The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 2 modes of exercise on cognitive and upper extremity movement functioning in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Nine participants randomly completed 3 interventions over 3 consecutive weeks. The interventions were: (a) voluntary cycling (VC), in which participants cycled at their self-selected pedaling rate; (b) assisted cycling (AC), in which the participants' voluntary pedaling rates were augmented with a motor to ensure the maintenance of 80 rpm; and (c) no cycling (NC), in which the participants sat and listened to music. Manual dexterity improved after AC, but not after VC or NC. Measures of cognitive function, including reaction time and cognitive planning, also improved after AC, but not after the other interventions. Future research will try to uncover the mechanisms involved in the behavioral improvements found after an acute bout of assisted cycling in adolescents with DS.

It is speculated that AE stimulated more peripheral sensory input to the motor cortex and neurotransmitters than the other interventions. In addition, the involvement of music may enhance spatial intelligence during VEM. Even though the exact mechanisms are still unknown, the implication of our results showed that AE and VEM can improve fine manual dexterity in persons with DS.

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5‐(Fluorodinitromethyl)‐and 5‐(trinitromethyl)tetrazoles were synthesized in the reactions of fluorodinitroacetonitrile with sodium azide, and trinitroacetonitrile with trimethylsilyl azide, respectively, and characterized as their ammonium salts.

Reduction of tigogenin (la) and deoxytigogenin (lb) with lithium aluminum deuteride-aluminum chloride was shown to involve incorporation of hydride at the 22 position by an intermolecular mechanism. A possible alternative involving an intramolecular hydride shift from the 26 position was excluded. Position of the deuterium label was conclusively shown by pmr measurements and by chemical methods. An attempt to employ mass spectral evidence for assigning the deuterium position led to the observation of a rare seven-center transition state in an electron impact fragmentation sequence.