Modes of ambiguous communication

We study cheap talk communication in a simple two actions-two states model featuring ambiguous priors. First, we find that in equilibrium, S often mixes between messages triggering different beliefs and behavior by R while R also occasionally randomizes. We interpret randomization by respectively S and R as embodying two different modes of ambiguous communication. Second, we find that for sufficiently high ambiguity, more than two messages are often necessary to implement the optimal decision rule of S. If only two messages are available and S faces his preference twin, S may be unable to implement his optimal decision rule and influential communication may be altogether impossible. We stress the non replicability of these results within an expected utility environment. Third, we show that the addition of a little ambiguity may generate influential communication that is unambiguously advantageous to S

Media events, spectacles and risky globalization: a critical review and possible avenues for future research

We review the research conducted to date on media events and media spectacles. We posit that the main phenomena challenging the current conceptualizations of media event and media spectacle are (1) the understanding of risk, (2) the context of disasters and (3) globalization and the mediation of news in the context of transnational and transitional societies. We suggest that more research on disruptive events is needed. In the context of the new media landscape in particular, the ritual researcher may need to take into account the concepts of temporality and unpredictability as inherent features of media events and rituals – the traumatic events researcher may benefit from the concept of global risk society. Finally, we argue that more research needs to be carried out on transitional societies, as we need to learn more about the role of mediation, events and spectacles in democratization processes and in contemporary revolutions. Overall, our findings indicate that in the context of global risk society, constant disruptions and unplanned events, together with the changes in news transmission, need to be taken as a starting point also in the research frames used to understand the mediation of events in contemporary society

The SPF27 Homologue Num1 Connects Splicing and Kinesin 1-Dependent Cytoplasmic Trafficking in Ustilago maydis

The conserved NineTeen protein complex (NTC) is an integral subunit of the spliceosome and required for intron removal during pre-mRNA splicing. The complex associates with the spliceosome and participates in the regulation of conformational changes of core spliceosomal components, stabilizing RNA-RNA- as well as RNA-protein interactions. In addition, the NTC is involved in cell cycle checkpoint control, response to DNA damage, as well as formation and export of mRNP-particles. We have identified the Num1 protein as the homologue of SPF27, one of NTC core components, in the basidiomycetous fungus Ustilago maydis. Num1 is required for polarized growth of the fungal hyphae, and, in line with the described NTC functions, the num1 mutation affects the cell cycle and cell division. The num1 deletion influences splicing in U. maydis on a global scale, as RNA-Seq analysis revealed increased intron retention rates. Surprisingly, we identified in a screen for Num1 interacting proteins not only NTC core components as Prp19 and Cef1, but several proteins with putative functions during vesicle-mediated transport processes. Among others, Num1 interacts with the motor protein Kin1 in the cytoplasm. Similar phenotypes with respect to filamentous and polar growth, vacuolar morphology, as well as the motility of early endosomes corroborate the genetic interaction between Num1 and Kin1. Our data implicate a previously unidentified connection between a component of the splicing machinery and cytoplasmic transport processes. As the num1 deletion also affects cytoplasmic mRNA transport, the protein may constitute a novel functional interconnection between the two disparate processes of splicing and trafficking

VIP21, a 21-kD membrane protein is an integral component of trans-Golgi-network-derived transport vesicles

In simple epithelial cells, apical and basolateral proteins are sorted into separate vesicular carriers before delivery to the appropriate plasma membrane domains. To dissect the putative sorting machinery, we have solubilized Golgi-derived transport vesicles with the detergent CHAPS and shown that an apical marker, influenza haemagglutinin (HA), formed a large complex together with several integral membrane proteins. Remarkably, a similar set of CHAPS-insoluble proteins was found after solubilization of a total cellular membrane fraction. This allowed the cloning of a cDNA encoding one protein of this complex, VIP21 (Vesicular Integral-membrane Protein of 21 kD). The transiently expressed protein appeared on the Golgi-apparatus, the plasma membrane and vesicular structures. We propose that VIP21 is a component of the molecular machinery of vesicular transport

The digestible energy, metabolizable energy, and net energy content of dietary fat sources in thirteen- and fifty-kilogram pigs

The objective was to determine the energy concentration of a diverse array of dietary fat sources and from these data, develop regression equations that explain differences based on chemical composition. A total of 120 Genetiporc 6.0 × Genetiporc F25 (PIC, Inc., Hendersonville, TN) individually housed barrows were studied for 56 d. These barrows (initial BW of 9.9 ± 0.6 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 15 dietary treatments. Each experimental diet included 95% of a corn-soybean meal basal diet plus 5% either: corn starch or 1 of 14 dietary fat sources. The 14 dietary fat sources (animal-vegetable blend, canola oil, choice white grease source A, choice white grease source B, coconut oil, corn oil source A, corn oil source B, fish oil, flaxseed oil, palm oil, poultry fat, soybean oil source A, soybean oil source B, and tallow) were selected to provide a diverse and robust range of U:S (unsaturated fatty acid:SFA). Pigs were limit-fed experimental diets from d 0 to 10 and d 46 to 56 providing a 7 d adaption for fecal collection on d 7 to 10 (13 kg BW) and d 53 to 56 (50 kg BW). At 13 kg BW, the average energy content of the 14 sources was 8.42 Mcal of DE/kg, 8.26 Mcal of ME/kg, and 7.27 Mcal of NE/kg, respectively. At 50 kg BW, the average energy content was 8.45 Mcal of DE/kg, 8.28 Mcal of ME/kg, and 7.29 Mcal of NE/kg, respectively. At 13 kg BW, variation of dietary fat DE content was explained by: DE (Mcal/kg) = 9.363 + [0.097 × (FFA, %)] – [0.016 × Omega- 6:Omega-3] – [1.240 × (arachidic acid, %)] – [5.054 × (insoluble impurities, %)] + [0.014 × (palmitic acid, %)] (P = 0.008; R2 = 0.82). At 50 kg BW, variation of dietary fat DE content was explained by: DE (Mcal/kg) = 8.357 + [0.189 × U:S] – [0.195 × (FFA, %)] – [6.768 × (behenic acid, %)] + [0.024 × (PUFA, %)] (P = 0.002; R2 = 0.81). In summary, the chemical composition of dietary fat explained a large degree of the variation observed in the energy content of dietary fat sources at both 13 and 50 kg BW