bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a commercial ELISA kit for detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in serum, plasma and meat juice from experimentally and naturally infected sheep
Authors: Glor Sabine B , Edelhofer Renate , Grimm Felix , Deplazes Peter , Basso Walter
Published: April 2013

Background

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common food borne zoonoses worldwide, and can be a serious life-threatening disease in the congenitally infected fetus and in immunosupressed patients. Among food animals, sheep along with goats and pigs possess the highest incidence of T. gondii cysts in meat, and play a major role as a source of human infection.

Methods

In this study, a new commercial ELISA kit (PrioCHECK® Toxoplasma Ab SR, Prionics Schlieren-Zurich, Switzerland) for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies in serum, plasma and meat juice of sheep, was evaluated by comparing it with the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), indirect haemagglutination test (IHA) and real-time PCR, on samples from experimentally inoculated and naturally exposed sheep.

Results

The commercial ELISA detected the infection status in 50% and 100% of sheep orally inoculated with 10,000 T. gondii oocysts (n = 6), from two or three weeks post infection (wpi), respectively, both on serum and plasma samples. Meat juice from all experimentally inoculated sheep collected at slaughter (12 wpi) showed positive ELISA values. In naturally exposed sheep (n = 396), the ELISA showed a very good agreement with IFAT (kappa = 0.91-1.0) and IHA (kappa = 0.96-1.0) performed on serum; and a positive correlation was observed between ELISA values and IFAT titers. By a Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, the commercial ELISA had relative sensitivities between 93.33% and 100%, and relative specificities between 96.87% and 100% respect to IFAT and IHA, depending on the considered cut-off value and animal groups tested. Furthermore, the ELISA correctly recognized all animals reacting positive in real-time PCR. The ELISA results on meat juice agreed with those on serum samples in all experimentally inoculated animals, and in 94 out of 96 (97.9%) naturally exposed sheep, when meat juice was tested at a 1:10 dilution.

Conclusion

The commercial ELISA kit evaluated in this study could represent a valuable tool to improve the surveillance and reporting system for T. gondii in sheep populations at the farm level or for diagnosis at the slaughterhouse, contributing to the control of this widespread zoonosis.
Generation of a luciferase-based reporter for CHH and CG DNA methylation inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Dinh Thanh Theresa , O’Leary Michael , Won So Youn , Li Shengben , Arroyo Lorena , Liu Xigang , Defries Andrew , Zheng Binglian , Cutler Sean R , Chen Xuemei
Published: April 2013

Background

DNA methylation ensures genome integrity and regulates gene expression indiverse eukaryotes. InArabidopsis, methylation occurs in threesequence contexts: CG, CHG and CHH. The initial establishment of DNAmethylation at all three sequence contexts occurs through a process known asRNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM), in which small RNAs bound by Argonaute4(AGO4) guide DNA methylation at homologous loci through thede novomethyltransferase DRM2. Once established, DNA methylation at each of thethree sequence contexts is maintained through different mechanisms. Althoughsome players involved in RdDM and maintenance methylation have beenidentified, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Toaid the comprehensive identification of players in DNA methylation, wegenerated a transgenic reporter system that permits genetic and chemicalgenetic screens inArabidopsis.

Results

A dual35Spromoter (d35S) driven luciferase (LUC)reporter was introduced intoArabidopsisandLUCL, a linewith a low basal level of luciferase activity, was obtained.LUCLwas found to be a multi-copy, single-insertion transgene that containsmethylated cytosines in CG, CHG and CHH contexts, with the highestmethylation in the CG context. Methylation was present throughout thepromoter andLUCcoding region. Treatment with an inhibitor ofcytosine methylation de-repressed luciferase activity. A mutation inMET1, which encodes the CG maintenance methyltransferase,drastically reduced CG methylation and de-repressedLUCexpression.Mutations inAGO4andDRM2also de-repressedLUCexpression, albeit to a smaller extent than loss ofMET1. UsingLUCLas a reporter line, we performed a chemical screen forcompounds that de-repressLUCexpression, and identified achemical, methotrexate, known to be involved in biogenesis of the methyldonor.

Conclusion

We developed a luciferase-based reporter system,LUCL, which reportsboth RdDM and CG maintenance methylation inArabidopsis. The lowbasal level ofLUCLexpression provides an easy readout in geneticand chemical genetic screens that will dissect the mechanisms of RdDM andmethylation maintenance.
Blood transfusion in deceased donor kidney transplantation
Authors: Marzouk Karim , Lawen Joseph , Kiberd Bryce A
Published: April 2013

Background

Given the unpredictable timing of deceased donor organs and the need for blood transfusion, this study was carried out to determine the rate and risk factors for transfusion in order to identifying a low-risk cohort in the face of a critical blood shortage.

Methods

This retrospective chart review examined 306 consecutive deceased solitary kidney transplant recipients from January 2006 to August 2012.

Results

Records show that 80 (26.1%) patients were transfused with a total of 300 units (0.98 units/transplant) during their first hospital stay. Transfusions were higher in patients on warfarin (8/14, 57%, 5.1 units/transplant) and antiplatelet agents (46/136, 33.8%, 1.1 unit/transplant) compared to no anticoagulants (74/156, 16.7%, 0.47 units/transplant). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis warfarin (odd ratio (OR) 8.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5–27, P=0.001), antiplatelet agents (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.6–5.3, P=0.001), recipient age ≥55 years (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–3.9, P=0.008), recipient male (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.2–0.64, P=0.001) and preop hemoglobin ≥115 g/L (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.18–0.57, P<0.001) were independent predictors of blood transfusion. Lower bleeding cohorts with transfusion rates <5% could not be identified.

Conclusion

The need for blood is significantly higher in subjects on either warfarin or antiplatelet agents. These patients might be avoided if kidney transplantation is to occur during a critical blood shortage. Unfortunately even patients not on anticoagulation are at some risk.
Comparison of antioxidant activity and flavanol content of cacao beans processed by modern and traditional Mesoamerican methods
Authors: Chin Elizabeth , Miller Kenneth B , Payne Mark J , Hurst W Jeffery , Stuart David A
Published: April 2013

The use of cacao, in its familiar food and beverage form, dates back about 3,800 years. By the time of the discovery of America by Europeans, the Aztecs and Mayans had developed methods for drying, roasting and grinding cacao beans for use in beverages and foods. Today, the same processes are used, but have been adapted to modern machinery. The current study was conducted to compare the traditional Mesoamerican processing and modern processing methods and their impact on the antioxidant activity and flavan-3-ol content of the resulting processed cocoa mass. Two cocoa bean types were used: unfermented cocoa beans commonly produced and consumed today by the native peoples of Mesoamerica, and fermented Ivory Coast cocoa beans representing the most common country of origin for cocoa in the world today. Both bean types were processed by roasting and grinding using traditional and modern processing methods. The traditional method consisted of roasting whole beans on an earthenware comal heated with wood charcoal, de-shelling the beans, then grinding the beans to a paste using a stone metate and mano. The modern method consisted of roasting cocoa beans with pilot-scale equipment that simulates large-scale chocolate manufacturing using whole bean drum roasters, deshelling the beans followed by mechanical grinding using a ball mill producing a chocolate paste. The antioxidant capacity and flavanol content of these chocolate pastes were then determined. The data show that the antioxidant capacity and flavanol content of unprocessed Mexican Lavado cocoa beans were significantly higher than that of the unprocessed, fermented Ivory Coast cocoa beans. In unfermented Mexican Lavado cocoa beans, the traditional and modern processing revealed no clear advantage with respect to the antioxidant and flavanol contents. However, for fermented Ivory Coast beans, there were some differences in the level of flavanols between traditionally processed and modern processed fermented beans. These differences, while significant for some, but not all of the flavanol measures, were attributed to final roast temperatures achieved and to the possible lack of uniformity of bean fermentation.
Effect of Melia azedarach (Sapindales: Meliaceae) fruit extracts on Citrus Leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)
Authors: Mckenna Maher M , Abou-Fakhr Hammad Efat M , Farran Mohamad T
Published: April 2013

Melia azedarach L. extracts were studied in comparison with selected biorational insecticides against the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton under field conditions. Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F. trees were exposed to: Melia extracts of green and mature fruits, Neem oil (30% a.i.), abamectin (1.8% a.i.) and control. Two sprays of each treatment (except for Melia mature fruit extract) were executed at 10-d intervals. The live number of the 1st and later (2nd & 3rd) larval instars per leaf were recorded at initial sampling date and at 10-d intervals after each spray application. Results indicated that there were significant differences in the number of live larval instars among treatments. Melia extracts and the two biorationals, neem oil and abamectin, decreased the larvae population significantly to lower numbers than that of the control at 10 days after each spray application. However, the decrease caused by neem oil and abamectin was significantly higher than that of Melia extracts. Thus, these extracts might be considered as potential alternative with other biorational control methods in management of the leafminer. Further research including bioassays is needed to determine the factors responsible for reducing larvae population and whether these Melia extracts can be utilized in future citrus IPM programs as a tool for citrus leafminer management.
Positive Washback from Thai University Entrance Examinations
Authors: Jianrattanapong Amporn
Published: April 2013

The paper presents weak points and certain strong washback effects from Thai university entrance examinations supporting hints to overcome some shortcomings from writing assessment and encourages the practices and classroom activities that enable graduates to have more competence in English communication particularly in writing skill.
The Washback Effects of the TOEIC Examination on the Teachers and Students of a Thai Business School
Authors: Apichatrojanakul Peerasak
Published: April 2013

This paper looks at some washbacks of the TOEIC examination on the teachers and students through his own teaching experience with TOEIC preparation courses and interview results from those of a Bangkok's business school.
Washback of IELTS on the Assumption College English Program
Authors: Sanonguthai suchada
Published: April 2013

This paper reports and discusses how the IELTS test has brought its impact to Assumption College Thonburi English Program (ACTEP)'s exit testing, English courses offered and foreign teachers' teaching. Two different methods of data collection apply; an interview with the ACTEP Academic Head and questionnaire for Grades 10-11 students and foreign teachers. It has been found that in order to assure Grade 12 performance on the IELTS test, other well-known achievement tests have been put into the ACTEP academic policy. IELTS preparatory courses have been listed into the Grades 10- 12 ACTEP curriculum. The findings show that the foreign teachers, both Native-English speakers and Non-Native English speakers teaching staff in the ACTEP, need more insights to the IELTS test format. It is also well worth recommending that students need to practice more during their high school years as their Grade 11exit test, the CU-TEP test, cannot reflect all strategies needed in the IELTS test.
An Examination of the No Fail Policy in Thailand and the Effect on Community Relations
Authors: Halligan Kristin M
Published: April 2013

No fail or social promotion policies have been implemented in many countries around the world over the last sixty years. Are these policies harmful or helpful in regard to academic achievement and well being of students? This article examines the trends of social promotion policy in the United States and Thailand. Research has been conducted at Assumption College Primary Section. Interviews and questionnaires were conducted and analyzed in order to observe opinions of educators, parents and teachers in regard to these policies.
Students' Perceptions of Computerized TOEFL Test
Authors: Noubandegani Parvane Azadi
Published: April 2013

The present study investigated students' perception of computerized TOEFL test. Subject of this study were 100 adult male and female students who took the iBT TOEFL test in Iran. Participants were provided with a researcher-developed questionnaire on the advantages and disadvantages of Computer-Based Test (CBT) compared to Paper- Based Test (PBT). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis to investigate the perceptions of the students. Results of this study showed that students perceived the disadvantages of CBT were more than its advantages.
Students' Perceptions of the Impact of the College English Test
Authors: Li Hongli , Zhong Qi , Suen Hoi K
Published: April 2013

Designed to assess college students' English ability, the College English Test (CET) is regarded as the most influential English test in China. This study investigates students' perceptions of the impact of the CET on their English-learning practices and their affective conditions. A survey was administered to 150 undergraduate students at a university in Beijing. It was found that students perceived the impact of the CET to be pervasive. In particular, the majority of the respondents indicated that the CET had a greater impact on what they studied than on how they studied. Most of the students surveyed felt the CET had motivated them to make a greater effort to learn English. Many students seemed to be willing to put more effort on the language skills most heavily weighted in the CET. About half of the students reported a higher level of self-efficacy in regard to their overall English ability and some specific English skills as a result of taking or preparing for the CET. However, many students also reported experiencing increased pressure and anxiety in relation to learning English. This study provides important evidence about how the CET influences college students' English learning in China, and directions for further research are also suggested.
Washback Effects of the New English Assessment System on Secondary Schools in Bhutan
Authors: Kirkpatrick Robert , Gyem Kinley
Published: April 2013

In 2006, Bhutan changed the secondary school curriculum. This study examines the washback effect of the English assessment system associated with this new curriculum. Based on questionnaire responses from 56 EFL secondary school teachers in Bhutan, the study suggests the new curriculum produces both positive and also negative washback. In order for the new curriculum's benefit to outweigh any harm it may cause, teachers should receive proper guidance and support during this transition.
Association Between Abdominal Obesity and Fracture Risk: A Prospective Study
Authors: Yang Shuman , Nguyen Nguyen D. , Center Jacqueline R. , Eisman John A. , Nguyen Tuan V.
Published: April 2013

Context:

Higher body weight is associated with greater bone mineral density (BMD) and lower fracture risk. However, the relationship between abdominal fat mass (aFM) and fracture risk is unclear because of limited prospective data. The present study sought to examine the association between aFM, BMD, and fracture risk.

Methods:

The study was designed as a prospective investigation, in which a sample of 1126 participants (360 men and 766 women) aged 50 years or older had been continuously followed up for an average of 5 years. The mean age of participants was 71 years (range, 57–94 years). At baseline, BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine and aFM were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The incidence of low-trauma and nonpathological fractures was ascertained prospectively from X-ray reports.

Results:

During the follow-up period, 19 men and 107 women had sustained a fracture. In women, each 1-kg lower aFM was associated with a 50% higher risk of fracture (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–2.05) after adjustment for age, femoral neck BMD, falls, stature, physical activity, and prior fracture. Subgroup analysis by fracture type found that the association was mainly observed in clinical vertebral fracture (HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.22–3.13). In men, although there was no statistically significant association between aFM and fracture risk (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.58–2.25), the strength of this finding is affected negatively by the low number of fractures.

Conclusions:

Lower abdominal fat was significantly associated with an higher fracture risk in women.
Norepinephrine transporter variant A457P knock-in mice display key features of human postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
Authors: Shirey-Rice Jana K. , Klar Rebecca , Fentress Hugh M. , Redmon Sarah N. , Sabb Tiffany R. , Krueger Jessica J. , Wallace Nathan M. , Appalsamy Martin , Finney Charlene , Lonce Suzanna , Diedrich André , Hahn Maureen K.
Published: April 2013

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common autonomic disorder of largely unknown etiology that presents with sustained tachycardia on standing, syncope and elevated norepinephrine spillover. Some individuals with POTS experience anxiety, depression and cognitive dysfunction. Previously, we identified a mutation, A457P, in the norepinephrine (NE; also known as noradrenaline) transporter (NET; encoded by SLC6A2) in POTS patients. NET is expressed at presynaptic sites in NE neurons and plays a crucial role in regulating NE signaling and homeostasis through NE reuptake into noradrenergic nerve terminals. Our in vitro studies demonstrate that A457P reduces both NET surface trafficking and NE transport and exerts a dominant-negative impact on wild-type NET proteins. Here we report the generation and characterization of NET A457P mice, demonstrating the ability of A457P to drive the POTS phenotype and behaviors that are consistent with reported comorbidities. Mice carrying one A457P allele (NET+/P) exhibited reduced brain and sympathetic NE transport levels compared with wild-type (NET+/+) mice, whereas transport activity in mice carrying two A457P alleles (NETP/P) was nearly abolished. NET+/P and NETP/P mice exhibited elevations in plasma and urine NE levels, reduced dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), and reduced DHPG:NE ratios, consistent with a decrease in sympathetic nerve terminal NE reuptake. Radiotelemetry in unanesthetized mice revealed tachycardia in NET+/P mice without a change in blood pressure or baroreceptor sensitivity, consistent with studies of human NET A457P carriers. NET+/P mice also demonstrated behavioral changes consistent with CNS NET dysfunction. Our findings support that NET dysfunction is sufficient to produce a POTS phenotype and introduces the first genetic model suitable for more detailed mechanistic studies of the disorder and its comorbidities.
Self-Enforcing Trade Agreements: Evidence from Time-Varying Trade Policy
Authors: Bown Chad P , Crowley Meredith A
Published: April 2013

The Bagwell and Staiger (1990) theory of cooperative trade agreements predicts new tariffs (i) increase with imports, (ii) increase with the inverse of the sum of the import demand and export supply elasticities, and (iii) decrease with the variance of imports. We find US import policy during 1997–2006 to be consistent with this theory. A one standard deviation increase in import growth, the inverse of the sum of the import demand and export supply elasticity, and the standard deviation of import growth changes the probability that the US imposes an antidumping tariff by 35 percent, by 88 percent, and by –76 percent, respectively.
Paper Money
Authors: Sims Christopher A
Published: April 2013

Drastic changes in central bank operations and monetary institutions in recent years have made previously standard approaches to explaining the determination of the price level obsolete. Recent expansions of central bank balance sheets and of the levels of richcountry sovereign debt, as well as the evolving political economy of the European Monetary Union, have made it clear that fiscal policy and monetary policy are intertwined. Our thinking and teaching about inflation, monetary policy, and fiscal policy should be based on models that recognize fiscal-monetary policy interactions. (JEL E31, E52, E58, E62, H63)
Optimal Expectations and Limited Medical Testing: Evidence from Huntington Disease
Authors: Oster Emily , Shoulson Ira , Dorsey E. Ray
Published: April 2013

We use novel data to study genetic testing among individuals at risk for Huntington disease (HD), a hereditary disease with limited life expectancy. Although genetic testing is perfectly predictive and carries little economic cost, presymptomatic testing is rare. Testing rates increase with increases in ex ante risk of having HD. Untested individuals express optimistic beliefs about their health and make decisions (e.g., retirement) as if they do not have HD, even though individuals with confirmed HD behave differently. We suggest that these facts can be reconciled by an optimal expectations model (Brunnermeier and Parker 2005). (JEL D84, I12)
Testing for Racial Differences in the Mental Ability of Young Children
Authors: Fryer Roland G , Levitt Steven D
Published: April 2013

Using a new nationally representative dataset, we find minor differences in test outcomes between black and white infants that disappear with a limited set of controls. However, relative to whites, all other races lose substantial ground by age two. Combining our estimates with results in prior literature, we show that a simple model with assortative mating fits our data well, implying that differences in children's environments between racial groups can fully explain gaps in intelligence. If parental ability influences a child's test scores both genetically and through environment, then our findings are less informative and can be reconciled with a wide range of racial differences in inherited intelligence.
Infrastructure Planning for Electric Vehicles with Battery Swapping
Authors: Mak Ho-Yin , Rong Ying , Shen Zuo-Jun Max
Published: April 2013

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been proposed as a key technology to help cut down the massive greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Unfortunately, because of the limited capacity of batteries, typical EVs can only travel for about 100 miles on a single charge and require hours to be recharged. The industry has proposed a novel solution centered around the use of “swapping stations,” at which depleted batteries can be exchanged for recharged ones in the middle of long trips. The possible success of this solution hinges on the ability of the charging service provider to deploy a cost-effective infrastructure network, given only limited information regarding adoption rates. We develop robust optimization models that aid the planning process for deploying battery-swapping infrastructure. Using these models, we study the potential impacts of battery standardization and technology advancements on the optimal infrastructure deployment strategy.

This paper was accepted by Dimitris Bertsimas, optimization.
How Do Firm Financial Conditions Affect Product Quality and Pricing?
Authors: Phillips Gordon , Sertsios Giorgo
Published: April 2013

We analyze the interaction of firm product quality and pricing decisions with financial distress and bankruptcy in the airline industry. We consider an airline's choices of quality and price as dynamic decisions that trade off current cash flows for future revenue. We examine how airline mishandled baggage, on-time performance, and pricing are related to financial distress and bankruptcy, controlling for the endogeneity of financial distress and bankruptcy. We find that an airline's quality decisions are differentially affected by financial distress and bankruptcy. Product quality decreases when airlines are in financial distress, consistent with financial distress reducing a firm's incentive to invest in quality. In contrast, in bankruptcy product quality increases relative to financial distress. In addition, we find that firms price more aggressively when in financial distress consistent with firms trying to increase short-term market share and revenues.

This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
Unpacking the Future: A Nudge Toward Wider Subjective Confidence Intervals
Authors: Jain Kriti , Mukherjee Kanchan , Bearden J. Neil , Gaba Anil
Published: April 2013

Subjective probabilistic judgments in forecasting are inevitable in many real-life domains. A common way to obtain such judgments is to assess fractiles or confidence intervals. However, these judgments tend to be systematically overconfident. Further, it has proved particularly difficult to debias such forecasts and improve the calibration. This paper proposes a simple process that systematically leads to wider confidence intervals, thus reducing overconfidence. With a series of experiments, including with professionals, we show that unpacking the distal future into intermediate more proximal futures systematically improves calibration. We refer to this phenomenon as the time unpacking effect, find it is robust to different elicitation formats, and address the possible reasons behind it. We further show that this results in better overall forecasting performance when improved calibration is traded off against less sharpness, and that substantive benefits can be obtained even from just one level of time unpacking.

This paper was accepted by Teck Ho, decision analysis.
Price-Quoting Strategies of an Upstream Supplier
Authors: Hu Bin , Beil Damian R. , Duenyas Izak
Published: April 2013

This paper studies an upstream supplier who quotes prices for a key component to multiple sellers that compete for an end-buyer's indivisible contract. At most one of the supplier's quotes may result in downstream contracting and hence produce revenue for her. We characterize the supplier's optimal price-quoting strategies and show that she will use one of two possible types of strategies, with her choice depending on the sellers' profit potentials relative to their uncertainties: secure, whereby she will always have business; or risky, whereby she may not have business. Addressing potential fairness concerns, we also study price-quoting strategies in which all sellers receive equal quotes. Finally, we show that the supplier's optimal mechanism resembles auctioning a single quote among the sellers. This paper can assist upstream suppliers in their pricing decisions and provides general insights into multitier supply chains' pricing dynamics.

This paper was accepted by Martin Lariviere, operations management.
Organizational Decision Making: An Information Aggregation View
Authors: Csaszar Felipe A. , Eggers J. P.
Published: April 2013

We study four information aggregation structures commonly used by organizations to evaluate opportunities: individual decision making, delegation to experts, majority voting, and averaging of opinions. Using a formal mathematical model, we investigate how the performance of each of these structures is contingent upon the breadth of knowledge within the firm and changes in the environment. Our model builds on work in the Carnegie tradition and in the group and behavioral decision-making literatures. We use the model to explore when delegation is preferable to other structures, such as voting and averaging. Our model shows that delegation is the most effective structure when there is diversity of expertise, when accurate delegation is possible, and when there is a good fit between the firm's knowledge and the knowledge required by the environment. Otherwise, depending on the knowledge breadth of the firm, voting or averaging may be the most effective structure. Finally, we use our model to shed light on which structures are more robust to radical environmental change and when crowd-based decision making may outperform delegation.

This paper was accepted by Jesper Sørensen, organizations.
Nature Unbound: Cosmic Horror in Algernon Blackwood’s ‘The Willows’
Authors: Camara Anthony
Published: April 2013

In this article, I explore the cosmic ramifications of Algernon Blackwood’s famous outdoor horror story ‘The Willows’ (1907). I show how the extraterrestrial teratology of the story’s titular creatures and the weird dimensional phenomena recounted in the tale
challenge conventional definitions and conceptions of nature, in particular the concept of ‘natural supernaturalism’. Against such readings that synthesize nature into an orderly and unbroken whole, I use recent Continental philosophy to show how Blackwood’s story theorizes
nature as a dynamic process driven by the horrifying un-grounding operations of an absolute cosmic outside.
Unravelling music in Hitchcock’s Rope
Authors: Clifton Kevin
Published: April 2013

The article explores the dramatic employment of musicalized guilt in Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope (1948). In particular, as Phillip plays Francis Poulenc’s Mouvements Perpétuels (1918) at the piano he is cross-examined by his ex-school teacher. Adhering closely to C. Gorbman’s
theoretical approach to studying film music in her groundbreaking text, Unheard Melodies in 1987, the ‘cat-and-mouse’ interrogation scene is analysed on three different analytical levels: (1) ‘Pure’ musical codes, with an emphasis on linear and non-linear structural
forces stemming from the sound of the music itself; (2) ‘Cultural’ musical codes that move beyond the notes themselves and take into consideration how Poulenc’s music and biography resonates with the cultural milieu of Hollywood in the 1940s; and (3) ‘Cinematic’
musical codes that directly considers the anchorage in which the music relates to the filmic narrative. The article fills in a gap of Hitchcock criticism since an in-depth study of the use of music in Rope has yet to be undertaken in the scholarly literature.
The re-rape and revenge of Jennifer Hills: Gender and genre in I Spit On Your Grave (2010)
Authors: Mee Laura
Published: April 2013

This article aims to address the largely negative critical response to Steven R. Monroe’s remake of I Spit On Your Grave (2010), by both considering its themes in comparison to Meir Zarchi’s 1978 original film, and positioning the new version within its own generic context.
Using examples from feminist film theory that analyses Zarchi’s film, I suggest that Monroe’s version not only interprets, but actively enhances the perceived feminist message of the original, and consider how role reversal during the revenge section of the film contributes to
this. I also outline the way in which Monroe’s film can be understood as representative of recent trends in the horror genre – most notably, its inclusion of explicit, gory violence and themes of retribution. Ultimately, the portrayal of the remake’s female protagonist as
less sexualized and arguably more monstrous than the original character works in conjunction with other changes and a torture porn aesthetic in order to position the film clearly within the context of contemporary horror cinema.
The ‘road of life’ in the film trailers of Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries
Authors: Koller Mirjam
Published: April 2013

The aim of this Student short subject is to determine whether or not the film trailers of Ingmar Bergman’s Det sjunde inseglet/The Seventh Seal (Bergman, 1957) and Smultronstället/ Wild Strawberries (Bergman, 1957) highlight the six characteristic themes outlined in Jesse
Kalin’s book The Films of Ingmar Bergman (2003).
‘When to push stop or play’: The Swedish reception of Ruben Östlund’s Play (2011)
Authors: Stigsdotter Ingrid
Published: April 2013

This article provides an overview of the polemics surrounding the politics of representation in Ruben Östlund’s film Play (2011). It contextualizes the media debate, which focused on the film’s depiction of black children, and analyses its significance within the context
of Swedish contemporary film culture and criticism.
Documentary imagination: The disappeared, the clue and the photograph
Authors: Hongisto Ilona
Published: April 2013

The article discusses the ways in which photographs are approached and framed in the Finnish documentary film Kaksi enoa/Two Uncles (1991) by Kanerva Cederström. The documentary’s point of departure is a photograph of the film-maker’s uncle who went missing in World
War II. With the photograph, the documentary invites the viewer into the mystery surrounding the disappearance. The article follows the different positions given to the photograph over the course of the film and argues for the documentary’s capacity to imagine in the face of the wartime
loss that beset the film-maker’s family.
Future minds, mental organs and ways of knowing
Authors: Ray Thomas S.
Published: April 2013

For hundreds of millions of years before the recent emergence of reason, evolution elaborated a multiplicity of ways of knowing through feelings, which remain valid today. Each way of knowing, including reason, is mediated by a ‘mental organ’ which is a population of neurons
bearing a particular neurotransmitter receptor (e.g. serotonin-7, histamine-1, alpha-2C). Each mental organ adds spice to our lives. Reason coevolved with a pre-existing affective domain, and is designed to be informed by affective input. When reason reigns at the cost of losing touch with
the other ways of knowing, we retain the ability to manipulate nature, but we do not understand its essence and cannot make wise judgements.
Multilingualism, visual integration and transculturalism
Authors: Nawar Haytham
Published: April 2013

Can we find different means of communicative visual solutions to aid societies in the development of multicultural global communities? This means not revolving only around a particular language or even human language, but rather the concept and structure of communication. This transforms
any kind of sign, body gesture or visual element into a method of communication, not simple phenomena. The aim of the research is to use media art and new technology to establish a better (wide) visual communicative language in multicultural societies and provide a solid bridge between east
and west, through in-depth visual/technological experimentation, seeking a transcultural visual solution to the problem of visual integration. Can any perceivable phenomenon become a conveyor of meaning? While language is based very much on common agreements, the way each of us responds to
a message can be entirely different. Communication therefore creates diversity from uniformity: the idea of mixing setups of humans and machines (robots, computers, etc.) that are somehow able to communicate. The communication would give rise to some sort of choreography of movements that
is synchronized because of the communication but diverse because of different responses to the communication.
Art of peripheral permeability: Revisiting interfaces in biological media for post-biological culture
Authors: Ljubec Živa
Published: April 2013

As the title of this article suggests, the concept of the interface needs to be revisited in the context of biological media in order to infer some implications for the post-biological culture. A direct comparison of our media culture to the environmental notion of the media and the
natural partitioning of the media by biological membranes becomes possible if we expand on the notions of media and interfaces in our technologically conditioned realities. The question of periphery and permeability of a biological membrane will be addressed in the context of the theory of
aesthetics. Although at first glance we are dealing only with subtle changes in the degree of permeability of an interface, suddenly selectiveness in permeability arises, and though an interface is considered simply peripheral, at a slight touch with an opposing media its role swiftly becomes
central. Taking into account the functioning of a biological membrane, a remarkably resourceful technology, associations stem from the culture on the cellular level to the culture of human society, where the human being should not be limited to the concept of self, but operatively diffused
into collective awareness. The technologies that we develop, and the media we employ and inhabit always meet at an interface. But there is more to the face-to-face meeting of media than a mere inert surface. Such a surface as a membrane is not abstractly thin but more like ‘infrathin’
– the term invented by the artist Marcel Duchamp. What happens at such confrontation of media of different kinds, of incomparable qualities, will be further discussed in the article. The dynamics of permeability at the periphery adjust the tension between heterogeneous qualities of the
media to allow for coexistence, even for the emergence of new meanings. This heterogeneity can be experienced only within the interface, and therefore an inner view is proposed instead of a view from above, an inner view that prevents reduction of processes to commensurable, quantifiable objects.
Since interface occurs at every interaction with the world, as explained in the theory of endophysics by biochemist Otto E. Rössler, we have to be aware of the problematics of this phenomenon, and we must rethink its potential. The interface is at the same time an opportunity, the interval
we are given, where our drive to act is suppressed and our will to speculate prevails. By contemplating intricate biological solutions, this article hopes to further encourage the turn towards post-biological evolution of our awareness.
On love in the realm of science
Authors: Uskoković Vuk
Published: April 2013

In the first half of 2009 I organized a series of talks at University of California, San Francisco. The series was dedicated to observing science from a wider perspective and figuring out where its trains and we as scientists in it are heading to. The final presentation in the series
I envisaged as the one drawing threads between love and science. However, my aim was neither for that particular talk to be the one of explaining sensations of love using scientific language nor to be based on pastoral and pathetic eruptions of love about science. What I had in mind was a
description of an adventurous quest to find love at the core of our scientific endeavors. As my attempts to find an appropriate lecturer failed, I decided to engage myself in such an adventure. This is how this article sprang into life. In it, I slowly tread the way towards realizing that
the heart of love beats at the core of the scientific enterprise of humanity. To reach this centre, I have travelled through the intricate forests of discoursing on the concept of experiential co-creation, the uncertainty principle, the dichotomy between Empiricist and Renaissance scientific
methods, the tautological character of logical inferences and scientific descriptions as pragmatic sets of metaphors or pointers used in the mutual coordination of experiences at the social level, having ocean waves, seashore pebbles, corals, fish, atoms, gramophones, pine trees and stars
passing me by, and yet managed to emerge back to light with the treasure in my hands.
Good art, bad art – what is a ‘good’ drawing?
Authors: Rohr Doris
Published: April 2013

The article addresses subjectivity in relation to assessment of drawing as fine art practice within higher education contexts. How can we measure the quality of a drawing in contemporary fine art? What standards can one take recourse to, or use, to define boundaries and definitions
for excellence? The role of outsider art, and of art not produced or valorized within institutional norms, is an area of tension within academic contexts. Do we overly valorize rejection of norms and traditions, or to the contrary, do we create neo-conformism in the way we teach drawing within
fine art? This article asks to reconsider aesthetics as a potential way of redressing the need to build overarching standards and measuring codes, independent from agents and institutions that have become interested parties and stake holders: the curatorial function of museum and gallery,
market forces, Research Council and Arts Council. A more meaningful dialogue with different types of public needs to be sought, to redress criticism that contemporary arts practices are elitist and removed from the realities of everyday life.
How drawing helps history remain present
Authors: Hess Ingrid
Published: April 2013

In the class 'A history of graphic design' I use drawing as a tool to help students retain what they learn in the lectures and readings. I show examples of how this visual component aids my lessons regarding 'Egyptian books of the dead', 'Industrial Revolution broadsides', 'Modern symbol
systems' and a final capstone museum project. My method is applied to more than one cohort of students in different art specialties and design areas. I conclude the article with a summary of my experience using drawing as a tool for retention of historical material and share students' reactions
to this method of teaching history.
REVIEWS
Authors: Sloan Dr Rachel , Harty Deborah
Published: April 2013

MANTEGNA TO MATISSE: MASTER DRAWINGS FROM THE COURTAULD GALLERY The Courtauld Gallery, London, 14 June to 9 September 2012 and The Frick Collection, New York, 2 October 2012 to 27 January 2013

HYPERDRAWING: BEYOND THE LINES OF CONTEMPORARY ART, TRACEY (2012) (EDITED BY PHIL SAWDON
AND RUSSELL MARSHALL) London & New York: I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd. Paperback, ISBN: 978 1 78076 254 8
Maschinelles Sehen für mobile Roboter: Virtuell-aktive visuelle Odometrie
Authors: Willert Volker
Published: April 2013

Der Beitrag befasst sich mit der Navigation von autonomen mobilen Robotern anhand von Videodaten. Es wird ein Ansatz zur Verbesserung visueller Odometriealgorithmen vorgestellt, der die Idee der Einflussnahme auf die Bilddaten durch ein aktives Kamerasystem aufgreift, ohne tatsächlich eine Aktorik zu benutzen. Es wird gezeigt, dass durch virtuelle Fixationen das räumliche Muster des Bildflusses so verändert werden kann, dass die daraus berechneten Kamerabewegungen genauer werden. Zur Berechnung der Kamerabewegung wird der aktive 7-Punkt-Algorithmus eingeführt. Anhand von statistischen Auswertungen wird abgeleitet, welche Fixationspunkte dazu besonders geeignet sind und ein Verfahren beschrieben, wie geeignete Fixationspunkte ausgewählt werden können. Desweiteren wird ein Vergleich zwischen dem virtuell-aktiven Ansatz und einem genauen visuellen Odometrieverfahren auf aktuellem Stand der Technik gegeben.
Crystal structure of 1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole- 2(3H)-thione, C9H7F3N2S
Authors: Zhu Guang-Zhou , Lu Zai-Sheng , Shi Huan-Le , Wang Xiang-Shan
Published: April 2013

C9H7F3N2S, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 8.695(4) Å, b = 4.676(2) Å, c = 24.13(1) Å, β = 97.861(4)°, V = 972.0 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0386, wRref(F2) = 0.1074, T = 296 K.
Next-generation sequencing in the clinical genetic screening of patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Authors: Crona Joakim , Verdugo Alberto Delgado , Granberg Dan , Welin Staffan , Stålberg Peter , Hellman Per , Björklund Peyman
Published: April 2013

Background

Recent findings have shown that up to 60% of pheochromocytomas (PCCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) are caused by germline or somatic mutations in one of the 11 hitherto known susceptibility genes: SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SDHAF2, VHL, HIF2A (EPAS1), RET, NF1, TMEM127 and MAX. This list of genes is constantly growing and the 11 genes together consist of 144 exons. A genetic screening test is extensively time consuming and expensive. Hence, we introduce next-generation sequencing (NGS) as a time-efficient and cost-effective alternative.

Methods

Tumour lesions from three patients with apparently sporadic PCC were subjected to whole exome sequencing utilizing Agilent Sureselect target enrichment system and Illumina Hi seq platform. Bioinformatics analysis was performed in-house using commercially available software. Variants in PCC and PGL susceptibility genes were identified.

Results

We have identified 16 unique genetic variants in PCC susceptibility loci in three different PCC, spending less than a 30-min hands-on, in-house time. Two patients had one unique variant each that was classified as probably and possibly pathogenic: NF1 Arg304Ter and RET Tyr791Phe. The RET variant was verified by Sanger sequencing.

Conclusions

NGS can serve as a fast and cost-effective method in the clinical genetic screening of PCC. The bioinformatics analysis may be performed without expert skills. We identified process optimization, characterization of unknown variants and determination of additive effects of multiple variants as key issues to be addressed by future studies.
The clinical significance and primary determinants of hirsutism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Panidis Dimitrios , Tziomalos Konstantinos , Papadakis Efstathios , Chatzis Panagiotis , Kandaraki Eleni A , Tsourdi Elena A , Vosnakis Christos , Katsikis Ilias
Published: April 2013

Objective

Hirsutism is frequently present in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is a major sign of hyperandrogenism. However, other disorders frequently present in PCOS, particularly abdominal obesity and insulin resistance (IR), have also been implicated in the development of hirsutism in this population but relevant data are limited. We aimed to define the determinants of the presence of hirsutism in PCOS.

Design

Observational study.

Methods

We studied 1297 patients with PCOS (age 24.3±5.8 years, BMI 26.8±6.9 kg/m2). Hirsutism was defined as a modified Ferriman–Gallwey score ≥8.

Results

Women with hirsutism were younger, had greater BMI, and had higher levels of circulating androgens than women without hirsutism; markers of IR did not differ between the two groups after adjustment for age and BMI. The prevalence of hirsutism progressively declined with age, was lower in normal-weight women than in overweight and obese women, and was comparably prevalent in the hyperandrogenemic phenotypes of PCOS. In binary logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of the presence of hirsutism were younger age, larger waist circumference (W), and higher serum testosterone levels. In stepwise linear regression analysis, the Ferriman–Gallwey score independently correlated with age, W, free androgen index, and serum Δ4-androstenedione and DHEAS levels.

Conclusions

Besides hyperandrogenemia, abdominal obesity, and young age are independently associated with the presence of hirsutism. In contrast, the relationship between IR and hirsutism appears to be mediated by the more severe obesity of insulin-resistant patients with PCOS.