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Previous Applications (previous + application)
Selected AbstractsAge estimation of archaeological remains using amino acid racemization in dental enamel: A comparison of morphological, biochemical, and known ages-at-deathAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2009R.C. Griffin Abstract The poor accuracy of most current methods for estimating age-at-death in adult human skeletal remains is among the key problems facing palaeodemography. In forensic science, this problem has been solved for unburnt remains by the development of a chemical method for age estimation, using amino acid racemization in collagen extracted from dentine. Previous application of racemization methods to archaeological material has proven problematic. This study presents the application to archaeological human remains of a new age estimation method utilizing amino acid racemization in a potentially closed system,the dental enamel. The amino acid composition and extent of racemization in enamel from two Medieval cemeteries (Newcastle Blackgate and Grantham, England) and from a documented age-at-death sample from a 19th century cemetery (Spitalfriedhof St Johann, Switzerland) were determined. Alterations in the amino acid composition were detected in all populations, indicating that diagenetic change had taken place. However, in the Medieval populations, these changes did not appear to have substantially affected the relationship between racemization and age-at-death, with a strong relationship being retained between aspartic acid racemization and the morphological age estimates. In contrast, there was a poor relationship between racemization and age in the post-medieval documented age-at-death population from Switzerland. This appears to be due to leaching of amino acids post-mortem, indicating that enamel is not functioning as a perfectly closed system. Isolation of amino acids from a fraction of enamel which is less susceptible to leaching may improve the success of amino acid racemization for archaeological age estimation. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Factors determining the centrifugal organization of remnant Festuca grassland communities in AlbertaJOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 1 2000K. Vujnovic Moss (1983); Pavlick & Looman (1984) Abstract. This paper describes the species composition of remnant grasslands in the aspen parkland region of Alberta and its relation to soil characteristics and small-scale disturbance. Our findings are consistent with the centrifugal model of communities with Festuca hallii dominating undisturbed ,core' habitat and the composition of more ,peripheral' habitats varying in soil properties and in the magnitude of disturbance. Invasive non-native species are not present in the core habitat and are present only in the disturbed sites, most abundantly in those with the highest soil nitrogen. The centrifugal model, as it applies to these remnant grasslands, differs from its previous application to wetlands and forests in that the core communities are not on the most fertile sites, but on the least disturbed. These findings have implications for the management of prairie remnants to exclude invasive exotic species. [source] Digital PCR: a powerful new tool for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis?PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 12 2008Bernhard G. Zimmermann Abstract Recent reports have indicated that digital PCR may be useful for the noninvasive detection of fetal aneuploidies by the analysis of cell-free DNA and RNA in maternal plasma or serum. In this review we provide an insight into the underlying technology and its previous application in the determination of the allelic frequencies of oncogenic alterations in cancer specimens. We also provide an indication of how this new technology may prove useful for the detection of fetal aneuploidies and single gene Mendelian disorders. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An evaluation of continuous electrodeionization as an in-line process for plating rinsewater recoveryENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 4 2001M. J. Semmens The objective of this project was to investigate the ability of continuous electrodeionization (CEDI) to be used in a copper electroplating line to recover copper sulfate and purified water from rinsewaters for reuse within the same process. Typically, these acidic rinsewaters contain approximately 10 to 50 mg/L of copper as copper sulfate. This range of copper is much higher than any used in previous applications of CEDI technology. Three bench-scale configurations of CEDI modules were evaluated under varying flow and voltage conditions to test the performance of the process in treating the rinsewater. The influence of different ion exchange packings on CEDI performance was examined to determine which module design worked best for this separation process. The bench-scale test results suggest that CEDI is a potentially viable technology for copper sulfate recovery from waste rinsewaters generated by a copper electroplating line. A single stage CEDI process was able to produce a pure water product containing non-detectable concentrations of copper, and an acidic copper sulfate concentrate with a copper concentration as high as 4,000 mg/L. [source] Social Identification and Interpersonal Communication in Computer-Mediated Communication: What You Do Versus Who You Are in Virtual GroupsHUMAN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009Zuoming Wang This study investigates the influence of interpersonal communication and intergroup identification on members' evaluations of computer-mediated groups. Participants (N= 256) in 64 four-person groups interacted through synchronous computer chat. Subgroup assignments to minimal groups instilled significantly greater in-group versus out-group identification. One member in each group was instructed to exhibit interpersonally likable or dislikable behavior. Analysis revealed that confederates acting likably were more attractive than those acting dislikably regardless of their in-group or out-group status. Further results indicated that interpersonal behavior interacted with subgroup membership on identification shifts following online discussions. Interpersonal dynamics generally provided stronger effects on members in virtual groups than did intergroup dynamics, in contrast to predictions from previous applications of social identification to computer-mediated communication. Résumé L,identification sociale et la communication interpersonnelle dans la communication par ordinateur : Ce que vous faites et qui vous êtes dans les groupes virtuels Cette étude examine l'influence de la communication interpersonnelle et de l,identification intergroupe sur les évaluations que font les membres des groupes électroniques. Les participants (N= 256), divisés en 64 groupes de quatre personnes, ont interagi par le biais de clavardage (conversation électronique) en temps réel. L'assignation à des sous-groupes a produit une identification intragroupe beaucoup plus grande qu,une identification hors-groupe. Des instructions furent données à un membre de chaque groupe d'afficher des comportements interpersonnels agréables ou désagréables. L,analyse révèle que les collaborateurs agissant de façon agréable étaient plus attrayants que ceux agissant de façon désagréable et ce, indépendamment de leur statut intragroupe ou hors-groupe. Des résultats supplémentaires indiquent que le comportement interpersonnel et l'appartenance au sous-groupe ont joué sur les changements d,identification qui ont suivi les discussions en ligne. La dynamique interpersonnelle a généralement eu des effets plus forts sur les membres des groupes virtuels que la dynamique intergroupe, contrairement aux prédictions des applications précédentes de l'identification sociale à la communication par ordinateur. Abstract Soziale Identifikation und interpersonale Kommunikation in computervermittelter Kommunikation: Was du machst vs. Wer du bist in virtuellen Gruppen Diese Studie untersucht den Einfluss von interpersonaler Kommunikation und Gruppenidentifikation auf die Bewertung von computervermittelten Gruppen durch ihre Mitglieder. Die Teilnehmer (N= 256) in 64 4-Personen Gruppen interagierten in synchronen Computer-Chats. Gruppenaufgaben für Untergruppen bewirkte signifikant stärkere Identifikation in der Gruppe und nach außen. In jeder Gruppe wurde ein Teilnehmer instruiert, interpersonal angenehmes oder unangenehmes Verhalten an den Tag zu legen. Die Analyse zeigte, dass die instruierten Teilnehmer, die angenehm agierten, attraktiver wahrgenommen wurden, als die, die die unangenehm agierten, unabhängig von ihrem Status in oder außerhalb der Gruppe. Weitere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass interpersonales Verhaltes mit der Mitgliedschaft in Untergruppen bezüglich der Identifikationsverschiebung auf Online-Diskussionen folgend interagierte. Im Gegensatz zu Annahmen aus früheren Anwendungen sozialer Identifikation auf computervermittelte Kommunikation, zeigten interpersonale Dynamiken allgemein stärkere Effekte auf die Mitglieder in virtuellen Gruppen als auf die Gruppendynamik. Resumen La identificación Social y la Comunicación Interpersonal en la Comunicación Mediada por la Computadora: Lo Que Haces Versus Quién Eres en los Grupos Virtuales Este estudio investiga la influencia de la comunicación interpersonal y la identificación intergrupal en las evaluaciones de los miembros de grupos mediados por la computadora. Los participantes (N= 256) en 64 grupos de 4 personas interactuaron asincrónicamente a través de la computadora en un salón de charla. Las tareas de subgrupos para grupos mínimos inculcaron una identificación significativamente mayor con el grupo de pertenencia versus el grupo excluyente. Un miembro de cada grupo fue instruido para exhibir comportamientos interpersonales agradables y desagradables. El análisis reveló que los miembros de los grupos que actuaban en forma agradable fueron más atractivos que los que actuaban en forma desagradable a pesar de su estatus de grupo de pertenencia o excluyente. Más resultados indicaron que el comportamiento interpersonal interactuó con la membrecía del subgrupo en los cambios de identificación que siguieron a las discusiones online. Las dinámicas interpersonales proveyeron generalmente de efectos más fuertes sobre los miembros de grupos virtuales que sobre las dinámicas intergrupales, en contraste con las predicciones de previas aplicaciones de la identificación social de la comunicación mediada por la computadora. ZhaiYao Yo yak [source] Synchrotron texture analysis with area detectorsJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2003H.-R. Wenk The wide availability of X-ray area detectors provides an opportunity for using synchrotron radiation based X-ray diffraction for the determination of preferred crystallite orientation in polycrystalline materials. These measurements are very fast compared to other techniques. Texture is immediately recognized as intensity variations along Debye rings in diffraction images, yet in many cases this information is not used because the quantitative treatment of texture information has not yet been developed into a standard technique. In special cases it is possible to interpret the texture information contained in these intensity variations intuitively. However, diffraction studies focused on the effects of texture on materials properties often require the full orientation distribution function (ODF) which can be obtained from spherical tomography analysis. In cases of high crystal symmetry (cubic and hexagonal) an approximation to the full ODF can be reconstructed from single diffraction images, as is demonstrated for textures in rolled copper and titanium sheets. Combined with area detectors, the reconstruction methods make the measurements fast enough to study orientation changes during phase transformations, recrystallization and deformation in situ, and even in real time, at a wide range of temperature and pressure conditions. The present work focuses on practical aspects of texture measurement and data processing procedures to make the latter available for the growing community of synchrotron users. It reviews previous applications and highlights some opportunities for synchrotron texture analysis based on case studies on different materials. [source] The value of infrared thermography for research on mammals: previous applications and future directionsMAMMAL REVIEW, Issue 3 2007DOMINIC J. MCCAFFERTY ABSTRACT 1Infrared thermography (IRT) involves the precise measurement of infrared radiation which allows surface temperature to be determined according to simple physical laws. This review describes previous applications of IRT in studies of thermal physiology, veterinary diagnosis of disease or injury and population surveys on domestic and wild mammals. 2IRT is a useful technique because it is non-invasive and measurements can be made at distances of <1 m to examine specific sites of heat loss to >1000 m to count large mammals. Detailed measurements of surface temperature variation can be made where large numbers of temperature sensors would otherwise be required and where conventional solid sensors can give false readings on mammal coats. Studies need to take into account sources of error due to variation in emissivity, evaporative cooling and radiative heating of the coat. 3Recent advances in thermal imaging technology have produced lightweight, portable systems that store digital images with high temperature and spatial resolution. For these reasons, there are many further opportunities for IRT in studies of captive and wild mammals. [source] Negotiating nature: exploring discourse through small group researchAREA, Issue 4 2005Andrew McGregor The full potential of discussion groups to further geographic interest in the relationship between discourse, individual and society can still be developed further. This paper briefly reviews previous applications of discussion group methodologies before suggesting a new discourse-centred approach that explores how broad social discourses impact everyday conversations. The approach is demonstrated through a case study involving supporters of environmental movements in Australia. It is concluded that small groups can be used in new ways that provide important methodologically unique insights into the reception of transient, but powerful, discourses upon everyday lives. [source] The effect of fluency training on math and reading skills in neuropsychiatric diagnosis children: a multiple baseline designBEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS, Issue 1 2005Stephanie L. Hartnedy Fluency (fast and accurate responding) has been found to facilitate the retention, maintenance, endurance, and application of learned skills. Fluency training has been employed effectively in academic, vocational, industrial, and rehabilitative settings. Using a multiple baseline design, this study expanded previous applications by targeting academic deficits of children with neurological and psychiatric diagnoses in a residential treatment facility. Total response rates were measured in 60 second timed probes. Academic tool skills increased and error rates decreased for all participants after implementation of fluency training. Implications for improving attention to task and targeting minimum competency skills are discussed, as is determining the role that practice plays in increasing fluency rate. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||