bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Audiovisual stimulus-driven contributions to spatial orienting in ecologically valid situations: An fMRI study
Authors: Nardo Davide , Santangelo Valerio , Macaluso Emiliano 
Published: November 2012

Mechanisms of audiovisual attention have been extensively investigated, yet little is known about their functioning in ecologically-valid situations. Here, we investigated brain activity associated with audiovisual stimulus-driven attention using naturalistic stimuli. We created 120 short videos (2.5 s) showing scenes of everyday life. Each video included a visual event comprising a lateralized (left/right) increase in visual saliency (e.g., an actor moving an object), plus a co-occurring sound either on the same or the opposite side of space. Subjects viewed the videos with/without the associated sounds, and either in covert (central fixation) or overt (eye-movements allowed) viewing conditions. For each stimulus, we used computational models (‘saliency maps’) to characterize auditory and visual stimulus-driven signals, and eye-movements (recorded in free viewing) as a measure of the efficacy of these signals for spatial orienting. Results showed that visual saliency modulated activity in the occipital cortex contralateral to the visual event; while auditory saliency modulated activity in the superior temporal gyrus bilaterally. In the posterior parietal cortex activity increased with increasing auditory saliency, but only when the auditory stimulus was on the same side as the visual event. The efficacy of the stimulus-driven signals modulated activity in the visual cortex. We conclude that: (1) audiovisual attention can be successfully investigated in real-like situations; (2) activity in sensory areas reflects a combination of stimulus-driven signals (saliency) and their efficacy for spatial orienting; (3) posterior parietal cortex processes auditory input as a function of its spatial relationship with the visual input.
Infant perception of audiovisual synchrony in fluent speech
Authors: Pons Ferran , Lewkowicz David J. 
Published: November 2012

It is known that perception of audio–visual (A–V) temporal relations is affected by the type of stimulus used. This includes differences in A–V temporal processing of speech and non-speech events and of native vs. non-native speech. Similar differences have been found early in life, but no studies have investigated infant response to A–V temporal relations in fluent speech. Extant studies (Lewkowicz, 2010) investigating infant response to isolated syllables have found that infants can detect an A–V asynchrony (auditory leading visual) of 666 ms but not lower. Here, we investigated infant response to A–V asynchrony in fluent speech and whether linguistic experience plays a role in responsiveness. To do so, we tested 24 monolingual Spanish-learning and 24 monolingual Catalan-learning 8-month-old infants. First, we habituated the infants to an audiovisually synchronous video clip of a person speaking in Spanish and then tested them in separate test trials for detection of different degrees of A–V asynchrony (audio preceding video by 366, 500 or 666 ms). We found that infants detected A–V asynchronies of 666 and 500 ms and that they did so regardless of linguistic background. Thus, compared to previous results from infant studies with isolated audiovisual syllables, here we found that infants are more sensitive to A–V temporal relations inherent in fluent speech. Furthermore, given that responsiveness to non-native speech narrows during the first year of life, the absence of a language effect suggests that perceptual narrowing of A–V synchrony detection has not completed by 8 months of age.
The influence of the feel of the container on the perception of food within
Authors: Piqueras-Fiszman Betina , Spence Charles 
Published: November 2012

Most of the published research on the perception of food and drink has focused on what happens in-mouth during consumption. It is, however, important to note that people’s judgments are also profoundly influenced by other sensory cues, such as haptic input, be it their direct (oral-somatosensory) contact with the food itself, or their indirect contact with the product packaging, plateware, or cutlery as well. A series of experiments are reported which together demonstrate that people also evaluate the sensory characteristics, and even the quality and estimated price, of foods and beverages based on attributes, such as the weight or the texture, of the items we utilize during consumption (be it the cutlery, the tableware, or the product packaging). For instance, yoghurt samples were rated as being significantly more dense and more satiating when consumed from a heavy bowl than when exactly the same yoghurt was consumed from an identical bowl that was somewhat lighter. In another study, the texture of a yoghurt pot was shown to influence participants’ ratings of certain of the textural attributes of foods. We have also investigated the effect of the weight of the cutlery. These results suggest that the haptic cues associated with the consumption of food and drink can also influence our in-mouth perception of their textural properties. Given that the participants did not touch the food directly with their hands, the phenomenon observed might reflect an example of ‘sensation transference’ between what participants feel in their hands and what they perceive in their mouths.
Multisensory interactions in the automatic control of postural sway
Authors: Meyer Georg , Clarke Emma , Robotham Tony 
Published: November 2012

Visual motion signals are an important source of self-motion information that are used in postural control. Bronstein and Buckwell (Exp. Brain Res. 113, 243–248, 1997) showed that postural reactions to visual motion are not rigid responses to optokinetic stimulation but specific responses appropriate for stabilising posture in natural circumstances: body sway, for instance, was abolished when participants fixated a static object in front of a laterally moving background, which in itself induced sway. We test whether haptic and auditory as well as visual fixation points reduce body sway induced by a background that either moved left/right or forward/back on a large (3 × 7 m) 3D visual display. 10 participants were asked to respond when a fixation target, whichs was presented either on a background or foreground, changed colour. Body sway was measured using a VICON motion tracking system. We tested three conditions that replicated Bronstein and Buckwell’s original study and show that body sway, induced by lateral motion of the background is abolished when participant fixate on a (virtual) foreground object. We extended their study by showing that 3D motion (looming/receding background) has a similar effect to lateral motion and to show that body sway can be effectively reduced by providing either auditory (a loudspeaker emitting a white noise) and haptic (participants lightly touch a tripod with their index finger) cues. Our findings show that postural control draws auditory and haptic as well as visual cues. The findings are relevant to the design of virtual reality systems and provide a method for objective measures of presence in virtual environments.
The pleasant heat? A study of thermal-emotion associations
Authors: Ho Hsin-Ni , Bergman Penny , Koizumi Ai , Tajadura-Jiménez Ana , Kitagawa Norimichi 
Published: November 2012

Recent studies demonstrated that the physical feeling of warmth could make people judge others more favorably, act more generously (Williams and Bargh, 2008) and induce greater social proximity (IJzerman and Semin, 2009). In the present study, we examined whether temperature is implicitly associated with positive or negative valence. In Experiment 1, subjects judged the valence of the emotion words and pictures with two response buttons, of which one is physically warm and the other is physically cold, and measured the reaction time. The response button assignment can be either congruent (warm-positive/cold-negative) or incongruent (warm-negative/cold-positive). We found that for emotion words, the warm-positive/cold-negative congruence holds. However, for emotion pictures, reverse results were obtained. To further examine the thermo-valence association, follow-up implicit association tests (IATs) were conducted with positive/negative words and warm/cold words in Experiment 2, and positive/negative pictures with warm/cold pads in Experiment 3. The results from Experiment 2 show a tendency towards warm-positive/cold-negative congruence. However, such tendency was not found in Experiment 3. In summary, our results indicate that when the valence is presented semantically, it is implicitly associated with both physical thermal experience (EXP 1) and abstract thermal concept (EXP 2), and the association follows the common expectation of warm-positive/cold-negative congruence. However, when the valence is presented visually, the association is not consistent (EXP 1 and EXP 3). These findings suggest that temperature might interact differently with valences being elicited by semantic and visual information.
The build-up and transfer of sensorimotor temporal recalibration measured via a synchronization task
Authors: Sugano Yoshimori , Keetels Mirjam , Vroomen Jean 
Published: November 2012

The timing relation between a motor action and the sensory consequences of that action can be adapted by exposing participants to artificially delayed feedback (temporal recalibration; Heron et al., 2009; Keetels and Vroomen, 2012; Stekelenburg et al., 2011; Stetson et al., 2006; Sugano et al., 2010). Here, we demonstrate that a sensorimotor synchronization task (i.e., tapping the index finger in synchrony with a pacing signal) can be used as a measure of temporal recalibration. Participants were first exposed to a constant delay (∼150 ms) between a voluntary action (a finger tap) and an external feedback stimulus of that action (a visual flash or auditory tone). A subjective ‘no-delay’ condition (∼50 ms) served as baseline. After a short exposure phase to delayed feedback participants performed the tapping task in which they tapped their finger in synchrony with a flash or tone. Temporal recalibration manifested itself in that taps were given ∼20 ms earlier after exposure to 150 ms delays than 50 ms delays. This effect built up quickly (within 60 taps) and was bigger for auditory than visual adapters. In Experiment 2, we tested whether temporal recalibration would transfer across modalities by switching the modality of the adapter and pacing signal. Temporal recalibration transferred from visual adapters to auditory pacers, but not from auditory adapters to visual pacers. This asymmetric transfer suggests that sensory-specific effects are at play.
Age-related changes in temporal processing of vestibular stimuli
Authors: Malone Alex K. , Chang Nai-Yuan N. , Hullar Timothy E. 
Published: November 2012

Falls are one of the leading causes of disability in the elderly. Previous research has shown that falls may be related to changes in the temporal integration of multisensory stimuli. This study compared the temporal integration and processing of a vestibular and auditory stimulus in younger and older subjects. The vestibular stimulus consisted of a continuous sinusoidal rotational velocity delivered using a rotational chair and the auditory stimulus consisted of 5 ms of white noise presented dichotically through headphones (both at 0.5 Hz). Simultaneity was defined as perceiving the chair being at its furthest rightward or leftward trajectory at the same moment as the auditory stimulus was perceived in the contralateral ear. The temporal offset of the auditory stimulus was adjusted using a method of constant stimuli so that the auditory stimulus either led or lagged true simultaneity. 15 younger (ages 21–27) and 12 older (ages 63–89) healthy subjects were tested using a two alternative forced choice task to determine at what times they perceived the two stimuli as simultaneous. Younger subjects had a mean temporal binding window of 334 ± 37 ms (mean ± SEM) and a mean point of subjective simultaneity of 83 ± 15 ms. Older subjects had a mean TBW of 556 ± 36 ms and a mean point of subjective simultaneity of 158 ± 27. Both differences were significant indicating that older subjects have a wider temporal range over which they integrate vestibular and auditory stimuli than younger subjects. These findings were consistent upon retesting and were not due to differences in vestibular perception thresholds.
The impact of imagery-evoking category labels on perceived variety
Authors: Ansons Tamara L. , Krishna Aradhna , Schwarz Norbert 
Published: November 2012

Does sensory imagery influence consumers’ perception of variety for a set of products? We tested this possibility across two studies in which participants received one of three alternate coffee menus where all the coffees were the same but the category labels were varied on how imagery-evocative they were. The less evocative labels (i) were more generic in nature (e.g., ‘Sweet’ or ‘Category A’), whereas the more evocative ones related either (ii) to the sensory experience of coffee (e.g., ‘Sweet Chocolate Flavor’ or ‘Smokey-Sweet Charred Dark Roast’) or (iii) to imagery related to where the coffee was grown (e.g., ‘Rich Volcanic Soil’ or ‘Dark Rich Volcanic Soil’). The labels relating to where the coffee was grown was included as a second control to show that merely increasing imagery does not increase perceived variety; it is increasing the sensory imagery relating to the items that does so. As expected, only category labels that evoked sensory imagery increased consumers’ perception of variety, whereas imagining where the coffee was grown did not enhance perception of variety. This finding extends recent research that shows that the type of sensory information included in an ad alters the perceptions of a product (Elder and Krishna, 2010) by illustrating that the inclusion of sensory information can also alter the perceived variety of a set of products. Thus, the inclusion of sensory information can be used flexibly to alter perceptions of both a single product and a set of choice alternatives.
The Role of Nahuatl in the Formation of Mesoamerica as a Linguistic Area
Authors: Brown Cecil H. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA number of attributes widely shared by languages of the culture region known as Mesoamerica have been identified by Campbell, Kaufman, and Smith-Stark (1986) as diagnostic of a linguistic area. Distributions of shared traits, including some features not previously recognized, suggest that Mesoamerica's development as a linguistic area at least in part involved diffusion of traits from Nahuatl, a regional lingua franca, to other Mesoamerican languages. While this could have occurred at any time from the beginning of the Postclassic period (c. 900 ce) until well after the arrival of the Spanish (1519 ce), the few clues at hand suggest the major diffusional interval to have been late, either in post-contact times or, if earlier, in the immediately preceding Late Postclassic era.
The Creative Legacy of Konstantin Rausch von Traubenberg
Authors: Khmelnitskaya Ekaterina 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
This article reassesses the art of sculptor Baron Konstantin Rausch von Traubenberg, one of many Russian émigré artists who fell into oblivion during the Soviet era. He worked in a variety of materials and genres, created portraits of his contemporaries, equestrian figurines, historical and genre groups, models for the firm of Fabergé & Co., and commissions for the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg. His multifaceted career, launched already before the revolution, constitutes a significant phenomenon when examined in conjunction with his subsequent work abroad.
From Greek Orthodoxy to Islam: Conversion in Contemporary Greek Society and Public Self-Representation
Authors: Sakellariou Alexandros 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis study focuses on the way people of Greek Orthodox origin, who have been converted to Islam, are self-presented via the media and the internet. The main goal is to study the reasons of their conversion, their social and religious background and the reaction of their family after their conversion. The research material is consisted of newspaper articles, television programs and internet sources. In that material people account of their conversion stories and try to present their new religious identity to the public. The method that is going to be applied is the classic thematic analysis of discourse.
Foreign Direct Investment in India’s Service Sector: A Case of Education Sector
Authors: Rawat Bhawana , Ahmad Shakeel 
Published: November 2012

India, whose growth is explained with the major contribution of service sector in the past few years, had stressed upon quality education, and thus, started realizing the need of FDI in the sector. This is because of the reason that FDI, on the one hand, has equipped India with bunch of benefits, on the other, it has raised the need of skilled human resource to bring innovative, efficient and uninterrupted operations in distinct fields. However, the bitter part of the issue is that, even after being world-renowned in producing quality human resources, India had not been able to meet the demand-supply gap because of the obvious reason of shortage of higher education institutions. This has invoked the issue of opening the barriers of education sector for foreign players, not just to develop education facilities, but also, facilitation of quality education. The inception of idea had resulted in emergence of number of arguments in favour, as also, against this.
Keeping this backdrop in mind, the paper attempts to highlight the issues associated to FDI scenario (in distinct ways) in service sector, focusing particularly on education sector; model reflecting association of quality education with distinct forms of environment, and resultant impact over economic growth. It further outlines various suggestive measures for allowing FDI in education sector and conclusions derived from the study.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial of gabapentin enacarbil for migraine prophylaxis
Authors: Silberstein Stephen , Goode-Sellers Stacey , Twomey Colleen , Saiers Jane , Ascher John 
Published: November 2012

Objective The objective of this article is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gabapentin enacarbil (GEn) for migraine prophylaxis. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, patients with International Headache Society-defined migraine who met criteria suggesting the need for prophylactic therapy were randomized 2:1:2:2:1 to one of the following five groups, designated according to target daily dose of study medication during the 20-week treatment period: placebo, GEn 1200 mg, GEn 1800 mg, GEn 2400 mg, or GEn 3000 mg. Results The intent-to-treat population included 523 patients ( n = 128 placebo, n = 66 GEn 1200 mg, n = 134 GEn 1800 mg, n = 133 GEn 2400 mg, n = 62 GEn 3000 mg). No statistically significant difference between active treatment (the average of 1800 mg and 2400 mg treatment groups) and placebo was found for change from baseline in the number of migraine headache days during the last four weeks of treatment prior to taper (the primary endpoint). Results of analyses of the primary endpoint using the per protocol population, analyses using imputation methods different from those of the primary analysis, and nonparametric analyses were consistent with the primary analysis in showing no difference between active treatment and placebo. The pattern of results was similar for the secondary efficacy endpoints. Pharmacokinetic data demonstrate that patients had adequate estimated exposure to GEn. The adverse event profile of GEn was consistent with that in previous studies. Conclusion GEn did not significantly differ from placebo for migraine headache prophylaxis. A high placebo effect should be considered when interpreting these results.
Effect of Subject Restraint and Resistance Pad Placement on Isokinetic Knee Flexor and Extensor Strength
Authors: Otten Roald , Whiteley Rod , Mitchell Tim 
Published: November 2012

Background: In clinical practice, several subject restraint and resistance pad placement variations are used when an isokinetic knee flexion/extension test is performed. However, it is unknown if these variations affect the outcome measures. The aims of this study were to determine if these setup variations affect isokinetic outcomes and to establish the smallest detectable difference for these setup variations. Hypothesis: Variation in isokinetic setup affects outcome measures. Study Design: Cross-sectional repeated-measures crossover study. Methods: Ten recreationally active adult men were examined with isokinetic dynamometry on 4 separate days. In the first 3 days, fully strapped and trunk-unstrapped testing was conducted with the resistance pad placed distally on the shin. On days 1 and 3, the unstrapped condition was performed first, followed by the strapped condition. On day 4, the resistance pad was placed proximal on the shin (anterior cruciate ligament testing). Results: There were no within-condition differences for days 1, 2, or 3 for the strapped and unstrapped conditions ( P > 0.05). Between-condition comparisons were significant (eg, quadriceps peak torque, P < 0.001; hamstring peak torque, P = 0.043) for the strapped, unstrapped, and proximal resistance pad placement conditions. The strapped condition generally showed the largest torques, and the unstrapped, the least. The smallest detectable differences were relatively large (eg, quadriceps peak torque strapped = 20.6%). The greatest intraclass correlation values were found when strapped. Conclusions: Subject setup significantly influences isokinetic outcome measures at the knee. Since the strapped condition demonstrated the greatest repeatability, it is recommended. The smallest detectable differences were relatively high for all variables and should be considered in the interpretation of the effect size of interventions. Clinical Relevance: Subject setup strapping must be considered when investigating test-retest values or when comparing subjects after isokinetic testing at the knee. The fully strapped condition has the best repeatability and highest torque values.
Discovery and validation of graft-versus-host disease biomarkers
Authors: Paczesny Sophie 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the most effective tumor immunotherapy available. Although allo-HSCT provides beneficial graft-versus-tumor effects, acute GVHD (aGVHD) is the primary source of morbidity and mortality after HSCT. Diagnosis of aGVHD is typically based on clinical symptoms in one or more of the main target organs (skin, liver, gastrointestinal tract) and confirmed by biopsy. However, currently available diagnostic and staging tools often fail to identify patients at higher risk of GVHD progression, unresponsiveness to therapy, or death. In addition, there are shortcomings in the prediction of GVHD before clinical signs develop, indicating the urgent need for noninvasive and reliable laboratory tests. Through the continuing evolution of proteomics technologies seen in recent years, plasma biomarkers have been identified and validated as promising diagnostic tools for GVHD and prognostic tools for nonrelapse mortality. These biomarkers may facilitate timely and selective therapeutic intervention but should be more widely validated and incorporated into a new grading system for risk stratification of patients and better-customized treatment. This review identifies biomarkers for detecting GVHD, summarizes current information on aGVHD biomarkers, proposes future prospects for the blinded evaluation of these biomarkers, and discusses the need for biomarkers of chronic GVHD.