Scene Configuration and Object Reliability Affect the Use of Allocentric Information for Memory-Guided Reaching

Previous research has shown that egocentric and allocentric information is used for coding target locations for memory-guided reaching movements. Especially, task-relevance determines the use of objects as allocentric cues. Here, we investigated the influence of scene configuration and object reliability as a function of task-relevance on allocentric coding for memory-guided reaching. For that purpose, we presented participants images of a naturalistic breakfast scene with five objects on a table and six objects in the background. Six of these objects served as potential reach-targets (= task-relevant objects). Participants explored the scene and after a short delay, a test scene appeared with one of the task-relevant objects missing, indicating the location of the reach target. After the test scene vanished, participants performed a memory-guided reaching movement toward the target location. Besides removing one object from the test scene, we also shifted the remaining task-relevant and/or task-irrelevant objects left- or rightwards either coherently in the same direction or incoherently in opposite directions. By varying object coherence, we manipulated the reliability of task-relevant and task-irrelevant objects in the scene. In order to examine the influence of scene configuration (distributed vs. grouped arrangement of task-relevant objects) on allocentric coding, we compared the present data with our previously published data set (Klinghammer et al., 2015). We found that reaching errors systematically deviated in the direction of object shifts, but only when the objects were task-relevant and their reliability was high. However, this effect was substantially reduced when task-relevant objects were distributed across the scene leading to a larger target-cue distance compared to a grouped configuration. No deviations of reach endpoints were observed in conditions with shifts of only task-irrelevant objects or with low object reliability irrespective of task-relevancy. Moreover, when solely task-relevant objects were shifted incoherently, the variability of reaching endpoints increased compared to coherent shifts of task-relevant objects. Our results suggest that the use of allocentric information for coding targets for memory-guided reaching depends on the scene configuration, in particular the average distance of the reach target to task-relevant objects, and the reliability of task-relevant allocentric information

Tyrosinase and phenolic pressor amines

Basic to the consideration of the action of tyrosinase on the oxidation of phenolic pressor amines are the observations of Keilin and Mann (16) and of Nelson and his coworkers (17-19) that show that different preparations may vary considerably in their relative actions on monophenols and o-diphenols. Both of these types of activity appear to belong to the same enzyme complex, as they bear a proportionality to the same copper content. However, since the activities vary with the purity and method of purification, each enzyme preparation must be defined in terms of both monophenolase and o-diphenolase activities. This was done in the present studies, and modifications of previously described preparative methods were required to retain a reasonable proportioning of such activities in purified preparations

Dr. Koch: A Cancer Quack?

This paper discusses the life and medical research of Dr. William F. Koch, a physiologist who claimed to have discovered a cure for cancer in the 20th century. Dr. Koch’s early education and research is discussed as background. The paper presents two allegedly successful results of Dr. Koch’s treatment, while also presenting quotes and opinions of skeptics of Dr. Koch’s work. Two FDA trials against Dr. Koch are discussed, as well as a successful FTC trial and appeal. Finally, the paper discusses typical characteristics of a quack, and analyzes Dr. Koch under this rubric. The conclusion of this paper finishes the story of Dr. Koch’s life and highlights some questions remaining understand

Treatment of cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis : surgical safety in gallstone surgery

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide, with nearly 14,000 operations per year in Sweden alone. Recurrent biliary colic or acute cholecystitis are indications for surgery. Despite being a standardized procedure, complications occur in more than 10% of all operations. This thesis includes five research papers, all of which focus on different aspects of surgical safety in gallstone surgery. PAPER 1: The recommended treatment of acute cholecystitis is acute cholecystectomy during the first hospital admission, but the optimal timing is still under discussion. The aim of the first study was to analyse whether the timing of surgery for acute cholecystitis affects complication rates. A registry-based study, based on the Swedish National Registry for Gallstone Surgery and Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatography (GallRiks) was performed. We included 87,108 patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 2006 to 2014. Of these operations, 15,760 (18.1%) were performed due to acute cholecystitis. We analysed differences in outcomes related to timing of surgery. The results showed that intra-and postoperative complications, bile duct injuries and 30-and 90-day mortality increased with longer delays. The conclusion is that the optimal timing of surgery seems to be within two days of hospital admission. PAPER 2: Increasing hospital and surgeon volumes have been associated with better outcomes for more complicated procedures. However, it is still unknown whether the annual volume of cholecystectomies affects surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the surgeon’s and hospital’s annual volume of cholecystectomies has an impact on complication rates and operating time. A registry-based study was conducted based on all cholecystectomies registered in GallRiks between 2006 and 2019. A total of 154,934 patients were analysed: 101,221 (65.3%) elective procedures and 53,713 (34.7%) acute procedures. Low volume was defined as <211 operations per hospital per year and <20 operations per surgeon per year. The correlation between annual volumes and different outcomes was calculated. The conclusion is that high volume hospitals and surgeons have more favourable outcomes in both elective and acute cholecystectomy. PAPER 3: Female and male physicians practice medicine differently but it is still unknown whether female and male surgeons produce different outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyse whether female and male surgeons differ in complication rates and operating times in both elective and acute cholecystectomies. A registry-based study was performed based on all cholecystectomies registered in GallRiks between 2006 and 2019. In total, 150,509 patents were included: 97,755 (64.9%) were elective and 52,754 (35.1%) were acute operations. Procedures were performed by 2,553 surgeons: 849 (33.3%) female surgeons and 1,704 (67.7%) male surgeons. Differences in outcomes and operating times were analysed. The results showed that patients operated on by male surgeons had more surgical complications overall (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.29, 95% CI 1.19- 1.40) including more bile duct injures in elective surgery (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.22-2.34). In addition, female surgeons had longer operating times; converted less frequently to open surgery in the acute setting and their patients had overall shorter hospital stays. The conclusion is that female surgeons have more favourable outcomes but operate more slowly than male surgeons, in elective and acute cholecystectomies. PAPER 4: An alternative to electrocautery dissection is ultrasonic dissection, which has proven favourable in elective cholecystectomies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the learning curve for ultrasonic fundus-first dissection, in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surgeons with no previous experience of the technique could participate. Patients were recruited between 2017 and 2019. Sixteen residents and specialists, from eight Swedish hospitals, performed 15 operations each and 240 patients were included. The primary endpoint was dissection time with secondary endpoints being complication rate and the surgeon’s self-assessed performance level. In addition, five of the operations were recorded and the videos were graded by two external surgeons. Associations between the procedural number and the different outcomes were analysed. The results showed that dissection time decreased as experience increased (p=0.001). The technique had a complication rate of 5.8%, comparable to the traditional technique. No correlation between the number of performed procedures and the video-assessment score could be demonstrated. The self-assessed performance level was rated lower in more complicated procedures (p=<0.001). The conclusion is that ultrasonic fundus-first dissection is easy to learn and safe during the learning curve, for both residents and specialists. PAPER 5: Ultrasonic dissection seems to be a safe alternative in elective cholecystectomy, but it is still unclear whether the technique is favourable in acute operations. The aim of this study was to compare electrocautery to ultrasonic dissection in patients with acute cholecystitis. A multicentre, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at eight Swedish hospitals. Eligible participants were patients ≥18 years old, with acute cholecystitis with a duration of ≤7 days. Patients were randomly assigned to either traditional electrocautery or ultrasonic dissection, with a 1:1 allocation. Patients, postoperative caregivers, and follow-up personnel were masked to group assignment. The primary endpoint was the total complication rate with analyses according to intention-to-treat. From September 30, 2019, until March 22, 2023, a total of 300 patients was randomized to electrocautery dissection (n=148) or ultrasonic dissection (n=152). No difference in complication rate was seen between the groups (risk difference (RD) 1.6%, 95% CI − 7.2% to 10.4%, p=0.72). Haemostatic agents were used in 40 (27.0%) of patients assigned to electrocautery and 27 (17.8%) of patients assigned to ultrasonic dissection, (RD 10.6%, 95% CI 1.3%-19.8%, p=0.025). In 13 (8.8%) operations in the electrocautery group the surgeon chose to use ultrasonic dissection mostly due to the perceived higher complexity of the operation. The conclusion is that ultrasonic and electrocautery dissection have comparable risks for total complications in patients with acute cholecystitis. Ultrasonic dissection can be used as an alternative to electrocautery dissection, or as a complement in complicated cases

Operations management in the financial services industry in South Africa

Includes bibliographic records.The Southern Life Association Limited, a South African Insurance company, is at the edge of a major transformation. At the beginning of the first research cycle undertaken for this thesis, the company was preparing itself for significant internal changes. At the end of the cycle the company has been sold and is preparing itself to merge with another company to form a Financial Services Industry giant. At both the start and the end of the research, the company had a vision, which was significantly different from its past. Translating this vision into practical actions that drive the company into the future is critical. When significant changes are required, a vital window period exists that allows companies to effectively, efficiently manage and implement change. Should the period, or opportunity, be missed, companies could find themselves lagging behind their competitors, ineffective and having to plough additional resources into ensuring that they catch up. This window period, if effectively managed, can give the company the opportunity to project itself forward and gain a competitive edge. The management at Southern Life had realised the need to change the company. They also knew that the Board of Directors required an improved return on investment. An eighteen-month period was set aside to design and implement the necessary changes. This thesis attempts to look at what management can do to best utilise this window period to the company's best advantage. In order to intervene effectively an Inquiry Framework, or Philosophical Framework of Inquiry as it is referred to, was utilised. This Inquiry Framework is based on the theories and principles of Action and Applied Research, Epistemology, Pragmatism, the Scientific Method and Systems Thinking. When applied rigorously the framework leads one down a path of understanding the situation, raising concerns, developing the hypothesis or question, and providing and evaluating an answer. The research and inquiry process acts like a funnel, allowing the researcher to start broadly and generally and with each cycle, narrowing down to the specific. It aims to facilitate management problem intervention, change and learning in an operational environment. For practical purposes, the thesis focuses on the operational area of the Employee Benefits Division of the company. It reviews the history of the Division in the belief that historical decisions made have led to the current situation. This being a situation of unprofitability, complexity and a multitude of problems

Literary Psycholinguistics and the Poem

Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht Prozesse und Mechanismen der Sprachwahrnehmung, die charakteristisch für die Rezeption literarischer Texte sind. Sie berichtet eine Reihe von Studien, die mittels behavioraler und elektrophysiologischer Messmethoden den Einfluss von Gattungskonzeptionen auf die Verarbeitung und Evaluation sprachlicher Reize untersuchen. Was diese Studien verbindet, ist die systematische Gegenüberstellung gedichtspezifischer und alltagssprachlicher bzw. prosaspezifischer Verarbeitungs- und Evaluationsroutinen unter Beibehaltung des sprachlichen Materials. Was diese Studien unterscheidet, sind die untersuchten Aspekte des Rezeptionsprozesses und die dazu verwendeten, der Psycholinguistik entlehnten Methoden. Kapitel 1 berichtet zwei Studien, die mithilfe systematisch gesammelter Leserintuitionen (Experiment 1a) und ereigniskorrelierter Hirnpotentiale (EKPs; Experiment 1b) untersuchen, welchen Einfluss Gedicht- und Verskonzeptionen auf das Echtzeitverstehen und die Beurteilung einzelner Sätze haben, die gattungstypische formale und semantische Merkmale aufweisen. Kapitel 2 berichtet weitere Analysen der in Experiment 1b gesammelten EEG-Daten. Mittels Zeit-Frequenz- und EKP-Analysen untersucht Experiment 1c den Einfluss von Gattungszuschreibung auf antizipatorische Aufmerksamkeit vor dem Lesen und auf die frühe Echtzeitverarbeitung geschriebener Sprache. Kapitel 3 berichtet eine Studie, die mithilfe kombinierter Blickbewegungsmessungen und Sprachaufnahmen (Experiment 2) untersucht, wie Gattungszuschreibung (Gedicht vs. literarische Prosa) das (Vor)lesen unbekannter Texte beeinflusst, und so behaviorale und akustische Marker dieser literarischen Lesemodi identifiziert. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Untersuchungen zielt diese Studie explizit darauf ab, distinktive Dynamiken gattungspezifischen Lesens zu erfassen. Kapitel 4 berichtet zwei Studien, die sich systematisch gesammelter Leserintuitionen bedienen, um den Einfluss syntaktischer und prosodischer Variablen auf die grammatische und literarisch-ästhetische Evaluation einzelner Verse (Experiment 3a) und Sätze (Experiment 3b) zu untersuchen. Diese Studien zeigen, dass erfahrene Leser die Textsorte Gedicht mit spezifischen grammatischen Strukturen und Merkmalen verbinden. Ich argumentiere, dass das Auftreten dieser Textmerkmale charakteristische Verarbeitungsschritte erfordert bzw. erleichtert, die von Lesern als spezifisch poetische Qualitäten des Textes und der Leseeerfahrung wahrgenommen werden. Kapitel 5 fasst die Resultate der berichteten Studien zusammen, bezieht sie auf einzelne Stufen des Rezeptionsprozesses und diskutiert die Grenzen ihrer Generalisierbarkeit. Das Kapitel schließt mit einem Ausblick auf mögliche zukünftige Forschungsfelder literarischer Psycholinguistik. Auf der Grundlage der gesammelten Beobachtungen ergibt sich folgende Liste gedichtspezifischer Anpassungen der Sprachverarbeitung und -evaluation. Die Konzeption der Textsorte Gedicht... 1. beeinflusst die Erwartungen und die Aufmerksamkeit der Leser bereits vor dem Lesen 2. bewirkt jedoch nicht, dass Leser prosodischen Rekurrenzen gesteigerte Aufmerksamkeit schenken 3. führt zu gattungsspezifischen Anpassungen des Leseverhaltens und der Blickbewegungsroutinen 4. bestimmt Strategien zur gattungsadäquaten phonetischen Realisierung sprachlicher Reize 5. beeinflusst zwar nicht die frühe Verarbeitung (scheinbarer) semantischer Inkongruenz, veranlasst Leser jedoch, sowohl während des Lesens als auch danach größeren Interpretationsaufwand zu betreiben, um zu einer kohärenten Bedeutungsrepräsentation zu gelangen 6. beeinflusst nicht die strategische Nutzung verarbeiteter prosodischer Regelmäßigkeiten (Metrum) beim Lesen 7. macht Leser resilienter gegenüber gattungstypischen historischen Wortformen, die ohne Kenntnis der Gattung kurzzeitig die verfügbaren kognitiven Ressourcen während des Lesens reduzieren 8. beinhaltet gattungsspezifische Evaluationskriterien für grammatische und semantische Merkmale sprachlicher Reize Gemeinsam betrachtet zeigen diese Resultate deutlich, dass literarische Gattungen selbst in der Konzeption literarischer Laien mit ausgewählten sprachlichen Konstruktionen und Merkmalen verknüpft sind, sowie mit adäquaten Anpassungen der Sprachverarbeitung und -evaluation. Diese Anpassungen betreffen sämtliche Stufen des literarischen Rezeptionsprozesses: die Aufmerksamkeit des Lesers vor dem Lesen, die Verarbeitungsroutinen während des Lesens, und die Evaluationskriterien für sprachliche Reize nach dem Lesen.This dissertation examines the processes and mechanisms of language comprehension that characterise the reception of literary texts. It reports a series of experiments that use behavioural and electrophysiological measures to study the effects of readers' genre conceptions on the processing and evaluation of verbal stimuli. Focusing on different aspects and stages of literary reception, all of these experiments contrast poetry-specific processing and evaluation routines with routines appropriate for processing everyday language or prose texts, while strictly controlling for linguistic variables. Chapter 1 reports two experiments that employed sentence judgments (Experiment 1a) and event-related brain potentials (Experiment 1b) to investigate the influence of genre categorization (poetry vs. no categorization) on the evaluation and the online comprehension of single sentences. Specifically, we examined whether external genre categorization modulates the use of prosodic information in sentence reading and whether it affects the processing and the perceived meaningfulness of semantically (in)congruent utterances. The use of single sentences rather than entire texts allowed us to isolate a priori effects of genre categorization, i.e., processing adjustments triggered by the category and not by the (con)text. Chapter 2 presents additional analyses of the EEG data collected in Experiment 1b. Aiming to pin down the effects of genre categorization on anticipatory attentional states, these analyses (Experiment 1c) focused on pre-stimulus alpha power as an index of selective attention prior to the first linguistic input as well as on further early (<350ms) ERP effects of genre categorization. Chapter 3 reports a study that combined eye tracking and speech recordings (Experiment 2) to contrast the processing strategies for literary prose vs. poetry during oral text reading. Moving beyond aprioristic effects of genre categorization, this study specifically aimed to reveal genre-specific dynamics by studying the interaction of text category and (con)text during literary processing. Chapter 4 presents two experiments that used sentence judgments to examine the influence of morpho-syntactic and prosodic variables on the grammatical and literary-aesthetic evaluation of poetic verse (Experiment 3a) and of regular sentences (Experiment 3b). These studies aimed to demonstrate that experienced readers systematically associate the genre of poetry with selected grammatical structures and features. Chapter 5 summarizes the results of the presented experiments, relates them to distinct stages of the reception process, discusses some limitations of the present work and identifies possible directions for future research in literary psycholinguistics.165 Seite

DEFICITS IN FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND RUNNING ECONOMY OF TRAINED ENDURANCE RUNNERS

INTRODUCTION: It has been well established that the mechanics of running gait play a significant role in running economy. Running gait is influenced by many musculoskeletal factors, which can change movement patterns. An individual’s fundamental dynamic movement patterns can be evaluated using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Individuals with less movement deficits, specifically asymmetries, may demand less oxygen during activity than individuals with more movement deficits. PURPOSE: This study looked at how deficits in functional movement patterns relate to the running economy of trained endurance runners. Specifically, one aim of this study was to demonstrate that runners who have one or more asymmetries during the FMS demand more oxygen as they run. A second aim was to demonstrate that runners who score 14 or less on the FMS demand more oxygen. A third aim was to demonstrate that runners who score a 2 or less on the Hurdle Step test demand more oxygen than runners who score a 3 on the Hurdle Step FMS test. METHODS: Forty trained endurance runners were tested in the lab on one occasion. Each subject performed all 7 movement tests of the FMS. Next, each subject performed a running economy test consisting of 3 4-minute submaximal trials on the treadmill (women: 10, 12, and 14 km/hr; men: 12, 14, and 16 km/hr). An independent t-test was utilized for each independent variable of interest (asymmetry presence, total FMS score, Hurdle Step score). An alpha of p<0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in running economy between the asymmetrical group (n=21) and the symmetrical group (n=19), only at the speed of 14 km/hour. Contrary to our original hypothesis, the asymmetrical group was more economical than the symmetrical group. Comparing running economy between asymmetrical and symmetrical FMS scorers (men and women together and separately) at all other speeds did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference between running economy of the FMS Hurdle Step test score of 3 group (n=19) and the FMS Hurdle Step test score of 2 or less group (n=21) at any speed. Furthermore, there was no difference between running economy of the FMS Total Score of 14 or less group (n=2) and the FMS Total Score of 15 or more group (n=38) at any speed. CONCLUSION: Trained runners who displayed movement asymmetries as determined by the Functional Movement Screen demonstrated lower oxygen uptakes during submaximal running than runners who were symmetrical on the FMS movements. Although movement asymmetries have been linked to higher injury risk, there may be an advantage of lower metabolic cost during running, which may be due to differences in leg stiffness. Although total FMS score and scores specifically on the hurdle step movement did not influence running economy, the FMS screen remains a staple of pre-participation screening for athletes of all disciplines.Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate School In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Sciences In the Department of Kinesiology of the School of Public Health Indiana Universit

Large-Scale Pattern-Based Information Extraction from the World Wide Web

Extracting information from text is the task of obtaining structured, machine-processable facts from information that is mentioned in an unstructured manner. It thus allows systems to automatically aggregate information for further analysis, efficient retrieval, automatic validation, or appropriate visualization. This work explores the potential of using textual patterns for Information Extraction from the World Wide Web

Literary psycholinguistics and the poem

This dissertation examines the processes and mechanisms of language comprehension that characterise the reception of literary texts. It reports a series of experiments that use behavioural and electrophysiological measures to study the effects of readers' genre conceptions on the processing and evaluation of verbal stimuli. Focusing on different aspects and stages of literary reception, all of these experiments contrast poetry-specific processing and evaluation routines with routines appropriate for processing everyday language or prose texts, while strictly controlling for linguistic variables. Chapter 1 reports two experiments that employed sentence judgments (Experiment 1a) and event-related brain potentials (Experiment 1b) to investigate the influence of genre categorization (poetry vs. no categorization) on the evaluation and the online comprehension of single sentences. Specifically, we examined whether external genre categorization modulates the use of prosodic information in sentence reading and whether it affects the processing and the perceived meaningfulness of semantically (in)congruent utterances. The use of single sentences rather than entire texts allowed us to isolate a priori effects of genre categorization, i.e., processing adjustments triggered by the category and not by the (con)text. Chapter 2 presents additional analyses of the EEG data collected in Experiment 1b. Aiming to pin down the effects of genre categorization on anticipatory attentional states, these analyses (Experiment 1c) focused on pre-stimulus alpha power as an index of selective attention prior to the first linguistic input as well as on further early (<350ms) ERP effects of genre categorization. Chapter 3 reports a study that combined eye tracking and speech recordings (Experiment 2) to contrast the processing strategies for literary prose vs. poetry during oral text reading. Moving beyond aprioristic effects of genre categorization, this study specifically aimed to reveal genre-specific dynamics by studying the interaction of text category and (con)text during literary processing. Chapter 4 presents two experiments that used sentence judgments to examine the influence of morpho-syntactic and prosodic variables on the grammatical and literary-aesthetic evaluation of poetic verse (Experiment 3a) and of regular sentences (Experiment 3b). These studies aimed to demonstrate that experienced readers systematically associate the genre of poetry with selected grammatical structures and features. Chapter 5 summarizes the results of the presented experiments, relates them to distinct stages of the reception process, discusses some limitations of the present work and identifies possible directions for future research in literary psycholinguistics.Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht Prozesse und Mechanismen der Sprachwahrnehmung, die charakteristisch für die Rezeption literarischer Texte sind. Sie berichtet eine Reihe von Studien, die mittels behavioraler und elektrophysiologischer Messmethoden den Einfluss von Gattungskonzeptionen auf die Verarbeitung und Evaluation sprachlicher Reize untersuchen. Was diese Studien verbindet, ist die systematische Gegenüberstellung gedichtspezifischer und alltagssprachlicher bzw. prosaspezifischer Verarbeitungs- und Evaluationsroutinen unter Beibehaltung des sprachlichen Materials. Was diese Studien unterscheidet, sind die untersuchten Aspekte des Rezeptionsprozesses und die dazu verwendeten, der Psycholinguistik entlehnten Methoden. Kapitel 1 berichtet zwei Studien, die mithilfe systematisch gesammelter Leserintuitionen (Experiment 1a) und ereigniskorrelierter Hirnpotentiale (EKPs; Experiment 1b) untersuchen, welchen Einfluss Gedicht- und Verskonzeptionen auf das Echtzeitverstehen und die Beurteilung einzelner Sätze haben, die gattungstypische formale und semantische Merkmale aufweisen. Kapitel 2 berichtet weitere Analysen der in Experiment 1b gesammelten EEG-Daten. Mittels Zeit-Frequenz- und EKP-Analysen untersucht Experiment 1c den Einfluss von Gattungszuschreibung auf antizipatorische Aufmerksamkeit vor dem Lesen und auf die frühe Echtzeitverarbeitung geschriebener Sprache. Kapitel 3 berichtet eine Studie, die mithilfe kombinierter Blickbewegungsmessungen und Sprachaufnahmen (Experiment 2) untersucht, wie Gattungszuschreibung (Gedicht vs. literarische Prosa) das (Vor)lesen unbekannter Texte beeinflusst, und so behaviorale und akustische Marker dieser literarischen Lesemodi identifiziert. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Untersuchungen zielt diese Studie explizit darauf ab, distinktive Dynamiken gattungspezifischen Lesens zu erfassen. Kapitel 4 berichtet zwei Studien, die sich systematisch gesammelter Leserintuitionen bedienen, um den Einfluss syntaktischer und prosodischer Variablen auf die grammatische und literarisch-ästhetische Evaluation einzelner Verse (Experiment 3a) und Sätze (Experiment 3b) zu untersuchen. Diese Studien zeigen, dass erfahrene Leser die Textsorte Gedicht mit spezifischen grammatischen Strukturen und Merkmalen verbinden. Ich argumentiere, dass das Auftreten dieser Textmerkmale charakteristische Verarbeitungsschritte erfordert bzw. erleichtert, die von Lesern als spezifisch poetische Qualitäten des Textes und der Leseeerfahrung wahrgenommen werden. Kapitel 5 fasst die Resultate der berichteten Studien zusammen, bezieht sie auf einzelne Stufen des Rezeptionsprozesses und diskutiert die Grenzen ihrer Generalisierbarkeit. Das Kapitel schließt mit einem Ausblick auf mögliche zukünftige Forschungsfelder literarischer Psycholinguistik. Auf der Grundlage der gesammelten Beobachtungen ergibt sich folgende Liste gedichtspezifischer Anpassungen der Sprachverarbeitung und -evaluation. Die Konzeption der Textsorte Gedicht... 1. beeinflusst die Erwartungen und die Aufmerksamkeit der Leser bereits vor dem Lesen 2. bewirkt jedoch nicht, dass Leser prosodischen Rekurrenzen gesteigerte Aufmerksamkeit schenken 3. führt zu gattungsspezifischen Anpassungen des Leseverhaltens und der Blickbewegungsroutinen 4. bestimmt Strategien zur gattungsadäquaten phonetischen Realisierung sprachlicher Reize 5. beeinflusst zwar nicht die frühe Verarbeitung (scheinbarer) semantischer Inkongruenz, veranlasst Leser jedoch, sowohl während des Lesens als auch danach größeren Interpretationsaufwand zu betreiben, um zu einer kohärenten Bedeutungsrepräsentation zu gelangen 6. beeinflusst nicht die strategische Nutzung verarbeiteter prosodischer Regelmäßigkeiten (Metrum) beim Lesen 7. macht Leser resilienter gegenüber gattungstypischen historischen Wortformen, die ohne Kenntnis der Gattung kurzzeitig die verfügbaren kognitiven Ressourcen während des Lesens reduzieren 8. beinhaltet gattungsspezifische Evaluationskriterien für grammatische und semantische Merkmale sprachlicher Reize Gemeinsam betrachtet zeigen diese Resultate deutlich, dass literarische Gattungen selbst in der Konzeption literarischer Laien mit ausgewählten sprachlichen Konstruktionen und Merkmalen verknüpft sind, sowie mit adäquaten Anpassungen der Sprachverarbeitung und -evaluation. Diese Anpassungen betreffen sämtliche Stufen des literarischen Rezeptionsprozesses: die Aufmerksamkeit des Lesers vor dem Lesen, die Verarbeitungsroutinen während des Lesens, und die Evaluationskriterien für sprachliche Reize nach dem Lesen