Spatial attention shifting and phonological processing in adults with dyslexia

According to Hari and Renvall’s (2001) sluggish attentional shifting (SAS) hypothesis people with dyslexia have a central deficit in attention shifting. Here we assessed whether a group of adults with dyslexia showed impaired performance on shifting visual spatial attention. Twelve adults with dyslexia and 12 control adult participants took part in a Posner style focused attention orientation task and a shift attention orientation task. The participants also completed standardized measures of single word reading, spelling, IQ, phonological processing, speed of processing and non-word reading. Overall, the dyslexic participants showed the same pattern of performance as the control participants on the attention-orienting task, but completed the tasks at a consistently slower pace. Specifically, participants in both groups found short target presentation intervals more difficult than longer target presentation intervals, and participants in both groups were more impaired when cue-to-target information was invalid 20% of the time (shift task) than when it was valid all of the time (focused task). However, the group with dyslexia was significantly more impaired across the board

Efficient oxide phosphors for light upconversion; green emission from Yb3+ and Ho3+ co-doped Ln(2)BaZnO(5) (Ln = Y, Gd)

This is the author's accepted version of the article. The final published article can be found here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C0JM01652

A tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin based organic thin film transistor: Comparison with a device of the phthalocyanine analogue

The characteristics of bottom-gate bottom-contact organic thin film field-effect transistors (OTFTs) with 70 nm thick films of solution processed non-peripherally octahexyl-substituted nickel tetrabenzo triazaporphyrin (6NiTBTAP) molecules as active layers on silicon substrates are experimentally studied and the results are compared with the similary configured transistors using the corresponding nickel phthalocyanine (6NiPc) compound. 6NiTBTAP transistors are found to exhibit improved performance over 6NiPc transistors in terms of greater saturation hole mobility, two orders of magnitude higher on/off ratio and lower threshold voltage. This enhanced performance of 6NiTBTAP OTFTs over 6NiPc devices is attributed to improved surface morphology and large grain size of the active 6NiTBTAP film

Pengaruh Ukuran Dewan Direksi, Financial Leverage, Ukuran Perusahaan, Profitabilitas, Dan Umur Perusahaan Terhadap Pengungkapan Informasi Sosial Perusahaan Pada Perusahaan Pertambangan Yang Terdaftar Di Bursa Efek Indonesia

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh ukuran dewan direksi, financial leverage, ukuran Perusahaan, profitabilitas dan umur Perusahaan terhadap pengungkapan informasi sosial Perusahaan. Penelitian ini dapat dijadikan sebagai tolak ukur pengambilan keputusan informasi sosial Perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di bursa efek Indonesia pada periode 2009-2010. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah purposive sampling. Metode analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisis regresi berganda. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa profitabilitas memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap pengungkapan informasi sosial Perusahaan, sedangkan ukuran dewan direksi, financial leverage, ukuran Perusahaan dan umur Perusahaan tidak memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap pengungkapan informasi sosial Perusahaan. Keywods: Dewan direksi, financial leverage, ukuran Perusahaan,profitabilitas, umur Perusahaan, dan informasi socia

Printed graphene films with positive temperature coefficient of resistivity

0.5μm thick graphene films printed on plastic substrates exhibit metallic type conduction with a positive value of 1.5×〖10〗^(-3) K^(-1) for the temperature coefficient of resistance over the temperature range from 260K to 330K . The crystallites of approximately 6.5 nm in their average size in the film are found from the X-Ray diffraction pattern to be oriented preferentially along [002] plane.Dr. Indrani Banerjee is grateful to Commonwealth Association, UK for funding the present research work under the fellowship placement scheme (grant reference INCF-2014-66). The studentship of Ms Faris is partially sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Air Force Material Command, USAF, under Grant No. FA8655-08-1-3056

High-mobility solution-processed copper phthalocyanine-based organic field-effect transistors

© 2011 National Institute for Materials ScienceSolution-processed films of 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(hexyl) copper phthalocyanine (CuPc6) were utilized as an active semiconducting layer in the fabrication of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) in the bottom-gate configurations using chemical vapour deposited silicon dioxide (SiO2) as gate dielectrics. The surface treatment of the gate dielectric with a self-assembled monolayer of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) resulted in values of 4×10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 106 for saturation mobility and on/off current ratio, respectively. This improvement was accompanied by a shift in the threshold voltage from 3V for untreated devices to −2V for OTS treated devices. The trap density at the interface between the gate dielectric and semiconductor decreased by about one order of magnitude after the surface treatment. The transistors with the OTS treated gate dielectrics were more stable over a 30-day period in air than untreated ones.Technology Strategy Board, UK (Project No: TP/6/EPH/6/S/K2536J)

Smaller sample sizes for phase II trials based on exact tests with actual error rates by trading-off their nominal levels of significance and power

Background: Sample sizes for single-stage phase II clinical trials in the literature are often based on exact (binomial) tests with levels of significance (alpha (α) 80%). This is because there is not always a sample size where α and power are exactly equal to 5% and 80%, respectively. Consequently, the opportunity to trade-off small amounts of α and power for savings in sample sizes may be lost. Methods: Sample-size tables are presented for single-stage phase II trials based on exact tests with actual levels of significance and power. Trade-off in small amounts of α and power allows the researcher to select from several possible designs with potentially smaller sample sizes compared with existing approaches. We provide SAS macro coding and an R function, which for a given treatment difference, allow researchers to examine all possible sample sizes for specified differences are provided. Results: In a single-arm study with P0 (standard treatment)=10% and P1 (new treatment)=20%, and specified α=5% and power=80%, the A’Hern approach yields n=78 (exact α=4.53%, power=80.81%). However, by relaxing α to 5.67% and power to 77.7%, a sample size of 65 can be used (a saving of 13 patients). Interpretation: The approach we describe is especially useful for trials in rare disorders, or for proof-of-concept studies, where it is important to minimise the trial duration and financial costs, particularly in single-arm cancer trials commonly associated with expensive treatment options

Eclipsing Binaries Showing Light Time Effect

Four eclipsing binaries, which show apparent changes of period, have been studied with respect to a possible presence of the light time effect. With a least squares method we calculated new light elements of these systems, the mass function of the predicted third body, and its minimum mass. We discuss the probability of the presence of such bodies in terms of mass function, changes in radial velocity and third light in solution of light curves.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, conference proceeding

Effects of boron and gibberellic acid on in vitro pollen germination of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.)

This study was conducted on male pistachio cultivars which consisted of Uygur, Atli, Kaska, Sengel and Kavak to study the influence of boron and gibberellin on pollen germination in vitro. Pollen was sown in germination media that included 20% sucrose, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm boric acid (H3BO3) and gibberellic acid (GA3), separately. It was found that pollen germination for all cultivars were greatly reduced with increased GA3 concentration in the germination medium and reached the lowest value at the 100 ppm GA3 whereas germination was decreased up to 25 ppm in H3BO3 and gradually increased again to 100 ppm. With the mediums of boric acid and gibberellic acid ranging from 0 - 100 ppm, the amount and pattern of response in pollen germinability varied among cultivars considerably. Pollen germination was severely inhibited by GA3 and slightly promoted by boron. The results suggest that gibberellic acid had adverse effects on pollen germination of pistachio.Key words: Pistachio, Pistacia vera, in vitro, pollen germination, boron, gibberellic acid