Cognitive Factors Predicting Expressive Music Synchronization: Roles for Auditory Imagery and Working Memory

Sensorimotor synchronization (SMS) is especially apparent¿and therefore readily studied¿in musical settings, as most people are naturally able to perceive a musical beat and synchronize to it (e.g. by tapping a finger). SMS processes have been tested extensively using pseudo-musical pacing signals, so we chose to extend this by using naturalistic, expressively timed piano music, characterized by slight tempo fluctuations for artistic interpretation. Previous research has also shown that people vary greatly in their SMS abilities. Given the dynamic nature and variability of SMS, we hypothesized that individual differences in working memory and auditory imagery¿both fluid, cognitive processes¿would predict SMS at two levels: 1) asynchrony (a measure of synchronization error), and 2) anticipatory timing (i.e. predicting, rather than reacting to beat onsets). In Experiment 1a, participants (N = 36) completed two working memory tests, a tempo imagery test, a pitch imagery test, and a self-report test of auditory imagery with separate subscales for vividness (clarity of an image) and control (ability to alter an image). They were then tested in a SMS-tapping task. In Experiment 1b, the same set of tasks was given to highly trained musicians. In Experiment 2, participants were given an expressive timing perception test to see the extent to which the cognitive variables related to perception without action. Hierarchical regression models were used to assess the contribution of the cognitive variables to SMS. Results showed dissociations among imagery types as they relate to asynchrony, perception, and suggest a role for working memory in anticipatory timing. Musicians performed better on the SMS task, but showed fewer correlations between the cognitive variables and SMS. These results suggest that in nonmusicians imagery for pitches and temporal patterns is important for synchronizing to an auditory stimulus, but working memory is implicated in strategically synchronizing via anticipation of beat onsets

A Schistosomiasis Research Agenda

There is a long and rich history of research and control in the field of schistosomiasis that has resulted in major scientific and public health accomplishments. Examples of such findings and accomplishments include immunologic regulation in chronic infections [1], the association of helminth infections with Th1-regulating Th2-type immune responses [2], the critical role of interleukin-13 in fibrogenesis [3], and the development and validation of the “dose pole” for determining praziquantel dosages in the field [4],[5]. Perhaps in part because of this broad and successful history, those who work on schistosomiasis come from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. While such variety is enriching to the field, it sometimes results in diverse opinions about which of the many research opportunities should be pursued. Such diversity, we believe, has at times led to a divisiveness that has harmed overall progress in the field. Partly in response to such events, we have worked with as many of those interested in schistosomiasis as we could identify to develop what we feel is a comprehensive and cohesive agenda for schistosomiasis research (Image 1)

Human schistosomiasis

Human schistosomiasis-or bilharzia-is a parasitic disease caused by trematode fl ukes of the genus Schistosoma. By conservative estimates, at least 230 million people worldwide are infected with Schistosoma spp. Adult schistosome worms colonise human blood vessels for years, successfully evading the immune system while excreting hundreds to thousands of eggs daily, which must either leave the body in excreta or become trapped in nearby tissues. Trapped eggs induce a distinct immune-mediated granulomatous response that causes local and systemic pathological eff ects ranging from anaemia, growth stunting, impaired cognition, and decreased physical fi tness, to organ-specifi c eff ects such as severe hepatosplenism, periportal fi brosis with portal hypertension, and urogenital infl ammation and scarring. At present, preventive public health measures in endemic regions consist of treatment once every 1 or 2 years with the isoquinolinone drug, praziquantel, to suppress morbidity. In some locations, elimination of transmission is now the goal; however, more sensitive diagnostics are needed in both the fi eld and clinics, and integrated environmental and health-care management will be needed to ensure elimination. © Chataway et al. Open Access article distributed under the terms of CC BY

3 Types of Data Management Strategies

The main goal of data utilization is to provide added value to the farm. That value can come in several different forms. By using on-farm data to inform decision-making, farmers can choose strategies that help them reduce risk, maximize profits or reduce inputs – or a combination of the three

Data Utilization

Goal: Understand potential ways digital agriculture data and tools can be implemented at the farm level to manage risk, maximize profits and optimize inputs

Data Fundamentals

Goal: After reading our section, the grower should have a basic understanding of how on-farm data can be used to generate value and understand types of data, data usage complications and basic data management considerations