Visual attention modulates signal detectability.

The mechanism by which visual–spatial attention affects the detection of faint signals has been the subject of considerable debate. It is well known that spatial cuing speeds signal detection. This may imply that attentional cuing modulates the processing of sensory information during detection or, alternatively, that cuing acts to create decision bias favoring input at the cued location. These possibilities were evaluated in 3 spatial cuing experiments, with a total of 22 university students. Peripheral cues were used in Exp 1, and central cues were used in Exps 2 and 3. Cuing similarly enhanced measured sensitivity, P(A) and d′, for simple luminance detection in all 3 experiments. Under some conditions it also induced shifts in decision criteria (beta). These findings indicate that visual–spatial attention facilitates the processing of sensory input during detection either by increasing sensory gain for inputs at cued locations or by prioritizing the processing of cued inputs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The variations of ascorbic acid content in vegetable processing

The variations of ascorbic acid in fresh and canned vegetables were studied in an attempt to correlate variability due to the variety, grower, size of the product and the effect of each processing operation in a commercial operation, which would result in a guide for better control of nutrients and nutritional labelling. It was found that variations in ascorbic acid content due to the variety, grower and size of product were dependent upon individual crop. However, in most cases, the heating processes such as blanching and retorting had a significant detrimental effect on the ascorbic acid content in all crops studied.     

Neutron depth profiling technique for studying aging in Li-ion batteries

During operation of a Li-ion cell, lithium diffuses in and out of the solid phase anode and cathode. Measuring the lithium concentration within the electrodes of the cell over its operational life could provide key information for understanding the loss of active lithium and the associated aging mechanisms. Concentration profiles of lithium in a cell are difficult to measure with traditional spectroscopic techniques. Here, neutron depth profiling was used to measure lithium near-surface concentration profiles along the anode and cathode strips in off-the-shelf cylindrical Li-ion batteries as a function of the aging process. A buildup of the surface concentration of lithium was found in graphite anode as well as a general decrease in the intercalation efficiency in lithium iron phosphate cathode material with aging.     

Severe malnutrition with and without HIV-1 infection in hospitalised children in Kampala, Uganda: differences in clinical features, haematological findings and CD4+ cell counts

Background  

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features, haematological findings and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell counts of severely malnourished children in relation to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.     

Illinois School of Professional Psychology predoctoral minor in sexual abuse.

This article describes a predoctoral minor in sexual abuse designed to prepare psychologists to work with maltreated populations including child and adult victims, offenders, and abusive family systems. This program aims to help students develop clinical competence in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutic intervention, forensic issues, research, and program development. The considerations involved in designing the curriculum course content, clinical practicum and internship, and clinical research project are described. Additionally, issues confronted in developing this program are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

EUZONE: simulating the evolution of aquatic ecosystems

In the spirit of contemporary artificial life research, EUZONE provides a virtual laboratory for the emergence of complex ecosystems from simple primitives. However, whereas most alife systems abstract away many real-world environmental constraints, EUZONE employs detailed physical and chemical models in combination with evolutionary algorithms to support the emergence of carbon-based aquatic ecosystems. With an emphasis on plankton-like organisms, this research focuses upon the self-organization and evolution of (a) lower levels of aquatic food webs, (b) Gaian interactions between primitive organisms and their physical environments, and (c) species interactions governed by varying life-history strategies.