Spatial attention increases performance but not subjective confidence in a discrimination task

Selective attention to a target yields faster and more accurate responses. Faster response times, in turn, are usually associated with increased subjective confidence. Could the decrease in reaction time in the presence of attention therefore simply reflect a shift toward more confident responses? We here addressed the extent to which attention modulates accuracy, processing speed, and confidence independently. To probe the effect of spatial attention on performance, we used two attentional manipulations of a visual orientation discrimination task. We demonstrate that spatial attention significantly increases accuracy, whereas subjective confidence measures reveal overconfidence in non-attended stimuli. At constant confidence levels, reaction times showed a significant decrease (by 15–49%, corresponding to 100–250 ms). This dissociation of objective performance and subjective confidence suggests that attention and awareness, as measured by confidence, are distinct, albeit related, phenomena

Margins of international banking: is there a productivity pecking order in banking, too?

Modern trade theory emphasizes firm-level productivity differentials to explain the cross-border activities of non-financial firms. This study tests whether a productivity pecking order also determines international banking activities. Using a novel dataset that contains all German banks' international activities, we estimate the ordered probability of a presence abroad (extensive margin) and the volume of international assets (intensive margin). Methodologically, we enrich the conventional Heckman selection model to account for the self-selection of banks into different modes of foreign activities using an ordered probit. Four main findings emerge. First, similar to results for non-financial firms, a productivity pecking order drives bank internationalization. Second, only a few non-financial firms engage in international trade, but many banks hold nternational assets, and only a few large banks engage in foreign direct investment. Third, in addition to productivity, risk factors matter for international banking. Fourth, gravity-type variables have an important impact on international banking activities. --International banking,extensive and intensive margin,productivity pecking order,ordered probit,selection models

The Herpetofauna of the Peruvian dry forest along the Andean valley of the Marañón River and its tributaries, with a focus on endemic iguanians, geckos and tegus : Squamata: Iguanidae, Phyllodactylidae, Teiidae

The present study was organized to contribute to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of the Inter-Andean dry forest valleys. Several field surveys were conducted between July 2005 and November 2010 at 22 different localities along the Marañón River and some of its tributaries.Section 1 gives deeper insights in the objectives of the research project and provides an overview on the topography, climate, vegetation, and fauna of the research area.Section 2 is a commented checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of the 22 surveyed localities situated in this world-unique dry forest habitat, containing 14 species of amphibians and 45 species of reptiles. Section 3 focuses on the neotropical representatives of the gecko family Phyllodactylidae. In chapter 3.1, two new species of the genus Phyllodactylus are described.Chapter 3.2 reports on the collection of the recently described gekkonid species Phyllodactylus thompsoni and P. delsolari from seven and four new localities, respectively, extending the distribution of both species southward along the Marañón River valley in Peru by about 130 km and the altitudinal range to nearly 1,900 m a.s.l. In chapter 3.3, the ecology of the four phyllodactylid geckos: Phyllopezus maranjonensis, Phyllodactylus delsolari, P. thompsoni and P. reissii, was studied in the Balsas area. Section 4 contributes to the knowledge of the iguanid lizards of the genus Polychrus. The new colorful species Polychrus jacquelinae is described from the surroundings of San Vicente/Pusaq, Province of Bolivar, Region of La Libertad. Section 5 is a taxonomic revision of the Andean representatives of the teiid lizard genus Ameiva Meyer, 1795 with a description of two new species and information on the environmental niches of three Ameiva species. The results of this dissertation provide a first checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of the interandean part of the equatorial dry forest in Northern Peru. The herpetofauna of this region is characterized by a high diversity and a high endemicity, with about half (29 of 59 species) of the recorded species being only known from this part of the equatorial dry forest. Six new species were discovered (Phyllopezus maranjonensis, Phyllodactylus delsolari, P. thompsoni, Polychrus jacquelinae, Ameiva aggerecusans, and A. concolor), a new country record was discovered (Mastigodryas reticulatus), and range extensions were provided for eight taxa (Leptodactylus labrosus, Rulyrana mcdiarmidi, Phyllodactylus johnwrighti, Pseudogonatodes barbouri, Leptodeira septentrionalis larcorum, Sibynomorphus vagrans, Microlophus stolzmanni, and Phyllopezus maranjonensis). In addition, information on natural history and key literature are provided for most of the recorded dry forest species. This investigation contributes valuable information on the knowledge of the amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the northern Peruvian dry forest and provides a basis for further studies as well as for the development of conservation strategies for this peculiar habitat and its herpetofauna. The high amount of endemic species and the high potential for the discovery of additional rare and endemic species together with the identified threats such as deforestation, mining activities and dam constructions for hydroelectric projects have high implications for conservation and further research. To date no protected area has been established in the Marañón valley. If no conservation strategies will soon be developed and implemented the destruction of this unique habitat will proceed and the decline of its diversity will be irreversible

Analysis of diet composition and morphological characters of the Peruvian lizard Microlophus stolzmanni (Squamata: Tropiduridae)

Analysis of diet composition and morphological characters of the Peruvian lizard Microlophus stolzmanni (Squamata: Tropiduridae). Microlophus stolzmanni is a diurnal lizard that is endemic to the dry forest of northern Peru. Little is known about the ecology of the species and the composition of its diet never has been studied. The stomach contents and morphological features related to feeding behavior are analyzed herein. Microlophus stolzmanni is a semi-herbivorous food generalist that also consumes animal items. All age groups prefer sedentary prey for which M. stolzmanni forages actively. As the lizard matures, plant material becomes a more important part of the diet.Análise da composição da dieta e características morfológicas do lagarto peruano Microlophus stolzmanni (Squamata: Tropiduridae). Microlophus stolzmanni é um lagarto diurno endêmico da foresta seca do norte do Peru. Pouco se sabe sobre a ecologia da espécie, e a composição de sua dieta nunca havia sido estudada. Analisamos aqui o conteúdo estomacal e características morfológicas relacionadas ao comportamento de alimentação. Microlophus stolzmanni é um lagarto generalista semi-herbívoro que também consome animais. Todos os grupos etários preferem presas sedentárias, que capturam por meio de forrageio ativo. À medida que os lagartos atingem a maturidade, o material vegetal torna-se uma parte mais importante da dieta

Reprodução em uma taxocenose de lagartixas (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) na região de Marañon (Peru) e comentários sobre a maior lagartixa do Novo Mundo

Reproduction is described for four phyllodactylid geckos, Phyllopezus maranjonensis, Phyllodactylus delsolari, P. thompsoni and P. reissii from the upper Marañon Valley, Peru. Observations were made between March and May 2010 and voucher specimens, already housed in the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), were X-rayed to check for gravid females. Gravid female P. maranjonensis, P. delsolari and P. reissii contain two eggs, whereas P. thompsoni produces a single egg that is deposited in leaf litter or crevices of stone walls. It is likely that females of all of these species produce multiple clutches in one year; the reproductive period seems to be extended in at least two species. Furthermore, measurements of numerous specimens of all four species are presented herein, revealing that Phyllopezus maranjonensis is the largest species of New World geckos.Descrevemos aqui a reprodução de quatro lagartixas da familia Phyllodactylidae, Phyllopezus maranjonensis, Phyllodactylus delsolari, P. thompsoni e P. reissii, do Vale do Alto Marañon, Peru. As observações foram feitas entre março e maio de 2010, e os espécimes-testemunhos, depositados no Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), foram radiografados para verificar a presença de fêmeas ovígeras. As fêmeas ovígeras de P. maranjonensis, P. delsolari e P. reissii portavam dois ovos, enquanto P. thompsoni produz um único ovo, que é depositado na serapilheira ou em frestas de paredões rochosos. As fêmeas de todas as espécies são mais provavelmente capazes de produzir desovas múltiplas ao longo do ano; o período reprodutivo parece prolongado em pelo menos duas espécies. Adicionalmente, medidas de diversos espécimes das quatro espécies são apresentadas aqui, revelando que Phyllopezus maranjonensis é a maior espécie de lagartixa do Novo Mundo

Die Umsetzung der Sprachförderkurse für Seiteneinsteiger/innen in der 3. und 4. Schulstufe in Wiener Volksschulklassen

Die Förderung von Schüler/innen mit anderen Erstsprachen als Deutsch, die als Seiteneinsteiger/innen in Wiener Volksschulen aufgenommen werden, steht im Mittelpunkt dieser Arbeit. Die leitende Forschungsfrage dazu lautet: „Wie setzen Lehrer/innen in Wiener Volksschulklassen die Sprachförderkurse für Seiteneinsteiger/innen in der 3. und 4. Schulstufe um?“ Im ersten Teil wird die historische Entwicklung der österreichischen Schule, insbesondere im Hinblick auf Österreich als Einwanderungsland, aufgezeigt. Die gesetzlichen Maßnahmen, die sich aus der zunehmenden Anzahl der Schüler/innen mit Migrationshintergrund, die dauerhaft in Österreich bleiben und in Österreich zur Schule gehen, ergaben, werden im geschichtlichen Ablauf dargestellt und die aktuellen Maßnahmen zur Deutsch-als-Zweitsprache-Förderung aufgezeigt. Die langjährigen Erfahrungen von Schulversuchen im Bereich Schüler/innen mit anderen Erstsprachen als Deutsch an Wiener Schulen werden aufgelistet und erläutert. Die dort gemachten Erfahrungen fanden Einzug in die gesetzlichen Bestimmungen der bundesweiten Maßnahmen zur Sprachförderung. Im zweiten Teil wird die Befragung der Klassenlehrerinnen und der Sprachförder¬kursen an zwei Wiener Volksschulen, sowie die Auswertungsmethode vorgestellt und die Ergebnisse werden interpretiert. Die Befragung beider Gruppen, der für die Deutsch-als-Zweitsprache-Förderung zuständigen Lehrpersonen, Klassenlehrerinnen einerseits und Sprachförderkurs¬lehrerinnen andererseits, macht die Notwendigkeit der Weiterführung der Sprach¬förderkurse, die durch professionell ausgebildete Lehrer/innen abzudecken ist, und den Bedarf nach noch mehr Ressourcen, insbesondere in der integrativen Betreuung und Begleitung der Seiteneinsteiger/innen im Klassenverband, deutlich

Off-label, off-limits? Parental awareness and attitudes towards off-label use in paediatrics

Off-label drug use in paediatrics is associated with an increased risk of adverse drug reactions. Any risk–benefit analysis has to be based on value judgments that should include parents' views. However, nothing is known so far about the parents' perspective on this critical issue. Therefore, a quantitative survey with parents of healthy and chronically ill children was carried out (n = 94). Knowledge about the practise of off-label use is generally poor in both groups. Surprisingly, this is also true for the parents of children with chronic disease. Nine percent of the parents of chronically ill children and 20% of the parents of healthy children would refuse treatment with an off-label drug. Parents who have poor knowledge about the practise of off-label use tend to refuse to volunteer their child for study participation. Therefore, the information of parents on the off-label use of drugs is important to meet ethical standards and to increase the parents' acceptance of medical studies with children