Girls in detail, boys in shape: gender differences when drawing cubes in depth.

The current study tested gender differences in the developmental transition from drawing cubes in two- versus three dimensions (3D), and investigated the underlying spatial abilities. Six- to nine-year-old children (N = 97) drew two occluding model cubes and solved several other spatial tasks. Girls more often unfolded the various sides of the cubes into a layout, also called diagrammatic cube drawing (object design detail). In girls, the best predictor for drawing the cubes was Mental Rotation Test (MRT) accuracy. In contrast, boys were more likely to preserve the optical appearance of the cube array. Their drawing in 3D was best predicted by MRT reaction time and the Embedded Figures Test (EFT). This confirmed boys' stronger focus on the contours of an object silhouette (object shape). It is discussed whether the two gender-specific approaches to drawing in three dimensions reflect two sides of the appearance-reality distinction in drawing, that is graphic syntax of object design features versus visual perception of projective space.

Development of auditory localization accuracy and auditory spatial discrimination in children and adolescents.

The present study investigated the development of two parameters of spatial acoustic perception in children and adolescents with normal hearing, aged 6-18 years. Auditory localization accuracy was quantified by means of a sound source identification task and auditory spatial discrimination acuity by measuring minimum audible angles (MAA). Both low- and high-frequency noise bursts were employed in the tests, thereby separately addressing auditory processing based on interaural time and intensity differences. Setup consisted of 47 loudspeakers mounted in the frontal azimuthal hemifield, ranging from 90° left to 90° right (-90°, +90°). Target signals were presented from 8 loudspeaker positions in the left and right hemifields (±4°, ±30°, ±60° and ±90°). Localization accuracy and spatial discrimination acuity showed different developmental courses. Localization accuracy remained stable from the age of 6 onwards. In contrast, MAA thresholds and interindividual variability of spatial discrimination decreased significantly with increasing age. Across all age groups, localization was most accurate and MAA thresholds were lower for frontal than for lateral sound sources, and for low-frequency compared to high-frequency noise bursts. The study also shows better performance in spatial hearing based on interaural time differences rather than on intensity differences throughout development. These findings confirm that specific aspects of central auditory processing show continuous development during childhood up to adolescence.

Habitual size and projective size: the logic of spatial systems in children's drawings.

The current study analyzed figure size modification in different types of spatial context (C. Lange-Küttner, 1997, Lange-Küttner, 2004) for sequence and practice effects. Children of 7, 9, and 11 years of age, as well as 17-year-olds, drew figures in a series of ready-made spatial axes systems, which (a) logically increased in dimensional complexity as in child development, (b) were randomized in sequence, or (c) were absent, as a control condition for figure size reduction through practice. Already 7-year-olds could subtly adapt figure size in the logical sequence, but the amount of size reduction stayed within the same size range as in the other two conditions. Only at 9 years of age did children show sensitivity to spatial constraints, with smaller figures in both the logical and random sequence than in the control condition. At 11 years of age, the spatial scale of figure size was maximized, particularly so in children who could change perspective and construct a bird's-eye view, whereas this effect was attenuated in the 17-year-olds. Implications of the results for domain-specific conceptual development are discussed.

More evidence on size modification in spatial axes systems of varying complexity.

Pictorial space can be conceptualized as aggregate space (where figures compete for limited available space) or as axial space (where space is infinite and exists independently of figures). That these two kinds of space concepts follow a developmental sequence was tested by investigating size regulation mechanisms in 7- to 12-year-old children's figure drawings. An earlier longitudinal study had shown that the more figures were drawn and the more complex the spatial axes system, the smaller the figures. Two studies confirmed that object-driven size reduction was the size regulation mechanism in younger children, whereas axes-driven size reduction was the only factor regulating figure size in 12-year-old children. Size reduction occurred in a gradual fashion in younger children, whereas size reduction was more pronounced in crossed axes systems in older children. In addition, 7-year-old children showed a dynamic and fluid interaction between internal and external task demands for size regulation.

[Long-term results after velopharyngoplasty]. / Langzeitergebnisse nach Velopharyngoplastik bei Patienten mit Spaltbildungen des Gaumens.

BACKGROUND: Children with cleft palate frequently demonstrate speech and resonance disorders following primary cleft repair. In some patients no improvement can be achieved with conservative therapy and a velopharyngoplasty (VPP) may be indicated. This study was performed to evaluate the long-term results after VPP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients were followed up on an average 9 years after VPP (mean age: 16+/-5 years). Apart from the phoniatric-pedaudiologic findings, the speech intelligibility and nasality were judged by speech pathologists and by laymen. The extent of the speech handicaps was evaluated with a questionnaire. The nasalance was measured with NasalView. The vowels, two test sentences, and three reading texts (LT(1-3)) were used as test materials. RESULTS: The phoniatric-pedaudiologic examination revealed a clear improvement of hearing, language, and speech function. Compared to the previous results, decreased nasality and improved ability in articulation were detected. The judgment of laymen was also positive. The speech intelligibility was mostly evaluated as favorable. A speech handicap was present in only a few patients. The evaluation using NasalView showed significantly increased nasalance values for the LT(2) ( p=0.030). Moreover there were lower nasalance values for all the reading texts compared to the control group (LT(1) p=0.257, LT(2) p=0.408, LT(3) p=0.187). CONCLUSION: A clear improvement can be achieved with VPP in patients with a high degree of therapy-resistant nasality. In many cases even normal colloquial language is possible. The evaluation of nasalance has proved to be successful for rating surgical outcome.

[Normal nasalance for the German language. Nasometric values for clinical use in patients with cleft lip and palate]. / Objektive Messung der Nasalanz in der deutschen Hochlautung. Ein Vergleichskollektiv zur Beurteilung funktioneller Ergebnisse bei Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumen-Spalten.

OBJECTIVE: Rhinophonia is often present in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) many years after palatoplasty. It may be caused either by organic deficits, functional disorders, or both. NasalView is known as an instrument for the objective assessment of nasalance in cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency or incompetence.However,normative values for the German language are not yet available. In order to overcome this problem, this study evaluated such norms using NasalView. METHODS: A total of 50 individuals with normal speech development were examined with NasalView. The median age was 14 years (range 11-20 years). The tone material used comprised the vowels /a:/, /e:/, /i:/, /o:/, /u:/, the sentences S(1): "Die Schokolade ist sehr lecker."("This chocolate is very tasty.") and S(2): "Nenne meine Mamma Mimmi."("Call my mummy Mimmi."), and the text passages of LT(1): "Nordwind und Sonne"("Northwind and sun"), LT(2): "Kindergeburtstag"("A child's birthday party") and LT(3): "Der grosse Gesang"("A famous song"). RESULTS: The mean nasalance for the vowels was 35.9% (+/-8.4), for S(1) (containing no nasal consonants) 24.9% (+/-5.3), and for S(2) 69.6% (+/-5.5) (with many nasal sounds). The results for the text passages were 42.1% (+/-4.2) for LT(1), 36.9% (+/-4.3) for LT(2) and 38.2% (+/-4.4) for LT(3). CONCLUSION: The norms of nasalance for the German language presented here may be useful in measuring the long-term outcome of cleft lip and palate.

[Effectiveness of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of gustatory sweating]. / Effektivität von Botulinumtoxin A in der Behandlung des gustatorischen Schwitzens.

Frey's syndrome is present in almost all patients after parotidectomy. Gustatory sweating reduces quality of life. Injections of botulinum toxin A have recently been described as effective. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of this new treatment. Nineteen patients with severe gustatory sweating following superficial parotidectomy were treated. One unit/cm2 botulinum toxin A was injected intracutaneously into the affected area once. Minor's starch iodine test was performed to prove the outcome of therapy 4 weeks later. Eight patients lost their sweating. However, another seven patients had some blue spots on their cheeks. In four patients whose sweating had extended beyond the hairline, remnants of gustatory sweating showed up. Overall, the affected area of gustatory sweating could be reduced by botulinum toxin A from an average of 31 cm2 before treatment to 4 cm2 after treatment. Although there were some remnants of sweating in a few patients, Frey's syndrome was gone in all cases. No side effects could be observed. Intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A are highly effective and safe in treatment of gustatory sweating.

[Frey syndrome after lateral parotidectomy. Follow-up and therapeutic outlook]. / Frey-Syndrom nach lateraler Parotidektomie. Nachuntersuchung und therapeutischer Ausblick.

BACKGROUND: Gustatory sweating is a common complication of parotid surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In order to evaluate the incidence of Frey's syndrome following superficial parotidectomy, 69 patients who underwent surgery due to adenoma were studied. Forty-three patients (62%) suffered from gustatory sweating following superficial parotidectomy, and 33 of them requested treatment. Nineteen patients felt that their quality of life had been decreased by the symptoms. RESULTS: Minor's starch iodine test proved that 85% of the patients who did not notice Frey's syndrome after surgery actually had a subclinical manifestation. Eight patients were successfully treated with intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A. Within 1 week gustatory sweating disappeared. CONCLUSION: Frey's syndrome is present in almost all patients following superficial parotidectomy and there is a strong need for treatment. Intracutaneous injection of botulinum toxin A is an effective treatment in severe cases of the syndrome.

Behavioural development and mental health in infancy: object retrieval.

In order to assess poor mental development, we must be aware of the normal development against which to measure up what is supposed to be delayed, deviant or malfunctioning. Experimental Child Psychology has traced parameters of the developing cognitive system of the infant which are important factors that influence the configuration of a normally balanced, or equilibrated, composition of intelligence in later life. The Developmental Neuroscience approach gives a scientific explanation to what parents might experience as unresponsiveness, lack of distress and rage control, or excessive clinging of a demanding child.

[Inhibition of angiogenesis of xenotransplanted squamous epithelial carcinomas. Effectiveness of TNP-470 in the nude mouse tumor model]. / Angiogeneseinhibition xenotransplantierter Plattenepithelkarzinome. Wirksamkeit von TNP-470 am Tumornacktmausmodell.

Clinical and histopathological results in human tumors indicate that the connection of solid tumors to the vascular system precedes the exponential tumor growth and further progression. Acknowledging the concept of tumor angiogenesis, the search for angiogenesis inhibiting agents as potential drugs in cancer treatment began rather early. In the present preclinical nude mice model, the antitumoral effect of TNP-470 on xenotransplanted squamous cell carcinoma was tested. The chosen dosage of 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg resulted in a significant growth inhibition (P = 0.006 and P = 0.01) compared to the control group. The available in vivo and in vitro data lead to the conclusion that the concept of angiogenesis inhibition will have some impact on treatment of solid tumors in the near future.

Modularity of object and place memory in children.

The present study investigated modularity of object and place memory in children with the reaction time/accuracy paradigm. The memory task was presented in two spatial arrays, a frame with landmarks and a grid. Modularity was tested using perceptual size judgment (what-interference) and movement direction judgment (where-interference). Latencies of object memory were increased by same-system what-interference in all age groups indicating limited capacity of an object memory system. With respect to accuracy of object and place memory, only young children's performance was susceptible to same-system interference of perceptual judgment.

The role of object violation in the development of visual analysis.

The present study investigated whether sensitivity to object violations in perception as well as in action would vary with age. Five-, 6-, and 11-yr.-old children and adults solved tasks which involved perception only, motoric indication of parts, actual assembly of parts, and drawing of a violated figure. In perception, object violation was the only factor showing change across age groups, with violations being increasingly noticed. In composition tasks involving motor components, object violation was just one factor besides quantity of parts and type of segmentation contributing to task difficulty and showing increase in performance across age groups. Analysis of object violations in visual structure required abilities similar to those needed when analysing shape interference. Improved visual detection and graphic construction of object violation seemed not to occur because segmentation increased quantitatively but more likely because fast perceptual processes came under scrutiny.

Change of spatial field effects in 16- to 20-week-old infants.

Infants from 16 to 20 weeks were presented with objects moving across a 60-cm distance. Tracking increased between 16 and 18 weeks, reaching increased at 18 weeks, and arm lifts (swipes) showed no age change. A right spatial field bias in tracking disappeared gradually. Swipes occurred most often in front of the object, when it was moving in the center field, presumably as reactions due to spatial proximity. Reaching occurred in the peripheral spatial fields in the younger infants, but in the older infants most often in the center spatial field. Moreover, reaching occurred generally more often toward the left spatial field and predicted the emergence of tracking the left spatial field. Thus, it appeared that a bias in reaching corrected a bias in tracking. Similar effects of limb movements, especially when reaching, were found in the successful treatment of visual neglect patients in neuropsychological research.

Pressure, velocity, and time in speeded drawing of basic graphic patterns by young children.

Bender Gestalt cards of Pascal and Suttel, simplified by the author, and basic graphic patterns used in neuropsychological assessment by Mai and Marquardt were used in a speeded copying task. Children between 4 and 6 years were drawing with a wireless pen on a pressure-sensitive graphic tablet linked to a computer. Hand pressure, velocity of hand movements, drawing time and penlifts were measured by a CS handwriting analyses software package. Planned comparisons were carried out between developmentally earlier emerging graphic forms and patterns that are mastered later in development. It was shown that for 6-yr.-olds pressure was increased which might indicate a generally higher tension when drawing. Specifically, angular forms were copied with more pressure, but needed less drawing time than round forms. Moreover, children needed more time for penlifts to adjust for a starting point that changed from left to right when drawing vertical lines than horizontal ones. Reduced speed of drawing was more important when copying open forms than closed shapes. In denotation of spatial position no differences were found. It is concluded that the analysis of psychophysical measures of drawing gives important clues about the specific problems produced by relatively basic graphic patterns.

Development of size modification of human figure drawings in spatial axes systems of varying complexity.

In the present study, intraindividual development of the ability to modify the size of the human figure drawing was investigated. In a longitudinal data set with repeated measurement at ages 7, 9, and 12 it was shown that size was reduced between 7 and 9 years. Three factors were found to be responsible for size variation of the human figure drawing: The larger the figure initially, the more complex the level of the spatial axes system and the more persons in the picture, the greater size reduction.