bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental enrichment counters cocaine abstinence‐induced stress and brain reactivity to cocaine cues but fails to prevent the incubation effect
Authors: Thiel Kenneth J. , Painter Michael R. , Pentkowski Nathan S. , Mitroi Danut , Crawford Cynthia A. , Neisewander Janet L. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTEnvironmental enrichment (EE) during a period of forced abstinence attenuates incentive motivational effects of cocaine‐paired stimuli. Here we examined whether EE during forced abstinence from cocaine self‐administration would prevent time‐dependent increases in cue‐elicited cocaine‐seeking behavior (i.e. the incubation effect). Rats were trained to self‐administer cocaine, which was paired with light/tone cues, for 15 days while living in isolated conditions (IC). Controls received yoked saline infusions. Subsequently, rats were assigned to live in either continued IC or EE for either 1 or 21 days of forced abstinence prior to a test for cocaine‐seeking behavior. During testing, responding resulted only in presentation of the light/tone cues. Contrary to our prediction, cocaine‐seeking behavior increased over time regardless of living condition during abstinence; however, EE attenuated cocaine‐seeking behavior relative to IC regardless of length of abstinence. Brains were harvested and trunk blood was collected immediately after the 60‐minute test and later assayed. Results indicated that short‐term EE elevated hippocampal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and reduced plasma corticosterone compared with IC. Furthermore, 21 days of EE during forced abstinence prevented increases in the cue‐elicited amygdala phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase expression that was observed in IC rats. These findings suggest that EE attenuates incentive motivational effects of cocaine cues through a mechanism other than preventing the incubation effect, perhaps involving reduction of stress and neural activity in response to cocaine‐paired cues during acute withdrawal.
Computed Tomographical (CT) Anatomy of the Thoracoabdominal Cavity of the Male Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Authors: Petnehazy O. , Benczik J. , Takacs I. , Petrasi Zs. , Sütő Z. , Horn P. , Repa I. 
Published: August 2011

With 10 figuresSummaryIn the present work, our goal was to match high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) scans with cross‐sectional anatomical pictures of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Two male BUT 6 (a commercial line) turkeys were used. CT scans with 1 mm slice thickness were performed. The images covered the trunk from the level of the 9th cervical vertebra to the end of the coccyx. The anatomical sections and the CT scans were matched, and the important structures were identified and labelled on the corresponding pictures. The aim of this study was to create a reference for evaluating CT scans of avian species.
Coxa Morphologically Adapted to Large Egg in Aepyornithid Species Compared with Various Palaeognaths
Authors: Endo H. , Akishinonomiya F. , Yonezawa T. , Hasegawa M. , Rakotondraparany F. , Sasaki M. , Taru H. , Yoshida A. , Yamasaki T. , Itou T. , Koie H. , Sakai T. 
Published: August 2011

With 12 figures and 3 tablesSummaryThe coxa of palaeognaths including extinct aepyornithid species was compared by means of osteology, computed tomography (CT) imaging and macroscopic anatomy. The pre‐acetabular area of the ilium was proportionally much larger in width and height in aepyornithid species than in other extant palaeognaths. The post‐acetabular area of the ilium, ischium and pubis was relatively short and bilaterally extended in aepyornithid species. Although the Aepyornis species might have produced egg with a major axis exceeding 300 mm in major axis, the short post‐acetabular coxa and widely opened ischium and pubis would not have been able to stably hold the eggs in the posterior space of the pelvic cavity unlike the situation in the ostrich. As aepyornithid species resembled the kiwi in measurement ratios of length and width in the pre‐acetabular area, a functional–morphological model of the coxa in the aepyornithid species can be proposed based on that of the kiwi. From our data, we suggest that the extinct species of Aepyornis and Mullerornis species effectively used the anterior space of the pelvic cavity to support their extraordinary large egg.
As‐Killing‐As‐Possible Vector Fields for Planar Deformation
Authors: Solomon Justin , Ben‐Chen Mirela , Butscher Adrian , Guibas Leonidas 
Published: August 2011

AbstractCartoon animation, image warping, and several other tasks in two‐dimensional computer graphics reduce to the formulation of a reasonable model for planar deformation. A deformation is a map from a given shape to a new one, and its quality is determined by the type of distortion it introduces. In many applications, a desirable map is as isometric as possible. Finding such deformations, however, is a nonlinear problem, and most of the existing solutions approach it by minimizing a nonlinear energy. Such methods are not guaranteed to converge to a global optimum and often suffer from robustness issues. We propose a new approach based on approximate Killing vector fields (AKVFs), first introduced in shape processing. AKVFs generate near‐isometric deformations, which can be motivated as direction fields minimizing an “as‐rigid‐as‐possible” (ARAP) energy to first order. We first solve for an AKVF on the domain given user constraints via a linear optimization problem and then use this AKVF as the initial velocity field of the deformation. In this way, we transfer the inherent nonlinearity of the deformation problem to finding trajectories for each point of the domain having the given initial velocities. We show that a specific class of trajectories — the set of logarithmic spirals — is especially suited for this task both in practice and through its relationship to linear holomorphic vector fields. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method for planar deformation by comparing it with existing state‐of‐the‐art deformation methods.
A Multiscale Approach to Optimal Transport
Authors: Mérigot Quentin 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we propose an improvement of an algorithm of Aurenhammer, Hoffmann and Aronov to find a least square matching between a probability density and finite set of sites with mass constraints, in the Euclidean plane. Our algorithm exploits the multiscale nature of this optimal transport problem. We iteratively simplify the target using Lloyd's algorithm, and use the solution of the simplified problem as a rough initial solution to the more complex one. This approach allows for fast estimation of distances between measures related to optimal transport (known as Earth‐mover or Wasserstein distances). We also discuss the implementation of these algorithms, and compare the original one to its multiscale counterpart.
Social Theory and the De-Escalation of International Conflict
Authors: Kriesberg Louis 
Published: August 2011

Are we like the mothers and fathers at Jonestown, with the cyanide in place, rehearsing for suicide-murder? Daniel Ellsberg (1981) observes that the marchers protesting nuclear weapons are doing what the mothers and fathers in Jonestown waited too long to say ‘No! Not our children! This is craziness; we won't be part of it.’ He writes that ‘It is none too soon to be saying this to the President/Prime Minister/Chairman Jim Jones's of the world; nor is it, yet, too late.’ How did we get into a place that even resembles Jonestown: And more importantly, how do we get out of it? Social theory should help provide answers to such questions, but does not obviously do so. In the first part of this paper I discuss an emerging theoretical paradigm that has particular relevance for understanding how international conflicts increase and decrease in intensity. Then I apply that paradigm to instances of international conflict de-escalation, focusing on declines in tension and hostility between the Soviet and American governments and the Israeli and Egyptian governments. Finally, I will point to some implications of the discussion for social theory and for international policy.
‘Family Ideology’: Identification and Exploration
Authors: Bernardes Jon 
Published: August 2011

The issue of ‘family ideology’ has been systematically ignored by a majority of ‘family’1 scholars whilst it has been taken for granted by a minority. The following study arises from the author's attempts to explore the issue of alternative theoretical approaches to the analysis of ‘family life’.2 Increasing numbers of contemporary researchers concur in recognising the diversity of ‘family forms’ and the inappropriateness of speaking of ‘The Family’.3 Despite these recognitions many researchers find themselves re-adopting the term ‘The Family’ in their discussions and especially in the titles of their work. For example, Segal clearly recognises that the ‘traditional family model’ no longer reflects the reality of our lives (1983, 11) and yet the title of her book is What is to be done about THE FAMILY)? (emphasis added). One reason for the re-importation of the idea of ‘The Family’ may be found in the rather limited nature of previous conceptualisations of ‘family ideology’. With the exception of Barrett (1980), recognitions of ‘family ideology’ tend to be conceptualised in terms of sets of partisan beliefs supporting a particular ‘family form’. Thus the concept of ‘The Family’ is rarely regarded as being problematic in itself, rather attention is paid to the presumed virtues or deficiencies of the particular form of ‘The Family’ which is assumed to be prevalent. Notwithstanding the recognition of ‘family diversity’ or the inappropriateness of the term ‘The Family’, nearly all discussion becomes a straightforward attack upon, or defence of, ‘The Family’.4 Only very rarely does analysis avoid this trap and question whether ‘The Family’ really exists to be attacked or defended; thus Collier et al. have asked ‘Is there a Family?’ (1982) and the present author has asked ‘Do we really know what “The Family” is?’ (Bernardes, 1984a). The objective here is to identify and explore a specific conceptualisation of ‘family ideology’. The aim is to avoid engaging in attacks upon, or defences of, ‘The Family’ but rather to address the ideological context of such debates themselves, especially in respect of the assumed existence of ‘The Family’. It is hoped that this approach will stimulate a much more critical examination of ‘family ideology’ and the concept of ‘The Family’. More generally, the attempt to conceptualise ‘family ideology’ in this much broader sense is seen as a pre-requisite for the development of an alternative theoretical approach to the analysis of ‘family life’.
The Conditions of Action, Power and the Problem of Interests
Authors: Betts Katharine 
Published: August 2011

It is argued that the problem of ‘structure and agency’ should be reconsidered as the problem of ‘fate and agency’ for event causation and agency causation). The problem of fate and agency is addressed by outlining a model of the conditions of action derived from work by Giddens and Wright Mills. The model uses the concepts of different forms of knowledge and of the unintended consequence to set up a framework by which it should, in principle, be possible to decide of fate or events. This framework is then used to discuss the problems raised by defining power in terms of interests. It is argued that this definition is inadequate and suggested that a definition of power based on access to resources and causal responsibility for outcomes may be more useful.
The Allocation of Money in Cross-Class Families
Authors: McRae Susan 
Published: August 2011

This paper examines the patterns of income allocation in cross-class families; that is, in families in which the wife is employed in higher level white-collar or professional employment, and the husband in manual work. Following the work of Jan Pahl (1982 and 1983) families are categorised according to their system of money management. The majority of families here employ either a ‘one purse’ system based upon joint family funds, or an independent system based upon separate bank accounts. In addition, couples who use an ‘allowance’ system, a shared system, or a variant of the independent system with only one-earner are discussed. Whenever possible, qualitative reports from the families interviewed are drawn upon. The paper reveals ways in which gender-specific behaviour may be observed through the study of families' allocative systems. In particular, the wives' propensity to assume responsibility for food shopping, regardless of the couples' sources of income or allocative pattern chosen, is demonstrated. In addition, however, the source of income – specifically cash payments to the husbands – is seen to have an independent effect upon the couples' perceptions of money within the family. The paper concludes with speculation as to why the majority of these affluent families employ a system of joint family funds.
Class, Culture and Morality: A Sociological Analysis of Neo-Conservatism
Authors: Elliott Brian , McCrone David 
Published: August 2011

In Britain, as in many other western countries, there emerged in the mid-1970s a variety of business associations, policy and research institutes and political leagues, committed not only to the restoration of a Conservative government, but also to a much broader refurbishing of conservatism. A network of organizations, individuals and ideas grew up that became identified as the New Right. The New Right, which clearly has an international character, was generated by economic and political crises, but it was nurtured by a variety of resentments and discontents whose roots lay in structural and cultural changes that had developed over the whole post-war period. Drawing, in part, upon interviews with leaders of the organisations that did most to mobilize opinion behind the New Right in Britain, the article examines the major changes – particularly those in class structure and in culture – to which the new conservatives were reacting. It explores the major ideological strands – libertarian, neo-liberal and conservative – and looks at the attempts by the New Right to use these to produce changes not only in economic policy but in the cultural and moral fabric of society.
Social Order, Cultural Capital and Citizenship: An Essay concerning Educational Status and Educational Power versus Comprehensiveness of Elementary Schools
Authors: Rupp Jan C.C. , de Lange Rob 
Published: August 2011

The question of whether education should be seen as an instrument of social order is an old topic in the social sciences. There exist several theories concerning this question. Two of these rival theories are dealt with in this paper. On the basis of each, historical data have been looked at anew and empirical research has been carried out into the prevailing conditions in the Netherlands. On the basis of the first theory, which was inspired by Bourdieu and which concerns economic, cultural (including educational) and social capital, data on the Dutch history between the seventeenth and the nineteenth centuries have been reanalysed with respect to the attitude of the diverse sections of the dominant class towards culture in general and the university in particular. Dutch history can be regarded as a national variant of the universal tensions between ‘culture’ and ‘knowledge’ and between ‘culture’ and ‘economics’ in human societies. On the basis of Bourdieu's theory it is assumed that under the prevailing social conditions elementary schools will differ in ‘educational status’ in the schools market. Empirical investigation confirms this hypothesis. The ‘educational status’ of elementary schools mediates (reproduces) almost all of the influence of the childrens' social background on their school career, and reinforces this influence. On the basis of the second theory, which is based on the work of Meyer, Boli and Ramirez, data on the Dutch history in the Enlightenment period have been reanalysed with respect to the rise of mass education. These historical data give substantial evidence to the theory that the construction of the nation-state is of decisive importance for the rise of mass education. Our empirical investigation, however, does not confirm the hypothesis that in the actual situation elementary schools differ in ‘comprehensiveness’. Neither schools nor parents are oriented towards integration. Rather, the contrasts seem to be getting sharper in the 1980s and the schools as well as the social classes seem to be distancing themselves further from each other. Various sections of the dominant class are busy strengthening their position of power in education. In short, the use of schools to constitute citizens does not lessen the pressure towards differentiation. Thus, the theory of Boli and Ramirez explains the rise of mass education, but cannot explain its social class bound form, a fact that can be explained very well by Bourdieu's theory. Therefore the theories of both Bourdieu and Boli and Ramirez should be regarded not as rivalizing, but as complementary.
Using Paradata to Predict Best Times of Contact, Conditioning on Household and Interviewer Influences
Authors: Durrant Gabriele B. , D’Arrigo Julia , Steele Fiona 
Published: August 2011

SummaryEstablishing contact is an important part of the response process and effective interviewer calling behaviours are critical in achieving contact and subsequent co-operation. The paper investigates best times of contact for different types of households and the influence of the interviewer on establishing contact. Recent developments in the survey data collection process have led to the collection of so-called field process data or paradata, which greatly extend the basic information on interviewer calls. The paper develops a multilevel discrete time event history model based on interviewer call record data to predict the likelihood of contact at each call. The results have implications for survey practice and inform the design of effective interviewer calling times, including responsive survey designs.
Victorian Probability and Lewis Carroll
Authors: Seneta Eugene 
Published: August 2011

SummaryIn the controversial application of inverse probability reasoning, the prior probability of a hypothesis or cause is modified on the basis of an experimental observation to a posterior probability. A contentious issue is the probabilistic expression of prior belief, especially of prior ignorance, which impinges on the nature of probability. The probability work of Todhunter, Crofton and Cook Wilson spans the period from 1876, the expressed beginning of C. L. Dodgson’s interest in this issue, to 1893 when Lewis Carroll’s Pillow Problems appeared. The present study amplifies the connections and broadens the study of Victorian probability in its social milieu by bringing to light less-studied sources.
Fire regime shifts affect bird species distributions
Authors: Reside April E. , VanDerWal Jeremy , Kutt Alex , Watson Ian , Williams Stephen 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim  Fire is a major driver of ecosystem structure and process, and shifts in fire regimes are implicated in the decline of many species. Shifting fire regimes have been documented around the world, and fire frequency and extent is predicted to increase in many areas because of changes in both climate and land management. Here, we evaluate how predicted increases in fire frequency are likely to impact on species distributions.Location  The tropical savannas of northern Australia.Methods  We developed distribution models for 44 bird species using the modelling algorithm Maxent. Our models incorporated bird locality records and environmental variables including climate, total fire frequency and the subset of fire frequency occurring late in the dry season. We investigated the effect of increasing total fire frequency and increasing fire late in the dry season, on species distributions by projecting species model algorithms onto scenarios of incrementally increased total fire frequency.Results  The probability of presence for most species was higher when fire frequency late in the dry season was low. Species showed a mixed response to an overall increase in total fire frequency, with one‐third predicted to increase in distribution. However, almost all species (98%) showed a decrease in predicted range with increased late‐dry season fire, and species distribution area was generally negatively correlated with an increase in late‐dry season fire.Main conclusions  Our study highlighted the array of responses of species to increasing fire frequency and suggested that increased fire frequency late in the dry season is detrimental to most savanna‐restricted bird species. The understanding of individual species’ preferences for particular fire frequencies is important for informed conservation planning.
The Benefit of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and QRS Duration: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: STAVRAKIS STAVROS , LAZZARA RALPH , THADANI UDHO 
Published: August 2011

CRT and QRS Duration. Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) because of reduced left ventricular systolic function and a wide QRS complex. Whether this benefit is consistent across all degrees of QRS widening is unclear. We performed a meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials to evaluate the impact of QRS duration on the efficacy of CRT.Methods and Results: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for studies evaluating the efficacy of CRT in patients with HF. Only trials that reported subgroup data according to QRS duration were included. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. Five trials involving 6,501 patients (4,437 with QRS ≥ 150 ms and 2,064 with QRS < 150 ms) were included. Three trials, enrolling patients with mild to moderate HF, compared CRT‐implantable cardioverter defibrillator with CRT, whereas CRT versus medical therapy was compared in the other 2 trials, which included patients with advanced HF. Based on the pooled estimate across the 5 studies, CRT significantly decreased the primary endpoint of death or hospitalization for HF in patients with QRS ≥ 150 ms (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.50–0.68; P < 0.00001), but not in patients with QRS < 150 ms (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.83–1.10; P = 0.51). These results were consistent across all degrees of HF severity.Conclusions: The benefit of CRT seems to be dependent on QRS duration. Available data suggest a significant benefit associated with CRT in patients with QRS ≥ 150 ms, but not in patients with QRS < 150 ms. Further studies are needed to identify patients with QRS < 150 ms who might benefit from CRT. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 163‐168, February 2012)