Exogenous spatial precuing reliably modulates object processing but not object substitution masking

Object substitution masking (OSM) is used in behavioral and imaging studies to investigate processes associated with the formation of a conscious percept. Reportedly, OSM occurs only when visual attention is diffusely spread over a search display or focused away from the target location. Indeed, the presumed role of spatial attention is central to theoretical accounts of OSM and of visual processing more generally (Di Lollo, Enns, & Rensink, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General 129:481–507, 2000). We report a series of five experiments in which valid spatial precuing is shown to enhance the ability of participants to accurately report a target but, in most cases, without affecting OSM. In only one experiment (Experiment 5) was a significant effect of precuing observed on masking. This is in contrast to the reliable effect shown across all five experiments in which precuing improved overall performance. The results are convergent with recent findings from Argyropoulos, Gellatly, and Pilling (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance 39:646–661, 2013), which show that OSM is independent of the number of distractor items in a display. Our results demonstrate that OSM can operate independently of focal attention. Previous claims of the strong interrelationship between OSM and spatial attention are likely to have arisen from ceiling or floor artifacts that restricted measurable performance

The impact of residual renal function and total body water volume on achieving adequate dialysis in CAPD

Aims: The objective is to evaluate the impact of residual renal function (RRF) and total body water (TBW) on achieving adequate dialysis. Methods: Sixty three CAPD patients performing four 2 liter exchanges daily were evaluated for RRF, total weekly Kt/V (TWKt/V), total weekly creatinine clearance (TWCC) and TBW. Results: In patients with residual renal function (N = 41), TWKt/V and TWCC were 2.2 +/- 0.8 and 77.4 +/- 24.5 L, respectively. In patients without RRF (N = 22), TWKt/V was 1.6 +/- 0.4 and TWCC 42.6 +/- 9.2 L. TBW correlated negatively with TWkt/V in the group without RRF (r = -0.75, P<0.001). Conclusion: It is not possible for larger patients without RRF treated with CAPD (2L x 4 exchanges) to achieve the acceptable targets for TWKt/V and TWCC due to TBW

Assessing the predictive power of financial spreads in the euro area: does parameters instability matter?

Financial spreads, Bayesian VAR models, Bayesian analysis, Forecasting, C11, C32, C53,

SUPPORTING AN INFLATION TARGETING POLICY WITH THE MEASUREMENT OF INFLATION CREDIBILITY

Inflation targeting anchors inflation expectations, which are not within the sphere of control of the authorities, but can only be influenced over time by consistent policy. As public distrust of inflation figures will feed through to inflation expectations, this paper highlights pilot studies measuring the credibility of inflation in terms of an inflation credibility barometer. Despite initial discouraging results, the conclusion is that knowledge and information improve the credibility of inflation, but only one inflation rate (ideally the one used for inflation targeting purposes) should be communicated. Moreover, the rate used for targeting purposes should be specified with ease of communication in mind. Copyright 2005 Economic Society of South Africa.

An empirical analysis of the German long-term interest rate

The short run and long run influences of the main determinants of the German long-term interest rate are estimated using quarterly data for the period 1982-2001. A major reason for the focus on the German interest rate is that this rate, and hence its determinants, will be dominant in explaining the developments of the long-term Euro-rate in the international capital market. The specification of the interest rate equation encompasses various theories on interest rate formation. Four of the analysed interest rate theories partially explain interest rate movement, and therefore together form an encompassing model in which the four theories are incorporated. The short-term German interest rate, the US and Japanese bond rates and the government balance appear to be the most prominent determinants of the German (and hence Euro) rate, but also the business cycle and the oil price have explanatory power of this interest rate.