Proofreading Test Research Articles

Исследование эффективности теста ATTON в диагностике нарушения внимания у детей 5—7 лет

<p>This article describes the study of attention concentration in children using a new method — the ATTON test for the first time. The duration of the test, the response rate, the number of errors and correct answers in the main (106 children) and control (108 children) groups were measured. The authors identified differences in the groups in test duration, response rate, number of errors and correctly completed tasks at the significance level α<0.001. And also presented normative indicators of test duration, response rate, number of erroneous and correct answers for children aged 5, 6 and 7 years. The relationship between the duration of the test, the number of errors and correct answers of the ATTON test with the scores of the proof-reading test "Encryption", as well as with a non-verbal intellectual indicator, was revealed. The retest reliability was determined at the level of r=0.757 at p<0.001. The Cronbach's alpha value for the test was 0.973.</p>

The development of students' attention at football training

The purpose of the study was to examine the specific features of the development of selectivity, concentration and attention steadiness of students in physical education classes. The research involved 60 students (men aged 18-20). The control group consisted of 30 students (15 each) from the faculties of «Technical Cybernetics» and «Mechanical Science» who did not play sports at the university (assigned to the main or preparatory medical groups for health reasons) and attended physical education classes (4 hours per week) in the study groups of the main department for two years. The experimental group was also made up of 30 students of the faculties of «Technical Cybernetics» and «Mechanical Science» (15 each), who were assigned to the main medical group for health reasons and had been playing football at the university (4 hours per week) in the study groups of the sports department for 2 years. Diagnostics of students' selectivity of attention were carried out with the help of the Munsterberg test. Concentration and steadiness were diagnosed with the use of the Bourdon's proofreading test (the task was performed within 10 minutes). All the data were statistically processed via the Mann-Whitney U-test.

FITNESS TOOLS IN THE REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES OF BASKETBALL PLAYERS AT THE TRAINING STAGE OF PREPARATION

Relevance. Basketball is a traumatic sport, and it is second only to martial arts (such as boxing and taekwondo) in terms of the number of injuries. As a rule, external factors of sports injuries are not always controllable, but internal factors canbe minimized even at the initial stages of training with the help of specially organized recovery programs. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account both the morphological and functional features of adolescents, as well as physi-ological processes, as well as psychological characteristics that can provoke sports injuries. The purpose of the study: to determine the eff ectiveness of the experimental methodology of the integrated use of fi tness tools in the reco very and prevention of injuries of female basketball players aged 13–15 years. Materials and research methods. The study in-volved 2 groups of basketball players aged 13–15 years. In the experimental group, fi tness tools were used in recovery activities, the control group was engaged in a traditional program. At the beginning and at the end of the study, the re-spondents recorded the peculiarities of the course of mental processes and technical profi ciency. Results. The introduc-tion of an experimental program of injury recovery and prevention based on fi tness technologies for basketball players aged 13–15 years allowed us to achieve the following changes at the fi nal stage of the study: in the experimental group, the indicators of technical profi ciency are statistically signifi cantly higher (the number of shots in motion, the number of hits in the “free throws” standard, the time of the shuttle run with the ball). In addition, diff erences were found in the rate of mental processes (the number of errors in the “Proof-reading test”, the speed of reaction to a moving object in the “Ruler” test, the results of the tapping test of the left hand, the coeffi cient of functional asymmetry). Conclusions. A signifi cant number of relationships between the indicators of technical profi ciency and mental processes allow us to conclude that the formation of “functional supports”, which are a sign of eff ective recovery and helps to reduce the prob-ability of injury from internal factors.

Age-dependent associations of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases with the state of cognitive functions

The aim of the study was to provide a population assessment of cognitive impairment patterns in a representative sample of 25–44 year old men and women living in Western Siberia with metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of the study is to study the features of the interrelationships of conventional and nonconventional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (RF CVD), molecular genetic markers with the state of cognitive functions (CF), objective–subjective index of CF in an open population in persons aged 14–17, 25–44 years (Novosibirsk).Material and methods: A singlestage population survey of a random representative sample of 25–44 year olds of both sexes (1503 people) permanently residing in Western Siberia (Novosibirsk) was performed. The study of the state of cognitive functions was conducted in 1009 people: 463 men (45.9 %) and 546 women (54.1 %). The object of the study was random representative samples of the population of Novosibirsk, formed during the screenings of the NIITPM branch of the ICIG SB RAS. The paper uses materials from a one-stage population survey of adolescents (screenings 2009–2010 and 2019) and persons aged 25–44 years (screening 2013–2016). According to the methods standardized during the screening, the following were performed: a 10-word memorization test, a proof-reading test, and a concept exclusion test. Anthropometric measurements were carried out. Determination of the levels of lipid fractions was carried out according to standardized methods. Genotyping of rs2464196 HNF1A and rs11212617 ATM was carried out using real-time PCR.Results. In the examined samples of Novosibirsk residents aged 14–17 and 25–44 years, statistically significant negative associations of RF CVD with neurodynamic CF were observed. Proatherogenic conventional RF CVD had a negative impact on attention and thinking patterns (among the most significant were the content of total cholesterol (odds ratio (OR) 0.996; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 0.993–1,000; p = 0.043), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 0.994; 95 % CI 0.990–0.998; p = 0.002)). The factors reducing the risk of deterioration of CF in 25–44 year olds were the presence of higher education (OR 2,350; 95 % CI 1,442–3,828; p = 0.001), female (OR 2,068; 95 % CI 1,552–2,754; p < 0.0001). In the cohort analysis, it was revealed that the studied conventional RF CVD undergo statistically significant changes in the direction of their increase during adulthood over the past 5 years (p < 0.05). It was shown that metabolic syndrome (MS) occurred in every fourth person tested for CF (26.06 %), while the values of cognitive tests were higher in people without MS compared to those who were diagnosed with MS (p < 0,05). Smoking had a negative effect on the memory pattern, causing a deterioration in the memorization of words (OR 1,071; 95 % CI 1,012–1,133); (p = 0.017). The deterioration of memory, attention and thinking patterns in the presence of workplace stress and low professional status, – important unconventional RF CVD, – has been established (p < 0.05)).Conclusion. In the open population of adolescents and young people (25–44 years old), a statistically significant deterioration of cognitive patterns was found in the presence of the studied conventional and non-conventional RF CVD.

Neurophysiological status of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. The reduction of the risk of stroke in patients with AF is achieved with the help of continuous administration of oral anticoagulants (OAC). The presence of cognitive impairment in a patient may be a significant risk factor for low adherence to antithrombotic therapy, therefore, the medico-social significance of impaired cognitive functions in patients with AF is high. At the same time, it is still unclear which neurophysiological mechanisms and areas of the brain are responsible for the development of cognitive disorders in this pathology. Thus, further studies are needed to assess the state of higher cortical functions in patients with AF. Materials and methods The study included 50 patients with nonvalvular AF and a high risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic events, with a risk of thromboembolic complications on the CHA2DS2-VASc scale of at least 2 points and a risk of bleeding on the HAS-BLED scale of at least 3 points. The control group consisted of 17 relatively healthy individuals. Research results The analysis of indicators of extended neuropsychological testing made it possible to establish that, compared with healthy individuals of the same age, patients with AF perform worse on tests of neurodynamics, attention and short-term memory, Table. Patients with AF have a lower rate of complex sensorimotor reactions, a greater number of errors, especially in tests with biofeedback (brain performance test). Also, patients with AF have worse performance indicators and higher focused attention depletion (characterized by the number of characters processed in the 1st and 4th minutes of the proofreading test, respectively). As for the indicators of short-term memory, healthy subjects were superior to patients with AF in memorizing meaningless syllables and words, but not numbers. The power indicators of the theta EEG rhythms at rest with eyes closed were taken. The factors were identified - GROUP (2 levels: patients with AF; healthy individuals), AREA (5 levels: (frontal, central, temporal, parietal, occipital) and LATERALITY (2 levels: left, right hemisphere). In patients with cardiac arrhythmias, the increase in the power of the theta-2 rhythm biopotentials in the direction from the anterior to the posterior cortex is significantly pronounced (p = 0.000001), while in healthy individuals the gradient curve is flatter (p = 0.009). Conclusions It was found that about half of the examined AF patients have syndrome mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The most significant cognitive decline in these patients compared with relatively healthy individuals was noted for the speed of sensorimotor response, performance control indicators, and short-term memory, while decreased cognitive test scores were associated with a greater representation of slow waves in the resting EEG, mainly in the posterior regions of the cerebral cortex.

Tobacco smoking and cognitive functionioning in adolescents: a population study

Highlights. A population-based study of a representative sample of Siberian adolescents revealed for the first time quantitative changes in memory and attention patterns associated with smoking, depending on gender. At the time of the survey of adolescents, the average number of mistakes made in the test with memorization of 10 words was higher in comparison with non-smokers.Background. The literature data on the association of cognitive impairment with smoking status, which is a conventional risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, in adolescence in an open population remains controversial.Aim. To examine the effect of smoking on certain cognitive functions indicators in adolescents in the open population of the Novosibirsk region.Methods. Cognitive functions were studied in 549 adolescents (231 boys (42.1%) and 318 girls (57.9%), mean age - 15.66±0.9 years). The smoking questionnaire in this group was completed by 332 participants. Cognitive functions were assessed using a proofreading test, a Luria test with memorization of 10 words, and a concept exclusion test. Smoking was assessed based on a questionnaire survey. An adolescent, who smoked at least 1 cigarette per week was considered a regular smoker. Descriptive statistics methods and analysis of contingency tables were performed in the statistical package “R” for Windows.Results. Among adolescents who smoked at the time of the examination (n = 67), the average number of mistakes in the test with memorization of 10 words was higher (2.21±1.04 words), compared with 1.88±1.05 words in the non-smoking group (n = 265). At the same time, there were no statistically significant differences in this cognitive indicator between male smokers and nonsmokers, while differences between female smokers and nonsmokers remained.Conclusion. In adolescents who smoke, direct memorization of the presented stimulus material is predominantly affected. This is due to the worst assimilation of educational materials by adolescent smokers.

Cognitive functions of young Novosibirsk residents and metabolic syndrome

The aim of the study was to provide a population assessment of cognitive impairment patterns in a representative sample of 25–44-year-old men and women living in Western Siberia with metabolic syndrome (MS). Material and methods. A cross-sectional population survey of a random representative sample of 25–44-year-olds of both sexes (1503 people) permanently residing in Western Siberia (Novosibirsk) was performed. The study of cognitive functions was conducted in 1009 people: 463 men (45.9 %) and 546 women (54.1 %). A 10-word memorization test was performed according to the methodology proposed by A.R. Luria (unified for screening purposes), with subsequent reproduction after interfering tasks (recall), a proof-reading test (a letter modification of the Bourdon test used for screening purposes), as well as the exclusion of concepts (a verbal version of the test). The MS criteria (VNOK, 2009) were used: FROM > 80 cm in women and > 94 cm in men and 2 of the following criteria: blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg, TG content ≥ 1.7 mmol/L, HDL-C < 1.0 mmol/L in men and < 1.2 mmol/L in women, LDL-C > 3.0 mmol/L, plasma hyperglycemia > 6.1 mmol/L. Results. In the surveyed sample of residents of In Novosibirsk, 25–44 years old, MS occurred in every fourth person tested for cognitive functions (26.06 %): 148 men (31.96 %) and 115 women (21.06 %), MS occurred more often in women than in men. With age, there is an increase in the frequency of MS in both sexes (p < 0.05). For MS, statistically significant associations are shown with direct memorization (1st memorization experience, p = 0.025), the number of directly memorized words (p = 0.015) and with delayed reproduction of words after an interfering task (p = 0.015) in the 10-word memorization test by A.R. Luria. The average rank, as well as the average values of these cognitive tests, were higher in individuals without MS compared to those with MS diagnosed. There were no links between MS and the indicators of the proofreading test. There were also no statistically significant associations of MS with the number of animals named in 1 min in the speech activity test when studying semantically mediated associations. Conclusion. In a population study of young people (25–44 years old) for the first time in Russia/A statistically significant deterioration of cognitive memory patterns in individuals with MS components has been proven in Siberia (Novosibirsk). This confirms the importance of the «cerebrovascular continuum» in the genesis of cognitive impairment at a young age.

Secondary neurological outcomes in patients with brachiocephalic and coronary artery disease in the early postoperative period after simultaneous and hybrid surgical treatment

Aim. To compare secondary neurological outcomes in patients with brachiocephalic and coronary artery disease in the early postoperative period after different surgical treatment strategies (simultaneous and hybrid).Methods. Secondary neurological outcomes were evaluated in 43 patients with coronary and brachiocephalic artery disease in the early postoperative period after (1) carotid endarterectomy and on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery; (2) percutaneous coronary intervention and carotid endarterectomy. Demographic, clinical, instrumental data were collected. Neuropsychological assessment was performed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and Frontal Assessment Battery. Memory, attention and neurodynamics were measured using the “Status-PF” software at days 2–3 before the surgery and at days 5–7 after it. The presence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction was estimated on the basis of criteria defined as a 20% decline on 20% of the tests. Statistical analysis was performed using the software package “Statistica 10.0”.Results. Patients who underwent hybrid intervention demonstrated improved attention and memory in the early postoperative period. Complex visual-motor reaction significantly increased in patients after simultaneous surgery. Attention differed significantly in both groups. Thus, patients from the hybrid group processed more characters per 1 and 4 minutes while completing the Bourdon proof reading test. The total number of processed characters prevailed in the hybrid group. Cognitive processing speed was higher in the hybrid group according to the brain performance test. The incidence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction was 60% in patients after simultaneous surgery and 11% in patients after hybrid surgery (p = 0.006, OR±SE 12.5±3.2).Conclusion. Hybrid intervention has shown its superiority over simultaneous intervention in terms of low rate of early cognitive impairment, thereby confirming the necessity to take into account the obtained results while selecting the optimal surgical treatment in patients with coronary and brachiocephalic artery disease present with cognitive deficits at baseline.

Розумова працездатність у різні вікові періоди залежно від режиму рухової активності

Much attention is paid to the problem of mental retardation during aging, as well as under the influence of factors that determine this aging. As for the study of age patterns of changes in mental and physical performance, such studies are isolated and do not take into account previous motor experience. The importance of addressing this issue is beyond doubt because only the maintenance of a high level of mental and physical performance is a necessary condition for active and creative longevity. The aim of the study. Study of age dynamics of mental working capacity at different modes of daily motor activity. Research methods. A survey of 128 healthy men aged 40-79 years with different usual modes of daily physical activity, who have different motor experience – from a master of sports to people who have never been engaged in physical culture. Subjects were divided into 4 groups, each of which was ranked by age at ten-year intervals. Mental performance was assessed by the indicators of the proofreading test. Results of the research. Analysis of the dynamics of information processing speed in adulthood and old age showed that individuals with a high level of daily physical activity until late periods of ontogenesis had a probable advantage in mental performance compared to their peers who lead a sedentary lifestyle. In this case, a significant impact on the dynamics of mental performance was shown by the previous sports activities of the individual. Conclusions. Individuals with a high level of daily physical activity have an advantage in the values of attention, intensity and speed of information processing compared to their peers who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Athletes who have maintained a high mode of physical activity have a likely advantage in mental capacity up to 70 years of age.

Early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy

Abstract Purpose To assess cognitive status after simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and carotid endarterectomy (CEE). Material & methods. Changes in cognitive status and the incidence of POCD were evaluated in the early postoperative period after simultaneous CABG and CEE. 53 patients with polyvascular disease (PolyVD) undergoing CABG and CEE were included in the study. Patients were assigned to two groups. 25 patients without mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the mean age of 64.3±7.9 years, were included in Group 1 and 28 patients with MCI, the mean age of 65.3±6.75 years, were included in Group 2. Neuropsychological testing was performed on days 2 before surgery and on days 7 after surgery using the psycho-physiological testing software “Status PF”. Attention was assessed with the Bourdon's test or proofreading test. Memory was estimated with the 10 numbers memorizing test, 10 words memorizing test, and 10 syllables memorizing test. The assessment of neurodynamics included the measurement of the complex visual-motor reaction time (VMRT), brain performance (BP), and functional mobility of the nervous processes (FMNP). The presence of POCD was estimated as a 20% decline on 20% of the tests. A reference range for neuropsychological indicators (13 indicators of the test battery) was set at the intervals corresponding to the ranges between the quartiles [Q25; Q75] in healthy people. Thus, cognitive status scale includes low cognitive status with the values ranging from 0 to 0.34, below the average - from 0.35 to 0.51, the average - from 0.52 to 0.7, and high cognitive status >0.7 to 1.0. Early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) was diagnosed as a 20% decline in memory, attention, and neurodynamics from the baseline on 20% of the tests passed. Statistical analysis was performed using the “Advanced” software package. Results At baseline, cognitive status in patients without MCI was below the average (0.38±0.2), whereas in MCI patients it was lower by 32% and corresponded to low (0.26±0.1; p=0.03). Cognitive status did not differ significantly between both groups in the postoperative period, but a trend towards its decrease was determined (0.34±0.2 vs. 0.27±0.13, p>0.5). However, the incidence of early POCD in patients without MCI was 14 (56%), and in patients with MCI - 20 (71%) patients. Conclusion At baseline, patients with PolyVD, regardless of the presence of MCI, according to the results of the comprehensive examination, showed low and below the average cognitive status. Simultaneous CABG and CEE does not prevent the deterioration of cognitive functions in patients with PolyVD in the early postoperative period. Patients with PolyVD undergoing myocardial and brain revascularization have a high risk of worsening cognitive disorders and need to individual approach to make a reasonable choice of the optimal surgical strategy. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Institute

Hygienic substantiation of the daily regimen and weekly dynamics of the working capacity of middle-level students

The article presents the results of a study of the daily and weekly dynamics of the level of mental performance of studentsmiddle classes. Aim: creation of scientifically based recommendations for improving the daily routine of middle-level students. Mental performance was determined by the method of lesson timing and by the method of proofreading (according to the tables of V. Ya. Anfimov). Analysis of the dynamics of students' mental performance the middle level showed that the maximum efficiency was revealed on Wednesday, by Friday there is a sharp decrease in efficiency, which leads to an increase in the degree of student fatigue. In the first three days of the week, mental performance in most students develops in a favorable manner. At the same time, the introduction of dynamic pauses into the school routine of the day has a positive effect on the preservation of mental performance in schoolchildren. The data obtained from the results of the proofreading test allow us to conclude that the period of stable performance falls on only Tuesday and Wednesday, from Thursday working capacity is low, and by Friday fatigue develops after the first lesson.

Features of formation of the functional state of the central nervous system and cognitive abilities in children and adolescents of the school age

Objective: The objective is to determine the features of formation of the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS) and cognitive abilities in children and adolescents of the school age.Methods: The study included 300 school children of general education institution of Orenburg. Functional state of CNS was evaluated with variational chronoreflexometry. Cognitive availabilities have been studied with proof-reading test, Landolt ring.Results: From 7–11 y.o. to 16–17 y.o., there was an increase by 1.5 times in parameters of CNS functional state. Students aged from 7–11 y.o. by 12–15 y.o. demonstrated decrease in processing speed by 1.5 times due to increase of cognitive activity to 1.8 times. From 12–15 y.o. by 16–17 y.o., on the contrary, there was an increase of information processing speed by 1.3 times and decrease of cognitive activity by 2.9 times.Conclusions: The detected features of formation of CNS functional state and cognitive abilities in children and adolescents can be taken into account in when organizing personality-oriented training in educational institutions in order to maintain and increase the level of mental performance and academic performance of students.

Исследование переходных процессов сердечного ритма на плоскости комплексных частот у детей школьного возраста при выполнении корректурной пробы

Introduction. The method of processing experimental data obtained in the form of a timevarying non-stationary signal is described. In the experimental study of transients associated with changes in the heart rate of schoolchildren during a proof-reading test, it became necessary to develop a new effective method for processing the results of dynamic measurements. Purpose of the study. Consider the main points of this methodology, which is based on the Prony method, and the possibility of its use in the field of studies of changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in response to various functional test influences. Materials and methods. Traditional approaches related to the calculation of power spectral density (PSD) and based on classical spectral methods are currently very widespread. The model of constant rhythm is not applicable for non-stationary dependencies of HRV. For spectral analysis of time dependences of HRV reflecting transient processes (nonstationary processes) it is proposed to apply spectral analysis on the plane of complex frequencies (PCF). PCF is a generalization of the usual spectrum. The calculation of the PCF is based on the Prony procedure, based on parametric modeling. Results. PCF reflects the frequency structure of oscillations of unsteady physiological signals, therefore, can be used to classify them. It is shown that the use of spectral analysis on the plane of complex frequencies for transient processes of the heart rhythm makes it possible (according to the parameters of the PCF) to calculate, for diagnostic purposes, the numerical values of the parameters characterizing the reactions of various regulatory mechanisms of the heart rhythm in response to various functional test influences. Conclusion. The best results, as compared with the methods of classical spectral analysis, for the analysis of transients in the form of a HRV signal were given by approaches based on the use of spectral analysis on the plane of complex frequencies.

Team Approach to Diagnostic and Correction of Learning Problems in a Public Primary School

The paper presents an analysis of opportunities of a team approach in support of primary school pupils with learning difficulties and maladjustment. It describes the possibilities of neuropsychological approach in conjunction with the team method of work. The authors introduced stages of the diagnostic and remedial process, taking into account the specific features of public primary school. The research objective was to analyze opportunities of team method in a primary school, based on the neuropsychological approach. The diagnostic and remedial process has four stages. For the diagnosis, the authors used age-adapted individual and group neuropsychological assessment of children using Luria's battery, with quantitative evaluation of data, as well as a modified method of "proof-reading test" and Gestalt test by Bender. The authors proposed a multi-stage diagnostic method, adapted to conditions of the public primary school. The results of diagnosis revealed the structure of cognitive disturbances in children. The paper focuses on the application possibilities of the team method, based on the neuropsychological approach in primary school, as well as on the opportunities for schools to support children "at risk".

EEG Correlation of the Influence of Endogenous and Exogenous Factors on Mental Work Capacity in Students

The study was aimed at investigating the influence of endogenous (properties of the nervous system, extra/introversion, the level of neuroticism) and exogenous (air temperature, atmospheric pressure, time of day, solar activity) factors on the initial bioelectric activity of the brain and mental capacity of students. The study included 342 healthy subjects of both sexes aged 20–21 years. First EEG was recorded and then the students performed a 3-min proof-reading test. Individual characteristics were assessed on the following day. Mental performance was assessed by Anfimov’s alphabetic tables. Individual characteristics were determined using Eysenck’s and Strelyau’s personality inventories. The functional state was assessed by EEG records from 21 leads unipolarly according to the International 10–20 System in the sitting position. Reference electrodes were fixed on earlobes. It was found that unfavorable factors of external environment led to a decrease in mental task performance with a more pronounced Δ rhythm. Different aspects of mental task performance were determined by different individual typological features of the students: the volume and speed of work were correlated positively with the level of introversion and mobility of nervous processes and negatively with the strength of inhibition. The accuracy of work was correlated positively with the level of extraversion and the balance of nervous processes and negatively with the level of neuroticism. The functional state of the brain, which exerts a positive effect on mental task performance, was associated primarily with α rhythm pacemakers.

Characteristics of the Pharmacological Regulation of Functional States in Elderly Adults

Introduction. This paper reports a study of characteristics of pharmacological regulation of functional states in elderly adults by means of psycho-relaxation and aromatherapy sessions of various durations with the use of catnip oil. The assessment of functional states was carried out through the analysis of the main parameters of cardiovascular system and subjective estimates of respondents’ health, activity, and mood. This is the first study on the pharmacological effects of catnip essential oil on elderly adults’ functional states, depending on the diffusion duration (10, 20, and 30 minutes), monitored by psycho-relaxation recording.
 Methods. The study used the following techniques: (a) recording of cardiovascular parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, minute blood volume, heart stroke volume, cardiac index, blood circulation index); (b) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); (c) the Technique for Measuring the Speed of Thought; (d) the Proofreading Test (modified version); (e) Ivanov-Smolensky proofreading tables; and (f) self-assessment diagnostic technique by Dembo-Rubinstein (modified by A. M. Prikhozhan).
 The study participants were 324 adults aged 50–90 years, including 94 hypertensive respondents who were registered at social services centers for elderly and disabled citizens in Yalta and Simferopol (the Republic of Crimea).
 Results. The study results show that a 10- or 20-minute non-invasive pharmacological exposure to aromatherapy with the use of catnip oil can positively affect psychophysiological and psychoemotional states and mental working capacity in elderly adults.
 Discussion. The data obtained indicate that aroma-relaxation treatment with the use of catnip essential oil positively affects functional states in elderly adults, reduces anxiety symptoms, and decreases pulse and systolic blood pressure.
 Highlights
 
 Pharmacological exposure to catnip essential oil (EO) combined with the psycho-relaxation and aromatherapy treatment can positively affect psychophysiological and psychoemotional states and mental working capacity in elderly adults.
 Inhaling catnip essential oil (1 mg/m3) for 10 and 20 minutes reduces situational anxiety. A 30-minute aromatherapy session with the use of catnip essential oil increases the speed of thought. Inhaling catnip essential oil for 10, 20, and 30 minutes increases mental working capacity and subjective self-rating of the overall respondents’ condition, health, mood, vitality, and attention.
 Aroma-relaxation treatment with catnip essential oil has a pronounced impact on basic parameters of cardiovascular system in hypertensive elderly adults.

Visual Fatigue and Performances for the 40-min Mixed Visual Work with a Projected Screen

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the visual angle and ambient illumination effects on visual fatigue and performances while viewing from a projected screen for 40 minutes. Methods: Visual angle (16, 24 and 48 min arc of Chinese character height) and ambient illumination (200 and 750 lux) were the independent variables in this study. Change in critical flicker frequency (c_CFF), subjective visual fatigue, proofreading accuracy, and film-watching performance in the experimental trials were obtained from 30 young adults. Each experimental trial took 40 minutes, including a 10-min proofreading test and a 30-min film watching task. Results: Visual angle had a significant effect on proofreading accuracy. An increased proofreading accuracy tendency was found with increasing visual angle. Higher ambient illumination (750 lux) had a positive effect on c_CFF. A significantly higher film-watching performance was also found at the higher ambient illumination (750 lux) compared to that of the lower one (200 lux). Conclusion: We suggest that (a) the ambient illumination should be controlled at about 750 lux for better audiences' attention and visual comfort; (b) a greater visual angle (24 ~ 48 min arc of character height) is more suitable for Chinese text-reading on a projected screen as compared with 16 min arc; and (c) if the visual tasks with a projected screen mostly contain video and voice, the visual angle of character height will have little effect on performance.

Electronic paper display preferred viewing distance and character size for different age groups

This study explores the preferred viewing distance and character size for an electronic paper display for three age groups. Proofreading speed and accuracy ratio were measured during Chinese proofreading tests using the preferred character size and minimum acceptable character size. Data analysis showed that the mean preferred viewing distance for young, middle-aged and older groups was 503, 455 and 444 mm, respectively. The mean preferred character size determined by young, middle-aged and older groups was 42.0, 50.0 and 55.2 min arc, respectively. The proofreading test results indicated that the older group proofread significantly more slowly (1.25word/sec) than the young (1.76 word/sec) and middle-aged groups (1.74 word/sec). Further, the participants proofread more correctly with their preferred character size (73.3%) than with their minimum acceptable character size (65.4%). This study provides valuable information for the design of Chinese text presentations for various agegroups. Statement of Relevance: This study confirmed the preferred viewing distance and character size for E-paper display were influenced by age. The preferred Chinese character size for young, middle-aged and older people was 42, 50 and 55 min arc, respectively. Therefore, the age factor should be considered for E-paper displays design and video display terminal (VDT) guidelines.

“Correct” Usages — Views of Australian Teachers and Students

This paper reports the findings of a survey of the acceptability of 28 debatable English usages, which figure prominently in Australian usage guides and whose acceptability and propriety are open to debate. Data were collected from Australian teachers and students via several elicitation methods: a judgement test, a slot-filling test and a proofreading test. Respondents’ acceptability judgements were found to be dependent on a number of sociolinguistic variables. Informants who were older (in this case, English language teachers) were less ready to accept non-traditional usages than younger informants (students), as were students studying in selective schools compared to those studying in non-selective schools. Prescribed traditional usages were noted to be more readily accepted in formal than informal styles. It is hoped that through this study language teachers will more openly embrace developments in contemporary corpus-based descriptive linguistics rather than encouraging their students to defend shibboleths.

Personality, intelligence and proof-reading

Two studies sought to determine personality and cognitive ability correlates of proof-reading. In both studies candidates were given 5 min to identify up to 55 errors in a 920 word, two page document. In Study 1, which tested 240 school children, fluid intelligence (as measured by the Baddeley Reasoning Test) was the highest correlate of proof-reading ( r = .30). Eleven percent of the variance in total attempted scores was accounted for by intelligence, Introversion and low Conscientiousness. In the second study 70 undergraduates completed the same proof-reading test along with two intelligence tests (Baddeley Reasoning Test; Wonderlic Personnel Test) and a more robust personality measure (NEO-FFI). Proof-reading was correlated with both intelligence tests (Baddeley r = .45; Wonderlic r = .40). More of the variance was accounted for in the total attempted-score of errors than for a correct errors-detected score. When the two intelligence and five personality trait scores were regressed on to the proof-reading test score over a quarter of the variance (Adj R 2 = .28) was accounted for, but only the Baddeley test was a significant predictor (Beta = .39).