Retroactive Attentional Shifts Predict Performance in a Working Memory Task: Evidence by Lateralized EEG Patterns

Shifts of attention within working memory based on retroactive (retro-) cues were shown to facilitate performance in working memory tasks. Although posterior asymmetries in the EEG, such as the contralateral delay activity (CDA), have been used to study the active storage of lateralized working memory representations, results on the relation of such asymmetric effects to retro-cue benefits remain inconclusive. We recorded EEG in a retro-cue working memory task with lateralized items and a continuous performance response. Following either a selective or neutral retro-cue, participants adjusted the orientation of a central memory probe to the cued item. Selective retro-cues elicited an early posterior contralateral negativity (PCN), anterior directing attention negativity (ADAN) and a later modulation of CDA indicating that active storage was concentrated on the cued information. By dividing all trials into three within-condition performance quantiles, we could further show that high working memory accuracy was associated with a sustained increase of the CDA effect following the retro-cue. These results suggest that focusing resources on the active storage of relevant representations is an important factor regarding retro-cue benefits in working memory tasks

Управление процессом дуговой сварки покрытыми электродами воздействием на параметры режима

В процессе проведения экспериментальных исследований определена степень влияния импульсного изменения энергетических параметров на стабильность тепломассопереноса при дуговой сварке и наплавке покрытыми электродами. Определено влияние амплитудно-временных параметров режима на условия формирования сварного шва и наплавленного металла, а также критерии выбора специализированного сварочного оборудования.In the course of experimental studies, the degree of influence of the pulse change of energy parameters on the stability of heat and mass transfer in arc welding and surfacing with covered electrodes is determined. The influence of the amplitude-time parameters of the regime on the conditions of formation of the weld and weld metal, as well as the criteria for the selection of specialized welding equipment

Asymmetrische Synthese von Dehydropiperidinonen und polysubstituierten Pyrrolidinen

Nitrogen containing heterocycles are an important class of organic compounds due to their interesting pharmacological properties. Therefore, the aim of this research project was to develop a new asymmetric pathway to yield dehydropiperidinones and pyrrolidines. The synthesis of dehydropiperidinones succeeded via a thiourea catalyzed Mannich aza-Achmatowicz reaction sequence. Furthermore, an efficient domino Mannich aza-Michael reaction towards the synthesis of polyfunctionalized pyrrolidines was developed

Asymmetrische Synthese von Dehydropiperidinonen und polysubstituierten Pyrrolidinen

Nitrogen containing heterocycles are an important class of organic compounds due to their interesting pharmacological properties. Therefore, the aim of this research project was to develop a new asymmetric pathway to yield dehydropiperidinones and pyrrolidines. The synthesis of dehydropiperidinones succeeded via a thiourea catalyzed Mannich aza-Achmatowicz reaction sequence. Furthermore, an efficient domino Mannich aza-Michael reaction towards the synthesis of polyfunctionalized pyrrolidines was developed

Focusing attention in visual working memory

Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit den kognitiven Mechanismen, die selektiver Aufmerksamkeit im Arbeitsgedächtnis zugrunde liegen. In fünf Experimenten wurde die Beteiligung selektiver und inhibitorischer Sub-Prozesse der internalen Aufmerksamkeit untersucht. Anhand ereigniskorrelierter Potenziale und Komponenten der oszillatorischen Hirnaktivität des Elektroenzephalogramms konnten sowohl Selektion als auch Inhibition als relevante Mechanismen bei internaler selektiver Aufmerksamkeit identifiziert werden. Beide sind eigenständige und unabhängige Prozesse bei der Verschiebung des internalen Fokus der Aufmerksamkeit. Fokussierung von Aufmerksamkeit auf verhaltensrelevante Arbeitsgedächtnisrepräsentationen kann außerdem die Verarbeitung irrelevanter externaler Information unterdrücken um vor Interferenz zu schützen. Selektion spielt eine wichtige Rolle bei dem Transfer von Informationen aus dem Arbeitsgedächtnis zu anderen Verarbeitungseinheiten und begünstigt die Antwortplanung.This thesis deals with the cognitive mechanisms underlying selective attention in working memory. In five experiments, the participation of selective and inhibitory sub-processes of internal attention was investigated. Using event-related potentials and components of the oscillatory brain activity of the electroencephalogram, both selection and inhibition were identified as relevant mechanisms in internal selective attention. Both are independent processes in shifting the internal focus of attention. Focusing attention on behaviorally relevant working memory representations can also suppress the processing of irrelevant external information to protect against interference. Selection plays an important role in the transfer of information from working memory to other processing units and facilitates response planning

Extracurricular learning at :metabolon, location of research and innovation:

Unmittelbar vor den Toren Kölns entstand auf der ehemaligen Zentraldeponie Leppe im Oberbergischen Lindlar der Forschungs- und Innovationsstandort :metabolon. Im Rahmen der EU-Strukturförderung konnte hier eine authentische Lehr- und Lernlandschaft entstehen. Träger des Projektes sind der Oberbergische und der Rheinisch-Bergische Kreis sowie der Bergische Abfallwirtschaftsverband (BAV). Mit seiner umfassenden Vermittlungs- und Forschungsinfrastruktur ist :metabolon sowohl lokal, regional als auch international ein Referenzort für den Wissenstransfer im Bereich zirkuläre Wertschöpfung und die Erhaltung der natürlichen Rohstoffe. Das übergeordnete Ziel ist es, Forschungsergebnisse zielgruppengerecht an die breite Öffentlichkeit zu bringen, um so faktenbasiert für dieses zukunftsrelevante Thema zu sensibilisieren und Problembewusstsein zu schaffen. Der außerschulische Lernort :metabolon hält für jede Altersstufe – von Angeboten für Kita-Kinder und Schüler/-innen aller Schulformen über die Studien- und Berufsorientierung bis hin zur Erwachsenenbildung – etwas vor. Am Beispiel der Entwicklung eines Bildungskoffers zum Thema „Plastik und Mikroplastik in der Umwelt“ wird zudem gezeigt, wie Forschungsergebnisse direkt Eingang in Bildung fandenIn the immediate vicinity of Cologne, in the Oberbergischer Kreis, a district in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the project :metabolon converted the former central Leppe landfill into a site of research and innovation. Supported by the European Regional Development Fund, an authentic site of education and learning could develop. The Oberbergischer and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis as well as the Bergischer Abfallverband (BAV) are responsible for the project management. Due to its unique infrastructure with regard to research and knowledge transfer :metabolon has developed into a local, regional as well as international reference site of circular economy (circular value creation) and resource protection. The main goal is to communicate research results in a comprehensible way to the public. Based on facts, :metabolon sensitizes to topics of future relevance and creates awareness. The extracurricular place of learning offers a wide range of services, tools and events to choose from. There is something for all age groups. :metabolon addresses preschool children as well as schoolchildren from all the different types of schools. It further offers orientation to career and university studies and it provides adult education. Furthermore, the development of an educational kit on the topic of “Plastic and microplastic in the environment” is described illustrating how research results have directly found their way into education