New Releases by Nicholas Allan

This commentary will consider how I have developed and applied a number of compositional techniques, particularly in the area of rhythm and pulse, which I situate in relationship to postminimalism. In chapter 1 I contextualise my music by considering some manifestations of postminimalism, give the background to the development of my present aesthetic approach, and look at some definitions of postminimalism in order to clarify my own position in relation to both American and European (primarily Dutch) postminimal composition. In chapter 2 I examine the main aspects of my musical language, focussing on technical considerations in relation to the wider aesthetic context. In chapter 3, I will demonstrate how specific techniques, particularly rhythmic and permutational techniques, are applied in particular compositions, and how these techniques have developed over the last four years. Additionally, I consider how my work is informed by a social/political awareness, and how this has informed my choice of particular compositional strategies.

De herbergier wil gaan slapen, maar deze nacht wordt hij telkens gestoord. Eerst door late gasten, dan door de geboorte van een kind. En nog later komen er herders op bezoek. Prentenboek met pastelkleurige aquarellen. Vanaf ca. 3 jaar.

It's time for Polly to open her pet shop. The first customer of the day isMax the Magician, but which pet will he choose? The friendly-looking croc, the cheeky chimp, the smiley fishie, or the white rabbit? Next comesCowgirl Kate. Is she after a porky piglet, a slithering snake, a handsome white horse, or a wise brown owl? After Kate,Pirate Petestomps in. Polly offers him a great big green octopus, a teeny little mouse, a rainbow -feathered parrot and a cat - what do you think he will do? The last customer of the day isPrincess Pam. Will she choose a cuddly brown bear, a beautiful white bird, or a slimy frog? See whether you can guess and then lift the flaps to find out whether you're right!

Originally published: London: Hutchinson, 2006.

The Attentional Blink (AB) refers to a period of approximately 500ms when, following the correct report of a first target (T1), report of a second target (T2) is disrupted. Despite the theoretical basis of this effect remaining contentious, researchers have applied the paradigm to specific populations such as individuals with dyslexia in order to examine the temporal nature of attention within this population. The series of experiments reported in this thesis aimed to develop methods capable of controlling for individual differences in factors potentially unrelated to the AB, which may, however, be interfering with the interpretation of the applied research. This highlighted four factors which could be estimated and controlled in an AB investigation: practice effects, target duration, intertarget interval (ITI), and task foreperiod. Investigation of practice effects suggested that these could be attenuated by providing a sufficiently demanding task. Overall, it appeared that practice led to enhanced task-preparation. Under conditions of high task difficulty, as set by modifying target exposure duration, there was not a significant change in AB accuracy across a series of 700 trials. Target exposure duration was varied to establish target equality between observers. By reducing or extending the exposure duration, target accuracy could be set at a fixed level of correct report between observers. Therefore, speed of processing could be estimated and examined between observers; but most importantly, it could be factored out of the AB effect. In a similar manner to target exposure duration, ITI was estimated and controlled. This was most easily estimated using a minimalist AB design using a fixation cross, T1 and a backward mask, and T2 and a backward mask. Utilising the established target exposure duration, the temporal lag between targets could be modified so that T2 accuracy was set to a criterion level. Task foreperiod, the time between fixation offset and T1 onset, was equated in similar fashion. The AB pattern could now be estimated with inter-target lags set to fixed proportions of the value established in the step controlling for ITI. In estimating and controlling for each of these factors, a task preparatory model of the AB was necessary to adequately account for a significantly attenuated AB effect when foreperiod was held constant. Two factors were found to be critical: the development of 'task-set', defined as opting to complete one task over another; and 'perceptual-set', defined as preparation to receive the physical attributes of the to-be-processed stimuli including modality and intensity as well as spatial and temporal location. The conclusion of the investigation posits that in commonly applied AB methodologies, there are a number of factors unrelated to the AB effect which, when unaccounted for, contaminate the effect. If valid conclusions regarding group differences in the AB per se are going to be established, these unrelated factors should be ruled out as sources of between group differences.

Meneer en mevrouw Konijn snappen maar niet waarom ze zoveel kleintjes krijgen; pas als ze beiden aan een kant van het bed op de grond gaan liggen, houdt het op. Prentenboek met eenvoudige illustraties in kleur met een telelement. Vanaf ca. 3 jaar.

Told from Willy's point of view, this energetic and competitive sperm tells what it was like to run the race of his life along with his millions of friends and win--resulting in something wonderful for Mr. and Mrs. Browne, in an informative and amusing story about the creation of life.

The hermit had the island all to himself, and that was how he liked it. It was quiet, tidy and peaceful and he was quite content, until the day the bird arrived. The bird was noisy, messy and energetic and just wouldn't go away. The hermit was furious.

Plus une goutte de sang à l'Hôpital Hilltop ! L'anesthésiste est introuvable et un malade met tout sens dessus dessous. Heureusement, le Dr Matthews et l'infirmière Cathy gardent la tête sur les épaules.

Trois patients viennent d'arriver aux urgences ! Les infirmières sont débordées et le Dr Atticus est parti en pique-nique. Tout le monde s'agite à l'Hôpital Hilltop, d'autant qu'il reste encore l'anniversaire du Dr Matthews à organiser...

Het zaadje Willie maakt zich op voor de grote race naar het eitje van mevrouw De Bruin, maar hij is niet de enige. Prentenboek met humoristische tekeningen over de voortplanting. Vanaf ca. 5 jaar.

À l'hôpital Hilltop, Alberta Autruche attend avec impatience l'éclosion de son premier œuf. Et lorsqu'il vient à disparaître, c'est parmi les œufs en chocolat des bébés lapins de Délice que le personnel de l'hôpital doit le retrouver au plus vite.

Victor, le petit éléphant, est malheureux : sa mère arrive à l'hôpital pour accoucher, or il ne veut ni d'un frère ni d'une sueur. Une famille de bovins et les paroles apaisantes de l'infirmière Cathy réussiront-elles à lui faire changer d'avis ?

Les cloches de la noce résonnent en l'honneur de Félicité et Bruce. Mais lorsque le curé est victime d'un accident, ils décident de célébrer leur mariage au pied de son lit d'hôpital. Le personnel n'a donc plus qu'à s'assurer que la fête sera une vraie réussite...

Pour la Saint-Valentin, l'infirmière Cathy n'est pas la seule à avoir des problèmes de cœur. Maintenant qu'on a trouvé un nouveau cœur pour Edouard Lion, il va falloir l'opérer. C'est une question de vie ou de mort.

Tomás busca un amigo que sea como él.

Billy Trunk starts school and is disappointed that there's no one like him. Humorously shows that if you look for a friend who is just like you, you might just miss that special friend who is close by.

It's Easter at Hilltop. Alberta the Ostrich is nervously waiting for her first egg to hatch, but then it goes missing Nurse Bunny has given Dily's bouncing baby bunnies, chocolate eggs, and they're about to roll them. Has Alberta's egg got mixed up with the chocolate ones?

Nicholas Allan is well-known for two things; firstly for the being the wonderfully funny author of such children's bestsellers asThe Queen's Knickers. Secondly, for being able to gatecrash even the most exclusive of parties. It's a skill that has brought him into contact with the great, the good and the greedy—from Mick Jagger to Princess Anne. It's allowed him to drink Tattinger champagne at the Savoy, nibble Caviar canapes in private members clubs, and swap stories with Captains of Industry. The secret is all in the technique. Witty, subversive and a fantastic gift, Nicholas' essential handbook is your passport to a more glamorous way of life.