An L1-script-transfer-effect fallacy: a rejoinder to Wang et al. (2003)

Do different L1 (first language) writing systems differentially affect word identification in English as a second language (ESL)? Wang, Koda, and Perfetti [Cognition 87 (2003) 129] answered yes by examining Chinese students with a logographic L1 background and Korean students with an alphabetic L1 background for their phonological and orthographic processing skills on English word identification. Such a conclusion is premature, however. We propose that the L1 phonological system (rather than the L1 writing system) of the learner largely accounts for cognitive processes in learning to read a second language (L2).     

The neural correlates of driving performance identified using positron emission tomography

Driving is a complex behavior involving multiple cognitive domains. To identify neural correlates of driving performance, [15O]H2O positron emission tomography was performed using a simulated driving task. Compared with the resting condition, simulated driving increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the cerebellum, occipital, and parietal cortices. Correlations between rCBF and measurements of driving performance were evaluated during simulated driving. Interestingly, rCBF in the thalamus, midbrain, and cerebellum were positively correlated with time required to complete the course and rCBF in the posterior cingulate gyrus was positively correlated with number of crashes during the task. These brain regions may thus play roles in the maintenance of driving performance.     

Assessing the cross-cultural content validity of the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension scale (PRCA-24)

Despite its popularity in the USA, the most common communication apprehension (CA) measurement scale, the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension scale (PRCA-24), has been used in just three studies in Japan. Further, validity analyses have not been reported for Japanese samples. This article attempts to analyze the content validity of the PRCA-24 on Japanese college students. Results indicate that the PRCA-24 may be of use in determining some, but not all, types of CA among Japanese students. Suggestions for future CA research in Japan are offered.     

A study of antecedents of organizational commitment

Various theories of organizational behaviors suggest that there should be significant relationships between the work-related variables and commitment to an organization. This study shows that, for a sample of 203 Japanese industrial workers, four components (attachment, internalization, normative, and continuance) of organizational commitment are predicted by organizational climate, supervisory behavior, organizational tenure, and role clarity. Implications for future research are discussed.     

Reading, spelling, and recognition of briefly exposed words and nonwords.

Four groups distinct in terms of English reading comprehension and spelling skills were identified among 141 Japanese college students: 5 good readers and spellers, 6 good readers but poor spellers, 3 poor readers but good spellers, and 4 poor readers and poor spellers. They were then tested on instantaneous recognition of words and nonwords. Analysis showed that the recognition performance was more strongly associated with spelling than with reading comprehension. Immediate memory and "sophisticated" guessing, which were associated with spelling, were considered to be critical for the recognition task, but the hypothesis that a common processing mechanism is involved in instantaneous word recognition and spelling was rejected.     

Interference effects between saccadic and key-press reaction times of volleyball players and nonathletes

To investigate the interference effect in volleyball players and nonathletes (ns=10) when they executed both saccadic and key-press reaction time (RT) tasks concurrently, the two groups responded to the onset of peripheral visual stimuli as quickly as possible in single and dual conditions. In the single condition, subjects responded with either saccadic eye or key-press movement. In the dual condition, they responded concurrently with both saccadic eye and key-press movements. In both groups, the key-press RT was longer in the dual condition than in the single condition. However, the amount of key-press RT delay was remarkably smaller for the volleyball players than for nonathletes. This suggests the motor command to initiate manual movement of volleyball players might be less interfered with by a concurrent oculomotor command to initiate saccadic eye movement when compared to that of nonathletes.     

Influence of differences of visual acuity in various visual field conditions on spectral characteristics of the center of pressure sway

This study examined the influence of visual acuity and visual field on the spectral characteristics of the center of pressure during standing. 17 men and 20 women participated in High and Low visual acuity groups. Both groups underwent center of pressure measurements under three visual field conditions: No vision: subjects were given no visual information, Central vision: they were given only central visual field information, and Full vision: they were given full visual information. To assess the spectral characteristics of center of pressure, mean power frequency and frequency of maximal power were calculated from medial-lateral and anterior-posterior center of pressure directions. The Friedman test and Scheffé pairwise comparison tests showed that frequency of maximal power was higher in the No vision than in the Central and Full vision conditions in the High visual acuity group. In conclusion, people with high visual acuity are more susceptible to visual field conditions than those with low visual acuity. It is suggested that postural control characteristics differ with visual acuity or resolution in the central visual field.     

Effects of voluntary activation on neuromuscular endurance analyzed by surface electromyography

The purpose was to examine the relation between voluntary muscle activation and neuromuscular endurance of individual subjects based on the pattern of surface electromyography (EMG). The voluntary muscle activation was estimated from the relation between voluntary force and tetanic force superimposed on the voluntary force (twitch interpolation technique). 14 male subjects (10 regular exercisers and 4 sedentary; 21-29 years old) were divided into a High Voluntary Activation group and a Low Voluntary Activation group. A significant positive correlation of .72 (p<.01) was found between maximum voluntary torque and voluntary activation. A fatigue test was conducted during isometric contractions of 60% and 20% maximum voluntary torque. The endurance time was significantly longer for the Low Voluntary Activation group than the High Voluntary Activation group. The mean power frequency of voluntary EMG obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle decreased consistently whereas the average rectified value increased. The final change of mean power frequency relative to the initial value was significantly greater in the 60% Fatigue task than in the 20% Fatigue task. For the 60% Fatigue task, the final change of mean power frequency and average rectified value relative to the initial value was significantly greater in the Low Voluntary Activation group than in the High Voluntary Activation group. These results suggest that the individual differences in voluntary activation determine the neuromuscular performance usually evaluated as maximum voluntary torque and endurance time and that the voluntary activation may depend on the daily exercise.     

Dopamine D1 receptors regulate protein synthesis-dependent long-term recognition memory via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in the prefrontal cortex

Several lines of evidence suggest that extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and dopaminergic system is involved in learning and memory. However, it remains to be determined if the dopaminergic system and ERK1/2 pathway contribute to cognitive function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The amount of phosphorylated ERK1/2 was increased in the PFC immediately after exposure to novel objects in the training session of the novel object recognition test. An inhibitor of ERK kinase impaired long-term recognition memory 24 h after the training although short-term memory tested 1 h after the training was not affected by the treatment. The dopamine D1 receptor agonist increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the PFC in vivo as well as in cortical neurons in vitro. Microinjection of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist into the PFC impaired long-term recognition memory whereas the D2 receptor antagonist had no effect. Immunohistochemistry revealed that exposure to novel objects resulted in an increase in c-Fos expression in the PFC. Microinjection of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the PFC impaired the long-term recognition memory. These results suggest that the activation of ERK1/2 following the stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors is necessary for the protein synthesis-dependent long-term retention of recognition memory in the PFC.