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Book reviews

     

Systems-Level Neuronal Modeling of Visual Attentional Mechanisms

We review different functions involved in visual perception that have been integrated by a model based on the biased competition hypothesis. Attentional top-down bias guides the dynamics to concentrate at a given spatial location or on given features. The model integrates, in a unifying form, the explanation of several existing types of experimental data obtained at different levels of investigation. At the microscopic level, single cell recordings are simulated. At the mesoscopic level of cortical areas, results of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies are reproduced. Finally, at the macroscopic level, psychophysical experiments like visual search tasks are also described by the model.     

New developments in Cu(In,Ga)(S, Se)2 thin film modules formed by rapid thermal processing of stacked elemental layers

A second-generation process for high-efficiency large-area Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)₂ thin film (CIGSSe) solar modules has been developed applying controlled sodium doping and rapid thermal processing for absorber formation. The pilot line delivers aperture area efficiencies of 12.2%±0.5% (average) for 30×30 cm² modules and a certified champion efficiency of 13.1% for an unencapsulated 60×90 cm² demonstrator module. The stability of the frameless pilot line modules with a low-cost package against humidity is confirmed externally by passing the damp heat test sequence according to IEC 61646. Substitution of CBD-CdS by CBD-Zn(S, OH) buffer layers yields efficiencies up to 12% on 30×30 cm² circuits. First CIGSSe-cells on flexible substrates were also developed applying 30 μm thin titanium foils, 8×8 cm² in size. Average cell efficiencies on a substrate up to 12.4% were achieved.     

Diet preference in rats (Rattus norvegicus) as a function of odor exposure, odor concentration, and conspecific presence.

The relative contributions of social and stimulus factors in development of rat dietary preferences were examined. Investigation of odor-alone effects revealed that weak odors resulted in preference for familiar-odor diets, but only at longer exposure times. Shorter exposure to strong odors also produced differences in diet preference. When odor and conspecific presence were manipulated simultaneously, odors produced no diet preference at low intensities, whereas high-intensity odors did so regardless of conspecific presence. Medium-intensity odor concentrations produced differences only with conspecifics present, indicating social enhancement of stimuli that are ineffective in isolation. These results suggest the separate influence of social and stimulus factors on dietary preferences and explain contradictions in previous studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ionic liquids as electrolytes for the development of a robust amperometric oxygen sensor

A simple Clark-type online electrochemical cell design, consisting of a platinum gauze working electrode and incorporating ionic liquids (IL) as electrolytes, has been successfully applied for the amperometric sensing of oxygen. Studying ILs comprising the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion, the obtained analytical parameters were found to be strongly dependent on the choice of cation. Compared with a conventional Clark cell design based on an aqueous supporting electrolyte, the modified oxygen sensor achieves substantial improvements in performance and stability. A limit of detection for oxygen as low as 0.05 vol?%, linearity over an oxygen partial pressure between 0% and 20%, and a steady-state response time of 2 min was demonstrated, with a stable analytical response shown over the examined period of 90 days with no obvious fouling of the electrode surface. Based on the attractive physical attributes of ionic liquids (e.g., thermal stability beyond 150 °C), one can envision intriguing utility in nonstandard conditions and long-term online applications, as well as extension to the determination of other gases, such as methane and nitric oxide.     

Einfluß unterschiedlicher Desoxydationsverfahren auf die Eigenschaften weicher unlegierter Automatenstähle I. Einschlußgehalte

Zeitlicher Verlauf der Sauerstoffabscheidung. Einfluß des Ausgangssauerstoffgehaltes, der Gießtemperatur, der Desoxydation, des Beruhigungsgrades und der chemischen Zusammensetzung auf den Sauerstoffgehalt und auf Gehalt, Zusammensetzung und Ausbildung der Oxyde, Nitride und Sulfide bei der Herstellung weicher unlegierter Automatenstähle.