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Turning
Kinds of Turning Terms modified by Turning Selected AbstractsClinical perspectives for the study of craving and relapse in animal modelsADDICTION, Issue 8s2 2000Ting-Kai Li Several major clinical models of alcoholism in which craving plays a role are summarized and key questions are raised regarding the course of craving in the emergence of alcoholism, how it varies in different stages of the disorder (e.g. active alcoholic, withdrawal, protracted abstinence) and what craving may contribute to major signs and symptoms of alcoholism. Turning to animal models, a plea is made for development of a standardized definition of human craving that can be represented and operationalized in animal models. Until there is scientific consensus on such a definition, four ways are elucidated in which animal model research can contribute to advances in our knowledge of human craving and the role it plays in addictive behavior: (1) engaging both basic and clinical researchers to identify parallel constructs of craving and predictors of craving for adoption in comparative human and animal model studies; (2) conducting exploratory research on craving in animal models using relapse to drinking as the dependent measure; (3) identifying mechanisms that underlie clinical signs and symptoms of alcoholism in animal models; and (4) identifying genetic models in basic research that account for variations in response to alcohol that may also occur in humans. This latter point is made in a discussion of the genetic contribution to voluntary alcohol consumption, the alcohol deprivation effect, tolerance and dependence, as illustrated by differences between alcohol-preferring (P) rats and-nonpreferring (NP) rats. The review concludes with four questions and issues that need to be among those that guide future research on craving. [source] THE LOCUS OF EVOLUTION: EVO DEVO AND THE GENETICS OF ADAPTATIONEVOLUTION, Issue 5 2007Hopi E. Hoekstra An important tenet of evolutionary developmental biology ("evo devo") is that adaptive mutations affecting morphology are more likely to occur in the cis -regulatory regions than in the protein-coding regions of genes. This argument rests on two claims: (1) the modular nature of cis -regulatory elements largely frees them from deleterious pleiotropic effects, and (2) a growing body of empirical evidence appears to support the predominant role of gene regulatory change in adaptation, especially morphological adaptation. Here we discuss and critique these assertions. We first show that there is no theoretical or empirical basis for the evo devo contention that adaptations involving morphology evolve by genetic mechanisms different from those involving physiology and other traits. In addition, some forms of protein evolution can avoid the negative consequences of pleiotropy, most notably via gene duplication. In light of evo devo claims, we then examine the substantial data on the genetic basis of adaptation from both genome-wide surveys and single-locus studies. Genomic studies lend little support to the cis -regulatory theory: many of these have detected adaptation in protein-coding regions, including transcription factors, whereas few have examined regulatory regions. Turning to single-locus studies, we note that the most widely cited examples of adaptive cis -regulatory mutations focus on trait loss rather than gain, and none have yet pinpointed an evolved regulatory site. In contrast, there are many studies that have both identified structural mutations and functionally verified their contribution to adaptation and speciation. Neither the theoretical arguments nor the data from nature, then, support the claim for a predominance of cis -regulatory mutations in evolution. Although this claim may be true, it is at best premature. Adaptation and speciation probably proceed through a combination of cis -regulatory and structural mutations, with a substantial contribution of the latter. [source] Origins, uses of, and relations between goal programming and data envelopment analysisJOURNAL OF MULTI CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2005W.W. Cooper Abstract Origins and uses of ,goal programming' and ,data envelopment analysis' (DEA) are identified and discussed. The purpose of this paper is not only to review some of the history of these developments, but also to show some of their uses (e.g. in statistical regression formulations) in order to suggest paths for possible further developments. Turning to how the two types of models relate to each other, the ,additive model' of DEA is shown to have the same structure as a goal programming model in which only ,one-sided deviations' are permitted. A way for formally relating the two to each other is then provided. However, the objectives are differently oriented because goal programming is directed to future performances as part of the planning function whereas DEA is directed to evaluating past performances as part of the control function of management. Other possible ways of comparing and combining the two approaches are also noted including statistical regressions that utilize goal programming to ensure that the resulting estimates satisfy the multi-criteria conditions that are often encountered in managerial applications. Both goal programming and DEA originated in actual applications that were successfully addressed. The research was then generalized and published. This leads to what is referred to as an ,applications-driven theory' strategy for research that is also described in this paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Institutional Trust and Subjective Well-Being across the EUKYKLOS INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, Issue 1 2006John Hudson SUMMARY This paper analyzes the impact of institutions upon happiness through their intermediary impact upon individual trust. The empirical work is based on Eurobarometer data covering the 15 countries of the EU prior to its expansion in 2004. With respect to trust, we present evidence that, although it is endogenous with respect to the performance of the institution, changes in the individual's personal circumstances can also have an impact, indicating that trust is not simply learned at an early age. Hence unemployed people tend to have lower levels of trust not only in the main economic institutions , government and the Central Bank , but in other state institutions too such as the police and the law. Trust also differs in a systematic manner with respect to education and household income, increases (decreases) in either increase (decrease) trust in most institutions. If we assume that more educated people make better judgments, this suggests that on average people tend to have too little trust in institutions. However, it is also possible that both of these variables impact on the interaction between institutions such as the police and other government agencies and the citizen, with prosperous, well educated people being at an advantage and possibly able to command more respect. Age too impacts on institutional trust. For the UN, the unions, big business, voluntary organizations and the EU, trust first declines and then increases with the estimated turning points ranging between 44 and 56 years. For most other organizations trust significantly increases with age. Turning to subjective well-being, we find the standard set of socio-economic variables to be significant. But the focus here is on the impact of institutional trust. We find that trust (mistrust) in the European Central Bank, the EU, national government, the law and the UN all impact positively (negatively) on well-being. Hence overall our results support the conclusion that happiness does not solely lie within the realm of the individual, but that institutional performance also has a direct impact upon subjective well-being. [source] Issues in Salish Syntax and SemanticsLINGUISTICS & LANGUAGE COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2009Henry Davis The Salish language family is of special interest for syntactic and semantic theory because it has been argued to differ radically from Indo-European languages in both structure and interpretation (see, e.g., Kinkade 1983; Jelinek and Demers 1994; Jelinek 1995; Ritter and Wiltschko 2005, forthcoming; Davis 2006, 2009; Matthewson 2006a, forthcoming). In this article, we survey four theoretical debates in the syntactic and semantic literature on Salish, one from each of the areas of lexical semantics, super-lexical syntax, semantics and pragmatics, with an eye to pinning down the principal loci of variation between Salish and Indo-European. In the domain of lexical semantics, we argue for the hypothesis that all Salish verb roots are intransitive and unaccusative. In the area of syntax, we outline the predictions of the Pronominal Argument Hypothesis, and provide counterarguments which show that at least some and probably all Salish languages have a fully configurational syntax. Turning to tense, we argue that Salish languages are tensed, despite superficial evidence to the contrary. Finally, we present arguments that at least one Salish language differs radically from English in its pragmatics: it lacks any familiarity presuppositions. Our conclusion is that major parametric differences between Salish and Indo-European languages are not to be found in the syntax or sentence-level semantics, but in the pragmatics, and possibly the lexical semantics. [source] Nervous system,derived chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans regulate growth cone morphology and inhibit neurite outgrowth: A light, epifluorescence, and electron microscopy studyMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 5 2001Diane M. Snow Abstract Proteoglycans influence aging and plasticity in the nervous system. Particularly prominent are the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), which are generally inhibitory to neurite outgrowth. During development, CSPGs facilitate normal guidance, but following nervous system injury and in diseases of aging (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), they block successful regeneration, and are associated with axon devoid regions and degenerating nerve cells. Whereas previous studies used non-nervous system sources of CSPGs, this study analyzed the morphology and behavior of sensory (dorsal root ganglia) neurons, and a human nerve cell model (SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells) as they contacted nervous system,derived CSPGs, using a variety of microscopy techniques. The results of these qualitative analyses show that growth cones of both nerve cell types contact CSPGs via actin-based filopodia, sample the CSPGs repeatedly without collapse, and alter their trajectory to avoid nervous system,derived CSPGs. Turning and branching are correlated with increased filopodial sampling, and are common to both neurons and Schwann cells. We show that CSPG expression by rat CNS astrocytes in culture is correlated with sensory neuron avoidance. Further, we show for the first time the ultrastructure of sensory growth cones at a CSPG-laminin border and reveal details of growth cone and neurite organization at this choice point. This type of detailed analysis of the response of growth cones to nervous system,derived CSPGs may lead to an understanding of CSPG function following injury and in diseases of aging, where CSPGs are likely to contribute to aberrant neurite outgrowth, failed or reduced synaptic connectivity, and/or ineffective plasticity. Microsc. Res. Tech. 54:273,286, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] On the influence of oil prices on economic activity and other macroeconomic and financial variables,OPEC ENERGY REVIEW, Issue 4 2008François Lescaroux The aim of this paper is to investigate the links between oil prices and various macroeconomic and financial variables for a large set of countries, including both oil-importing and oil-exporting countries. Both short-run and long-run interactions are analysed through the implementation of Granger-causality tests, evaluation of cross correlations between the cyclical components of the series in order to identify lead/lag relationships and cointegration analysis. Our results highlight the existence of various relationships between oil prices and macroeconomic variables and, especially, an important link between oil and share prices on the short run. Turning to the long run, numerous long-term relationships are detected, the Granger-causality generally running from oil prices to the other variables. An important conclusion is relating to the key role played by the oil market on stock markets. [source] Citizenship and The StatePHILOSOPHY COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 6 2009M. Victoria Costa This study surveys debates on citizenship, the state, and the bases of political stability. The survey begins by presenting the primary sense of ,citizenship' as a legal status and the question of the sorts of political communities people can belong to as citizens. (Multi)nation-states are suggested as the main site of citizenship in the contemporary world, without ignoring the existence of alternative possibilities. Turning to discussions of citizen identity, the study shows that some of the discussion is motivated by a perceived need for citizens to have a sense of political belonging, on the assumption that such a sense promotes political activity and has other personal and social benefits. But there are serious problems with the strategy of understanding the relevant sense of belonging in terms of identification with the nation-state. The study explores a more promising way to generate this sense of belonging. First, societies should function, to a sufficiently high degree, in accord with political principles of justice and democratic decision making. Second, there should be a general consensus on political principles among citizens, as well as high levels of engagement in democratic deliberation. [source] Encouraging Women to Consider a Less Medicalized Approach to Childbirth Without Turning Them Off: Challenges to Producing Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and BirthBIRTH, Issue 3 2008Kiki Zeldes ABSTRACT: Within the United States, women routinely confront negative and distorted ideas about birth, and highly medicalized births are the norm. The writers and editors of Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth discuss their efforts to write a book that provides women with accessible, evidence-based information; examines the social, economic, and political factors that shape and constrain childbirth choices; and inspires women to work toward ensuring that all women have access to the full range of safe and satisfying birthing options. (BIRTH 35:3 September 2008) [source] Real-time locomotion control by sensing glovesCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 5 2006Taku Komura Abstract Sensing gloves are often used as an input device for virtual 3D games. We propose a new method to control characters such as humans or animals in real-time by using sensing gloves. Based on existing motion data of the body, a new method to map the hand motion of the user to the locomotion of 3D characters in real-time is proposed. The method was applied to control locomotion of characters such as humans or dogs. Various motions such as trotting, running, hopping, and turning could be produced. As the computational cost needed for our method is low, the response of the system is short enough to satisfy the real-time requirements that are essential to be used for games. Using our method, users can directly control their characters intuitively and precisely than previous controlling devices such as mouse, keyboards or joysticks. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Changes in the activities of protein phosphatase type 1 and type 2A in sea urchin embryos during early developmentDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 4 2000Manabu Kawamoto In the eggs and embryos of sea urchins, the activity of protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) increased during the developmental period between fertilization and the morula stage, decreased after the prehatching blastula stage and increased again after hatching. The PP2A activity changed keeping pace with alteration to the activities of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A kinase), Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) and casein kinase. Probably, PP2A contributes to the quick turning off of cellular signals because of protein phosphorylation. The activity of protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) was not detectable up to the morula stage and appreciably increased thereafter. In the isolated nucleus fraction, specific activities of PP1 and PP2A were higher than in whole embryos at all stages in early development. Exponential increase in the number of nuclei because of egg cleavage probably makes PP1 activity detectable in whole embryos after the morula stage. In isolated nuclei, the activities of PP1 and PP2A appreciably decreased after hatching, whereas the activities of A kinase, Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (C kinase) and CaM kinase, as well as casein kinase, became higher. In nuclei, cellular signals caused by protein phosphorylation after hatching do not seem to be turned off by these protein kinases so quickly as before hatching. The PP1 and PP2A in nuclei also seem to contribute to the elimination of signal noise. [source] Activation of ADF/cofilin mediates attractive growth cone turning toward nerve growth factor and netrin-1DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Bonnie M. Marsick Abstract Proper neural circuitry requires that growth cones, motile tips of extending axons, respond to molecular guidance cues expressed in the developing organism. However, it is unclear how guidance cues modify the cytoskeleton to guide growth cone pathfinding. Here, we show acute treatment with two attractive guidance cues, nerve growth factor (NGF) and netrin-1, for embryonic dorsal root ganglion and temporal retinal neurons, respectively, results in increased growth cone membrane protrusion, actin polymerization, and filamentous actin (F-actin). ADF/cofilin (AC) family proteins facilitate F-actin dynamics, and we found the inactive phosphorylated form of AC is decreased in NGF- or netrin-1-treated growth cones. Directly increasing AC activity mimics addition of NGF or netrin-1 to increase growth cone protrusion and F-actin levels. Extracellular gradients of NGF, netrin-1, and a cell-permeable AC elicit attractive growth cone turning and increased F-actin barbed ends, F-actin accumulation, and active AC in growth cone regions proximal to the gradient source. Reducing AC activity blunts turning responses to NGF and netrin. Our results suggest that gradients of NGF and netrin-1 locally activate AC to promote actin polymerization and subsequent growth cone turning toward the side containing higher AC activity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 70: 565,588, 2010 [source] The emergence of a novel representation from action: evidence from preschoolersDEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010Rebecca Boncoddo Recent work in embodied cognition has proposed that representations and actions are inextricably linked. The current study examines a developmental account of this relationship. Specifically, we propose that children's actions are foundational for novel representations. Thirty-two preschoolers, aged 3.4 to 5.7 years, were asked to solve a set of simple gear-system problems. Participants' motions and verbalizations were coded to establish the strategies they used. The preschoolers initially solved the problems by simulating the turning and pushing of the gears. Subsequently, most participants discovered a new representation of the problems: the turning direction of the gears alternates. Results show that the number of actions that embodied alternation information, during their simulation of the system, predicted the later emergence of the higher-order representation (i.e. that the gears alternate turning direction). Thus, it appears that the preschoolers discovered a new representation based on their own actions. These results are consistent with the developmental embodiment hypothesis: actions are central to the emergence of new representations. [source] Worsening of Left Ventricular End-Systolic Volume and Mitral Regurgitation without Increase in Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony on Acute Interruption of Cardiac Resynchronization TherapyECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2009Suman S. Kuppahally M.D. Background: Responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) have greater left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony than nonresponders prior to CRT. Aim: We conducted this study to see whether the long term responders have more worsening of LV dyssynchrony and LV function on acute interruption of CRT. Materials and Methods: We identified 22 responders and 13 nonresponders who received CRT as per standard criteria for 23.73 ± 7.9 months (median 24.5 months). We assessed the acute change in LV function, mitral regurgitation (MR) and compared LV dyssynchrony in CRT on and off modes. Results: On turning off CRT, there was no significant worsening of LV dyssynchrony in both responders and nonresponders. The dyssynchrony measurements by SPWMD, TDI and 3D echocardiography did not correlate significantly. LVESV increased (p = 0.02) and MR (p = 0.01) worsened in CRT-off mode in responders only without significant change in LVEF or LV dimensions. Discussion and Conclusion: In long-term responders to CRT, there is alteration in the function of remodeled LV with acute interruption of CRT, without significant worsening of LV dyssynchrony. The role of different echocardiographic parameters in the assessment of LV dyssynchrony remains controversial. Even after long-term CRT reversely remodels the LV, the therapy needs to be continued uninterrupted for sustained benefits. [source] Parental care in response to natural variation in nest predation pressure in six sunfish (Centrarchidae: Teleostei) speciesECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 4 2008S. J. Cooke Abstract,,, Parental care is an important, energetically costly component of the life history of many fishes. Despite this importance, little is known about how different species of fish vary parental care in response to natural nest predator burdens. In this study, underwater videography was used to quantify parental care activity of six species of syntopic nesting male centrarchid fishes in Lake Opinicon, Ontario, in response to natural predators. This approach was used to test the hypothesis that as offspring develop from eggs to wrigglers, parental care activity should decrease or remain static for fish guarding nests with low predator burden and increase for those with high predator burden, reflecting different external risks. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to derive common aeration and nest defence variables. Aeration and predator defence activity of the fish varied extensively among species. Parental care behaviours indicative of defence and vigilance (e.g., turning, departures, time away from nest, displays) tended to be highest for species that had the most predation attempts, although this was not entirely consistent. There was also a positive relationship between the defence PCA metric and attempted predation. Defence did not vary with stage of offspring development, although interactions between defence and developmental stage were noted for several species. A trade-off between aeration and defence was not observed. In fact, species that provide high levels of aeration also simultaneously provide high levels of defence. Stage-specific patterns of defence in this study were less apparent than those documented by studies using responses to staged predator intrusions making it unclear as to the extent that fish were responding to the level of the risk to offspring than to the value of the brood. Therefore, combined use of observational and experimental assessments of parental care investment may be most appropriate for refining current theoretical paradigms. [source] Co-expression of C-terminal truncated alpha-synuclein enhances full-length alpha-synuclein-induced pathologyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2010Ayse Ulusoy Abstract Lewy bodies, which are a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease, contain insoluble polymers of alpha-synuclein (,syn). Among the different modifications that can promote the formation of toxic ,syn species, C-terminal truncation is among the most abundant alterations in patients with Parkinson's disease. In vitro, C-terminal truncated ,syn aggregates faster and sub-stoichiometric amounts of C-terminal truncated ,syn promote aggregation of the full-length ,syn (,synFL) and induce neuronal toxicity. To address in vivo the putative stimulation of ,syn-induced pathology by the presence of truncated ,syn, we used recombinant adeno-associated virus to express either ,synFL or a C-terminal truncated ,syn (1-110) in rats. We adjusted the recombinant adeno-associated virus vector concentrations so that either protein alone led to only mild to moderate axonal pathology in the terminals of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons without frank cell loss. When these two forms of ,syn were co-expressed at these pre-determined levels, it resulted in a more aggressive pathology in fiber terminals as well as dopaminergic cell loss in the substantia nigra. Using an antibody that did not detect the C-terminal truncated ,syn (1-110) but only ,synFL, we demonstrated that the co-expressed truncated protein promoted the progressive accumulation of ,synFL and formation of larger pathological accumulations. Moreover, in the co-expression group, three of the eight animals showed apomorphine-induced turning, suggesting prominent post-synaptic alterations due to impairments in the dopamine release, whereas the mild pathology induced by either form alone did not cause motor abnormalities. Taken together these data suggest that C-terminal truncated ,syn can interact with and exacerbate the formation of pathological accumulations containing ,synFL in vivo. [source] Spatiotemporal properties of cytoplasmic cyclic AMP gradients can alter the turning behaviour of neuronal growth conesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 4 2004Sebastian Munck Abstract Growth cones, the terminal structures of elongating neurites, use extracellular guidance information in order to navigate to appropriate target cells. The directional information of guidance cues is transduced to a cytoplasmic gradient of messenger molecules across the growth cone leading to rearrangements of the cytoskeleton. One messenger molecule regulating growth cone turning is cAMP, which is also known to be sufficient to direct growth cone attraction. Cytoplasmic cAMP gradients have been generated in the present study by photolysing caged cAMP with UV light focused on one side of growth cones of chick sensory neurons. Using this method we show that only specific time patterns of pulsed cAMP release are capable of inducing growth cone turning whereas others, which release the same amount of cAMP, are ineffective. Theoretical calculations show that diverse time patterns produce different intracellular gradients, which were visualized directly in HeLa cells expressing cAMP-sensitive ion channels as a reporter system. Together these data indicate that the spatiotemporal properties of the intracellular gradient are crucial for growth cone turning. [source] Humus forms and metal pollution in soilEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002S. Gillet Summary Smelters in northern France are a serious source of soil pollution by heavy metals. We have studied a poplar plantation downwind of an active zinc smelter. Three humus profiles were sampled at increasing distance from the smelter, and the thickness of topsoil horizons was measured along a transect. We analysed the vertical distribution of humus components and plant debris to assess the impact of heavy metal pollution on the humus forms and on soil faunal activity. We compared horizons within a profile, humus profiles between them, and traced the recent history of the site. Near the smelter, poplar trees are stunted or dead and the humus form is a mor, with a well-developed holorganic OM horizon. Here faunal activity is inhibited, so there is little faecal deposition and humification of plant litter. At the distant site poplar grows well and faunal activity is intense, so there are skeletonized leaves and many organo,mineral earthworm and millipede faecal pellets. The humus form is a mull, with a well-developed hemorganic A horizon. The passage from mor to mull along the transect was abrupt, mor turning to mull at 250 m from the smelter, though there was a progressive decrease in heavy metal deposition. This indicates that there was a threshold (estimated to be 20 000 mg Zn kg,1) in the resilience of the soil foodweb. [source] MSI-1, a neural RNA-binding protein, is involved in male mating behaviour in Caenorhabditis elegansGENES TO CELLS, Issue 11 2000Akinori Yoda Neural RNA-binding proteins are thought to play important roles in neural development and the functional regulation of postmitotic neurones by mediating post-transcriptional gene regulation. RNA-binding proteins belonging to the Musashi family are highly expressed in the nervous system; however, their roles are poorly understood. We identified a Caenorhabditis elegans Musashi homologue, MSI-1, whose RNA-recognition motifs show extensive similarity to those of Drosophila and vertebrate Musashi proteins. We isolated a msi-1 mutant and found males with this mutation to have a mating defect. C. elegans male mating behaviour includes a distinct series of steps: response to contact, backing, turning, vulva location, spicule insertion, and sperm transfer. msi-1 is required for the turning and vulva location steps. Like other Musashi family members, MSI-1 is expressed specifically in neural cells, including male-specific neurones required for turning and vulva location. However, msi-1 was not expressed in proliferating neural progenitors in C. elegans, unlike the Musashi family genes in other systems. Our results suggest that msi-1 is expressed specifically in postmitotic neurones in C. elegans. msi-1 is required for full development of male mating behaviour, possibly through regulation of msi-1 expressing neurones. [source] Between Identification and Documentation, ,Autofiction' and ,Biopic': The Lives of the RAFGERMAN LIFE AND LETTERS, Issue 4 2003Julian Preece Since the mid-1970s the RAF has generated a variety of different forms of ,life-writing', ranging from memoirs written by ex-terrorists to autobiographical fiction by contemporaries which explores the interaction between an authorial narrator and a central terrorist character. Film-makers, echoing novelists, have often focussed on the life of an individual terrorist. While the view that an individual's turning to the RAF or one of its related groupings could be explained through biographical experience has been discredited by the evidence now available, RAF memoirs are of limited value in other respects because their authors are unable to reflect critically on their past. In fiction (by writers such as Timm, Chotjewitz, and Demksi) and films (by von Trotta, Schlöndorff, and Conradt) which depict the first RAF generation it becomes clear that what is made of the life is more challenging than the life itself. The same appears true of the largely non-fictional treatment of Ulrike Meinhof. Younger writers and playwrights (Dresen, Kuckart, Scholz, Loher) and film-makers (Veiel), while struggling to make links between the recent past and the present, show much greater distance to the material, sometimes to the point of incorporating the points of view of the RAF 's opponents and victims. In addition to generational affiliation the gender of both author/film-maker and particular terrorist subject also determines in unexpected ways the depiction of RAF lives. [source] Trade union recognition in Britain, 1995,1902: turning a corner?INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2004Gregor Gall ABSTRACT This paper examines developments in union recognition in Britain between 1995,1902 and assesses the influence of the statutory provisions for gaining recognition contained in the Employment Relations Act 1999. The paper details the significant increase in new agreements, concluding that the new law is one important factor explaining this growth. Analysis is made of the nature and circumstances of the new agreements. Finally, the paper considers whether these developments indicate the turning of a corner for trends in recognition coverage. [source] Stability of linear time-periodic delay-differential equations via Chebyshev polynomialsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 7 2004Eric A. Butcher Abstract This paper presents a new technique for studying the stability properties of dynamic systems modeled by delay-differential equations (DDEs) with time-periodic parameters. By employing a shifted Chebyshev polynomial approximation in each time interval with length equal to the delay and parametric excitation period, the dynamic system can be reduced to a set of linear difference equations for the Chebyshev expansion coefficients of the state vector in the previous and current intervals. This defines a linear map which is the ,infinite-dimensional Floquet transition matrix U'. Two different formulas for the computation of the approximate U, whose size is determined by the number of polynomials employed, are given. The first one uses the direct integral form of the original system in state space form while the second uses a convolution integral (variation of parameters) formulation. Additionally, a variation on the former method for direct application to second-order systems is also shown. An error analysis is presented which allows the number of polynomials employed in the approximation to be selected in advance for a desired tolerance. An extension of the method to the case where the delay and parametric periods are commensurate is also shown. Stability charts are produced for several examples of time-periodic DDEs, including the delayed Mathieu equation and a model for regenerative chatter in impedance-modulated turning. The results indicate that this method is an effective way to study the stability of time-periodic DDEs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Strategies for identifying genes that play a role in spinal cord regenerationJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 1 2004M. Wintzer Abstract A search for genes that promote or block CNS regeneration requires numerous approaches; for example, tests can be made on individual candidate molecules. Here, however, we describe methods for comprehensive identification of genes up- and down-regulated in neurons that can and cannot regenerate after injury. One problem concerns identification of low-abundance genes out of the 30 000 or so genes expressed by neurons. Another difficulty is knowing whether a single gene or multiple genes are necessary. When microchips and subtractive differential display are used to identify genes turned on or off, the numbers are still too great to test which molecules are actually important for regeneration. Candidates are genes coding for trophic, inhibitory, receptor and extracellular matrix molecules, as well as unknown genes. A preparation useful for narrowing the search is the neonatal opossum. The spinal cord and optic nerve can regenerate after injury at 9 days but cannot at 12 days after birth. This narrow window allows genes responsible for the turning off of regeneration to be identified. As a next step, sites at which they are expressed (forebrain, midbrain, spinal cord, neurons or glia, intracellular or extracellular) must be determined. An essential step is to characterize proteins, their levels of expression, and their importance for regeneration. Comprehensive searches for molecular mechanisms represent a lengthy series of experiments that could help in devising strategies for repairing injured spinal cord. [source] Growth and survival of non-O157:H7 Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli in cow manureJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007B. Fremaux Abstract Aims:, The main objective of this study was to evaluate the behaviour of non-O157:H7 Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains in cow manure. Methods and Results:, A mixture of eight green-fluorescent-protein-labelled STEC strains was inoculated around 106,107 CFU g,1 into four manure heaps. Two heaps were regularly turned and the two others remained unturned. STEC counts and physical parameters (temperature, pH, moisture content and oxido-reduction potential) were monitored for 1000 manure samples. The highest mean pH values were obtained near the surface at the base of all manure heaps. At the surface, the moisture content decreased from 76·5% to 42% in turned heaps. Temperatures reached 65°C near the main body of all manure heaps, and only 35°C near the superficial parts located at the base of them. These two sites (the centre and the base) were associated with D values for the STEC counts of 0·48 and 2·39 days, respectively. We were able to detect STEC strains during 42 days in turned manure heaps and during at least 90 days in unturned ones. Conclusions:, These results emphasize the long-term survival of non-O157:H7 STEC in cow manure. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Good management practices (e.g. turning) should be respected in order to minimize the risk of environmental contamination by STEC. [source] Decrease of enteric micro-organisms from rural sewage sludge during their composting in straw mixtureJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A.-M. Pourcher Abstract Aims:, To study the decrease of enteric micro-organisms including viable nematode eggs, enteroviruses, faecal indicators (Escherichia coli and enterococci) and pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp. and Clostridium perfringens) of a rural sewage sludge when it is composted for 7 months in mixture with straw. Methods and Results:, Numbers of the test organisms and the physico-chemical parameters were measured on a monthly basis on the mixture, on the compost after being turned, and on the pile in three positions representing the part by which air is incoming, the bottom of the pile and the part through which air is outgoing. The lowest temperature in the pile was observed at the bottom, where it did not exceed 50°C against 66°C in the two other areas. There were no significant differences between the three areas in terms of micro-organism survival. Infectious enteroviruses were inactivated rapidly and were not found after the first turning whereas some genomes were detected until after the third turning. Escherichia coli and enterococci presented a similar survival rate and their number decreased by 4 log10 whereas Salmonella decayed at a greater rate than L. monocytogenes. The numbers of C. perfringens decreased gradually to reach a final concentration in the mature compost of about 102 CFU g,1 dry matter (d.m.), which was similar to that of the faecal indicators. Conclusions:, The hygienic effect of sludge composting in mixture with straw results in a significant reduction of enteric micro-organisms, the concentration of the faecal indicators in the final product being <64 most probable number g,1 d.m. The concentrations of Salmonella, enteroviruses and viable nematode eggs in the final product were not detectable which is in accordance with the French legislation. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The results which pointed out the different behaviour of the test micro-organisms reflect the difficulty to propose a relevant indicator of hygienization. Otherwise, they show that composting is an efficient means for hygienization of sludge of rural wastewater treatment, where the straw is available close to their place of production. [source] Trust Evaluation Model for Catching Japanese Bankruptcy ChancesJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2002Shingo Ogawa This article aims at verifying the rationality of experiential subjectivities of credit analysts. In order to understand future events that can occur in an enterprise, uncertainty can be reduced based on their expertise. Rather than bankruptcy prediction accuracy, as in preceding studies, the aim here is to build a credit risk model from the viewpoint of credit analysts with sufficient experience for causal analysis. Factors that professional analysts pay major attention to in discovering bankruptcy chances are studied. The significant factors presented are four categories of what I call trust fear factors. The significance of the credit risk model based on these four factors was validated by statistical test, and this model was verified as a pragmatic model. The finding here is that subjective expertise works effectively for discovering an enterprise's critical situation turning towards bankruptcy. [source] Magnebike: A magnetic wheeled robot with high mobility for inspecting complex-shaped structuresJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 5 2009Fabien Tâche This paper describes the Magnebike robot, a compact robot with two magnetic wheels in a motorbike arrangement, which is intended for inspecting the inner casing of ferromagnetic pipes with complex-shaped structures. The locomotion concept is based on an adapted magnetic wheel unit integrating two lateral lever arms. These arms allow for slight lifting off the wheel in order to locally decrease the magnetic attraction force when passing concave edges, as well as laterally stabilizing the wheel unit. The robot has the main advantage of being compact (180 × 130 × 220 mm) and mechanically simple: it features only five active degrees of freedom (two driven wheels each equipped with an active lifter stabilizer and one steering unit). The paper presents in detail design and implementation issues that are specific to magnetic wheeled robots. Low-level control functionalities are addressed because they are necessary to control the active system. The paper also focuses on characterizing and analyzing the implemented robot. The high mobility is shown through experimental results: the robot not only can climb vertical walls and follow circumferential paths inside pipe structures but it is also able to pass complex combinations of 90-deg convex and concave ferromagnetic obstacles with almost any inclination regarding gravity. It requires only limited space to maneuver because turning on the spot around the rear wheel is possible. This high mobility enables the robot to access any location in the specified environment. Finally the paper analyzes the maximum payload for different types of environment complexities because this is a key feature for climbing robots and provides a security factor about the risk of falling and slipping. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Relocation decision-making and couple relationships: a quantitative and qualitative study of dual-earner couplesJOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Issue 3 2005Hélène Challiol We present the results of two empirical studies of the relocation decision-making process of dual-earner couples. The first study is a quantitative survey of 155 management-level employees and focuses on the variables likely to moderate the influence of the spouse (partner) on the probability of accepting or turning down geographical mobility. The second complementary study is qualitative, consisting of 11 in-depth interviews of dual-earner couples; it attempts to identify the dynamics within the couple when making relocation decisions. We found that the couple's decision-making process in the face of a transfer proposition is above all a search for compromise solutions that are a function of the respective occupational and family roles within the couple as well as their expectations of how to organize their life as a couple. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Atomic Force Microscopy Characterization and Interpretation of Thin-Film Poly(butylene adipate) Spherulites with Ring BandsMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 15 2008Andreas Frömsdorf Abstract Atomic force microscopy characterization has been conducted to reveal the morphological difference between single-ring bands in poly(butylene adipate) (PBA). Furthermore, morphological features of the ring-less Maltese-cross spherulites are compared to the ring-band spherulites. Periodic changes in height seem to be common for either the ring-band or ring-less (Maltese-cross) crystal domains; however, the steepness in height change is greater for the ring-band crystal, while height change in the ring-less crystal exhibits a terrace-like layer pattern. In the ring-band crystal region, the lamellar stalks, which taper off to pointed needle-like stalks, monotonously protrude out of the layers of softer materials, with no signs of twisting, bending, or turning. In contrast, all lamellae in the ring-less (Maltese-cross) crystal region are uniform platelets arranged like flower petals in a layered pattern. [source] High-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy in rat liver using magic angle turning at a 1 Hz spinning rateMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2002Jian Zhi Hu Abstract It is demonstrated that a high-resolution 1H NMR spectrum of excised rat liver can be obtained using the technique of magic angle turning (MAT) at a sample spinning rate of 1 Hz. A variant of the phase-corrected MAT (PHORMAT) pulse sequence that includes a water suppression segment was developed for the investigation. The spectral resolution achieved with PHORMAT approaches that obtained from a standard magic angle spinning (MAS) experiment at a spinning rate of several kHz. With such ultra-slow spinning, tissue and cell damage associated with the standard MAS experiment is minimized or eliminated. The technique is potentially useful for obtaining high-resolution 1H spectra in live animals. Magn Reson Med 47:829,836, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||