Effects of attention on a relative mislocalization with successively presented stimuli

Previous studies yielded evidence that the precision, with which stimuli are localized in the visual periphery, is improved under conditions of focused attention. The present study examined whether focused attention is able to correct a mislocalization recently observed with successively presented stimuli: when observers are asked to localize the peripheral position of a briefly presented target with respect to a previously presented comparison stimulus, they tended to judge the target as being more towards the fovea than was its actual position. In three experiments the mislocalization was tested under conditions with focused and distributed attention. Results revealed that the mislocalization increased with distributed attention and disappeared when stimuli appeared consistently at predictable positions and thus under conditions of focused attention. However, when a procedure with a trial-by-trial cueing was applied the mislocalization was only reduced, but not wiped out completely. In a recently developed dynamic field model consisting of interacting excitatory and inhibitory neuronal cell populations the results were explained as an attentional modulation of spontaneous (baseline) levels of neural activity.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - DFG MU 1298/

Vocational and training behaviours of German corporations in Japan, India and China - German models or local procedures?

For many years the possible introduction of the German dual vocational education programme into other countries has been discussed. The transferability of the German vocational education and training system into other countries has been controversially discussed in the work of development assistance and in international comparative vocational education research for a long time, even though the empirical basis is quite narrow. The present study focuses on the vocational and training behaviours of German corporations in their subsidiaries in Japan, China and India. Even though all three nations are important countries for the German corporations the culture, the vocational education and employment systems are very different. Based upon the theory of the EPRG model in international management, this study analyses the vocational education and training activities and in terms of the EPRG model by interviews with experts. The findings indicate that a polycentric approach is used exclusively in India and to a significant extent in China. In Japan, in addition to the prevalent polycentric approach, there is also a strong influence of geocentric training styles. The similarities can be partly explained by the stronger focus on theoretical training institutions and a more academic attitude in society as a whole, which means that purely vocational training plays a marginal role with low esteem. In this context, it would be difficult to implement the German style of vocational education and training

Daily Supplementation with 4000 IU Vitamin D3 for Three Years Does Not Modify Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: The Effect of Vitamin D on Mortality in Heart Failure Trial

Background/Aims: We aimed to investigate the effect of a moderately high vitamin D dose on lipid parameters and biochemical markers of vascular calcification (VC) in patients with established cardiovascular disease. Methods: We included in this pre-specified secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial 161 patients with advanced heart failure and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations <75 nmol/L (vitamin D group: n = 80; placebo group: n = 81), who received a daily vitamin D-3 supplement of 4,000 IU for 3 years. We assessed between-group differences of the lipid parameters total-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides, and the VC markers fetuin-A and non-phosphorylated undercarboxylated matrix gla protein (MGP) at study termination, with adjustment for baseline values. Results: Lipid parameters, the percentage of patients with dyslipoproteinemia, and VC markers did not differ significantly between groups at study termination (p values: 0.395-0.939). Like-wise, vitamin D achieved no significant treatment effect on these markers in subgroup analyses in patients with 25OHD concentrations <30 nmol/L, nonusers of lipid-lowering drugs, or diabetic patients (p values: 0.245-0.998). Conclusion: Our data indicate that vitamin D does not improve the lipid profile and does not influence the calcification inhibitors fetuin-A and non-phosphorylated undercarboxylated MGP in patients with advanced heart failure. (C) 2018 S. Karger AG, Base

Vitamin D supplementation does not prevent the testosterone decline in males with advanced heart failure: the EVITA trial

PurposeObservational studies indicate a positive association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and testosterone (T) concentrations. Because low 25OHD concentrations and T deficiency are considered to be a generalized phenomenon in patients with advanced heart failure (HF), we aimed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation has beneficial effects on T indices in these patients.MethodsIn a pre-specified secondary analysis of the EVITA (effect of vitamin D on mortality in heart failure) randomized controlled trial, we analyzed in male subjects with 25OHD concentrations<75nmol/L the effect of a daily vitamin D-3 supplement of 4000IU for 3years (n=71) vs. placebo (n=62) on total T (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free T (fT), and bioactive T (BAT). We assessed changes from baseline until study termination and between-group differences at study termination.Results25OHD increased in the placebo group from 36.6nmol/L by 9.2nmol/L (95% CI 3.2-15.1nmol/L; P=0.003) and in the vitamin D group from 36.5nmol/L by 63.9nmol/L (95% CI 52.6-75.3nmol/L; P<0.001), with a significant between-group difference at study termination (P<0.001). TT and SHBG concentrations did not change significantly, neither in the placebo group nor in the vitamin D group (P=0.845-0.082), but concentrations of fT and BAT declined significantly in both groups (P=0.025-0.008). At study termination, there were no between-group differences in TT (P=0.612), SHBG (P=0.393), fT (P=0.861), or BAT (P=0.960).ConclusionsIn male patients with advanced HF and low 25OHD concentrations, a daily vitamin D-3 supplement of 4000IU for 3years did not prevent the decline in testosterone indices

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Renin and Aldosterone Concentrations in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: The EVITA Trial

Objective. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25([OH](2)D) is considered to be a negative endogenous regulator of the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS), but the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the RAAS is inconclusive. Design. In this prespecified secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, we assessed in 165 patients with heart failure (vitamin D group: n = 83; placebo group: n = 82) the effect of three years of vitamin D supplementation with 4000 IU daily on parameters of the RAAS (renin and aldosterone) and on circulating 1,25(OH)(2)D, plasma phosphate, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23. We assessed age- and baseline-adjusted between-group differences at study termination. Results. Almost all patients were under treatment with beta-blockers, inhibitors of the RAAS, and diuretics. Initially, the frequency of concentrations above the laboratory-specific reference range (renin: >23.9 mIU/L; aldosterone: >232 ng/L) in the vitamin D and placebo group was 87.7% and 92.7%, respectively (renin), and 24.1% and 32.5%, respectively (aldosterone). Vitamin D increased adjusted 1,25(OH)(2)D concentrations significantly (mean treatment effect and 95% CI: 18.3 pmol/L,7.3 to 29.3 pmol/L; P < 0.001) but had no significant effects on phosphate (0.18 mmol/L, -0.00 to 0.35 mmol/L; P = 0.051), FGF-23 (685 RU/mL, -213 to 1585 RU/mL; P = 0.134), renin (312 mIU/L, -279 to 902 ng/L; P = 0.298), or aldosterone (-0.19 ng/L, -5.09 to 4.70 ng/L; P = 0.938). Vitamin D supplementation was, however, associated with an increase in renin concentrations in the subgroup with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D below 30 nmol/L (n = 67; 1365 mIU/, 343 to 2386 mIU/L; P = 0.010). Conclusions. In patients with advanced heart failure treated according to evidence-based guidelines, vitamin D supplementation did not significantly influence parameters of the RAAS in the entire study cohort but was associated with an increase in plasma renin concentrations in the subgroup with low baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations

Effect of vitamin D on all-causemortality in heart failure (EVITA): a 3-year randomized clinical trial with 4000 IU vitamin D daily

Aims Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels <75 nmol/L are associated with a nonlinear increase in mortality risk. Such 25OHD levels are common in heart failure (HF). We therefore examined whether oral vitamin D supplementation reduces mortality in patients with advanced HF. Methods and results Four hundred HF patients with 25OHD levels <75 nmol/L were randomized to receive 4000 IU vitamin D daily or matching placebo for 3 years. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Key secondary outcome measures included hospitalization, resuscitation, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implant, high urgent listing for heart transplantation, heart transplantation, and hypercalcaemia. Initial 25OHD levels were on average <40 nmol/L, remained around 40 nmol/L in patients assigned to placebo and plateaued around 100 nmol/L in patients assigned to vitamin D. Mortality was not different in patients receiving vitamin D (19.6%; n = 39) or placebo (17.9%; n = 36) with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.09 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-1.71; P = 0.726]. The need for MCS implant was however greater in patients assigned to vitamin D (15.4%, n = 28) vs. placebo [9.0%, n = 15; HR: 1.96 (95% CI: 1.04-3.66); P = 0.031]. Other secondary clinical endpoints were similar between groups. The incidence of hypercalcaemia was 6.2% (n = 10) and 3.1% (n = 5) in patients receiving vitamin D or placebo (P = 0.192). Conclusion A daily vitamin D dose of 4000 IU did not reduce mortality in patients with advanced HF but was associated with a greater need for MCS implants. Data indicate caution regarding long-term supplementation with moderately high vitamin D doses

Modelling basin effects on earthquake ground motion in the Santiago de Chile basin by a spectral element code

reserved5Simulations of strong ground motion within the Santiago de Chile Metropolitan area were carried out by means of 3-D deterministic wave propagation tool based on the spectral element method. The simulated events take into account the pronounced interface between the lowvelocity sedimentary basin and the bedrock as well as topography of the area. To verify our model we simulated a regional earthquake recorded by a dense network installed in the city of Santiago for recording aftershock activity after the 2010 February 27 Maule main shock. The results proof the alluvial basin amplification effects and show a strong dependence of spectral amplification in the basin on the local site conditions. Moreover, we studied the seismic response due to a hypothetical Mw = 6.0 event occurring along the active San Ram´on Fault, which is crossing the eastern edge of the city. The scenario earthquakes exhibit that an unfavourable interaction between fault rupture, radiation mechanism and complex geological and topographic conditions in the near-field region may give rise to large values of peak ground velocity in the basin. Finally, 3-D numerical predictions of ground motion are compared with the one computed according to ground motion prediction equations selected among the next generation attenuation relationships, in terms of ground motion peak values and spectral acceleration. The comparison underlines that the 3-D scenario simulations predict a significantly higher level of ground motion in the Santiago basin, especially over deep alluvial deposits. Moreover, also the location of the rupture nucleation largely influences the observed shaking pattern.M. Pilz; S. Parolai; M. Stupazzini; R. Paolucci; J. ZschauM., Pilz; S., Parolai; M., Stupazzini; Paolucci, Roberto; J., Zscha