A model-based comparison of three theories of audiovisual temporal recalibration

Observers change their audio-visual timing judgements after exposure to asynchronous audiovisual signals. The mechanism underlying this temporal recalibration is currently debated. Three broad explanations have been suggested. According to the first, the time it takes for sensory signals to propagate through the brain has changed. The second explanation suggests that decisional criteria used to interpret signal timing have changed, but not time perception itself. A final possibility is that a population of neurones collectively encode relative times, and that exposure to a repeated timing relationship alters the balance of responses in this population. Here, we simplified each of these explanations to its core features in order to produce three corresponding six-parameter models, which generate contrasting patterns of predictions about how simultaneity judgements should vary across four adaptation conditions: No adaptation, synchronous adaptation, and auditory leading/lagging adaptation. We tested model predictions by fitting data from all four conditions simultaneously, in order to assess which model/explanation best described the complete pattern of results. The latency-shift and criterion-change models were better able to explain results for our sample as a whole. The population-code model did, however, account for improved performance following adaptation to a synchronous adapter, and best described the results of a subset of observers who reported least instances of synchrony

First record of Neoheegeria gigantea (Thys.: Phlaeothripidae) from Iran

گونه‌ی Neoheegeria gigantea (Priesner) از خانواده‌ی Phlaeothripidae و قبیله‌ی Haplothripini برای نخستین‌بار از ایران گزارش می‌شود. نمونه‌های این گونه در میان برگ‌های پوسیده‌ی زیر درختان بلوط جمع‌آوری شد که احتمالاً شکل تابستان‌گذران این گونه می‌باشد

The Thrips genus-group (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Iran

The monobasic genus Sphaeropothrips is recorded in Iran for the first time. This is the fourth member of the Thrips genus-group recorded from Iran, and a key is provided to distinguish these four genera. Information about these four genera is provided, and some problems in the recognition of true host-plant associations in Iran are discussed

Haplothrips zabolius sp. n., a new species from Sistan & Baluchestan province, southeast of Iran (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Haplothrips zabolius sp. n. is described from two plant species, Cynodon dactylon (Poaceae) and Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) from the southeast of Iran. The new species is apparently close to some grass-living Haplothrips species: H. aculeatus (Fabricius), H. eragrostidis Priesner and H. hukkineni Priesner. Most specimens of the new species have only one sense cone on the antennal segment III, but it is unusual among Iranian members of the genus in having another sense cone on the antennal segment III in a few specimens

The first report of the genus and species of Florithrips traegardhi (Thysa.: Thripidae) from Iran

A faunistic study of the order Thysanoptera was conducted in cereal crop fields of the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan during 2007-2009. The species Florithrips traegardhi (Trybom) was collected from various grasses including corn, rice and wheat and later found its genus and species are new records for Iran

A new differential configuration suitable for realization of high CMRR, all-pass/notch filters

#yayıncısurumuyok# ; Tam metin hakemden geçmiş kopyadır.In this paper, a new configuration suitable for realization of differential input-differential output first order, second order all-pass and notch filters with high CMRR is given. The proposed configuration uses two negative type second-generation current conveyors (CCII-), and three admittances. Two first order and one second order all-pass filters and a notch filter (tunable if current controlled conveyor CCCII is used) are extracted from the proposed configuration. Tracking error, element mismatch, sensitivity analysis, simulation and experimental results are included

Monitoring of airborne asbestos fibers in an urban ambient air of Mashhad City, Iran: levels, spatial distribution and seasonal variations

Asbestos, as with other pollutants in the air, has adverse effects on the health of human beings and animals. Today, the relationship between presence of asbestos fibers in the air breathed by humans and developing serious diseases such as lung cancer (asbestosis) and mesothelioma has been proven. The objectives of this study were to monitor the levels of asbestos fibers in ambient air of Mashhad, Iran during 2018, and to draw its Geographic Information System (GIS) distribution map for the city. In this descriptive study, 13 sampling points in Mashhad city were chosen. Sampling of asbestos was carried out for 3 hour during summer and winter at 2018. Sampling of asbestos was performed using MCE (Mixed Cellulose Ester) membrane filters (pour size 0.45 µm; diameter: 25 mm) and cassette holder and peripheral pump. The samples were the analyzed by the phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method (NIOSH7400). Also, to investigate the type of asbestos and for more accurate counting of fibers, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was utilized. Meteorological parameter were recorded through portable devices. To draw the graphs, Excel, R and Arc GIS software were used. Results showed that the mean asbestos fiber concentrations were equal to 11.40 ± 2.14 and 14.38 ± 2.52 f/L in summer and winter, respectively. The maximum level of asbestos fiber was detected in the station of Baitolmoghaddas square by 26.64 ± 2.14 and 19.3 SEM f/L in winter and summer, respectively. High concentration of asbestos fiber observed in this study can be attributed to the heavy traffic, the presence of prominent industries in the vicinity of the study area, and topographic features. The results from this research recommends that suitable controlling policies should be regulated to reduce both ambient air asbestos and its adverse health endpoints in Mashhad. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Persistence of earnings and prediction of future cash flows: the role of timely recognition of bad news

Timely recognition of losses and expenses compared to revenues and increased values precipitates future expenses to match with current revenues. Thus, timely recognition of losses acts to reduce the persistence of earnings. However, it is expected that a more timely recognition of negative cash flows, as bad news, increase the power of earnings for predicting future cash flows. This study investigates the effects of the timely recognition of bad news (loss) versus the good news on the decrease of the persistence of earnings, and the effect of negative cash flows on forecasting future cash flows. In this study, two pooling type models and a panel type model have been used to estimate the persistence of earnings and cash flows. Seventy eight firms that were listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange during the period 2003–2010 were duly reviewed. The results of this research proved that the timely recognition of loss does not affect the persistence and the power of earnings for the purpose of forecasting future cash flows. The findings imply that conservatism does not distort persistence of earnings

The first record of Dendrothrips aspersus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Iran

The species <em>Dendrothrips aspersus</em> Bhatti, 1971 is reported for the first time from Iran, based on the materials collected on grasses. This species was endemic to their originated region and is recorded for the first time outside their native range. The host records of <em>D. aspersus</em> in both India and Iran are discussed. Moreover, the number of thrips species that have been recently recorded from Iran are tabulated