Coping with the emerging markets crisis: a view from the markets

International Relations/Trade, Marketing,

Affordance of vibrational excitation for music composition and performance

Mechanical vibrations have typically been used in the performance domain within feedback systems to inform musicians of system states or as communication channels between performers. In this paper, we propose the addi- tional taxonomic category of vibrational excitation of mu- sical instruments for sound generation. To explore the va- riety of possibilities associated with this extended taxon- omy, we present the Oktopus, a multi-purpose wireless sys- tem capable of motorised vibrational excitation. The sys- tem can receive up to eight inputs and generates vibrations as outputs through eight motors that can be positioned ac- cordingly to produce a wide range of sounds from an ex- cited instrument. We demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed system and extended taxonomy through the de- velopment and performance of Live Mechanics, a compo- sition for piano and interactive electronics

Isolation of Metallic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Electrically Conductive Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes (m-SWNTs) were separated from pristine SWNTs using affinity chromatography for use in electrically conductive tissue engineering scaffolds. Approximately one third of SWNTs have metallic properties. Separations were achieved using a protocol modified from Liu & coworkers (2011) in order to improve the method for cell culture environments. Samples enriched in m-SWNTs were isolated and characterized. However, challenges still remain for the complete separation of m-SWNTs from their semiconducting counterpart (s-SWNTs) using this protocol. Approaches to improve separation and reduce the difficulties associated with processing the nanotubes were suggested. One of the ultimate destinations of these nanotubes would be conductive m-SWNT and collagen hydrogels for neuromuscular tissue engineering scaffolds. Isolation of Metallic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Electrically Conductive Tissue Engineering Scaffold

Limbs gone batty : the role of the anterior-posterior patterning signal, Sonic Hedgehog, in the development of the unique bat limb

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-88).The unique skeletal structure of the bat forelimb and hindlimb provides a new and exciting model for the field of evolutionary developmental biology, which seeks to reveal the molecular mechanisms behind vertebrate limb diversity. The digits of the bat forelimb, excluding the thumb, are considerably elongated and webbed. The hindlimb digits are free of webbing and are of uniform length, lacking the asymmetrical patterning of the forelimb. In this study, gene expression analysis has revealed that changes in the spatial and temporal expression patterns of the anteriorposterior patterning signal, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and its downstream target, Patched 1 (PtcJ), have contributed to the development of the unique bat limb. The embryonic development of Miniopterus natalensis (Miniopteridae) is described for the first time and the expression patterns of Shh and PtcJ in the developing limbs of this species are compared to those in Carollia perspicillata (Phyllostomidae) and the mouse. Early in bat limb development (stage 14), Shh expression in the ZPA appears to be anteriorly expanded when compared to the mouse. This observation is in line with the reported expansion of Fgf8 expression in the AER (Cretekos et al. 2007) and reveals that an enhancement of the Shh-Fgf positive feedback loop may be responsible for the initial posterior expansion of the bat forelimb. Later in development (stage 16) Shh and PtcJ acquire a novel domain of expression within the interdigital tissue of both the bat forelimb and hindlimb. These expression patterns parallel the reported up-regulation of Fgf8, Gremlin and Bmp2 in the interdigital tissue of C. perspicillata (Weatherbee et al. 2006) and support the hypothesis that the Shh-Fgfpositive feedback loop is re-initiated in the interdigital tissue of the bat limbs. The cell survival and proliferation signals provided by the Shh-Fgf signalling loop most likely contribute to the lengthening of the posterior forelimb digits, the survival of the tissue between the forelimb digits and the extension of digits 1 and 5 of the hindlimb to the same length of the remaining digits. The novel Shh and PtcJ expression patterns were observed in both M natalensis and C. perspicillata, supporting the monophyly of the chiropteran sub-order, Verspertilioniformes

MONITORING GRASSLAND BIRD POPULATIONS ON FORT CAMPBELL MILITARY RESERVATION, KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE, WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON BACHMAN’S SPARROW (Peucaea aestivalis)

Grassland birds have declined more in the past four decades than any other group, primarily because of the suppression of ecological disturbance. Fort Campbell Military Reservation (FCMR) has maintained large amounts of grasslands and oak (Quercus spp.) savannas because of military training and prescribed fires, and supports many grassland bird populations. I established a survey route to investigate vegetation influencing occupancy of grassland birds with an emphasis on Bachman’s Sparrows (Peucaea aestivalis), and additionally described habitat selection of Bachman’s Sparrows on FCMR. Bachman’s Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii), and Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) occupancy were positively related to grass cover (β [beta] = 10.02 ± [plus-minus] 2.80 SE, β = 9.93 ± 2.05 SE, β = 7.09 ± 2.35 SE, β = 17.12 ± 5.81 SE), whereas Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) and Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) occupancy were related to grass cohesion (β = 0.08 ± 0.03 SE, β = 0.08 ± 0.02 SE). Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) occupancy was positively related to shrub cover (β = 4.90 ± 1.85 SE), Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) occupancy was positively related to interspersion and juxtaposition (β = 0.05 ± 0.02 SE), and Dickcissel (Spiza americana) occupancy was negatively related to tree cover (β = -7.28 ± 0.48 SE). Bachman’s Sparrow territory size averaged 2.66 ha (± 0.57 SE); basal area was 2.25 m2/ha [meters squared per hectacre] (± 0.57 SE). Occupied territories had greater cover of forbs than unoccupied savannas (27% ± 1.55 SE vs 22% ± 1.02 SE, p = 0.0001) and greater variance in litter (0.71 ± 0.03 SE vs 0.6 ± 0.02 SE, p = 0.01). There was less variance between occupied and unoccupied territory points for bareground (0.58 ± 0.02 SE vs 0.66 ±0.03 SE, p = 0.02), forbs (0.47 ± 0.01 SE vs 0.53 ± 0.02 SE, p = 0.02), and woody species (0.85 ± 0.03 SE vs 0.96 ± 0.04, p = 0.03). Our goal is to use these data to develop a conservation strategy to monitor and enhance Bachman’s Sparrows and other high-priority species at FCMR and elsewhere in the region

The Sepoy Rebellion

No abstract provided by author

The impact of sexuality in the media

The overall goal of this study was to determine three things: 1. Does sexuality in the media appear to have a negative effect on participant’s self-concept in terms of body image, 2. Does the nature of the content as sexually implicit or sexually explicit material contribute to negative self-concepts, in terms of body image, and 3. Does the impact of these appeals affect audience member’s perceptions of others. This study found that participants’ feelings of self-concept in terms of body image were more negatively affected by the advertisements that contained sexually explicit material compared to the advertisements that contained sexually implicit material. Participants perceived message sensation was higher while watching the sexually explicit advertisements compared to the sexually implicit advertisements. Participants felt more affected in terms of self-concept after watching the advertisements with sexually explicit material and female participants’ self-concept, in terms of body image, was more affected by the advertisements than male participants. As a whole, participants indicated that the advertisements would affect other’s self-concept in terms of body image more than it affected their own self-concept. Participants in older age groups (age 56 and up) self concept in terms of body image are less affected by sexuality in the media than younger age groups (55 and under)