Countering misinformation: Strategies, challenges, and uncertainties

Exemplification research has consistently shown effects of vox pops’ exemplars on audience judgments, whereby people tend to follow the opinion of a few fellow citizens. In this study, we gain some insight into why—and especially for whom—ordinary citizens are such influential “opinion-givers.” Importantly, we look at populist attitudes as a potential moderator for exemplification effects by comparing news reports containing vox pops with purely journalistic news reports providing the same arguments. In a web-based experiment, we show that both perceptual and persuasive effects are moderated by participants’ populist attitudes, and thus, their resonance with the “voice of the people.

Tehnika i taktika odbojke na pijesku: usporedba karakteristika igre muškaraca i žena

The aim of the study was to compare the playing characteristics of male and female athletes in professional beach volleyball. Video material, including 15 matches from the women’s and 14 matches from the men’s Grand Slam in Klagenfurt 2005, was analysed with the game analysis software “Statshot”. Applied technique, position, quality, direction and movement behaviour of athletes were evaluated. By analysing every action of the six basic beach volleyball elements - serve, reception, setting, attack, block and defence - it was possible to gain complete game statistics. The comparison indicated that male and female top players apply different techniques for success. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate significant differences between genders. The differences in distributions of applied techniques were significant for all six elements: service (p<.01), reception (p<.05), setting (p<.01), attack (p<.01), block (p<.01) and defence (p<.01). Concerning quality distribution, statistical significance was found only within the elements serve and attack. Tactical considerations and gender-specific differences in anthropometry and physiology may be reasons for the different approaches.Uvod Dosadašnja istraživanja u odbojci na pijesku orijentirala su se na utvrđivanje razlika između pobjedničkih i poraženih ekipa, na učinke promjena pravila igre i opće karakteristike igre (vremensku strukturu, tehniku, taktiku i fizičke zahtjeve). Razlike u igri između muškaraca i žena mogle su se vidjeti u tim istraživanjima, ali nisu bile identificirane. Cilj je ovog istraživanja fokusirati se upravo na spolne razlike u igri profesionalnih igrača i igračica odbojke na pijesku. Pretpostavka za istraživanje bila je da će se razlike u antropometrijskim karakteristikama i fizičkim sposobnostima između dva spola, kao i visina mreže (2.24 za žene i 2.43 m za muškarce) na igralištu istih dimenzija (8 x 16 m) odraziti i na samu igru. Metode Video materijal, koji je uključivao 15 susreta sa ženskog i 14 susreta s muškog turnira Grand Slam u Klagenfurtu, održanom 2005. godine, analiziran je programom za analizu igre pod nazivom "Statshot". Kamera je bila postavljena oko 9 m iza osnovne linije i 7 m iznad terena. Vrednovale su se korištene tehnike, pozicije, kvaliteta izvedbe te smjer i način kretanja sportaša i sportašica. Analizom akcija svakog od šest osnovnih elemenata odbojke na pijesku: servisa, prijema, dizanja, napada, blokiranja i obrane bilo je moguće dobiti kompletnu statistiku igre. Ukupno su kod muškaraca analizirane 7393 akcije, dok je kod žena analizirano ukupno 7776 akcija. Kvaliteta izvedbe svakog elementa bila je procijenjena skalom od 4 ocjene. Kvalitetni igrači odbojke na pijesku, osposobljeni za rad s programom, vrednovali su kvalitetu izvedbe. Pouzdanost i objektivnost mjernog instrumenta procijenjeni su na uzorku od 100 akcija putem Scottova p-koeficijenta, a iznosili su .93, odnosno .90. Detaljan opis testova može se vidjeti u Tilp i sur., 2006. Rezultati Usporedba je pokazala kako se muški i ženski vrhunski igrači odbojke na pijesku razlikuju po primjeni tehničkih elementa u igri. Za utvrđivanje značajnosti razlika između spolova u primjeni tehničkih elemenata koristio se hi-kvadrat test. Razlike u distribucijama primijenjenih tehničkih elemenata bile su značajne za 6 elemenata: servis (p<.01), primanje (p<.05), dizanje (p<.01), napad (p<.01), blok (p<.01) i obrana (p<.01). Statistička značajnost razlika u kvaliteti izvedbe pojedinih elemenata utvrđena je samo u varijablama servis i napad. Rezultati su pokazali da muškarci i žene preferiraju različite tehničke elemente za početak poena. Približno polovina (47%) svih analiziranih servisa u muškoj konkurenciji bili su skok servisi. Naprotiv, u ženskoj konkurenciji zabilježeno je 48% ravnih servisa bez skoka, iako je skok servis zabilježen kao najuspješniji servis i u muškaraca i u žena u smislu izravnog poena (muškarci 5% i žene 9%). Rezultati ovog istraživanja pokazuju da su tehnike prijema podjednako kvantitativno raspoređene i u muškaraca i u žena. I jedni i drugi uspješno su izveli više od 50% prijema lopte (žene 55% i muškarci 60%). Velika razlika zabilježena je u tehničkim elementima koji pripadaju pripremi poena. Muškarci se koriste tehnikom dizanja čekićem i vršnom tehnikom u jednakom omjeru (46% svaki), dok je žene ipak preferiraju tehnike dizanja čekićem (84%) u odnosu na vršnu tehniku (9%). Analizom faze napada potvrđeni su očekivani rezultati da muškarci vole završavati napade smečiranjem (59%). Dok je u muškoj konkurenciji odigrano 41% plasiranih udaraca, u ženskoj je konkurenciji zabilježeno 50% plasiranih udaraca i 50% smečeva. Distribucija kvalitete za fazu napada pokazala je statistički značajnu razliku između muškaraca i žena (p<.01). Strategiju bloka u muškaraca karakterizira 88% dinamičnih akcija na mreži, dok se žene odmiču od mreže u 27% zabilježenih situacija u bloku te zauzimaju obrambenu poziciju duboko u samom terenu. Zabilježeno je i da su odbojkašice uspješno obranile više napada koji su izvedeni plasiranjem (46%) dok su se manje morale braniti od napada smečiranjem (35%). Takva razlika u uspješnosti u fazi obrane nije vidljiva i u odbojkaša koji su podjednako uspješno branili napade plasiranjem (38%) i napade smečiranjem (40%). Diskusija i zaključci Rezultati ovog istraživanja pokazuju da žene koriste drugačiju strategiju igre nego muškarci, profesionalne igračice i igrači u međunarodnoj odbojci na pijesku. Razlike su osobito naglašene u kvantitativnoj distribuciji korištenih tehničkih elemenata. Najveća razlike između spolova zabilježena je u omjeru dizanja izvedenih vršnom tehniko, koji su muškarci koristili 46%, a žene 9% u fazi postavljanja napada. Ovaj rezultat je vrlo zanimljiv i zapanjujući budući da su odbojkaški stručnjaci uvjereni da je ova tehnika odigravanja najpreciznija. Zanimljiv je i podatak da odbojkašice kad izvode početni udarac, izvode tek 20% skok-servisa iako njime postižu više izravnih bodova, u čemu su identične s odbojkašima. Razlozi različitih pristupa igri vjerojatno leže u taktičkim zamislima te spolnim razlikama koje se očituju u antropometriji i fiziologiji odbojkašica i odbojkaša. Budućim istraživanjima potrebno je utvrditi razloge i motiviranost za takav način ponašanja u igri

Model-guided design of ligand-regulated RNAi for programmable control of gene expression

Progress in constructing biological networks will rely on the development of more advanced components that can be predictably modified to yield optimal system performance. We have engineered an RNA-based platform, which we call an shRNA switch, that provides for integrated ligand control of RNA interference (RNAi) by modular coupling of an aptamer, competing strand, and small hairpin (sh) RNA stem into a single component that links ligand concentration and target gene expression levels. A combined experimental and mathematical modelling approach identified multiple tuning strategies and moves towards a predictable framework for the forward design of shRNA switches. The utility of our platform is highlighted by the demonstration of fine-tuning, multi-input control, and model-guided design of shRNA switches with an optimized dynamic range. Thus, shRNA switches can serve as an advanced component for the construction of complex biological systems and offer a controlled means of activating RNAi in disease therapeutics

Sprachbewusst unterrichten. Handreichung für den Unterricht an Grund-, Haupt-, Ober- und Realschulen

Sprachliche Bildung in allen Fächern gehört zu den Kernaufgaben der Grund- und weiterführenden Schulen. Unterschiede in den sprachlichen Kompetenzen der Schülerinnen und Schüler erfordern einen Unterricht, der sich neben der fachlichen Vermittlung zugleich sprachsensibel verhält. Dies wiederum verlangt von den Lehrpersonen entsprechende Konzepte, mit denen sie den sprachlichen Herausforderungen ihrer Schülerinnen und Schüler konstruktiv begegnen können. Die Handreichung richtet sich deshalb an Dozentinnen und Dozenten aller Fächer in der Hochschullehre und in der Lehrerfortbildung sowie an Lehrerinnen und Lehrer, die sich im Selbststudium zu Fragen der sprachlichen Bildung weiterqualifizieren möchten. Neben einem theoretischen Überblick über aktuelle Aspekte sprachsensiblen Unterrichts werden exemplarische Seminarkonzepte aus der universitären Lehrerfortbildung vorgestellt. Das Material der Handreichung ist im Rahmen des Verbundprojektes „UMBRÜCHE GESTALTEN. Sprachenförderung und -bildung als integrale Bestandteile innovativer Lehramtsausbildung in Niedersachsen“ entwickelt, erprobt und evaluiert worden

The Accuracy of Wireless Sensors in Detecting the leg Movements and Kicks of Young Typically Developing Infants: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Video-based behavior coding is the ‘gold-standard’ for identifying leg movements (LMs) and kicks in pre-walking infants. 3-D motion sensors have been successfully used to assess the frequency and quality of LMs in adults. Little research has been conducted to determine if 3-D motion sensors can accurately detect LMs and kicks produced by young infants. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to compare the accuracy of wireless 3-D sensors to the current gold standard of behavior coded video-taped data to identify the LMs and kicks produced by pre-walking infants. METHODS: The spontaneous LMs and kicks of 4 typically developing infants who entered the study at 1 month of age were video-taped when they were supine with and without the wireless sensors attached to their thighs and shanks. The video-taped data was behavior coded via frame by frame analysis to identify each infant’s LMs and kicks in each condition. Custom Matlab programs, based on the mean peak acceleration and velocity of the infants’ LMs in each cardinal plane, were written to identify the LMs detected by the 3-D wireless sensors. RESULTS: Wearing the 3-D wireless sensors did not result in a significant change in the number of LMs and kicks generated by this small group of infants (p \u3c .05). Two sets of algorithms that relied on the peak acceleration and velocity of the infants’ LMs were written into the custom Matlab programs. These calculations revealed that the 3-D wireless sensors detected, on average, 89 to 93% of the LMs identified through the frame by frame behavior coding of the video-taped data. The wireless sensors placed on the distal thigh were slightly more accurate than the sensors placed on the distal shank DISCUSSION: These preliminary results are consistent with the literature regarding the use of 3- D wireless sensors to detect infant LMs. Although promising, these initial results need to be viewed cautiously given the small number of babies included in this pilot study. With additional data, we hope to make a recommendation regarding the clinical use of 3-D wireless sensors to monitor the LMs and kicks of young infants with and without disabilities in the near future

Zwischen vorne und hinten

Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Darstellung der Männerliebe (nanshoku) in humoristischen Erzählungen der Edo-Zeit (1603-1868). Zu diesem Zweck wird eine Auswahl von rund 60 dieser kurzen Geschichten (Jap. shōwa oder kobanashi), die sich mit dem Thema der Männerliebe befassen, in überwiegend eigener Übersetzung präsentiert und analysiert. Im Besonderen steht dabei die Frage im Mittelpunkt, wie das Gender der beiden Partner einer nanshoku-Beziehung in dieser humoristischen Literatur konstruiert wird. Ein solches Verhältnis bestand im Allgemeinen zwischen einem erwachsenen Mann (nenja) und einem Knaben bzw. Jüngling (wakashu). In der Textanalyse tritt deutlich zutage, dass sich eindeutig Diskrepanzen auftun, was das Bild des jeweils älteren bzw. jüngeren Partners einer nanshoku-Beziehung betrifft. Die Arbeit bespricht verschiedene Bereiche, in denen diese Unterschiede zwischen den Partnern zum Tragen kommen: zugeschriebene Charaktereigenschaften bzw. Verhaltensweisen, Aussehen und Aufmachung, Sexualität, sowie die Konstruktion des Körpers im Diskurs.The present paper explores the representations of male love (nanshoku) in humorous tales of the Tokugawa period (1603-1868). For this purpose a selection comprising roughly 60 of these tales (Jap. shōwa or kobanashi), all of which explicitly deal with the topic of male love, is presented in translation and analysed. At the core of the study lies the issue of how gender is constructed in this comic literature with regard to both partners of a nanshoku-relationship, which generally took place between a grown-up man (nenja) and a youth (wakashu). The analysis of the texts clearly points to the fact that discrepancies are to be found in the depictions of the older and younger partner of a nanshoku-relationship. The paper deals with various areas of interest in which these differences become evident, such as attributed qualities and behaviour, appearance and looks, sexuality, as well as the construction of the body in discourse

Synaptobrevin-beladene ghosts : Aufbau eines Modellsystems zur Untersuchung des Translokationsschrittes von Tetanustoxin

[no abstract

Communication, trust and leadership in co-managing biodiversity:A network analysis to understand social drivers shaping a common narrative

Environmental co-management has been advocated and applied in diverse contexts as an integrative and inclusive approach to make biodiversity conservation more effective and contextual. Co-management however requires the actors involved to overcome tacit boundaries and reconcile different viewpoints to reach a shared understanding on the environmental problem and envisioned solution(s). We depart from the assumption that a common narrative can serve as a base for a shared understanding and analyze what types of actor relations in co-management influence the emergence of a common narrative. Empirical data is collected using a mixed-method case study design. We apply the idea of narrative congruence, which relates to the similarity of narrations that actors tell, to investigate the effects of the types of relationships between two actors as well as specific leadership roles using an Exponential Random Graph Model. We find that frequent interaction between two actors and a trusted leader with many reciprocal trust ties to be important drivers to support the emergence of narrative congruence ties. Connecting leaders, i.e. actors in brokering positions, show a statistically significant negative correlation with narrative congruence ties. The results suggest that a common narrative tends to emerge in sub-groups around a highly trusted leader, in which actors talk frequently to each other. A brokering leader, however, seems to face strong difficulties of forming narrative congruence ties with others, although such brokers may play central roles in the co-design of common narratives to form the basis for motivating collective action in co-management. Lastly, we discuss the importance of common narratives and how leaders can better succeed in co-designing these in environmental co-management approaches.</p