On the Locus of Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off in Reaction Time: Inferences From the Lateralized Readiness Potential.

Lateralized readiness potentials (LRPs) were used to determine the stage(s) of reaction time (RT) responsible for speed-accuracy trade-offs (SATs). Speeded decisions based on several types of information were examined in 3 experiments, involving, respectively, a line discrimination task, lexical decisions, and an Erikson flanker task. Three levels of SAT were obtained in each experiment by adjusting response deadlines with an adaptive tracking algorithm. Speed stress affected the duration of RT stages both before and after the start of the LRP in all experiments. The latter effect cannot be explained by guessing strategies, by variations in response force, or as an indirect consequence of the pre-LRP effect. Contrary to most models, it suggests that SAT can occur at a late postdecisional stage. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personalisierung und informationelle Selbstbestimmung Ein unauflösbarer Widerspruch?

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3D Micro-PIXE at atmospheric pressure: A new tool for the investigation of art and archaeological objects

The paper describes a novel experiment characterized by the development of a confocal geometry in an external Micro-PIXE set-up. The position of X-ray optics in front of the X-ray detector and its proper alignment with respect to the proton micro-beam focus provided the possibility of carrying out 3D Micro-PIXE analysis. As a first application, depth intensity profiles of the major elements that compose the patina layer of a quaternary bronze alloy were measured. A simulation approach of the 3D Micro-PIXE data deduced elemental concentration profiles in rather good agreement with corresponding results obtained by electron probe micro-analysis from a cross-sectioned patina sample. With its non-destructive and depth-resolving properties, as well as its feasibility in atmospheric pressure, 3D Micro-PIXE seems especially suited for investigations in the field of cultural heritage.     

A Study of Surface Deformation during Wire‐Rod Rolling of High Speed Steels using Experimental and Computational Techniques

The evolution of surface defects during shape rolling of high‐speed steel billets is studied using longitudinal surface defects prepared by machining and welding. The reduction of the defects during rolling in a production mill is compared to the total area reduction of the billets. Samples are collected after pass 4, 6, 8, 14, 19 and the final pass, 28, representing the finished 5.5mm wire. By inspecting the cross sections, the rotation of the billets from pass to pass is evaluated. Results from FE simulations on solid billets are compared to the experimental results. Generally, simulations predict less reduction than observed experimentally. In most cases cracks reduce most effectively followed by carbon steel welds and stainless steel welds.     

Cathodic reduction of acids in dimethylformamide on platinum

A linear correlation was shown to exist between the acidity and the cyclic voltammetric half-potential of the reduction of acids in DMF for carboxylic and N-acids in the pK_a range of 6-16. Chlorophenols are reduced at slightly lower potentials giving a separate parallel line. Applying the obtained equation and employing the same method to literature data in DMSO, the pK_a values for conjugate aids of DMF and DMSO can be calculated, showing DMSO·H⁺ to be more acidic (pK_a = 2.9) than DMF·H⁺ (pK_a = 5.7). The analysis of cyclovoltammetric data demonstrated that a CE mechanism operates in the reduction of strong acids, including the conjugate acid of DMF. Weaker acids are reduced by direct discharge or a mixed mechanism.     

Gelation and phase separation in maltodextrin-caseinate systems

A range of rheological techniques, including small deformation isothermal runs following quenching, controlled rate heating profiles, mechanical spectra, and large deformation strain sweeps and creep compliance testing, were employed in the investigation of maltodextrin—sodium caseinate aqueous dispersions. The concentration dependence, viscoelastic ratio and melting profiles of shear moduli for concentrated maltodextrin samples suggest a highly aggregated, enthalpically linked biopolymer gel. By contrast, the caScinate particles form a ‘pasty’ solid at low temperatures with a high viscous component, which upon moderate heating reverts readily into an entropically driven liquid body. Mixing of the polymers results in a composite system whose phase inversion from a maltodextrin continuous network with discontinuous protein inclusions to a caScinate dispersion suspending the polysaccharide particles is determined by the weight ratio of the two components in the blend. The overall strength of the composite has been related to the mechanical functions of the individual components, and the idea of kinetically trapped mixed gels has been put forward to rationalize the solvent partition between the two constituent phases. Results were used to advance the conclusions reached from work on other mixed biopolymer systems carried out in this laboratory.     

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Predictive value of biological markers in etiopathogenesis of juvenile diabetes--reviewing the role of insulin antibodies

The lack of complete concordance for diseases in monozygotic twins prevents application of genetic markers for a thorough identification of the subjects who will develop the type I diabetes. Furthermore, the impact of the environmental factors precipitating beta cells destruction in genetically sensitive subjects has not been completely enlightened yet. The identification of high risk markers for the development of diabetes is aimed at detection of the early immune response activation markers. Islet cell antibodies are the most valuable markers, whose presence can be discovered even up to 7-8 years prior to the onset of symptoms. They are found in 50-80% of the newly discovered insulin-dependent diabetics. Their prevalence in the general population is 0.5-2%. These are commonly concomitant with insulin antibodies, found in 20-40% of the newly discovered diabetics, as reported in the literature. In our circumstances it was possible to determine the insulin antibodies only. We have concluded that they appear in 13.6% of children with a newly discovered diabetes, presenting a significant marker for predicting the course of the disease.     

Immunological identification of candidate proteins involved in regulating active shape changes of outer hair cells

By employing immunological methods, it has been demonstrated that myosin, myosin light chain (MLC) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) proteins in outer hair cells (OHC) are immunologically different from isoforms in platelets, smooth muscle and heart muscle, and are probably more related to isoforms found in red blood cells (RBC). Moreover, proteins related to band 3 protein (b3p) and protein 4.1 (p 4.1), ankyrin as well as fodrin and spectrin, but not glycophorin, have been identified in isolated OHCs. Both OHCs and RBC differ from other motile non-muscle cells in their lack of smooth muscle isoforms of actin, their common high levels of spectrin-, ankyrin- and band 3-like proteins, as well as the expression of the 80 kDa protein 4.1 isoform. The data support the notion that motility of OHC may be based upon regulation of the b3p/p 4.1/ankyrin complex, and thus may be reminiscent to the active shape changes in RBC.