The Frame Constraint on Experimentally Elicited Speech Errors in Japanese

The so-called syllable position effect in speech errors has been interpreted as reflecting constraints posed by the frame structure of a given language, which is separately operating from linguistic content during speech production. The effect refers to the phenomenon that when a speech error occurs, replaced and replacing sounds tend to be in the same position within a syllable or word. Most of the evidence for the effect comes from analyses of naturally occurring speech errors in Indo-European languages, and there are few studies examining the effect in experimentally elicited speech errors and in other languages. This study examined whether experimentally elicited sound errors in Japanese exhibits the syllable position effect. In Japanese, the sub-syllabic unit known as “mora” is considered to be a basic sound unit in production. Results showed that the syllable position effect occurred in mora errors, suggesting that the frame constrains the ordering of sounds during speech production.     

Psychometric Evaluation of the Japanese Version of the Elder Life Adjustment Interview Schedule for Depression

The Elder Life Adjustment Interview Schedule (ELAIS) was developed as an age- and culture-sensitive assessment device for depression and 9 environmental, behavioral, and health correlates (Schlatter et al., 1993, J. MARC Res. 1: 27–42). The psychometric adequacy of the ELAIS has been demonstrated with samples of elder Americans of Asian, Caucasian, and Native Hawaiian ancestry (Dubanoski et al., 1996, J. Clin. Gerospsychol. 2: 247–262). This study reports on the reliability and construct validity of a translated Japanese version. Participants were 55 community-dwelling elders living in the areas surrounding Maebashi, Japan. The ELAIS contains 14 scales of which 9 represent theoretical predictors of depression. The 2 Environmental Condition scales measure life events and social support. The 4 Behavioral Competency scales measure recreational activity, assertiveness, self-reinforcement, and perceived control. The 3 Health Factor scales measure perceived health, functional ability, and objective health. The 5 Other scales measure demographics, depression, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and response style. Results yielded acceptable internal consistency and stability reliability coefficients for all but 1 of the subscales on the ELAIS (informational social support). Construct validity support was found for the Depression scale and 6 theoretical predictors, including life events, recreational activity, assertiveness, self-reinforcement, functional ability, and objective health. Treatment and prevention implications for the cross-ethnic multivariate assessment of depression among elders are discussed.     

Effect of articulatory suppression on task-switching performance: implications for models of working memory

In a series of experiments, we examine some effects of articulatory suppression in task switching. The results from Experiments 1a and 2a showed that switch costs in the articulatory suppression condition were larger than those in the control and tapping conditions when the switching cues were not provided. On the other hand, articulatory suppression did not have any effect on switch costs in Experiments 1b and 2b, where the switching cues were provided. In Experiment 3, using a computer-assisted experimentation, this pattern of data was replicated in a two-factor design with articulatory suppression and switching cues factors. The results indicate that a specific component in working memory, the phonological loop, might contribute to the performance in task switching, at least in situations where the external task cues were not available. The data reported here suggest that the phonological loop plays an important role in one of the executive control processes, and challenge the traditional idea that the slave systems are simply governed by the central executive in the working memory.     

Fos expression in CRF-containing neurons in the rat paraventricular nucleus after central administration of neuromedin U

We examined the effects of centrally administered neuromedin U (NMU) on corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats, using double immunohistochemistry for CRF and Fos. Almost all CRF-containing neurons in the parvocellular divisions of the PVN expressed Fos-like immunoreactivity 90 min after intracerebroventricular administration of NMU (3 nmol/rat). This results suggest the possibility that central NMU may be involved in stress-induced activation of CRF-containing neurons in the PVN.     

New 1/1 cubic approximant phases in the Al-Cu-Ru-Si system studied by electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy

Two types of new Al-Cu-Ru-Si 1/1 cubic approximant phases, both of which have cell parameters a=12.68A have been found in an as-cast Al_58.5Cu₁₈Ru_13.5Si₁₀ alloy. The two phases have sc and bcc structures respectively and are finely mixed in transmission electron microscopy observations. It is proposed that the sc structure is caused by ordering of atoms in the bcc structure.     

Electronic and structural properties of 3D Hopf-linked carbon allotrope: Hopfene

ABSTRACT

Electronic and structural properties of a 3D carbon allotrope made of Hopf-linked graphenes, which we call a Hopfene – a type of topological crystal, are examined by semi-empirical molecular-orbital and density-functional-theoretical methods, where band-structure analyses reveal very different properties from those of 2D graphenes. Furthermore, the analyses give an interesting finding that, depending on graphene-sheet spacings, Hopfenes exhibit different band features between primary-type Hopfene with a finite minimum sheet spacing and secondary type with its double-sized spacing. The primary type shows semi-metallic nature and the secondary type exhibits semi-metallic or semiconducting nature at different bands and also has flat bands; these conducting features can be utilised by Fermi-level control. A device application of Hopfenes is also provided.