copies of the Health Team Stereotype Scale questionnaire exploring attitudes concerning their own chosen profession and the other participants' profession. They also completed an extracurricular activities survey to indicate how much they participated in activities outside of the classroom with students from the other profession. On the stereotype scale, physical therapy students' self-assessment compared with their assessment of occupational therapy students yielded 28 significantly ( p<.05) different adjective pairs; occupational therapy students' self-assessment compared with their assessment of physical therapy students yielded 26 significantly ( p<.05) different adjective pairs. The students rarely or never participated in extracurricular activities with each other. When comparing present results with those of previous studies, present subjects selected significantly fewer negative adjective pairs to describe the other profession. The results indicate a more positive view of each other's profession than in the previous studies. The interdisciplinary education model examined in our institution may have fostered positive attitudes among students in these programs.