bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social relationships in schizophrenia: A review
Authors: Stevens Amy Kingston , McNichol Judith , Magalhaes Lilian
Published: June 2009

Difficulties with social occupations are among the most common for individuals with schizophrenia. The deficits related to social functioning have been shown to decrease the quality of life (QOL) and life satisfaction for individuals in this population. A critical review of the literature was completed in order to examine the factors that effect and impact social engagement, QOL and life satisfaction for individuals with schizophrenia. A comprehensive search of the CINAHL, PsycINFO and PubMed databases was conducted for articles published during the period of 1997–2007. From 156 peer‐reviewed articles meeting the search criteria, 41 were selected for analysis and included in the review. The main factors effecting QOL and life satisfaction that emerged from the literature include the following: interpersonal relationship status, employment status, effects of stigma, neuro‐cognitive skills and functioning, as well as effectiveness of interventions. The review suggests that individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia experience decreased QOL and social satisfaction in social relationships as a result of these factors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impacts of thawing permafrost on the chemistry of lakes across the subarctic boreal‐tundra transition, Mackenzie Delta region, Canada
Authors: Kokelj S. V. , Zajdlik B. , Thompson M. S.
Published: June 2009

In the lake‐rich tundra uplands east of the Mackenzie Delta, almost one in ten lakes has been affected by retrogressive thaw slumping. In this study, we assessed water chemistry for 34 slump‐affected and 39 undisturbed upland lakes across this region and found that environmental factors typically evoked to explain variation in tundra lake water quality including surficial geology and proximity to the treeline or coast were subordinate to the main driver, permafrost degradation. Thaw slump‐affected lakes had elevated ionic concentrations and water clarity in comparison with undisturbed lakes. The strength of the ionic impact was positively associated with the proportion of catchment affected by slumping and inversely related to disturbance age. Slumping did not have a significant effect on total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations, although water clarity increased significantly with decreasing age of disturbance. In lakes undisturbed by slumping, fire‐induced active‐layer deepening had a detectable influence on lake water ionic strength. Surficial deposits influenced TOC concentrations with the highest concentrations and colour in undisturbed lakes with lacustrine catchments. In a warming Arctic, thermokarst processes may increase in importance as a driver of ionic chemistry and optical properties of small lakes and ponds, and shifts in aquatic food webs can be anticipated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada.
Output feedback second‐order sliding mode control of the cart on a beam system
Authors: Sankaranarayanan V. , Mahindrakar Arun D. , Abhilash P. M.
Published: June 2009

We propose an output feedback second‐order sliding mode controller to stabilize the cart on a beam system. A second‐order sliding mode controller is designed using a Lyapunov function‐based switching surface and finite‐time controllers, while the state estimator is designed based on the Luenberger‐like observer. The proposed observer extends the applicability of Luenberger‐like observer to nonlinear systems that are not input–output linearizable, but can be approximately input–output linearized. The approximation is based on the physical property of the system, wherein certain terms in the total energy are neglected. Extensive numerical simulations validate the robustness of the proposed controller to parametric uncertainties using estimated states. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface excitation parameter for 12 semiconductors and determination of a general predictive formula
Authors: Pauly N. , Tougaard S.
Published: June 2009

The surface excitation parameter (SEP) is theoretically calculated for 12 semiconductors (GaN, GaP, GaSb, GaAs, InSb, InAs, InP, SiC, ZnSe, ZnS, Si and Ge) and for Ni (which is usually used as a reference in experiments) for electron energies between 300 eV and 3400 eV, and for angles between 0° and 70° to the surface normal. We use our previous definition of SEP, as the change in excitation probability, for an electron, caused by the presence of the surface in comparison with an electron moving the same distance in an infinite medium. The calculations are performed within the dielectric response theory by means of the QUEELS‐ε(k, ω)‐REELS software determining the energy‐differential inelastic electron scattering cross‐sections for reflection‐electron‐energy‐loss spectroscopy (REELS), and for which the only input is the dielectric function of the medium. By fitting to these SEP values as well as our previous ones, i.e. from 27 materials, including metals, oxides, polymers and semiconductors, we also establish a simple equation depending on the generalized plasmon energy and the energy band gap of the material which allows to estimate the SEP when the dielectric function is not available. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Properties of Au nanolayers on polyethyleneterephthalate and polytetrafluoroethylene
Authors: Slepička P. , Kolská Z. , Náhlík J. , Hnatowicz V. , Švorčík V.
Published: June 2009

Gold nanolayers deposited by sputtering on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) films were studied in this work. The influence of sputtering time on the layer thickness, surface morphology and roughness was determined by various methods (i.e. atomic absorption spectroscopy, focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy). Sheet resistance and concentration and mobility of free charge carriers in Au nanolayers were determined using the Van der Pauw method. Surface morphology was determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM). After gold deposition on PET, the surface roughness increases and the surface morphology changes in contrast with PTFE coated under the same conditions. With the increasing sputtering time, the layer resistance decreases rapidly for both polymer substrates. Electrically continuous coverage is achieved for the gold layer with an average thickness of ca 4 nm for PET and ca 5 nm for PTFE. Continuous layers on both polymers exhibit the same concentration of free charge carriers. Lower mobility of the charge carriers was found on rougher Au/PTFE. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo quantification of regional dopamine‐D3 receptor binding potential of (+)‐PHNO: Studies in non‐human primates and transgenic mice
Authors: Rabiner Eugenii A. , Slifstein Mark , Nobrega Jose , Plisson Christophe , Huiban Mickael , Raymond Roger , Diwan Mustansir , Wilson Alan A. , McCormick Patrick , Gentile Gabriella , Gunn Roger N. , Laruelle Marc A.
Published: June 2009

Examination of dopamine‐D3 (D3) receptors with positron emission tomography (PET) have been hampered in the past by the lack of a PET ligand with sufficient selectivity for D3 over dopamine‐D2 (D2) receptors. The two types co‐localize in the brain, with D2 density significantly higher than D3, hence nonselective PET ligands inform on D2, rather than D3 status. [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO is a novel PET ligand with a preferential affinity for D3 over D2. We used the selective D3 antagonist, SB‐277011 to dissect regional fractions of the [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO signal attributable to D3 and D2 in primate brain. The results were compared with quantitative autoradiography with3H‐(+)‐PHNO in wild‐type, D2‐knock‐out, and D3‐knock‐out mice examined at baseline and following administration of SB‐277011. Both sets of results converged to indicate a predominant D3‐related component to (+)‐PHNO binding in extra‐striatal regions, with binding in the midbrain being entirely attributable to D3. The midbrain is thus an excellent target region to examine D3 receptor occupancy with [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO PET in vivo. Synapse 63:782–793, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal stress alters spine density and dendritic length of nucleus accumbens and hippocampus neurons in rat offspring
Authors: Martínez‐Téllez Rubelia Isaura , Hernández‐Torres Elizabeth , Gamboa Citlalli , Flores Gonzalo
Published: June 2009

Prenatal stress alters neuronal morphology of mesocorticolimbic structures such as frontal cortex and hippocampus in the adult offspring. We investigated here the effects of prenatal stress on the spine density and the dendrite morphology of hippocampal pyramidal neurons and medium spiny cells from nucleus accumbens in prepubertal and adult male offsprings. Sprague‐Dawley pregnant dams were stressed by restraining movement daily for 2 hours from gestational day 11 until delivery. Control mothers remained free in their home cage without water and food during the stressful event. Male offsprings from immobilized and control rats were left to grow until postnatal day (PD) 35 for the prepubertal group, and until PD 65 for the adult group. Spontaneous locomotor activity was assessed and then brains were removed to study the dendritic morphology by the Golgi‐Cox stain method followed by Sholl analysis. Prenatally stressed animals demonstrated increased locomotion and alterations in spine density in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens at both ages. However, prepubertal males showed an increase in spine density in the CA1 hippocampus with a decrease in CA3 hippocampus, whereas the adult group showed a decrease in the spine density in both of the regions studied. These results suggest that prenatal stress carried out during the middle of pregnancy affect the spine density and basal dendrites of pyramidal neurons of hippocampus, as well as the dendritic morphology of nucleus accumbens which may reflect important changes in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic transmission and behaviors associated with the development of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. Synapse 63:794–804, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Systems analysis of emerging IPTV entertainment platform: Stakeholders, threats, and opportunities
Authors: Sharma Shantnu
Published: June 2009

Several academics believe that a dominant factor in the market success of corporations is the ability to create and manage robust, flexible, and effective product platforms. Effective platform leadership and platform architecture play a key role in product success. This paper compares two large platforms. These are the telco (Telephone Company) IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) platform and the cable IPTV platform. Both platforms are competing to provide similar services to the same set of customers. This paper introduces a new term, “Mega Platform,” to describe large platforms like IPTV. This paper develops a set of metrics to compare the two competing mega platforms. The paper concludes by recommending specific strategies for both cable and telco. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Attribute substitution in systems engineering
Authors: Smith Eric D. , Terry Bahill A.
Published: June 2009

Cognitive biases affect decision making in systems engineering (SE). Daniel Kahneman, 2002 Nobel laureate for his pioneering studies of cognitive biases in economic decision making, describes many disparate cognitive biases as abstractly belonging to one higher‐level bias, that of attribute substitution. Attribute substitution occurs when an answer about a target attribute is unconscientiously provided by referring to a sublevel heuristic attribute that is simpler or more easily accessible, while other subattributes are ignored. The essence of this biasing process is generalized with real examples at all phases of the systems engineering process. Willful awareness of attribute substitution, however, can help prevent erroneous reduction in focus, and ensure that valid systems are being built to satisfy customer needs. © 2009 Wiley Periodcals, Inc. Syst Eng
Effects on guppy brain aromatase activity following short‐term steroid and 4‐nonylphenol exposures
Authors: Hallgren Stefan , Olsén K. Håkan
Published: June 2009

Brain estrogen production, performed by the enzyme aromatase, can be disrupted/affected in teleost fish exposed to endocrine disruptors found in polluted aquatic environments. The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) was previously studied and confirmed to suffer negative effects on reproductive behaviors following inhibition of the brain aromatase reaction. Here adult guppies (Poecilia reticulata) of both genders were subjected to known endocrine disruptors: the androgen androstenedione (A), the synthetic estrogen 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2), and the estrogenic surfactant 4‐nonylphenol (NP), at high (50 μg/L) and at environmentally relevant concentrations (10 ng/L EE2, 5 μg/L NP, and 0.7 μg/L A) for 2 weeks followed by measurements of brain aromatase activity (bAA). In the adult males, bAA was stimulated by A and EE2 at 50 μg/L. Female activity was also stimulated by the higher estrogenic treatment. At environmentally relevant concentrations only the EE2 treatment affected bAA, and only in males. The alkylphenolic substance NP produced no effect in either of the experiments, not on males nor females. The results indicate that short‐term steroid treatments have stimulatory effects on guppy brain aromatase even at concentrations that can be found in the environment. We thus suggest bAA of adult guppies to be a suitable bioindicator of endocrine disruptors. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.
Is the non‐respect of ethical principles by health professionals during first‐trimester sonographic Down syndrome screening damaging to patient autonomy?
Authors: Favre R. , Guige V. , Weingertner A.‐S. , Vayssière C. , Kohler M. , Nisand I. , Hervé C. , Moutel G.
Published: June 2009

Objectives

To evaluate the understanding of health professionals involved in first‐trimester ultrasound screening of the ethical stakes involved by addressing three questions regarding: how much these professionals know about Down syndrome screening by nuchal translucency thickness measurement; their personal opinion with respect to this screening test; and their attitude with respect to their patients, in order to answer the question: ‘Are ethical principles respected when women are proposed ultrasound screening during the first trimester of pregnancy?’.

Methods

We studied the medical population in the east part of France by sending a questionnaire to each of 460 medical correspondents. This questionnaire attempted to evaluate the respondent's level of medical knowledge, their personal opinion with respect to first‐trimester screening and their attitude towards their patients. We adapted the three‐dimensional diagram designed by Marteau et al. to develop a measure of informed choice regarding screening. Only health professionals who were relatively well informed and adopted an autonomy‐oriented approach were considered to be in a position to obtain true consent from their patients, respecting ethical principles in terms of competence and the autonomy of patients.

Results

We received 276 (60%) responses to the questionnaire. Only 31.9% of health professionals had an approach that facilitated obtaining true consent from their patients and respected the ethical principles of competence and patient autonomy; 46% were in favor of the screening test and adopted an autonomy‐oriented approach but were poorly informed; and 15.4% had a directive–authoritarian approach combined with poor knowledge. Regression analysis showed that two independent factors (speciality (P = 0.031) and location of practice (P = 0.034)) affected the level of medical knowledge, and two independent factors (location of practice (P = 0.034) and the type of medical practice i.e. public or private (P < 0.05)) affected the opinion of health professionals about the screening test. Two independent factors (speciality (P < 0.001) and the age of the health professional (P = 0.02)) affected the attitudes of health professionals towards their patients.

Conclusion

The answer to the question ‘Are ethical principles respected when women are proposed ultrasound screening during the first trimester of pregnancy?’ is clearly ‘No’. Major effort is required to ensure that the decisions made by patients are based on a possibility of true choice. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computerized analysis of normal fetal heart rate pattern throughout gestation
Authors: Serra V. , Bellver J. , Moulden M. , Redman C. W. G.
Published: June 2009

Objective

To analyze the evolution of computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) parameters throughout gestation in a large archive of traces from healthy fetuses.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of the first cCTG record from 4412 singleton fetuses with good pregnancy outcome. Normal ranges of cCTG parameters for 25 to 42 weeks were derived from analysis of only one cCTG record per fetus, and the relationship between the parameters and gestational age was investigated.

Results

Fetal heart rate (FHR) accelerations, short‐ and long‐term variation overall, duration of episodes of high and low variation and variation in high episodes increased with advancing gestation. In contrast, maternal perception of fetal movements, basal FHR, variation in low episodes and the time until criteria for normality were met decreased with advancing gestation. Gestational age‐related changes in FHR variation were less evident at the lowest percentiles. Episodes of high FHR variation were detected in most fetuses, even at 25 weeks. Opposite trends of basal FHR and variation were observed at 42 weeks. Large decelerations and the frequency and duration of low episodes were also higher at 42 weeks.

Conclusions

The characteristics of the normal FHR pattern are quite defined from early on in gestation, follow a continuous trend with advancing gestation and change abruptly at 42 weeks. Gestational age‐related changes are less obvious at the lowest percentiles. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facile Synthesis of Novel Nanostructured MnO2Thin Films and Their Application in Supercapacitors
Authors: Xia H , Xiao W , Lai MO , Lu L
Published: June 2009

Nanostructured α-MnO2thin films with different morphologies are grown on the platinum substrates by a facile solution method without any assistance of template or surfactant. Microstructural characterization reveals that morphology evolution from dandelion-like spheres to nanoflakes of the as-grown MnO2is controlled by synthesis temperature. The capacitive behavior of the MnO2thin films with different morphologies are studied by cyclic voltammetry. The α-MnO2thin films composed of dandelion-like spheres exhibit high specific capacitance, good rate capability, and excellent long-term cycling stability.
Incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese immigrants, compared with Chinese in China and South East Asia: review
Authors: Yu W M , Hussain S S M
Published: June 2009

Objectives:

To evaluate the literature and to compare published data on age-standardised incidence rates of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese people living in and outside China.

Design:

Systematic review of incidence rate studies and statistical incidence data concerning nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese populations from 1960 to 2008.

Data sources:

Sixteen papers were identified from the PubMed, Embase and Scopus electronic databases and from a hand search of the reference lists of the retrieved papers. Further searches for raw data on age-specific and age-standardised incidence rates of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were conducted. Textbooks on relevant subjects were referred to for background information. A total of 19 papers met the inclusion criteria.

Results:

Seven studies included raw data on age-specific and age-standardised incidence rates of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese people. Twelve other studies reported on changes in the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese populations in selected countries or regions. Studies on age-specific and age-standardised rates obtained data from individual registries. Studies on incidence rates obtained data from hospital records, cancer notifications (from all sections of the medical profession), pathology records and death certificates. The results showed a decline in age-standardised incidence rates of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese immigrant populations, compared with Chinese people in China. There was also a trend towards decreasing incidence the further the population had immigrated. Thus, the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Singaporean Chinese was higher than that in Hawaiian Chinese, and that in Hawaiian Chinese was higher than that in Californian Chinese.

Conclusion:

This review found a decreasing trend in the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese migrants living in countries with a low risk of the disease.
Sphyraena intermediasp. nov. (Pisces: Sphyraenidae): a potential new species of barracuda identified from the central Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Pastore Michele A.
Published: June 2009

A potential new species of BarracudaSphyraena intermediasp. nov. (Perciformes: Actinopterygii) is reported from the Gulf of Taranto in the central Mediterranean Sea. This classification was based upon a thorough anatomical comparison with well documented species from the region (Sphyraena sphyraenaandSphyraena viridensis). Principally,Sphyraena intermediasp. nov. differed from the other species within the genus in terms of body shape, otoliths, dentition and pyloric caeca.
A new genus and two new species of Simrothiellidae (Solenogastres: Cavibelonia) from the Abyssal Angola Basin
Authors: Gil-Mansilla E. , García-Álvarez O. , Urgorri V.
Published: June 2009

A new genus and two new species of Mollusca Solenogastres belonging to the family Simrothiellidae are described here: Spiomenia pusilla sp. nov. and Adoryherpia serrata gen. et sp. nov., collected from muddy sediment during the expedition DIVA 1 Me48/1 carried out in the Abyssal Angola Basin, at depths from 5100 to 5500 m.
Bayesian geostatistical modelling for mapping schistosomiasis transmission
Authors: VOUNATSOU P. , RASO G. , TANNER M. , N'GORAN E. K. , UTZINGER J.
Published: June 2009

Progress has been made in mapping and predicting the risk of schistosomiasis using Bayesian geostatistical inference. Applications primarily focused on risk profiling of prevalence rather than infection intensity, although the latter is particularly important for morbidity control. In this review, the underlying assumptions used in a study mapping Schistosoma mansoni infection intensity in East Africa are examined. We argue that the assumption of stationarity needs to be relaxed, and that the negative binomial assumption might result in misleading inference because of a high number of excess zeros (individuals without an infection). We developed a Bayesian geostatistical zero-inflated (ZI) regression model that assumes a non-stationary spatial process. Our model is validated with a high-quality georeferenced database from western Côte d'Ivoire, consisting of demographic, environmental, parasitological and socio-economic data. Nearly 40% of the 3818 participating schoolchildren were infected with S. mansoni, and the mean egg count among infected children was 162 eggs per gram of stool (EPG), ranging between 24 and 6768 EPG. Compared to a negative binomial and ZI Poisson and negative binomial models, the Bayesian non-stationary ZI negative binomial model showed a better fit to the data. We conclude that geostatistical ZI models produce more accurate maps of helminth infection intensity than the spatial negative binomial ones.
An alternative method for DNA extraction and PCR identification ofEntamoeba histolyticaandE. disparin fecal samples
Authors: VIANNA E. N. , COSTA J. O. , SANTOS C. K. S. , CURY M. C. , SILVA E. F. , COSTA A. O. , GOMES M. A.
Published: June 2009

Since it is known thatEntamoeba disparis non-pathogenic and morphologically similar toE. histolytica, there are many targets used in PCR for differentiating these species. However, obtaining high quality DNA from fecal samples is fundamental for PCR. Most methods are laborious or use kits that make diagnosis expensive. In the present work, a new simple, fast and cheap technique of DNA extraction from fecal samples was combined with a PCR for an episomal target in order to identifyE. histolyticaandE. disparin feces.
Intestinal inflammatory response of powan Coregonus lavaretus (Pisces) to the presence of acanthocephalan infections
Authors: DEZFULI B. S. , LUI A. , GIOVINAZZO G. , BOLDRINI P. , GIARI L.
Published: June 2009

Immunopathological and ultrastructural studies were carried out on the gut of 30 specimens of powan Coregonus lavaretus (L.) from Lake Piediluco, Italy. The digestive tracts of 10 (33·3%) of the powan were found to harbour an acanthocephalan Dentitruncus truttae (Sinzar 1955). The numerous trunk spines of D. truttae reduced the number of mucosal folds near the parasite site of infection. The acanthocephalan induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the intestinal mucous cells and many worms were surrounded with an adherent mucous gel. Near the site of acanthocephalan attachment, the number of mucous cells was significantly higher (P<0·01) in comparison to those found in uninfected intestines. Rodlet cells (RCs) were present in the epithelial layer in both infected and uninfected fish, with no significant difference in the numbers observed (P>0·05). In infected intestine, mast cells were more abundant than in uninfected gut (P<0·01). Migration of the mast cells and their intense degranulation at the site of infection were suggested. Immunohistochemical tests applied to sections of intestinal tissue of both infected and uninfected powan revealed that the parasitized C. lavaretus had a larger number of mast cells positive for met-enkephalin and serotonin antisera.
‘The End’: Mythical Futures in Avant-Garde Mystery Plays
Authors: ARONSON-LEHAVI SHARON
Published: June 2009

Biblical theatre re/presents, images and imagines the future. This is because the ultimate future, the End of Days, is a part of its narrative. The paradigmatic example is medieval mystery plays that present the world ‘from creation to doom’, and which end in the futuristic episode of the Last Judgment. In this essay I examine theatrical and performative mechanisms of performing the future/End in what I term modern mysteries, which are contemporary avant-garde performances of the biblical texts. These performances simultaneously rely on and open up anew scriptural texts to create a powerful, modern experience. I identify three models of ‘the End’ in modern mysteries that are related to social and political issues: merger and utopia; descent, disappearance and apocalypse; and a cyclical, bi-directional movement towards both utopia and dystopia.
It's about Time: The Temporal Evolution of Order
Authors: PERLSTEIN MOSHE
Published: June 2009

This article borrows its methodology from physics in order to analyse time in the theatre as evolution of order. Two set designs (both designed by Roni Toren for the Khan Theatre in Jerusalem) are portrayed through this perspective, representing inverse examples. In Measure for Measure, directed by Gadi Roll, the temporal evolution of space is from order to disorder, obeying the second law of thermodynamics. On the other hand, in The Seagull, directed by Ofira Henig, the evolution contradicts that law. The problem of depicting disorder on stage, the possibility of such a contradiction, the implication of the two different perceptions and their ethical values are discussed to prove the effectiveness of a methodology adopted from physics.
Prospective Genealogies: Einar Schleef's Choric Theatre
Authors: DREYER MATTHIAS
Published: June 2009

Since the 1980s, a growing number of performances in Europe have created new forms of choric theatre in search of altered concepts of the political. In Germany, one of its pioneers was the GDR-born director Einar Schleef (1944–2001). The article explores his oeuvre, from his first choric production Mothers (1986), a classical drama project, to his last production, Betrayed People (2000), which focused on the problem of revolution in Germany. Schleef's genealogical project reintroduced the chorus as a repressed figure that develops a spectral potentiality. Through a detailed analysis of Schleef's approach to performing history, the article examines how choric theatre initiates theatrical processes of cultural remembrance and creates a relation to the past that becomes generative of the future.
Work in Progress: Rimini Protokoll's Karl Marx: Capital, First Volume and the Experience of the Future on Stage
Authors: FRERS BJÖRN
Published: June 2009

This article examines how the future is expressed and experienced in the theatre. Referring to the performance Karl Marx: Capital, First Volume by the German artistic collective Rimini Protokoll, the article exemplifies the relation between the past, the present and the future, showing how the different layers of time are interrelated. The performers involved are not professional actors but so-called ‘experts’, whose lives are connected to Marx's Capital in different ways. Based on the experts’ biographies, the performance not only offers a rereading of Marx's ideology, but also shows similarities between Rimini Protokoll's artistic and Marx's scientific approach, between the conceptualization of one's life and watching a performance in theatre.
Images of the Future in Drama Therapy
Authors: WARSTAT MATTHIAS
Published: June 2009

For various reasons, there is a tension between drama therapy and the concept of performance. Whereas many notions of performance are deeply rooted in the here-and-now, theatrical types of therapy often include practices concerning the future and constructing future images of self, subjectivity and conflict. This paper argues that therapeutic theatre's high affinity with iconic structures and with the creation of ‘images’ can be explained by its specific problems with the contingency and risk inherent in performance.
Final Reflections
Authors: ROKEM FREDDIE
Published: June 2009

As the editor of TRI, as well as one of the participants in the collective research project presented here, I want to add a few words in closing this issue of the journal rather than writing an editorial. In thinking about the future we are not only addressing the notions of emergence and futurity as they are constructed, configured and established within the aesthetic fields of theatre, performance and the arts. We are also – and not only implicitly – thinking about the future of the humanistic disciplines within our societies and our academic institutions, and in particular about the future possibilities of the younger generation of scholars who have decided to devote their own future to the study and research of these fields, developing their individual talents and creativity. It is unnecessary to reiterate that we are in the middle (and I hope this is not just the beginning) of an extremely severe crisis of these fields resulting from economic constraints as well as inherent suspicions towards the arts in particular. And without the necessary institutional and governmental support the humanities as well as our cultures will become impoverished beyond recognition.
The retinae of Prototherian mammals possess neuronal types that are characteristic of non-mammalian retinae
Authors: Young Heather M. , Vaney David I.
Published: June 2009

This study has shown that the retinae of Prototherian (egg-laying) mammals possess two neuronal types that are present in non-mammalian retinae, but absent or morphologically different in the retinae of Eutherian (placental) mammals. First, endogenous serotonin-like immunoreactivity has been localized in a population of presumptive amacrine cells in the platypus retina, the first such report in a mammalian retina. Second, the protein kinase C-immunoreactive (PKC-IR) bipolar cells in the echidna retina appear similar to the PKC-IR bipolars in the chicken retina, in that their dendrites give rise to a Landolt's club and their axons are multistratified. By contrast, the PKC-IR rod bipolar cells in the rabbit and in the brushtail possum, a Metatherian (marsupial) mammal, have no Landolt's clubs and their axons form terminal lobes in the innermost stratum of the inner plexiform layer.
Properties of area 17/18 border neurons contributing to the visual transcallosal pathway in the cat
Authors: McCourt M.E. , Thalluri J. , Henry G.H.
Published: June 2009

In a series of physiological experiments, a total of 203 neurons at the Area 17/18 border were recorded with a callosal link either demonstrated by antidromic or transsynaptic activation from stimulating electrodes located in the homotopic contralateral hemisphere (CH), or in the splenial segment of the corpus callosum (CC). Forty-four percent of the transcallosal cells could also be driven from stimulating electrodes in or just above the lateral geniculate nucleus (OR1). The majority (69%) of transcallosal neurons were classifiable as belonging to the complex family (B and C cells) and most of these were found in the supragranular laminae and in lamina 4A. The ocular dominance distribution of transcallosal cells was trimodal, consisting of roughly equal numbers of monocularly dominated and binocularly balanced neurons. Estimates of conduction time and synaptic delay were obtained for neurons driven from CH, CC, and from OR1, and in most instances the response latency was short enough to suggest a monosynaptic input from either the ipsi- or contra-lateral hemisphere. The distribution of transcallosal conduction times showed that S cells, as a class, had significantly faster conduction than cells of the complex family but otherwise there was no obvious signs of multimodality in the distribution curve. An analysis of the synaptic delays in transcallosal activation produced a mean of 0.6 to 0.7 ms but some were too short to be consistent with a transsynaptic drive, suggesting that some cells with an antidromic drive may have been included in the transsynaptic category. Results are interpreted in terms of the contribution made by the corpus callosum to stereoscopic vision.
Termination of thalamic intralaminar nuclei afferents in visual cortex of squirrel monkey
Authors: Towns Lex C. , Tigges Johannes , Tigges Margarete
Published: June 2009

The projection of the thalamic intralaminar nuclei (ILN) upon the visual cortex in the squirrel monkey was studied using anterograde, autoradiographic techniques. In area 17, the ILN afferents terminate in the inner and outer portions of lamina V, whereas in areas 18 and 19 the fibers terminate more diffusely along the laminae V–VI boundary. Widespread labeling of layer I is seen throughout the occipital cortex.
Identification of bipolar cell subtypes by protein kinase C-like immunoreactivity in the goldfish retina
Authors: Suzuki Saburosuke , Kaneko Akimichi
Published: June 2009

Subtypes of bipolar cells were identified by protein kinase C (PKC)-like immunoreactivity in the goldfish retina. The PKC-like immunoreactivity was visualized by either the avidin/biotin peroxidase method or immunofluorescence method. In frozen cross sections and in wholemounts, the monoclonal antibody against α species of PKC reacted with ON-type bipolar cells, identified by the location of axon terminals in sublaminabof the inner plexiform layer. OFF-type bipolar cells (identified by the location of the axon terminal in sublaminaaof the inner plexiform layer) were not immunoreactive. The immunoreactive cells consisted of two subtypes; the rod-dominant ON-type with a large soma and a large bulbous axon terminal, and the cone-dominant ON-type with a small soma and small axon terminal. Antibodies against β and γ species of PKC did not react with any bipolar cells. Of the isolated bipolar cells, enzymatically dissociated from the goldfish retina, 59% were immunoreactive to the monoclonal antibody against α species of PKC. The immunoreactive isolated cells also consisted of two morphological types. Each of them had a morphology typical either to rod-dominant ON-type or to cone-dominant ON-type.
Thalamic origin of neuropeptide Y innervation of the accessory optic nucleus of the pigeon (Columba livia)
Authors: Hamassaki Dânia E. , Britto Luiz R. G.
Published: June 2009

Immunohistochemical and tracing techniques were used in combination to reveal the source of a neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive (NPY-LI) plexus in the nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR) of the pigeon accessory optic system. Injections of rhodamine-labeled latex microspheres into nBOR produced retrograde labeling of a population of neurons interposed between the principal optic nucleus of the dorsolateral thalamus (equivalent to the mammalian dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus) and the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. The retrogradely labeled neurons were distributed mainly in the immediate vicinity of the lateral, dorsal, and ventral aspects of the nucleus rotundus. Immunohistochemical methods revealed many NPY-containing somata within the same intergeniculate thalamic area. Double-labeling immunohistochemical and retrograde tracing experiments evidenced that many NPY-LI neurons in the intergeniculate area contained rhodamine microspheres that had been previously injected into the ipsilateral nBOR. The projection of that general thalamic area to the nBOR was then confirmed by means of anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin. In these experiments, the intergeniculate region was demonstrated to project to all divisions of the nBOR and to every other retino-recipient structure, including the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Finally, electrolytic lesions of the intergeniculate area produced a dramatic reduction in the number of NPY-LI axons and terminals within the ipsilateral nBOR and also within other retino-recipient structures. These data indicate the existence of a thalamic NPY-LI projection to the pigeon nBOR of the accessory optic system. This chemically specific projection originates from the intergeniculate area, which was shown in this study to project to all other retino-recipient structures. Thus, NPY may have a role in the functional organization of the accessory optic system and also of the avian visual system as a whole.
Role of the color-opponent and broad-band channels in vision
Authors: Schiller Peter H. , Logothetis Nikos K. , Charles Eliot R.
Published: June 2009

The functions of the primate color-opponent and broad-band channels were assessed by examining the visual capacities of rhesus monkeys following selective lesions of parvocellular and magnocellular lateral geniculate nucleus, which respectively relay these two channels to the cortex. Parvocellular lesions impaired color vision, high spatial-frequency form vision, and fine stereopsis. Magnocellular lesions impaired high temporal- frequency flicker and motion perception but produced no deficits in stereopsis. Low spatial-frequency form vision, stereopsis, and brightness perception were unaffected by either lesion. Much as the rods and cones of the retina can be thought of as extending the range of vision in the intensity domain, we propose that the color-opponent channel extends visual capacities in the wavelength and spatial-frequency domains whereas the broad-band channel extends them in the temporal domain.
Neuronal structure of the lacertilian parietal eye, I: A retrograde label and electron-microscopic study of the ganglion cells in the photoreceptor layer
Authors: Engbretson Gustav A. , Anderson Kathy J.
Published: June 2009

The cellular connectivity of the lacertilian parietal eye is not well understood. Because the intercellular connections establish the foundation for information processing, we have investigated cellular connectivity of one cell type in this simple vertebrate retina. We also developed anin vitropreparation to study the anatomy of the parietal eye visual system. Horseradish peroxidase transport in thein vitropreparation revealed a class of displaced ganglion cells occupying positions among the photoreceptors, in a location where the presence of interneurons had been suggested. Three-dimensional reconstruction at the electron-microscopic level showed that the morphology and synaptic input of these displaced ganglion cells is different from that of the previously known ganglion cells. The displaced ganglion cells receive an average of about 13 ribbon synapses from photoreceptors. The ribbon input is equally distributed between the soma and dendritic arbor. Junctional membrane measurement and ethnolic phosphotungstic acid-staining provided evidence for the existence of non-ribbon synaptic contacts (synaptoid junctions). Displaced ganglion cells make about 20 synaptoid junctions, 65% of which are on the dendritic arbor. The morphology of the displaced ganglion cell is such that a significant measure of synaptic input to the dendritic arbor will be transmitted to the soma.
Cone receptive field in cat retina computed from microcircuitry
Authors: Smith R. G. , Sterling P.
Published: June 2009

The receptive-field profile of the cone in cat retina was computed. The computation was based on (1) the known anatomical circuit connecting cones via narrow-field bipolar cells to the on-beta ganglion cell; (2) the known physiological receptive-field profile of the on-beta (X) cell at the corresponding eccentricity; and (3) a model in which the beta receptive field arises by linear superposition of cone receptive fields. The computed cone receptive field has a center/surround organization with a center almost as broad as that of the beta cell center. The cone surround is comparably broad to that of the beta cell but somewhat lower in peak amplitude. The problems to which the center/surround receptive field are the solution, namely, signal compression and noise reduction, apparently must be solved before the first synapse of the visual pathway.
The effects of GABA and related drugs on horizontal cells in the isolated turtle retina
Authors: Perlman Ido , Normann Richard A.
Published: June 2009

The role of GABA in the outer plexiform layer of the turtle retina has been examined by intracellular recordings from L- and C-type horizontal cells in the isolated retina preparation.

GABA (1–5 mM) slightly depolarized the L-type horizontal cells, reduced the amplitude of their photoresponses, and slowed down the rate of hyperpolarization during the ON component of the photoresponse. These effects could not be replicated by either muscimol or baclofen. When synaptic transmission from the photoreceptors had been blocked by either kynurenic acid or cobalt ions, GABA depolarized L-type horizontal cells and augmented the remaining photoresponses. Neither muscimol nor baclofen exerted any effect on L-type horizontal cells under these conditions. Nipecotic acid, a competitive inhibitor of the GABA-uptake system, induced effects on turtle L-type horizontal cells which were similar to those exerted by GABA. Thus, the complex GABA effect on turtle L-type horizontal cells seems to represent the summation of at least two actions; an indirect one mediated by the red cones via GABAa-type receptors and a direct one which probably reflects the activation of an electrogenic GABA-uptake system.

GABA (1–5 mM) induced a transient depolarization in C-type horizontal cells but eliminated color opponency in only three cells out of seven studied. This observation is inconsistent with the notion that the only neural mechanism responsible for the chromatic properties of C-type horizontal cells in the turtle retina is a GABAergic negative feedback from the L-type horizontal cells onto the green ones.
Photoreceptor rod outer segment 48-kDa protein has ATPase activity
Authors: Sitaramayya Ari , Hakki Shereen
Published: June 2009

The role of 48-kDa protein in Visual transduction remains unresolved. Two hypotheses for its role in quenching the light activation of cyclic GMP cascade suggest that the protein binds to either phosphodiesterase or phosphorylated rhodopsin. Since the protein is also reported to bind ATP, we anticipated that the protein may have ATP hydrolyzing activity, and in analogy with the GTP-binding protein of the rod outer segments, such activity may be greatly enhanced by the elements of transduction cyclic GMP cascade, permitting the protein to function cyclically as GTP-binding protein does. We found that purified 48-kDa protein hydrolyzes ATP but at a slow rate of 0.04–0.05 per min. TheKmfor ATP is about 45–65μM. The activity is inhibited noncompetitively by ADP with aKiof about 50μM. The ATPase activity of 48-kDa protein is not affected by rhodopsin, bleached rhodopsin, phosphorylated rhodopsin, unactivated cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, or phosphodiesterase (PDE) activated by GMP PNP-bound G-protein. These data show that although 48-kDa protein has ATPase activity, lack of regulation of this activity by the elements of visual transduction makes it unlikely for this activity to have a role in quenching the light activation of cyclic GMP cascade.
Distributed spatial coding in the superior colliculus: A review
Authors: McIlwain James T.
Published: June 2009

This paper reviews evidence that the superior colliculus (SC) of the midbrain represents visual direction and certain aspects of saccadic eye movements in the distribution of activity across a population of cells. Accurate and precise eye movements appear to be mediated, in part at least, by cells of the SC that have large sensory receptive fields and/or discharge in association with a range of saccades. This implies that visual points or saccade targets are represented by patches rather than points of activity in the SC. Perturbation of the pattern of collicular discharge by focal inactivation modifies saccade amplitude and direction in a way consistent with distributed coding. Several models have been advanced to explain how such a code might be implemented in the colliculus. Evidence related to these hypotheses is examined and continuing uncertainties are identified.
Injection of RNA from carp retina induces the formation of a membrane potassium channel inXenopusoocytes
Authors: Pinto Lawrence H. , Kaneko Akimichi
Published: June 2009

Total RNA was purified from freshly isolated retinas of adult carp and injected into oocytes ofXenopus laevis(stage 5–6). Two to six days after injection, depolarizing voltage-clamp steps evoked a slowly activated outward currents as large as 3 μA. This current inactivated slowly with a single time constant (τ= 3.1 ± 0.24 S.E.M., forVm= +30 mV). The current was inhibited by tetraethylammonium (3.8 mM for half-maximal inhibition). In the presence of Co2+(1 mM) or barium methanesulfonate (40 mM), the current-voltage relationship shifted to slightly more depolarized values (5–10 mV); the maximal value of the current that was sensitive to Co2+or Ba2+treatments was only a small fraction (about 10%) of the TEA-sensitive current, and its current-voltage relationship was similar to that for uninjected oocytes. The reversal potential of the membrane current was studied with [K+]0of 1–77 mM. For [K+]0> 20 mM, the reversal potential changed with a slope of 63 mV (±;2 mV S.E.M.) per 10-fold change in [K+]0. The conductance was induced half-maximally at 17 mV (±;0.9 mV s.e.m.). The depolarization required for ane−fold increase in conductance was 13 mV (±;0.6 mV s.e.m.). From these results, we conclude that the injection of total RNA from carp retinas induces the formation of a membrane K+channel inXenopusoocytes. The channel formed has many of properties reported for the maintained outward current of goldfish horizontal and bipolar cells.