Effect of global structure and temporal organization on chord processing.

This study further explores the effect of global context on chord processing reported by E. Bigand and M. Pineau (1997). Expectations of a target chord were varied by manipulating the preliminary harmonic context while holding constant the chord(s) prior to the target. In Experiment 1, previously observed priming effects were replicated with an on-line paradigm. Experiment 2 was an attempt to identify the point in chord sequences that is responsible for the occurrence of the priming effect. In Experiment 3, Bigand and Pineau's findings were extended to wider harmonic contexts (i.e., defined at three hierarchical levels), and new evidence was provided that chord processing also depends on the temporal organization of the musical sequence. Neural net simulations globally support J. J. Bharucha's (1987, 1994) view that priming effects result from activations spreading via a schematic knowledge of Western harmony. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-term effects of rainforest disturbance on the nutrient composition of throughfall, organic layer percolate and soil solution at Mt. Kilimanjaro

At the lower parts of the forest belt at Mt. Kilimanjaro, selective logging has led to a mosaic of mature forest, old secondary forests ( approximately 60 years), and old clearings ( approximately 10 years) covered by shrub vegetation. These variations in the vegetation are reflected by differences in nutrient leaching from the canopy and in both amount and quality of litter reaching the ground, thereby also influencing mineralization rates and the composition of seepage water in litter percolate and soil solution. The aim of this study was to investigate how above- and belowground nutrient dynamics vary between regeneration stages, and if forest regeneration at the clearings is hampered by a deterioration of abiotic site conditions. K, Mg, Ca, Na and N compounds were analysed in rainfall, throughfall, organic layer percolate and the soil solution to a depth of 1.00 m at three clearings, three secondary forest and four mature forest sites. Element fluxes via throughfall showed only small variations among regeneration stages except for K and NO(3)-N. With 57-83 kg ha(-1) a(-1)and 2.6-4.1 kg ha(-1) a(-1) respectively, K and NO(3)-N fluxes via throughfall were significantly higher at the clearings than at the mature forest sites (32-37 and 0.7-1.0 kg ha(-1) a(-1) for K and NO(3)-N). In organic layer percolate and in soil solution at 0.15-m soil depth, concentrations of K, Mg, Ca and N were highest at the clearings. In the organic layer percolate, median K concentrations were e.g. 7.4 mg l(-1) for the clearings but only 1.4 mg l(-1) for the mature forests, and for NO(3)-N, median concentrations were 3.1 mg l(-1) for the clearings but only 0.92 mg l(-1) for the mature forest sites. Still, differences in annual means between clearings and mature forests were not always significant due to a high variability within the clearings. With the exception of NO(3)-N, belowground nutrient concentrations in secondary forests ranged between concentrations in mature forests and clearings. Vegetation type-specific differences decreased with increasing soil depths in the soil solution. Overall, the opening of the forest led to a higher spatial and seasonal variation of nutrient concentrations in the seepage water. These results suggest differences in both mineralization rates and in nutrient budgeting at different regeneration stages. Since nutrient availability was highest at the clearings and no compaction of the soil was observed, deterioration of soil properties did not seem to be the main reason for the impeded regeneration on the clearings.     

Selective growth of organic 1-D structures on au nanoparticle arrays

We demonstrate that the growth of F16CuPc 1-D nanostructures can be directed by templates of gold nanoparticles. The growth occurs via vapor-phase transport, whereby the gold nanoparticles act as nucleation sites for F16CuPc molecules and promote their anisotropic growth. The F16CuPc 1-D structures adopt diameters of approximately 15-30 nm independent of the nanoparticle size. This approach enables a technologically simple and inexpensive fabrication of very uniform organic 1-D structures (aspect ratio of approximately 30) and precise control of their location and packing density.     

Sterol content in sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L.) as affected by genotypes and environmental conditions

Phytosterols play essential roles in many plant cell mechanisms. They are of industrial interest since, as part of the diet, they can reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol. An increase in plant sterol contents, by improved crop varieties or crop management, could help to answer industrial demands and also to develop environmentally friendly extraction methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotypic variability of sterol content in cultivated sunflower and, in particular, effects of sowing date. Results showed large variability among a collection of sixteen sunflower inbred lines and hybrids. Total sterols varied almost twofold between extreme genotypes. A delay of sowing, giving higher temperatures during seed formation, induced a general increase in total sterol concentration by up to 35%, as well as variation in sterol composition according to genotype. These results are considered with an aim of improving sterol content by sunflower breeding programmes.     

Besonderheiten der Werkstattplanung im Stahlbau am Beispiel des Großprojektes BBI‐Terminaldach

In diesem Artikel wird über die Stahlkonstruktion des neuen Flughafens Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI) berichtet. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf der Werkstattplanung mittels eines 3D‐Modelles unter Beachtung der Komplexität der Gewerkeschnittstellen. Es wird auf die Möglichkeiten der Rationalisierung der Planung und der Weitergabe der Daten direkt an die Werkstätten und die Montage eingegangen. Features of the shop planning in structural steelworks exemplary shown at the large‐scale project BBI‐Terminal in Berlin, Germany. This article reports on the steel structure of the new airport Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI). The focus is on the shop drawings using a 3D model with respect to the complexity of the trades interfaces. It is on the possibilities of streamlining the planning and the dissemination of the data received directly to the workshops and assembly.     

Visualization of the Function of a Biofilm Reactor by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This study demonstrates that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can visualize the growth of biofilm on an inert support matrix, and quantitate the blocking effects caused by precipitation of metal ions from a stream of effluent flowing through the resultant bioreactor. The measurements were based on glass tubes (16 mm diameter, 70 mm length) packed with cubes of polyurethane foam coated with Citrobacter sp. biofilm. Each bioreactor was challenged with a buffered aqueous solution of lanthanum and/or copper ions plus an organic phosphate source which, in the presence of phosphatase in the biofilm, react together to produce a precipitate of metal phosphate. MRI can distinguish the solid metal phosphate from the surrounding fluid, and provide velocity maps that quantitate the effect of blockage on the flow field through the entire bioreactor. The use of these data to aid the design of an efficient bioreactor is discussed.     

A comparison of computer-based versus traditional individual psychotherapy.

Professional psychologists are challenged to determine the appropriate use of interactive computer therapy programs. Although such programs have the potential of enhancing delivery of mental health services and reaching ever broader audiences, they raise serious clinical, legal, ethical, and practical concerns. This article reports on a controlled clinical trial comparing short-term traditional individual therapy with a computer-based intervention among 90 adults overseen by a therapist. Results were favorable and comparable in both conditions, with individual therapy outperforming computer-based therapy on some measures. The practitioner's use of computer-based psychotherapy interventions is discussed and some guidelines offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)