Eye direction aftereffect

Three experiments using computer-generated human figures showed that after a prolonged observation of eyes looking to the left (or right), eyes looking directly toward the viewer appeared directed to the right (or left). Observation of an arrow pointing left or right did not induce this aftereffect on the perceived eye direction. Happy faces produced the aftereffect more effectively than surprised faces, even though the image features of the eyes were identical for both the happy and the surprised faces. These results suggest that the eye direction aftereffect may reflect the adaptation of relatively higher-level mechanisms analyzing the others eye direction.     

Stimulus and response chunking in the Hebb Digits task

Using the Hebb Digits task, an incidental sequential learning paradigm, the effects of chunking of both the presentation and response phases of performance were examined. In the first experiment, consistent stimulus chunking increased learning, and performance was at an equivalent level to this when consistent chunking of both stimuli and responses was present. Consistent chunking of the responses alone did not significantly improve learning over a baseline condition where neither stimuli nor responses were chunked. The disruption of response organization in a second experiment, through a random response condition, failed to impact learning in non-chunked and stimulus chunked conditions. A third experiment found that response chunking did benefit learning in a condition where stimuli were presented in random chunks. A final experiment suggested extended processing of the digits could not account for performance gains in the stimulus chunking condition. Overall, the results suggest that the enhanced effects of chunking on learning were stimulus-driven rather than response-driven, except under conditions that constrained a consistent pattern of stimulus organization.     

Does a regional accent perturb speech processing?

The processing costs involved in regional accent normalization were evaluated by measuring differences in lexical decision latencies for targets placed at the end of sentences with different French regional accents. Over a series of 6 experiments, the authors examined the time course of comprehension disruption by manipulating the duration and presentation conditions of accented speech. Taken together, the findings of these experiments indicate that regional accent normalization involves a short-term adjustment mechanism that develops as a certain amount of accented signal is available, resulting in a temporary perturbation in speech processing.     

INCREASING THE VARIETY OF FOODS CONSUMED BY A PICKY EATER: GENERALIZATION OF EFFECTS ACROSS CAREGIVERS AND SETTINGS

A multiple baseline across settings was used to evaluate the effects of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, nonremoval of the fork ( Hoch, Babbitt, Coe, Krell, & Hackbert, 1994 ), and stimulus fading on consumption of food rejected previously. The study was conducted in two separate settings, and caregivers were trained in the intervention technique to increase generalization to natural settings. Food variety increased in both settings.     

Start-up Rhetoric in Eight Speeches of Barack Obama

Our purpose in the following was to investigate the start-up rhetoric employed by U.S. President Barack Obama in his speeches. The initial 5 min from eight of his speeches from May to September of 2009 were selected for their variety of setting, audience, theme, and purpose. It was generally hypothesized that Barack Obama, widely recognized for the excellence of his rhetorical performance, would pursue both constant and variable strategies in his effort to establish contact with his audience. More specifically, it was hypothesized that the make-up of the audience—primarily native or non-native speakers of English—would be a prominent independent variable. A number of temporal and verbal measures were used as dependent variables. Variations were evident in mean length in syllables and duration in seconds of utterances (articulatory phrases), articulation rate in syllables per second of ontime, mean duration of silent pauses in seconds, and frequency of fillers, hesitations, colloquial words and phrases, introductory phrases, and 1st person singular pronominals. Results indicated that formality versus informality of the setting and presence or absence of a teleprompter were more prominent than native versus non-native audiences. Our analyses confirm Obama’s skillfulness in challenging and variable settings and clearly detect orderliness and scientific generalizability in language use. The concept of orality/literacy provides a theoretical background and emphasizes dialogical interaction of audience and speaker.     

Alternative Factor Models and Heritability of the Short Leyton Obsessional Inventory—Children’s Version

An alternative models framework was used to test three confirmatory factor analytic models for the Short Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Children’s Version (Short LOI-CV) in a general population sample of 517 young adolescent twins (11–16 years). A one-factor model as implicit in current classification systems of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a two-factor obsessions and compulsions model, and a multidimensional model corresponding to the three proposed subscales of the Short LOI-CV (labelled Obsessions/Incompleteness, Numbers/Luck and Cleanliness) were considered. The three-factor model was the only model to provide an adequate explanation of the data. Twin analyses suggested significant quantitative sex differences in heritability for both the Obsessions/Incompleteness and Numbers/Luck dimensions with these being significantly heritable in males only (heritability of 60% and 65% respectively). The correlation between the additive genetic effects for these two dimensions in males was 0.95 suggesting they largely share the same genetic risk factors.     

Static and dynamical ageing processes at room temperature in a Fe25Ni0.4C virgin martensite: effect of C redistribution at the nanoscale

The work-hardening behaviour of virgin martensitic steel has been investigated in a strictly un-aged state and after various ageing conditions. At room temperature (RT), the un-aged alloy shows astonishing tensile performances (ultimate tensile stress?=?1600?MPa/uniform elongation?=?15%) but unexpected serrations. These serrations can be suppressed by static ageing (at RT or higher) while maintaining the initial work-hardening rate (ageing at RT). Parallel investigations using atom probe tomography reveal that the distribution of carbon at the atomic scale evolves from purely homogeneous for virgin martensite to partly segregated at a very fine scale (5–10?nm) after static ageing. This particular mechanical behaviour can therefore be associated with a very local decrease in available carbon in solid solution due to redistribution and segregations on defects (nanotwins) that occurs rapidly, even after few days at RT.