bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perception of Large Change in Distribution of Heel Pressure during Backward Leaning
Authors: Fujiwara Katsuo , Asai Hitoshi , Koshida Kichiro , Maeda Kaoru , Toyama Hiroshi
Published: December 2005

We investigated the perception of the large change in distribution of heel pressure during backward leaning. Subjects were 12 healthy adults who reported perceiving a large change in distribution of heel pressure by a handheld switch while leaning voluntarily backward on a sole pressure analyzer and on a heel force plate. The large change was indicated at the center of heel pressure. Morphological features of the foot were measured on an X-ray film. The position of heel pressure center and the morphological locations were represented as relative distance (%) from the hindmost point of the heel, where foot length represented 100%. Center of heel pressure changed largely during backward leaning, and the position at which large change occurred was the same as that of the peak of the distribution. Large change in distribution of heel pressure was perceived at a position 1.3% posterior from that at which the large change actually occurred. The correlation between perceived and actual positions was significant ( r = .91). Significant correlations were found between position of a large change of center and locations of heel pressure of both the lateral process of the calcaneal tuberosity and the top of the talar trochlea ( r = .86; r = .11, respectively). The results indicate that subjects accurately perceive large changes in distribution of heel pressure and that the morphological features of the foot contribute to these changes.
Preschool Children's Accumulated and Sustained Physical Activity
Authors: Benham-Deal Tami
Published: December 2005

39 3- to 5-year-old children wore heart-rate monitors for 12 hr. on three consecutive days to examine physical activity patterns. Parent logs supplied additional information on type and location of activity. The highest number of accumulated minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity was recorded during the weekday (38.6 min.) and weekend (31.4 min.) afternoons, a time period when more activity occurred outdoors. Sustained activity was mostly short in duration, but many children (71%) accumulated recommended amounts of activity on the weekday, fewer (46%) on the weekend. Spearman rank correlations for weekday ( r = .50, p = .004) and weekend ( r = .58, p = .004) activity were significant. Considering health risk factors associated with physical inactivity, early educators must look to the essence of young children's physical activity patterns in designing programs. Large motor activity that is intense and that occurs outdoors is a good place to start.
An Exploratory Study of Cognitive Style in Performance on Matched and Mismatched Tasks
Authors: Rawal Adhip , Willson Robert
Published: December 2005

Researchers have suggested that task performance is often dependent upon the congruence of cognitive style and task. To explore this suggestion, 44 female and 4 male undergraduates were administered the Cognitive Style Analysis, the Closure Flexibility, the Composite Gestalt Completion Test, and the Vocabulary subtest from the WAIS. Specifically, four hypotheses were tested: (1) that participants with an analytic style will perform better than those with a wholistic style on the Closure Flexibility; (2) that participants with a wholistic style will perform better than those with an analytic style on the Composite Gestalt Completion Test; (3) that participants with an intermediate style will outperform persons with an analytic style on the Composite Gestalt Completion Test; and (4) that intermediate scorers would perform better than those with a wholistic style on Closure Flexibility. Only the second hypothesis was supported, so results provide only minimal support for the effect of match or mismatch of cognitive style and task performance.
Changes in Cognitive Performance during a 216 Kilometer, Extreme Endurance Footrace: A Descriptive and Prospective Study
Authors: Doppelmayr Michael M. , Finkernagel Holger , Doppelmayr Hildegard I.
Published: December 2005

Two subjects participated in a 216 km ultramarathon with outside temperatures above 50°C while several physiological and psychological parameters (cognitive performance assessed by a mental calculation task and an attentional task, subjective bodily experience, and lactate level) were evaluated throughout the race. Severe stress from dehydration, sleep deprivation, and total physical exhaustion are combined in a unique manner, allowing evaluation of their effects in a range far outside that obtainable in a laboratory setting. During the race the subjects answered a questionnaire about their actual bodily experiences, underwent 8 medical examinations, and performed two cognitive tests approximately every 35 kilometers. Analysis showed cognitive performance did not decrease steadily in a simple and gradual way but reached a peak in the morning of Day 2 after a short sleeping period and then decreased. In the early morning of Day 3, in general cognitive performance exhibited the worst results but increased differentially between the subjects again in the last test 1 km before the finish line.
Nine, Seven, Five, or Three: How Many Figures Do We Need for Assessing Body Image?
Authors: Ambrosi-Randić Neala , Pokrajac-Bulian Alessandra , Takšić Vladimir
Published: December 2005

320 Croatian female students ( M = 20.4 yr.) were recruited to examine the validity and reliability of figural scales using different numbers of stimuli (3, 5, 7, and 9) and different serial presentation (serial and nonserial order). A two-way analysis of variance (4 numbers × 2 orders of stimuli) was performed on ratings of current self-size and ideal size as dependent variables. Analysis indicated a significant main effect of number of stimuli. This, together with post hoc tests indicated that ratings were significantly different for a scale of three figures from scales of more figures, which in turn did not differ among themselves. Main effects of order of stimuli, as well as the interaction, were not significant. The results support the hypothesis that the optimal number of figures on a scale is seven plus (or minus) two.
Motivational Climate, Achievement Goals, Perceived Sport Competence, and Involvement in Physical Activity: Structural and Mediator Models
Authors: Skjesol Knut , Halvari Hallgeir
Published: December 2005

Students ( N = 231) were tested on involvement in physical activity, motivational climate, perceived sport competence, and goal orientations. Multiple regression, partial correlation, and LISREL analyses indicated that mastery goal adoption is positively correlated with a mastery climate. Performance-approach goal adoption is positively correlated with a performance climate. Mastery climate, mastery goal, and perceived sport competence are all positively correlated with involvement in physical activity. LISREL analyses supported three mediational hypotheses: (I) the positive correlation between the performance-approach goal and involvement in physical activity is mediated by (high) perceived sport competence, (II) the negative correlation between the performance-avoidance goal and involvement in physical activity is mediated by (low) perceived sport competence, (III) the positive correlation between mastery climate and involvement in physical activity is mediated by (high) mastery goal orientation. An alternative structural model with perceived competence as the last latent construct in the path was also tested.
Effects of Regular Switching between Languages during Random Number Generation
Authors: Strenge Hans , Böhm Jessica
Published: December 2005

Random number generation is a task that engages working memory and executive processes within the domain of number representation. In the present study we address the role of language in number processing by switching languages during random number generation (numbers 1–9), using German (L1) and English (L2), and alternating L1/L2. Results indicate large correspondence between performance in L1 and L2. In contrast to nonswitching performance, randomization with alternating languages showed a significant increase of omitted responses, whereas the random sequences were less stereotyped, showing significantly less repetition avoidance and cycling behavior. During an intentional switch between languages, errors in language sequence appeared in 23% of responses on the average, independently of the quality of randomization but associated with a clear persistence of L2. These results indicate that random number generation is more closely linked to auditory-phonological representation of numerals than to visual arabic notation.
Effect of VDT Keyboard Height and Inclination on Musculoskeletal Discomfort for Wheelchair Users
Authors: Wu Swei-Pi , Yang Chien-Hsin
Published: December 2005

This study investigated the effect of keyboard height and inclination on musculoskeletal discomfort for wheelchair users. Eight Taiwanese male wheelchair users (28.75 ± 8.75 years) were recruited as participants to perform nine experimental combinations of data entry tasks. Three keyboard heights and three inclinations were evaluated. Musculoskeletal discomfort was estimated by Rating of Perceived Exertion and Subjective Preference Ranking. Each subject performed a data entry task for all nine experimental combinations in a random order. The seated posture of all participants during the data entry operation was the upright posture. The height of the screen's center was adjusted according to the eye level of each subject. Analysis showed the keyboard height and keyboard inclination significantly affected rating of musculoskeletal discomfort. It is suggested that the optimum keyboard height choice is elbow-level height or 5 cm below elbow level with the keyboard inclination horizontal to the seat of the wheelchair.
Reliability and Validity of a Twelve-Minute Walking Test for Coronary Heart Disease Patients
Authors: de Greef Mathieu H. G. , Sprenger Siska R. , Elzenga Corrie T. A. , Popkema Dorien Y. , Bennekers Johan H. , Niemeijer Menco G. , Middel Berry , Mook Gerrit A.
Published: December 2005

This study examined the reliability and validity of a 12-min. walking test for coronary heart disease patients. CHD patients (28 men, 18 women) were recruited out of 86 CHD patients of the Martini Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands. 46 CHD patients (age M = 66.0 yr., SD = 6.8) participated in the reliability study and 24 (age M = 62.0 yr., SD = 9.2) in the validity study. A test-retest analysis showed a satisfactory Bland-Altman plot and an intraclass coefficient of .98. The Pearson correlation between the score on the test and the VO2 peak was .77. This test gives a reliable and valid assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness of CHD patients.
A 6-Month Pilot Study of Effects of a Physical Activity Intervention on Life Satisfaction with a Sample of Three Generations of Women
Authors: Ornes Lynne L. , Ransdell Lynda B. , Robertson Leeann , Trunnell Eric , Moyer-Mileur Laurie
Published: December 2005

This pilot study assessed possible changes in Life Satisfaction across three generations of women after a 6-mo. physical activity intervention. The primary purpose of the study was to test the study design and discover critical issues that should be controlled for or changed in a follow-up study. A quasi-experimental design was used to assign randomly a convenience sample of participant triads into two groups: a home-based group ( n = 27) and a control group ( n = 9). Daughters were premenarcheal ( n = 13, M = 10.1 yr., SD = 1.5), mothers were premenopausal ( n = 13, M = 37.2 yr., SD = 4.2), and grandmothers were postmenopausal ( n = 11, M = 61.5 yr., SD = 4.4). Life Satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Participation in physical activity was measured using the Physical Best Physical Activity Questionnaire and a pedometer to count the number of steps taken per day. Compared with the control group, participants in the home-based group generally increased physical activity but their scores for Life Satisfaction did not increase. Recommendations concerning the study design, reducing limitations, and hypotheses for further study are given.
Suicide by Jumping from Bridges
Authors: Lester David
Published: December 2005

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida, has crisis emergency telephones and a police presence. Although the number of suicides from the bridge has declined, it is too soon to test the statistical significance of the decline.
Influence of Auditory Modeling on Learning a Swimming Skill
Authors: Wang Lin , Hart Melanie A.
Published: December 2005

Auditory modeling has been an effective method of learning a new skill in laboratory settings; however, research examining the effectiveness of auditory modeling in a real world task is limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of auditory modeling on the learning of a swimming skill, specifically the butterfly stroke. Participants were 37 male college students enrolled in two swimming classes. The classes were randomly assigned as the control group, i.e., the standard swimming curriculum for the butterfly stroke including demonstration, verbal instructions, and practice, and the auditory modeling group, i.e., standard swimming curriculum for the butterfly stroke plus auditory modeling. Quantitative and qualitative analyses indicate that auditory modeling is an effective method for enhancing the learning of this real world motor skill.
Dispositional Optimism and Self-Assessed Situation Awareness in a Norwegian Military Training Exercise
Authors: Eid Jarle , Meland Nils Tore , Matthews Michael D. , Johnsen Bjørn Helge
Published: December 2005

The current study examined the relationship between dispositional optimism and situation awareness. A sample of 77 Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and 57 Royal Norwegian Army Academy cadets were administered the Life Orientation Test prior to participating in a field-training exercise involving a series of challenging missions. Following an infantry mission component of the exercise, situation awareness was measured using the Mission Awareness Rating Scale (MARS), a self-assessment tool. The analysis indicated that dispositional optimism correlated negatively with situation awareness under these conditions. The role of intrapersonal variables in mediating situation awareness and decision-making in stressful situations is discussed.
A Qualitative Analysis of Inaccurate Responses on the Hooper Visual Organization Test
Authors: Lopez Michael N. , Lazar Michael D. , Imperio Sherwin M.
Published: December 2005

The present study investigated the types of inaccurate responses, i.e., Don't Know, Semantic, Visual ( nonlinguistic), Phonological, Circumlocutory, and Perseverative, made on the Hooper Visual Organization Test by a heterogeneous sample of 68 brain-damaged and 63 substance abuse patients. The mean age of the brain-damaged and substance abuse groups were 46.0 ( SD = 13.5) and 43.7 ( SD = 12.9) yr., respectively. Analysis showed that the brain-damaged group made significantly more visual and perseverative responses than the substance abuse group. There was significantly more variance in the Visual responses than the Semantic responses for the brain-damaged group. The authors conclude that visuospatial ability is the primary factor for successful performance on this test.
Acute Effects of a Single Bout of Resistance Exercise on Postural Control in Elderly Persons
Authors: Moore Justin B. , Korff Thomas , Kinzey Stephen J.
Published: December 2005

Many elderly persons are engaging in resistance exercise to counter muscle atrophy due to aging. Here, the acute effects of resistance exercise on postural control mechanisms were examined. Postural control was quantified by mean square center-of-pressure displacements were calculated utilizing force vectors in accordance with previously developed equations. Stabilogram-diffusion plots utilized the displacements as data points after curve-fitting techniques were applied. Two regions, representing the open-loop and closed-loop postural control mechanisms, are shown by the plots and separated at the critical point, which represents the shift in control mechanisms. 21 older adults (age M = 71.2, SD = 3.84, range 66–81 years) performed three sets of 10–12 repetitions for six resistance exercises for the lower extremity until fatigue. Immediately after exercise, postural stability was reduced. This was represented by a shift of the critical point to the right, indicating an increase in open-loop control. Since resistance training has an acute negative effect on postural control, it is advised to assist elderly clients carefully and immediately after resistance training.
National Character, Suicide and Homicide
Authors: Lester David
Published: December 2005

In a sample of 18 industrialized nations with available data, mean scores on the “big five factors” were not significantly associated with national suicide or homicide rates.
Rating Perceived Exertion during Short Duration, Very High Intensity Cycle Exercise
Authors: Gearhart Randall F. , Becque M. Daniel , Palm Chad M. , Hutchins Matthew D.
Published: December 2005

This study compared undifferentiated ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during short duration, very high intensity cycle exercise using high and low resistance. 30 recreationally trained males (24.2 ± 2.4 yr.) were memory-anchored to the Borg 15-category scale. The high and low resistance exercises were defined by 30-sec. maximum tests assigned in counterbalanced order, with resistances set before testing during an orientation session. High resistance was 10% of body mass. Low resistance resulted in the same total work as the high resistance over the 30-sec. sessions (± 5%) but increased pedal rate. RPE was taken at 8, 13, 18, 23, and 28 sec. during the high and the low resistance exercises. Measurements were compared using a 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. RPE was significantly greater ( p = .005) for the high than the low resistance exercise at each interval. RPE increased when the subjects were required to pedal against a greater resistance and produce the highest forces. These RPE data are consistent with data from both aerobic cycle and resistance exercise. The data suggest that instantaneous force production, not summed work, is a primary determinant of RPE. All of these observations support Cafarelli's theoretical model of effort sense. In conclusion, as an individual generates more force during high resistance exercise than in light resistance exercise, a potential explanation of our results is that the increased motor outflow and corollary sensory signal lead to a greater sense of effort.
Reducing Stability of Support Structure for a Target Does Not Alter Reach Kinematics among Younger Adults
Authors: Cooper S. A. , Doan J. B. , Pellis S. M. , Whishaw I. Q. , Brown L. A.
Published: December 2005

Investigation into the reach-to-grasp movement has indicated that this movement sequence is composed of two distinct movement components, independently influenced by the characteristics of the target. It remains undetermined whether properties other than those conveyed by the target also influence the strategy used to complete the task successfully. Here, we explored whether characteristics of the support structure influence reaching kinematics among younger adults. The purpose of the study was to assess whether support structure stability affected movement kinematics of the transport phase. Subjects were required to reach for a full glass of water on a stable or an unstable support structure. Kinematic measures of interest included transport time, peak transport velocity, peak transport acceleration, and timing of kinematic peaks. Analysis showed that reducing the stability of the support structure did not significantly affect any of the measures of interest. The results imply that stability of support structure does not influence transport kinematics among younger adults.
Evaluation of Anticipation Bias for RPE during Progressive Exercise Testing
Authors: Swank Ann M. , Moore Alissa , Funk Daniel C. , Steinel Lynne , Robertson Robert J. , Manire John T.
Published: December 2005

This study evaluated a possible anticipation bias when ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were obtained during submaximal progressive exercise testing. Perceptual estimates were obtained using the CR-10 category-ratio scale. 13 subjects, 7 men and 6 women ( M age = 26.8 ± 6.4 yr., height = 2.7 ± .17 m, weight = 73.0 ± 18.2 kg, VO2 peak = 46.7 ± 5.6 ml · kg−1 · min−1 for men and 47.8 ± 7.3 ml · kg−1 · min.−1 for women) recruited from the university student population participated. Each subject underwent two submaximal progressive exercise tests separated by at least 48 hr. using the cycle as test mode and the YMCA protocol. Power outputs established during the first test were presented in random order during the second test. Differentiated RPE for the Peripheral, Respiratory-Metabolic, and the undifferentiated signals, and heart rate, were measured during the last 15 sec. of each of the four stages of exercise. In comparing responses between the two tests, significant differences were observed for both heart rate and the Respiratory-Metabolic signal during power output 4, using repeated-measures analysis of variance. However, a 95% limit of agreement test was significant only for heart rate as the 95% confidence interval for the Respiratory-Metabolic signal overlapped zero and thus was not significantly different. No significant differences were found for the undifferentiated or peripheral signals between the two tests. Results indicate that both undifferentiated and differentiated RPE are given without significant anticipation bias during submaximal progressive cycle exercise.
Language Use in Emotional Writing
Authors: Lee Chang H. , Shin Misung
Published: December 2005

This brief report provides descriptive data on uses of language in emotional writing to give some clues on the mechanism of emotional writing. Two written samples, emotional writing and superficial writing, were analyzed using the program, Korean Linguistic and Word Count. Emotional writing has more complicated language structure and more cognitive words than the superficial writing.
Birth Order and Personality
Authors: Lester David , Abdel-Khalek Ahmed
Published: December 2005

In a sample of 273 American undergraduates, scores on a battery of personality tests did not differ by birth order in 2-child or 3-child families.
Reliability of Gait Parameters in Children under Two Years of Age
Authors: Marques-Bruna Pascual , Grimshaw Paul
Published: December 2005

The walking movement of children of school age and adults can be regarded as very consistent. However, few studies have reported reliability of gait parameters in very young children that may be used as normative data for the clinical assessment of gait. In the present study, nine normal children of ages 10 to 21 mo. were assessed cross-sectionally using three-dimensional video analysis and digitization to assess within-day reliability of gait kinematics. Between-subject differences in gait kinematics were also examined. In addition, one child was assessed at the onset of independent walking and at monthly intervals thereafter to assess changes in gait kinematics during the first 8 mo. of autonomous walking. The case study allowed the acquisition of pilot data for longitudinal studies of this age group. 10 kinematics variables regarded as indicators of efficient walking were measured, and reliability was assessed using one-way analysis of variance and coefficient of variation. The study showed that all children produced reliable within-day results; however, the gait of each child was unique. In the case study, the between-month differences in gait kinematics were significant. The findings may be of clinical interest for pediatricians and child neurologists given the lack of normative data for this age group.
Eyeblink Activity as an Index of Cognitive Processing: Temporal Distribution of Eyeblinks as an Indicator of Expectancy in Semantic Priming
Authors: Ichikawa Naho , Ohira Hideki
Published: December 2005

Eyeblink activity was examined as a psychophysiological index of cognitive processing during a typical semantic priming task. To examine the expectancy-induced effects, the proportion of semantically related pairs was controlled. 8 undergraduates engaged in a lexical decision task for target words. Each condition differed in target type (Semantically Related with prime vs Unrelated vs Nonword) and proportion of Semantically Related pairs (High vs Low). As a result, the temporal distribution of blinks was clearly influenced by the semantic priming effect. The peak of blink bursts, which is correlated with the end of cognitive processing, occurred the fastest in the semantically Related and High proportion condition. While blink latency showed larger individual differences, the temporal distribution of blinks was suggested as a more efficient index of cognitive processing.
Preliminary Evaluation of a 10-wk. Resistance and Cardiovascular Exercise Protocol on Physiological and Psychological Measures for a Sample of Older Women
Authors: Annesi James J. , Westcott Wayne W. , Gann Shane
Published: December 2005

A preliminary 10-wk. study was conducted to determine the effect a combined strength and cardiovascular exercise protocol had on both physiological and psychological change in 17 older ( M age = 66.8 yr.), formerly sedentary women. The protocol was associated with better adherence than typically found for new and returning exercisers. Significant improvements over 10 wk. were found on Body Mass Index, body fat, resting heart rate, and balance. Significant, positive changes in mean ratings were also found on Physical Self-concept, Total Mood Disturbance, Depression, and Fatigue (small to moderate treatment effect sizes). Although no significant changes were found for rated Tension, Vigor, Anger, and Confusion, mean changes were in the desired direction and rated Tension showed a moderate effect size. The need for replication, including a control group and follow-up, plus continued research on exercise protocols both well-tolerated and effective for older individuals and other specific groups, were discussed.
Test-Retest Reliability in Performance of Persons with Hemiparesis Tracking by Means of Compatibly Displayed Myoelectric Feedback Derived from Upper Limb Muscles
Authors: Gianutsos John G. , Cohen Jeffrey M. , Batavia Mitchell
Published: December 2005

The aim of this study was to assess whether persons with hemiparesis will yield statistically reliable test-retest tracking performance on a procedure using limb-generated, compatibly displayed, myoelectric video feedback. A convenience sample of 50 inpatients and outpatients with upper extremity involvement of at least six months were recruited. 30 had hemiparesis and had both upper extremities tested. 20 had hemiplegia and had the nonparetic upper extremity tested. Tracking skill was measured as mean tracking error. Repeated measures analysis of variance yielded statistically significant effects of main factors: Response mode, Cursor Feedback, and Session. Extremity tested was not significant. Performance with involved limb, uninvolved limb, isometric mode, and isotonic mode all yielded positive test-retest correlations. The reliable range of tracking error obtained from subjects with hemiparesis performing a task requiring modulation of compatibly displayed myoelectric output supports the therapeutic rationale for employing compatibly displayed video feedback in the rehabilitation of motor control.
Comparison of Detection Threshold Values Determined Using Glass Sniff Bottles and Plastic Squeeze Bottles
Authors: Wudarski Thomas J. , Doty Richard L.
Published: December 2005

Olfactory threshold measures are influenced by such factors as odorant species, diluent type, psychophysical paradigm, and stimulus-presentation procedure. In this study, we compared phenyl ethyl alcohol odor-detection thresholds obtained using 120-ml glass sniff bottles to those obtained using 120-ml plastic squeeze bottles. Although these presentation media are commonly employed in published studies, there has never been a formal comparison of values obtained using them. 10 male and 10 female subjects were tested on two threshold test sessions, one for each type of bottle. Order of sessions was systematically counterbalanced and completed on the same day for a given subject, with a minimum of 30 min. elapsing between sessions. A seven-reversal, single-staircase threshold procedure was employed. Although the threshold values were similar for the two procedures, slightly lower thresholds were obtained using the glass sniff bottles [respective M ( SEM) log vol/vol values = −6.61 (.20) and −6.13 (.24)]. These data suggest that, while threshold values using these two presentation procedures can be roughly compared across studies, accurate comparisons may require a slight mathematical adjustment.
Judgment and Decision-Making: Experts' and Novices' Evaluation of Chess Positions
Authors: Eisele Per
Published: December 2005

The present study examined how experts differ from nonexperts in estimation and evaluation during a judgment-and-decision task. In the experiment, the performance of 125 chess players (21 women and 104 men) whose mean age was 32.5 yr. ( SD = 13.3) was examined to assess decision processes with an emphasis on postdecision differentiation and consolidation. Chess players of differing skill made evaluations of a complex middle-game chess position. The experimental condition was made by the means of chess articles with enclosed information, either about the current chess position or about other similar positions. Both novices and experts upgraded their chosen alternative in a postdecision phase more than intermediate level chess players did. Various explanations of these results are discussed.
Explanation for Neon Color Effect of Chromatic Configurations on the Basis of Perceptual Ambiguity in Form and Color
Authors: Sohmiya Seiyu
Published: December 2005

Under reflected light conditions, we observed a neon color effect in a van Tuijl-type pattern for 30 combinations by pairing CMY inks. The results cannot be fully explained by Bressan's proposal as follows: (1) the illusory colors for the six configurations contradicted her predictions, (2) strong effects were not presented for complementary color pairs, and (3) for four configurations, the colors of line segments assimilated into those of the inducing patterns. Thus, the author proposes an hypothesis that the visual system treats neon color displays as ambiguous figures in form and color. This proposal can explain both illusory colors of the illusory area and those of the line segments themselves.
Pace Alteration and Estimation of Time Intervals
Authors: Foley Allison J. , Michaluk Lynnette M. , Thomas David G.
Published: December 2005

This experiment examined the effects on participants' estimates of interval duration of altering the pace of auditory stimuli contained within “filled” intervals. Because most previous studies on the filled interval effect have utilized visual displays, auditory stimuli were used to assess whether the effect would be present. In addition, previous studies compared two intervals, one of which was filled and the other unfilled. In the present study, both intervals were filled with tones at one of three rates (or “paces”): slow, medium, or fast. 25 participants (20 women) ages 18 to 29 years ( M = 20.4, SD = 2.3) were recruited from psychology courses and programs. Participants first heard a “training” interval filled with tones at one of the three paces and then attempted to reproduce the duration of that training interval in the “test” interval. The pace of stimuli in each pair of training and test intervals was varied so participants received all possible combinations of paces of auditory stimuli during the training and test trial sets. Analysis showed that, when training pace was fast and test pace was medium or slow, participants' estimates were longer than the actual test interval durations. Conversely, when training pace was slow and test pace was medium or fast, participants' estimates were shorter than actual test interval durations. In addition, when judging shorter intervals, participants estimated more time had passed than actually had, while they estimated that less time had passed than actually had for longer intervals, thus providing support for Vierordt's law.
Aerobic Physical Activity Effects on Psychological Well-Being in Low-Income Hispanic Children
Authors: Crews Debra J. , Lochbaum Marc R. , Landers Daniel M.
Published: December 2005

Psychological well-being has been generally associated with vigorous aerobic activity and structured aerobic activity in adolescents and children. Low-income children are at greater risk than the general population for experiencing high environmental stress and increased mental health problems. This study investigated the effects of a structured physical fitness program on psychological well-being in low-income Hispanic children. A total of 66, 33 girls, 33 boys, in Grade 4 were randomly assigned to either an Aerobic intensity ( n = 34) or a Control intensity physical activity program ( n = 32) for 6 wk. Psychological well-being was defined as scores on trait anxiety, depression, and self-esteem, measured, respectively, by the Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Rosenberg Self-esteem scale. Analysis showed the children in the Aerobic intensity program significantly ( p< .05) improved their cardiovascular fitness as measured by the PWC170 test. After the program was over, the children in this Aerobic group reported significantly ( p< .05) less depression. The main effect for self-esteem reflected the Aerobic group's greater self-reported self-esteem. No differences were found on trait anxiety. The effects on depression and self-esteem may only be attributed to the cardiovascular improvement given the higher intensity physical activity program because causation was not assessed here.
Alignment during Feeding and Swallowing: Does it Matter? A Review
Authors: West Joyce F. , Redstone Fran
Published: December 2005

This article provides a critical assessment of evidence for the claim of experienced clinicians that proper body alignment will ameliorate the feeding problems of patients with cerebral palsy and related neuromotor disorders and reduce the risk of aspiration. While there is evidence that alignment reduces extensor tone and improves feeding, further research is needed to determine whether this population's high risk for aspiration can be reduced by alignment.
Motoric Dominance and Sporting Excellence: Training versus Heredity
Authors: Grouios George
Published: December 2005

In the past two decades, laterality in sports has become clearly established. In particular, the concept of motoric dominance in sports has been a fertile area for laterality research. The literature is consistent with the view that in certain sporting skills, sporting competitors with specific motoric-dominance patterns enjoy an advantage over other competitors and are overrepresented in some sports. Two theoretical interpretations have been offered to explain this imbalance of motoric-dominance distribution among sporting individuals: hypotheses of “innate superiority” and “strategic advantage.” This paper presents an overview the two hypotheses, along with relevant work so far reported and identifies directions for further empirical research. The theoretical and practical implications of research on laterality in human motor performance are discussed.
Perceptions of Determining Factors in Athletic Achievement: An Addendum to Hyllegard, et al. (2003)
Authors: van Rossum Jacques H. A.
Published: December 2005

In Hyllegard, et al.'s recent study (2003) on the importance of training and talent in athletic achievement, athletes rated only two factors for relevance. This description of relevant factors is too limited, as is indicated in studies with Dutch coaches and athletes. Athletic achievement is determined by more factors than just talent and training.
Evaluating Effects in Short Time Series: Alternative Models of Analysis
Authors: Arnau Jaume , Bono Roser
Published: December 2005

In the applied context, short time-series designs are suitable to evaluate a treatment effect. These designs present serious problems given autocorrelation among data and the small number of observations involved. This paper describes analytic procedures that have been applied to data from short time series, and an alternative which is a new version of the generalized least squares method to simplify estimation of the error covariance matrix. Using the results of a simulation study and assuming a stationary first-order autoregressive model, it is proposed that the original observations and the design matrix be transformed by means of the square root or Cholesky factor of the inverse of the covariance matrix. This provides a solution to the problem of estimating the parameters of the error covariance matrix. Finally, the results of the simulation study obtained using the proposed generalized least squares method are compared with those obtained by the ordinary least squares approach. The probability of Type I error associated with the proposed method is close to the nominal value for all values of ρ1 and n investigated, especially for positive values of ρ1. The proposed generalized least squares method corrects the effect of autocorrelation on the test's power.
Coping Skills: Role of Trait Sport Confidence and Trait Anxiety
Authors: Cresswell Scott , Hodge Ken
Published: December 2005

The current research assesses relationships among coping skills, trait sport confidence, and trait anxiety. Two samples ( n = 47 and n = 77) of international competitors from surf life saving ( M = 23.7 yr.) and touch rugby ( M = 26.2 yr.) completed the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory, Trait Sport Confidence Inventory, and Sport Anxiety Scale. Analysis yielded significant correlations amongst trait anxiety, sport confidence, and coping. Specifically confidence scores were positively associated with coping with adversity scores and anxiety scores were negatively associated. These findings support the inclusion of the personality characteristics of confidence and anxiety within the coping model presented by Hardy, Jones, and Gould, Researchers should be aware that confidence and anxiety may influence the coping processes of athletes.
Assessing a New Response-Microswitch Combination with a Boy with Minimal Motor Behavior
Authors: Lancioni G. E. , O'reilly M. F. , Singh N. N. , Oliva D. , Montironi G. , Chierchie S.
Published: December 2005

This study assessed whether a boy with profound multiple disabilities and minimal motor behavior could learn to use a new response-microswitch combination to control environmental stimulation. The response selected was a chin movement; a mechanical microswitch was set up for this response. The boy learned to use the microswitch, increasing the frequency of the chin response and the level of pleasant stimulation following such response. The performance was retained at a 2-mo. postintervention check.
Comparison of Blinking Behavior during Listening to and Speaking in Japanese and English
Authors: Hirokawa Kumi , Yagi Akihiro , Miyata Yo
Published: December 2005

Blinking behavior during conversation may be different between conditions in listening and responding to questions because sifting attention from external to internal is possibly associated. The purpose of this study was to compare blinking behavior, duration, heart rates, and mental states during the tasks of listening to and responding to questions in Japanese and English. Participants were 67 (35 men and 32 women) undergraduate students. Blink rate while responding to questions in English did not differ from that while responding to questions in Japanese, but blink rate while listening to questions in English was significantly reduced compared to that while listening to Japanese. While anxiety and uneasiness were increased by the English conversation, blink rate and heart rate were decreased. Blinking behavior may be related to thinking and attention.
Comparison of Two Training Methods to Enhance Awareness of the Oral Cavity
Authors: Lohman Patricia
Published: December 2005

This investigation assessed two training methods to heighten awareness of the oral cavity in normal adult speakers of English. A pretest-posttest design was used. 40 subjects ( M age = 25.6 yr., SD = 8.7) who passed a speech and hearing screening were placed into two equal-sized groups. Each group received 10 hr. of training over 3 wk. The Experimental group received verbal instructions regarding how the phonemes of English are produced, including tongue height, location, and contact with other structures in the oral cavity. Subjects in the Experimental group also used a tongue blade to enhance lingual awareness. The Control group received instructions in articulatory placement only. The Lingual Awareness Test required subjects to imitate 7 English syllables and answer 4 multiple-choice questions regarding lingual contact for each syllable. Posttest scores for the Experimental group were significantly better for one phoneme. The Control group made no significant improvement.
Development of the Sport Achievement Orientation Questionnaire for Japanese Athletes by Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: Wakayama Hiroaki , Watanabe Eiji , Murai Go , Inomata Kimihiro
Published: December 2005

In this study, a questionnaire to assess achievement orientation in sport for Japanese athletes was developed. We created the questionnaire by picking items from free descriptions of Japanese athletes and using factor analysis of the responses in a Japanese sport setting. The subjects were 2,415 athletes ( M = 16.7 yr., SD = 2.7) in Japan. Factor analyses in this study identified three factors. Top Level Orientation, Demonstrating Ability Orientation, and Win Orientation, respectively. An examination of the intercorrelations among the three scores showed the subscales were related. There were no correlations between the new measure and the Japanese versions of the Sport Orientation Questionnaire and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire except that the correlation of Win Orientation and the SOQ Athletic Success Orientation was low and negative. These results suggested that the three subscales appeared to be separate but related factors, and that it is an original measurement for only Japanese athletes. The overall factor reliability and validity based on the sample suggested that the Sport Achievement Orientation Questionnaire for Japanese Athletes can be valuable means for the investigation of achievement orientation in Japanese sport and exercise settings.
Validity of Specific Motor Skills in Predicting Table-Tennis Performance in Novice Players
Authors: Toriola Abel L. , Toriola Olutoyin M. , Igbokwe Nicholas U.
Published: December 2005

An experiment assessed whether novice table-tennis players' ball-balancing and bouncing skills could predict their performances after a semester of being coached. A pretest-posttest design was used to test this hypothesis with 82 male and 77 female physical education students who initially performed the skills and subsequently participated in a round-robin tournament. Moderate negative but significant ( p<.01) Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients were obtained between some of the ball control skills scores and overall ranking in the table-tennis tournament.
Gun Availability and Use of Guns for Suicide, Homicide, and Murder in Canada
Authors: Bridges F. Stephen , Kunselman Julie C.
Published: December 2005

A reliability check of Lester's (2000b) 1970–1995 time series that examined associations between the availability of firearms and their use for homicide and suicide in Canada. For the period 1974 to 1999, the relative availability of firearms as measured by the rate of accidental death from firearms and the average of the percentages of suicides + homicides using firearms was positively associated with the rate of homicide by firearms but not negatively associated with the rate of homicide by all other methods, and positively associated with the rate of suicide by firearms and negatively associated with the rate of suicide by all other methods. Correlations for the homicide versus murder rates, homicide rate using guns versus murder rate using guns, and homicide rate by all other methods versus murder rate by all other methods were very similar. There was a decrease over time of total suicide and homicide rates and firearm suicide and homicide rates, and with a slight indication of substitution of other methods for suicide.
Measuring Perceptual Speed in Complex Everyday Situations
Authors: Arendasy Martin , Sommer Markus
Published: December 2005

This paper describes first results of the development of a new test to measure perceptual speed in everyday situations. The new items are best described as images depicting typical situations in everyday life, which have some picture elements in common. The pictures were presented to the subjects for a short time, and their task was to indicate which of 5 goal stimuli were present in the respective pictures seen before. In two studies, the scalability of the new items according to the Rasch model was investigated. In Study 1 data from 316 subjects with heterogeneous educational backgrounds were used in the empirical analysis. The results of Study 1 indicate that Rasch homogeneity and thus positive psychometric properties for the new test could be obtained. This result was further validated using a second sample ( N = 198). The validation study replicates the results obtained in Study 1. These results represent a substantial condition sine qua non for following studies on the construct and criterion validity of the new test.
Study Time Effects in Recognition Memory
Authors: Ruiz Juan Carlos , Soler María José , Dasí Carmen
Published: December 2005

We empirically tested the assumption that study time increases recognition accuracy because the storage of information is better when study time is longer as Shiffrin and colleagues have reported, an assumption common to parallel models of recognition. In the present study with 123 subjects, we examined the effect of item strength on four measures: hit rate, false alarm rate, d′, and β, for a single-word recognition task with longer study times than those usually used in the literature. Analysis indicated significant increase for hit rate and d′ and a decrease in false alarm rate, as one goes from weak to stronger study conditions, and a change in ln(β) when study time is greater than 1 sec. These results suggest that familiarization is one, but not the only, factor underlying the strength-mirror effect.
Neuropsychological Executive Functions of Adolescent Sex Offenders and Nonsex Offenders
Authors: Veneziano Carol , Veneziano Louis , LeGrand Scott , Richards Linda
Published: December 2005

A growing body of research now suggests that a substantial number of criminal offenders display neuropsychological deficits, especially frontal-executive dysfunctions. The present study investigated the possibility of similar deficits by comparing the performance of 60 adolescent sex offenders court-ordered to a residential treatment facility with the performance of 60 nonsexual delinquent offenders matched on several pertinent sociodemographic characteristics and scores on four neuropsychological tests: (1) the Trail Making Test, (2) the Controlled Oral Word Association test of the Multilingual Aphasia Examination, (3) the Tower of London, and (4) the Wisconsin Card-sorting Test. Analysis indicated a pattern of frontal-executive dysfunction in a subset of both groups of offenders; this pattern has both theoretical and treatment implications.
Contrast Influences Perceived Duration of Brief Time Intervals
Authors: Jaeger Ted , Lang Jennifer
Published: December 2005

34 participants judged the duration of a 4-sec. interval which was preceded by a contextual interval of 2, 6, 10, or 14 sec. Underestimations of the test interval when the contextual intervals were longer suggested temporal durations are affected by a mechanism of comparing and contrasting analogous to the one producing some visual illusions.