bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methods for assessing the fatigue strength for cyclic internal pressure loaded components by using new developed high‐strength ductile iron
Authors: Schönborn S. , Hanselka H. , Wagener R. , Kaufmann H.
Published: January 2013

In dem vorliegenden Beitrag werden Methoden, auf Basis des bezogenen Spannungsgradienten χ* und des hochbeanspruchten Werkstoffvolumens HBV90%, zur betriebsfesten Vorbemessung von Bauteilen aus hochfesten Sphärogusswerkstoffen vorgestellt. Aufbauend auf umfangreichen Schwingfestigkeitsuntersuchungen unter konstanten Amplituden mit aus dem Bauteil entnommenen Materialproben wurden für die Werkstoffe EN‐GJS‐500‐7, SiboDur 700‐10 und MADI die zugehörigen Werkstoffkennwerte experimentell bestimmt und Näherungslösungen für die Übertragung auf beliebige Bauteilgeometrien abgeleitet. Die Validierung der Treffsicherheit bei der Abschätzung der Schwingfestigkeiten von innendruckbelasteten Bauteilen erfolgte an einem praxisnahen Pulsdummy‐Modellkörper, der als versagenskritisches Detail eine Bohrungsverschneidung im Winkel von 45° aufweist.
Interspecific variations in the gastrointestinal microbiota in penguins
Authors: Dewar Meagan L. , Arnould John P. Y. , Dann Peter , Trathan Phil , Groscolas Rene , Smith Stuart
Published: January 2013

Despite the enormous amount of data available on the importance of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota in vertebrate (especially mammals), information on the GI microbiota of seabirds remains incomplete. As with many seabirds, penguins have a unique digestive physiology that enables them to store large reserves of adipose tissue, protein, and lipids. This study used quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing to characterize the interspecific variations of the GI microbiota of four penguin species: the king, gentoo, macaroni, and little penguin. The qPCR results indicated that there were significant differences in the abundance of the major phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroides, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. A total of 132,340, 18,336, 6324, and 4826 near full‐length 16S rRNA gene sequences were amplified from fecal samples collected from king, gentoo, macaroni, and little penguins, respectively. A total of 13 phyla were identified with Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria dominating the composition; however, there were major differences in the relative abundance of the phyla. In addition, this study documented the presence of known human pathogens, such as Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Prevotella, Veillonella, Erysipelotrichaceae, Neisseria, and Mycoplasma. However, their role in disease in penguins remains unknown. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide an in‐depth investigation of the GI microbiota of penguins.
The Protohistoric ‘Quicklime Burials’ from the Balearic Islands: Cremation or Inhumation
Authors: Van Strydonck M. , Decq L. , den Brande T. Van , Boudin M. , Ramis D. , Borms H. , De Mulder G.
Published: January 2013

Traditionally, the Balearic so‐called ‘quicklime burials’ of the Iron Age have been considered to be inhumations in quicklime. The general appearance of the bones, however, resembles more closely that of cremated bones. Laboratory tests reveal that the observed features of the bones from these burials, including cracks, thumbnail fractures and warping, cannot be explained by an inhumation in quicklime. The δ 13C value, Fourier transform infrared spectra, SF values and the low carbon content of the apatite moreover indicate a thermal manipulation of the bones. The 14C content is depleted with regard to the accepted archaeological age of the sample, which can best be explained by carbon exchange between bio‐apatite and fossil CO2 released during the heating of limestone. This implies that the Balearic ‘quicklime burials’ must be interpreted as an elaborate cremation practice in presence of limestone. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kava for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder RCT: Analysis of Adverse Reactions, Liver Function, Addiction, and Sexual Effects
Authors: Sarris J. , Stough C. , Teschke R. , Wahid Z. T. , Bousman C. A. , Murray G. , Savage K. M. , Mouatt P. , Ng C. , Schweitzer I.
Published: January 2013

Presently, little is known about a number issues concerning kava (Piper methysticum), including (i) whether kava has any withdrawal or addictive effects; (ii) if genetic polymorphisms of the cytochrome (CYP) P450 2D6 liver enzyme moderates any potential adverse effects; and (iii) if medicinal application of kava has any negative or beneficial effect on sexual function and experience. The study design was a 6‐week, double‐blind, randomized controlled trial (n = 75) involving chronic administration of kava (one tablet of kava twice per day; 120 mg of kavalactones per day, titrated in non‐response to two tablets of kava twice per day; 240 mg of kavalactones) or placebo for participants with generalized anxiety disorder. Results showed no significant differences across groups for liver function tests, nor were there any significant adverse reactions that could be attributed to kava. No differences in withdrawal or addiction were found between groups. Interesting, kava significantly increased female's sexual drive compared to placebo (p = 0.040) on a sub‐domain of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), with no negative effects seen in males. Further, it was found that there was a highly significant correlation between ASEX reduction (improved sexual function and performance) and anxiety reduction in the whole sample. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examining the Role of Transformational Leadership in Emergency Management: The Case of FEMA
Authors: Karaca Hasan , Kapucu Naim , Van Wart Montgomery
Published: January 2013

It is generally accepted that all administrative agencies need a combination of transactional and transformational leaders; this is no different in emergency management agencies. However, until recently there has been relatively little study regarding the exact nature of transformational leadership in emergency management. Do standard concepts of transformational leadership apply? We used the case of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to explore this issue. Further, because of the time series data available when the agency studied was going through significant changes, we pose a further question: Do “shocks” to an agency significantly affect notions of transformational leadership? Structural equation modeling is conducted to examine and measure transformational leadership behaviors and explore how they relate to public employees' perceptions of leadership effectiveness as reported by the 2002, 2006, and 2008 Federal Human Capital Surveys (FHCS).
Concise Review: Maturation Phases of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Robertson Claire , Tran David D. , George Steven C.
Published: January 2013

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPS-CM) may offer a number of advantages over previous cardiac models, however, questions of their immaturity complicate their adoption as a new in vitro model. hPS-CM differ from adult cardiomyocytes with respect to structure, proliferation, metabolism and electrophysiology, better approximating fetal cardiomyocytes. Time in culture appears to significantly impact phenotype, leading to what can be referred to as early and late hPS-CM. This work surveys the phenotype of hPS-CM, including structure, bioenergetics, sensitivity to damage, gene expression, and electrophysiology, including action potential, ion channels, and intracellular calcium stores, while contrasting fetal and adult CM with hPS-CM at early and late time points after onset of differentiation.
Regulation of L-Threonine Dehydrogenase in Somatic Cell Reprogramming
Authors: Han Chuanchun , Gu Hao , Wang Jiaxu , Lu Weiguang , Mei Yide , Wu Mian
Published: January 2013

Increasing evidence suggests that metabolic remodeling plays an important role in the regulation of somatic cell reprogramming. Threonine catabolism mediated by L-threonine dehydrogenase (TDH) has been recognized as a specific metabolic trait of mouse embryonic stem cells. However, it remains unknown whether TDH-mediated threonine catabolism could regulate reprogramming. Here, we report TDH as a novel regulator of somatic cell reprogramming. Knockdown of TDH inhibits, whereas induction of TDH enhances reprogramming efficiency. Moreover, microRNA-9 post-transcriptionally regulates the expression of TDH and thereby inhibits reprogramming efficiency. Furthermore, protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT5) interacts with TDH and mediates its post-translational arginine methylation. PRMT5 appears to regulate TDH enzyme activity through both methyltransferase-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Functionally, TDH-facilitated reprogramming efficiency is further enhanced by PRMT5. These results suggest that TDH-mediated threonine catabolism controls somatic cell reprogramming and indicate the importance of post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation of TDH. STEM CELLS 2013;31:953–965
Learning in context: Technology integration in a teacher preparation program informed by situated learning theory
Authors: Bell Randy L. , Maeng Jennifer L. , Binns Ian C.
Published: January 2013

This investigation explores the effectiveness of a teacher preparation program aligned with situated learning theory on preservice science teachers' use of technology during their student teaching experiences. Participants included 26 preservice science teachers enrolled in a 2‐year Master of Teaching program. A specific program goal was to prepare teachers to use technology to support reform‐based science instruction. To this end, the program integrated technology instruction across five courses and situated this instruction within the context of learning and teaching science. A variety of data sources were used to characterize the participants' intentions and instructional practices, including classroom observations, lesson plans, interviews, and written reflections. Data analysis followed a constant comparative process with the goal of describing if, how, and why the participants integrated technology into their instruction and the extent to which they applied, adapted, and innovated upon what they learned in the science teacher preparation program. Results indicate that all participants used technology throughout their student teaching for reform‐based science instruction. Additionally, they used digital images, videos, animations, and simulations to teach process skills, support inquiry instruction, and to enhance student engagement in ways that represented application, adaptation, and innovation upon what they learned in the science teaching methods program. Participants cited several features of the science teacher preparation program that helped them to effectively integrate technology into their instruction. These included participating in science lessons in which technology was modeled in the context of specific instructional approaches, collaborating with peers, and opportunities for feedback and reflection after teaching lessons. The findings of this study suggest that situated learning theory may provide an effective structure for preparing preservice teachers to integrate technology in ways that support reform‐based instruction. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 50:348–379, 2013
Abnormal ductus venosus pulsatility index in the absence of concurrent umbilical vein pulsations does not indicate worsening fetal condition
Authors: Dahlbäck C. , Pihlsgård M. , Gudmundsson S.
Published: January 2013

Objective

Recordings of blood flow velocity waveforms in the ductus venosus (DV) and umbilical vein (UV) are routinely used in order to predict fetal condition in high‐risk pregnancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pathological blood flow in the two vessels and perinatal outcome.

Methods

High‐risk pregnancies (n = 11 863) admitted from 1993 to 2011 for blood‐flow examination, including recordings of DV pulsatility index for veins (DV‐PIV) and UV pulsations, were included. The results were related to perinatal outcome, using the last Doppler examination prior to delivery in the analysis.

Results

Abnormal DV‐PIV was observed in 3.9% of cases, intra‐abdominal UV pulsations in 1.3% and pulsations in the cord in 0.7%. As expected, the rate of UV pulsations increased with increasing DV‐PIV Z‐score. Fetuses with a pathological DV‐PIV, but without UV pulsations, showed fewer signs of compromise. This was also true for cases with a DV‐PIV ≥ 4 SDs above the mean (53.7% had steady flow in the UV). In contrast, the occurrence of UV pulsations seemed to be an indicator of fetal compromise, regardless of level of DV‐PIV.

Conclusions

Abnormal fetal venous blood velocity is related to adverse outcome in high‐risk pregnancies. However, abnormal DV‐PIV is not a reliable indicator of fetal compromise unless UV pulsations are concurrently present, and should not be regarded an indication for emergency delivery. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Cognition in Down syndrome: a developmental cognitive neuroscience perspective
Authors: Edgin Jamie O.
Published: January 2013

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic form of intellectual disability. DS results in a characteristic proﬁle of cognitive and neurological dysfunction. The predominant theory of the pattern of neural deﬁcits in this syndrome suggests that DS aﬀects ‘late‐developing’ neural systems, including the function of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In order to evaluate the validity of this theory, in this review, I highlight data addressing the neurological and cognitive phenotype in DS across development. In particular, I address the evidence suggesting that DS may impact late‐developing neural systems and end with the conclusion that some cognitive diﬃculties in DS must result from poor communication between late‐developing regions. Analogous to recent theories of cognitive processing in autism, cognitive deﬁcits in DS may be substantially impacted by less eﬃcient interregional communication. Finally, I discuss some ways in which understanding the impact of altered neurodevelopment in DS has the potential to inform our understanding of species‐typical trajectories of cognitive development. WIREs Cogn Sci 2013, 4:307–317. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1221

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction
Effect of Concentrate Supplementation on Feed Consumption, Nutrient Utilization and Blood Metabolite Profile in Captive Spotted Deer (Axis axis) Fed Oat (Avena sativa) and Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) Fodders Based Diet
Authors: Suresh C. , Das A. , Katole Shrikant , Saini Mohini , Swarup D.
Published: January 2013

This experiment was conducted to determine the optimum level of a maize–soybean meal–wheat bran concentrate supplement fed to captive spotted deer fed an oat and berseem fodder‐based diet. Twelve adult spotted deer [64–76 kg body weight (BW)] were distributed into three groups of four each and were housed individually. A diet consisting of 5 kg of oat fodder and 5.5 kg of berseem fodder was offered to each one of the experimental animals. The animal in group I received no supplementary concentrate, whereas, those in groups II and III received 0.5 and 1 kg of supplementary concentrate, respectively. A 60 days digestibility trial was conducted with a 5 days collection period on Days 55–59 of the trial. Blood samples were collected from all animals on Day 60 of the experiment. Average daily dry matter intake (DMI) was 1,224, 1,613, and 1,574 g/day in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake was lowest (P < 0.01) in group I. Intake of P, Cu, and Zn was highest (P < 0.01) in group III, followed by groups II and I. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was highest (P < 0.05) in group II. Digestibility of OM and CP was lowest (P < 0.05) in group I. Digestibility of gross energy was highest (P < 0.01) in group III (74.9%), followed by groups II (69.3%) and I (66.2%). Digestible energy (DE) intake (kcal/kg BW0.75) was highest (P < 0.01) in group III (195.4), followed by groups II (180.9) and I (129.8). Initial BW was 72.7, 72.5, and 71.0 kg, whereas, final BW was 71.0, 72.7, and 73.5 kg, in groups I, II and III, respectively. Average daily change in body mass was significantly (P < 0.01) different among the groups. The body mass was lost (−29.2 g/day), maintained (4.1 g/day) and gained (41.6 g/day) in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Blood glucose and cholesterol concentration was highest (P < 0.05) in group III, followed by groups II and I. Serum concentration of Cu and Zn was highest (P < 0.05) in group III, followed by groups II and I. Supplementation of forage only diet with 0.5 kg of concentrate mixture increased intake and digestibility of nutrients, without change in body mass. Animals fed 1 kg of supplementary concentrate received energy in excess of requirements, were consistently gaining body mass and were prone to obesity. Thus, it is a right strategy to supplement forage only diet of captive spotted deer with 0.5 kg of concentrate. Zoo Biol. 32:195–203, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Monitoring Scale Scores over Time via Quality Control Charts, Model-Based Approaches, and Time Series Techniques
Authors: Lee Yi-Hsuan , von Davier Alina A.
Published: January 2013

Maintaining a stable score scale over time is critical for all standardized educational assessments. Traditional quality control tools and approaches for assessing scale drift either require special equating designs, or may be too time-consuming to be considered on a regular basis with an operational test that has a short time window between an administration and its score reporting. Thus, the traditional methods are not sufficient to catch unusual testing outcomes in a timely manner. This paper presents a new approach for score monitoring and assessment of scale drift. It involves quality control charts, model-based approaches, and time series techniques to accommodate the following needs of monitoring scale scores: continuous monitoring, adjustment of customary variations, identification of abrupt shifts, and assessment of autocorrelation. Performance of the methodologies is evaluated using manipulated data based on real responses from 71 administrations of a large-scale high-stakes language assessment.
The Irritant Effects of Pharmaceutically Applied Surfactants
Authors: Erős Gábor , Kurgyis Zsuzsanna , Németh István Balázs , Csizmazia Eszter , Berkó Szilvia , Szabó‐Révész Piroska , Kemény Lajos , Csányi Erzsébet
Published: January 2013

Dermal or transdermal medication may lead to irritant contact dermatitis. However, little information is available on the irritant effect of surfactants which are applied in topical formulations. Our aim was to examine the irritant effect of the most frequent compounds in topical products. A murine model was applied. The following compounds were examined: sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), polyethoxylated (40EO) hydrogenated castor oil and sucrose laurate. SLS led to severe erythema, increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and induced necrosis and accumulation of neutrophylic granulocytes and lymphocytes. Exposure to sucrose laurate resulted in an elevation of TEWL, but histology did not reveal impairment of the skin structure. Application of polyethoxylated (40EO) hydrogenated castor oil was not accompanied by tissue damage. Special attention should be paid to the irritant effect of SLS. Polyethoxylated (40EO) hydrogenated castor oil seems to be a non‐irritant agent and sucrose laurate is also a promising candidate for application in topical preparations.
New Vinyl Ester Bio‐copolymers Derived from Dimer Fatty Acids: Preparation, Characterization and Properties
Authors: Li Shouhai , Xia Jianling , Li Mei , Huang Kun
Published: January 2013

Two different vinyl ester resin monomers derived from dimer fatty acids (DA), dimer fatty acids polymerized glycidyl methacrylate (DA‐p‐GMA) resin and maleic anhydride modified dimer fatty acids polymerized glycidyl methacrylate (MA‐m‐DA‐p‐GMA) resin were prepared via simple ring‐opening and esterification. FTIR, 1H‐NMR and GPC results demonstrated that these two target products have been successfully synthesized. Moreover, DA‐based vinyl ester resin–styrene copolymers with different weight ratios were also prepared by a thermal polymerization, and their mechanical, morphological and thermal properties were investigated. Mechanical tests displayed that the prepared copolymers had excellent mechanical properties, and even at a low styrene content of 30 wt%, the copolymers still had excellent flexural strength of 29.14 MPa and tensile strength of 15.99 MPa. Micro‐morphological investigation displayed that the copolymers had glossy and smooth impact resistance fractured surfaces, indicating distinctive fast brittle fracture features. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that the copolymers’ glass‐transition temperatures were within a broad range from 44 to 72 °C. Thermogravimetric results demonstrated that the copolymers had excellent thermal stability, as all copolymers showed a high thermal initial decomposition temperature above 390 °C.
The lipidome and proteome of oil bodies from Helianthus annuus (common sunflower)
Authors: Furse Samuel , Liddell Susan , Ortori Catharine A. , Williams Huw , Neylon D. Cameron , Scott David J. , Barrett David A. , Gray David A.
Published: January 2013

In this paper we report the molecular profiling, lipidome and proteome, of the plant organelle known as an oil body (OB). The OB is remarkable in that it is able to perform its biological role (storage of triglycerides) whilst resisting the physical stresses caused by changes during desiccation (dehydration) and germination (rehydration). The molecular profile that confers such extraordinary physical stability on OBs was determined using a combination of 31P/1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution mass spectrometry and nominal mass-tandem mass spectrometry for the lipidome, and gel-electrophoresis-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the proteome. The integrity of the procedure for isolating OBs was supported by physical evidence from small-angle neutron-scattering experiments. Suppression of lipase activity was crucial in determining the lipidome. There is conclusive evidence that the latter is dominated by phosphatidylcholine (∼60 %) and phosphatidylinositol (∼20 %), with a variety of other head groups (∼20 %). The fatty acid profile of the surface monolayer comprised palmitic, linoleic and oleic acids (2:1:0.25, 1H NMR) with only traces of other fatty acids (C24:0, C22:0, C18:0, C18:3, C16:2; by MS). The proteome is rich in oleosins (78 %) with the remainder being made up of caleosins and steroleosins. These data are sufficiently detailed to inform an update of the understood model of this organelle and can be used to inform the use of such components in a range of molecular biological, biotechnological and food industry applications. The techniques used in this study for profiling the lipidome throw a new light on the lipid profile of plant cellular compartments.
Knocking about in New Zealand
Authors: Money Charles L.
Published: January 2013

Little is known about Charles L. Money, who sailed in 1861 from Gravesend to New Zealand, where, as he recounts in this volume, he spent the next seven years, working as a gold prospector, a surveyor, a sheep hand, a baker's boy, and a log splitter. He also spent periods in the military, serving in McDonnell's campaign against the Maori in the second Taranaki war (1863–6), which was instrumental in establishing colonial control of the area, and participating in the notorious Pokaikai raid, an eyewitness account of which is included in the book. Money also, pragmatically, worked with, and occasionally for, the Maori. His narrative provides source material for social tensions in this formative period of New Zealand history, as well as giving a vivid picture of the hardships of emigrant life. It was published in 1871 by Samuel Mullen, the owner of the first literary library and bookshop in Australia.
A History of the Colony of Victoria
Authors: Turner Henry Gyles
Published: January 2013

The first attempt by Europeans to settle in the area that eventually became the state of Victoria, Australia, was led by Colonel David Collins in 1803. Melbourne was founded in 1835, and after the discovery of gold in 1851 became the financial centre of Australia. This authoritative two-volume history of the state's first century, published in 1904 by the banker Henry Gyles Turner (1831–1920), is based on parliamentary records and information from leading political figures with whom the author was personally acquainted. Volume 1 traces Victoria's development from its early settlement to its establishment as an independent colony and the discovery of gold. It explores the region's progress and the challenges it faced as the gold rush led to overpopulation, high living costs, and mining disputes. The book gives first-hand insights into a time of rapid political, social and economic change.
Conditional Density Growth (CDG) model: a simplified model of RRT coverage for kinematic systems
Authors: Esposito Joel M.
Published: January 2013

It has been shown before that the Rapidly Exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm is probabilistically and resolution complete; and that the probability of finding a particular solution path can be related to the number of nodes. However, little analysis exists on the rate at which the tree covers the configuration space. In this paper, we present a stochastic difference equation which models how the tree covers the configuration space as a function of the number of nodes in the tree. Using two simplifying assumptions, appropriate for holonomic, kinematic systems in expansive configuration spaces, we derive closed-form solutions for the expected value and variance of configuration space coverage, which only depend on two easily computable parameters. Using a grid-based coverage measurement, we present experimental evidence supporting this model across a range of dimensions, obstacle densities, and parameter choices. Collecting data from 1000 RRTs, we provide evidence that configuration space coverage concentrates tightly around the expected coverage predicted by the model; and the results of the Chi-squared test suggest that the distribution of coverage across these runs is highly Gaussian. Together these results enable one to predict the expected coverage, along with a confidence interval, after a certain number of nodes have been added to the tree. We also applied the model to an example with extremely narrow passages and to a system with non-holonomic kinematics. The expected value prediction is still qualitatively accurate; but the rate constant is reduced and the variance is higher. Overall, in addition to its theoretical value, the model may find future application as an online measure of search-progress and problem difficulty, useful for adaptive variants of the basic RRT algorithm.
Roles and impacts of non-governmental organizations in Natura 2000 implementation in Hungary and Poland
Authors: CENT JOANNA , MERTENS CORDULA , NIEDZIAŁKOWSKI KRZYSZTOF
Published: January 2013

The ecological network of Natura 2000, an European Union (EU) initiative to halt biodiversity loss across Europe, has dominated biodiversity governance in the new EU member states in recent years, as implementation was a condition of accession. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have generally assisted Natura 2000 implementation. In two Central and Eastern European countries (Poland and Hungary), NGOs became involved in different ways; this paper seeks to analyse and explain these national differences by researching the theoretical background of policy networks and advocacy coalitions in both countries. In Hungary, NGOs worked closely with governmental authorities and contributed significantly to site selection. In Poland, NGOs initially opposed government plans, but later moved toward close cooperation with public institutions; this resulted in a significant expansion in the area and number of designated Natura 2000 sites. In both countries, NGO influence increased during the Natura 2000 process owing to the establishment of multi-level policy networks with the European Commission and public institutions, based on resource dependencies and shared beliefs. In post-socialist countries, the progression from government-monopolized biodiversity conservation implies a growing importance and contribution of NGOs, and their ability to use resources appropriately in the new governance contexts.
Automated Podosome Identification and Characterization in Fluorescence Microscopy Images
Authors: Meddens Marjolein B.M. , Rieger Bernd , Figdor Carl G. , Cambi Alessandra , van den Dries Koen
Published: January 2013

Podosomes are cellular adhesion structures involved in matrix degradation and invasion that comprise an actin core and a ring of cytoskeletal adaptor proteins. They are most often identified by staining with phalloidin, which binds F-actin and therefore visualizes the core. However, not only podosomes, but also many other cytoskeletal structures contain actin, which makes podosome segmentation by automated image processing difficult. Here, we have developed a quantitative image analysis algorithm that is optimized to identify podosome cores within a typical sample stained with phalloidin. By sequential local and global thresholding, our analysis identifies up to 76% of podosome cores excluding other F-actin-based structures. Based on the overlap in podosome identifications and quantification of podosome numbers, our algorithm performs equally well compared to three experts. Using our algorithm we show effects of actin polymerization and myosin II inhibition on the actin intensity in both podosome core and associated actin network. Furthermore, by expanding the core segmentations, we reveal a previously unappreciated differential distribution of cytoskeletal adaptor proteins within the podosome ring. These applications illustrate that our algorithm is a valuable tool for rapid and accurate large-scale analysis of podosomes to increase our understanding of these characteristic adhesion structures.
Three-Dimensional Semiconductor Device Investigation Using Focused Ion Beam and Scanning Electron Microscopy Imaging (FIB/SEM Tomography)
Authors: Lepinay K. , Lorut F.
Published: January 2013

Three-dimensional focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM tomography) is currently an important technique to characterize in 3D a complex semiconductor device or a specific failure. However, the industrial context demands low turnaround time making the technique less useful. To make it more attractive, the following study focuses on a specific methodology going from sample preparation to the final volume reconstruction to reduce the global time analysis while keeping reliable results. The FIB/SEM parameters available will be first analyzed to acquire a relevant dataset in a reasonable time (few hours). Then, a new alignment strategy based on specific alignment marks [using tetraethoxylisane (TEOS) and Pt deposition] is proposed to improve the volume reconstruction speed. These points combined represent a considerable improvement regarding the reliability of the results and the time consumption (gain of factor 3). This method is then applied to various case studies illustrating the benefits of the FIB/SEM tomography technique such as the precise identification of the origin of 3D defects, or the capability to perform a virtual top-down deprocessing on soft material not possible by any mechanical solution.
When and why do ideas matter? The influence of framing on opinion formation and policy change
Authors: Kangas Olli E. , Niemelä Mikko , Varjonen Sampo
Published: January 2013

A growing field of discursive institutionalism has argued for the importance of ideas and discourse in policy changes. The aim of the study is to analyse framing effects empirically by examining how, and to what extent, competing frames can shape public opinion on the implementation of a specific policy change. The case study focuses on the administration of social assistance in Finland. Results indicate that the framing of ideas shapes public opinion. Analyses show that some types of frames are more effective than others. To be successful, a politician must simplify the issue and appeal to moral sentiments rather than present too many difficult ‘factual’ viewpoints. Our study also emphasizes that even frames that succeed in shaping popular opinion may fail if powerful political actors oppose reform. Therefore, we argue that the interplay between the ‘old’ power resource approach and the ‘new’ ideational approach should be taken into account when explaining institutional changes.
Wer kann den Lügner entlarven? Need for Cognition und die Fähigkeit von Lehramtsstudierenden Wahrheit und Lüge zu erkennen
Authors: Reinhard Marc-Andre
Published: January 2013

Zwei Studien untersuchen den Zusammenhang von Need for Cognition und der Fähigkeit, Lüge und Wahrheit zu erkennen, bei Lehramtsstudierenden. Den Grundannahmen von Zwei-Prozess-Modellen entsprechend führt ein höheres Need for Cognition zur vermehrten Nutzung inhaltlicher Informationen bei Glaubwürdigkeitsurteilen. Personen mit niedrigerem Need for Cognition nutzen dagegen vorrangig stereotype nonverbale Informationen für ihre Urteile. Bisherige Arbeiten zeigen, dass die Nutzung inhaltlicher Informationen im Vergleich zu stereotypen nonverbalen Hinweisreizen bei der Entdeckung von Täuschungen erfolgversprechender ist. Daher wurde die Hypothese aufgestellt und getestet, dass ein höheres Need for Cognition bei Lehramtsstudierenden mit einer besseren Erkennensleistung von wahren und erlogenen Aussagen einhergeht. Die Ergebnisse von Studie 1 bestätigten diese Hypothese. Studie 2 zeigte darüber hinaus, dass der Zusammenhang zwischen Need for Cognition und Erkennensleistung nur dann auftrat, wenn die Aussagen durch die Quellen nicht vorbereitet werden konnten. Mögliche Implikationen dieser Ergebnisse für die Schulpraxis werden diskutiert.
A custom magnetoencephalography device reveals brain connectivity and high reading/decoding ability in children with autism
Authors: Kikuchi Mitsuru , Yoshimura Yuko , Shitamichi Kiyomi , Ueno Sanae , Hirosawa Tetsu , Munesue Toshio , Ono Yasuki , Tsubokawa Tsunehisa , Haruta Yasuhiro , Oi Manabu , Niida Yo , Remijn Gerard B. , Takahashi Tsutomu , Suzuki Michio , Higashida Haruhiro , Minabe Yoshio
Published: January 2013

A subset of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) performs more proficiently on certain visual tasks than may be predicted by their general cognitive performances. However, in younger children with ASD (aged 5 to 7), preserved ability in these tasks and the neurophysiological correlates of their ability are not well documented. In the present study, we used a custom child-sized magnetoencephalography system and demonstrated that preserved ability in the visual reasoning task was associated with rightward lateralisation of the neurophysiological connectivity between the parietal and temporal regions in children with ASD. In addition, we demonstrated that higher reading/decoding ability was also associated with the same lateralisation in children with ASD. These neurophysiological correlates of visual tasks are considerably different from those that are observed in typically developing children. These findings indicate that children with ASD have inherently different neural pathways that contribute to their relatively preserved ability in visual tasks.
Prosecuting and Punishing Parricide Offenders
Authors: Heide Kathleen M.
Published: January 2013

This chapter discusses issues related to charging and prosecuting parricide offenders. It includes a discussion on juvenile parricide offenders who were sentenced to death when that was legally permissible in the United States. Portraits of these cases differ dramatically from the prototypical severely abused youth and provide clear examples of adult parricide offenders who appeared dangerously antisocial. Life without parole (LWOP) is also addressed, and an example of an abused child sentenced to a mandatory LWOP sentence prior to the Supreme Court's decision in Miller v. Alabama is presented.
The Lives of Others: Social Rationality in Animals
Authors: Stevens Jeffrey R. , King Andrew J.
Published: January 2013

Why do animals attend to the lives of others? Social situations have provided important pressures in the evolution of behavior. In fact, some have argued that the complexities of social life require sophisticated mental abilities such that individuals of highly social species will evolve intelligent ways to cope with this complexity. The chapter explores three key components critical for social decision making. First, although the social milieu might be complex and ever changing, the use of simple decision mechanisms such as heuristics or “rules of thumb” may allow animals to navigate this complexity. Simple rules can provide good responses to complex problems. Reasonable decision mechanisms cannot be developed without considering the requisite cognitive capacities needed to implement these mechanisms. For example, investigating these cognitive capacities has been useful in reassessing the decision mechanisms used in cooperative situations. Finally, the animal literature is particularly useful for testing questions of ecological rationality—where decision rules are adapted to the structure of the physical and social environment—because different species have evolved in different environments. Each species' environment may uniquely shape its decision processes, and the social environment is a particularly important selective force on decision making. In summary, decision mechanisms, cognitive capacities, and the environment of a species must be investigated to understand properly its decisions. This perspective integrates the evolutionary and cognitive study of decision making to explore how animals navigate the complexities of their social worlds.
Alternative Histories in African American Scrapbooks
Authors: Garvey Ellen Gruber
Published: January 2013

This chapter demonstrates how African Americans wrote histories unavailable in books by making scrapbooks of clippings from both the black and the white press. Scrapbook histories were weapons, and communal knowledge. In massive compilations—dozens or even hundreds of volumes, in some cases—black people asserted ownership of news and culture and passed along critical, oppositional reading of newspapers. The chapter draws on the work of more than a dozen nineteenth- and early twentieth-century African American men and women who made scrapbooks, with special attention to three African American men who created ambitious, monumental scrapbook collections that exemplify these four projects. The oldest, Joseph W. H. Cathcart (1823 or 1827–1895), a Philadelphia janitor, created his collection of more than one hundred massive pasted volumes starting in the 1850s. His friend William H. Dorsey (1837–1923) of Philadelphia made nearly four hundred scrapbooks between the 1870s and about 1903. In a later generation, L. S. Alexander Gumby (1885–1961), a gay black collector and salon host of the Harlem Renaissance, created more than a hundred elaborate scrapbooks, mainly in the 1920s.
Strategic Scrapbooks
Authors: Garvey Ellen Gruber
Published: January 2013

This chapter shows that scrapbooks kept by Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Dunbar Nelson, and less-well-known suffragists such as Lillie Devereux Blake, Caroline Healey Dall, and Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, constitute a complex conversation about women's participation in the public realm. Scrapbooks both documented that participation and experimented with ways to present it to varied audiences; they were a training ground for impression management. Like other speakers, writers, and actors, women who wrote and spoke in public kept clipping books to document their talks and track their publications. Even the fact itself that suffragists looked to the press for personal history marks an extraordinary assertion of selfhood for women and a claim to act in the public arena. They passed along their understanding that the press was not a simple record, but a set of voices and conversations to be read critically.
Top-Down Versus Bottom-Up Processing of Biological Motion
Authors: Thornton Ian M.
Published: January 2013

While the visual perception of biological motion is traditionally thought to rely on top-down or stimulus-driven processes that operate locally over space and time, this chapter reviews evidence that, at least under some conditions, top-down processing also drives the perception of human movement. Evidence in support of top-down processing includes the fact that observers’ percepts of point-light displays of human movement are exceptionally robust across an unusually wide range of experimental manipulations, that the perception of biological motion is attention dependent, and that numerous brain regions appear to contribute to the perception of biological motion. The top-down processing system may have evolved as a means of overcoming the many limitations associated with bottom-up processing of biological motion.
Seeing You Through Me
Authors: Reed Catherine L.
Published: January 2013

The visual perception of the human body, whether static or in motion, appears to depend upon the observer’s own bodily representations, as well as on motor and kinesthetic mechanisms. For example, the actions that an observer performs impact that observer’s visual perception of other people’s bodies. This chapter reviews extensive evidence supporting the hypothesis that the interface of visual-motor processes between the observer and observed others depends upon both innate and learned mechanisms.
Shape-Independent Processing of Biological Motion
Authors: Troje Nikolaus F. , Chang Dorita H. F.
Published: January 2013

This chapter reviews evidence from numerous studies of inversion effects and preattentive processing that converge in suggesting that the visual system exploits its sensitivity to gravity-defined dynamics to detect the ballistic movements typical of limbed terrestrial animals in locomotion. It is proposed that a local visual filter may be sufficient to detect the gravity-defined dynamics of the most important types of animate motion. This local motion processing mechanism is thought to reflect both innate and learned component processes.
It's Not Over
Authors: Rohit
Published: January 2013

Why is the world economy in such turmoil? This is a question which has implications not just for the economics discipline but also the lives of millions of working people across the world. That it has continued for so long with barely any signs of abating has created a void in economic theory in general and policy in particular. Another aspect of this crisis is its increasing spread which has practically taken over the entire first world with some early signs of spreading into the so-called emerging economies as well. Explanations of the present crisis have primarily focussed on financial deregulation in the US economy. However, this book argues that while deregulation definitely aided it, it cannot be the basis for the crisis. First, it is akin to arguing that a lax anti-crime law can explain the incidence of crime itself. Second, and more importantly, with regulation not just the downturn but even the boom would have been tempered. Instead of concentrating on the financial side alone, this work attempts to bring the real economy into focus by using a heterodox framework which challenges the current dominant thinking in the discipline. It examines, theoretically and empirically, whether increased income and wealth inequalities and business concentration contributed to the instability in the US economy. The answer to this question lies at the heart of understanding the present economic crisis that has engulfed the world economy.
Weakened Workers and Resurgent Capital
Authors: Rohit
Published: January 2013

This chapter attempts to look at some statistical evidence to buttress the points made in the theoretical model of the first chapter. In particular, it is shown, through some descriptive statistics that the strength of the working class in the US has gone down significantly in the era of globalisation. It shows that real wages have not kept the pace (they have either remained stagnant or declined) with the increase in labour productivity, which is a clear break from the post-WW II experience where they moved in tandem. At the same time, there has been an increase in business concentration as a result of unprecedented merger waves in the 1980s and 1990s in the US. Contrary to the common perception that globalisation increased competition for the US corporations; this chapter presents evidence that these mergers and acquisitions more than compensated for that.
Morphophonological polarity
Authors: De Lacy Paul
Published: January 2013

‘Morpho-phonological polarity’ describes a situation where a morphological contrast is productively expressed by switching the value of a segmental or prosodic feature in the stem. This chapter argues that the most cited case of morpho-phonological polarity — the Dholuo plural — is in fact a complex case of morphologically-induced mutation. Cases from other languages are also discussed, including length, vowel quality, and tone exchange. Theoretical devices needed to express morpho-phonological polarity are reviewed. Morpho-phonological polarity is contrasted with both purely phonological and purely morphological polarity.
Polarity and constraints on paradigmatic distinctness
Authors: Wunderlich Dieter
Published: January 2013

Polarity, a type of syncretism, is decomposed into diagonal syncretism (one feature marked, the other feature unmarked, i.e. +F,-G and -F,+G expressed by the same form) and full reversal (two features either both marked or both unmarked). Diagontal syncretism is found in various inflectional systems and can be regarded as a phenomenon of second order natural classes, defined in markedness degrees. In contrast, full reversal should not exist because it would be hard to learn that a certain form expresses either –F,-G or +F,+G. However, several authors claimed the existence of morphological polarity (full reversal). The more detailed investigation reveals the possibility of inflectional class polarity (the exponents of +F vs. –F in one class of items are reversed in another class of items), either for semantic reasons: a certain affix might negate inherent number, or for phonological reasons: an ablaut vowel should be distinct from the underlying vowel. Polarity is also possible as the last resort for expressing contrast in a degenerate paradigm (Old French declension).
Contextual allomorphy
Authors: Bonet Eulàlia , Harbour Daniel
Published: January 2013

This chapter characterises the empirical and theoretical bounds of the concept of allomorphy. We demonstrate how allomorphy may be distinguished from phonological, morphological and syntactic sources of variation, and we attempt to highlight the core concerns that a full theory of allomorphy should address. These include the types of elements (for instance, roots versus affixes) that may enter into allomorphic relationships, how far conditioners of allomorphy may be from loci of allomorphy, when and how competition between allomorphs is resolved, and whether grammars impose upper bounds on numbers of allomorphs.